Transcript Highlights:

• Definitely here to support this bill, as we all know Hawaii is in a housing crisis.
• We have provided our written comments on House Bill 374.
• What bill is this? 1492? This is your bill? My bill? Some senators? Is it on the trust?
• ><c> my</c> your bill my your bill my bill<00:41:21.280><c> to</c><00:41:21.400><c> Bill</c><00:41:21.599
• ><c> some</c> bill to Bill some bill to Bill some Senators<00:41:24.359><c> is</c><00:41:24.440><c> it

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a series of housing bills. HB 1432 and HB 1428 drew support from HHFDC, and HB 1428 also received testimony from Hawaiian Community Assets, which said housing counseling funding is needed to meet demand for financial education tied to affordable housing, and that such counseling can help reduce evictions, prevent foreclosure, and stabilize households. HB 833 on community land trusts received broad support from HHFDC, county housing officials, community land trust representatives, and a local developer; testimony emphasized keeping housing affordable in perpetuity, but also asked for clearer access to financing, longer repayment terms, and inclusion of additional land trusts in the bill. Peter Savio argued that community land trusts are the best way to control demand and keep housing tied to local incomes. The committee also heard HB 19 on the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, which HHFDC said should be made permanent because the pilot has been successful, with 81 units in the program and $7.4 million of the $10 million allocation already committed. HHFDC said the fund helps stalled for-sale projects by providing state equity that revolved back when homes are sold. HB 529 and HB 432 were also heard; HB 432 would create a subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund for projects above 60% AMI, and HHFDC said this would help finance housing for households at 65% and 80% AMI. The bill drew support from several housing, business, and industry groups. Several other housing measures were discussed with mixed testimony. HB 419 had HHFDC support, Limby Hawaiʻi opposition, and support from the Grassroot Institute and others; members asked about whether councils approve these projects in one or multiple readings. HB 527 and HB 416 also drew a mix of support and opposition, with questions focused on county approval timelines and whether state-financed projects would still go through normal local review. HB 417 on the rental housing revolving fund prompted questions about how it differs from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund and whether it should be more flexible for mixed rental and for-sale projects. HB 418’s proposed working group was noted as potentially unnecessary because HHFDC said a public working group was already being formed. HB 1411 on housing preference raised questions about what happens if a recipient changes jobs, and HB 374 drew an Attorney General’s Office recommendation to remove a duration requirement to avoid possible constitutional travel issues. HB 373 and HB 1492 were also heard, with strong testimony from Peter Savio in favor of a broader trust-based model for affordable housing. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 109 was a bill that was filed last year.
• I think it was House Bill 400 last year with this bill and the following bill that you're going to hear
• a law enforcement officer. last year I think it was House Bill 400 last year I think it was House Bill
• I guess we're going to House Bill 59. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee.
• c> by</c><00:52:12.280><c> the</c><00:52:12.400><c> house</c> the of the bill as amended by the house

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to oppose House Bill 6 for a few reasons.
• The House Bill 6 version that passed out of the House did have a 10-day cap.
• Testimony for or against House Bill 6 is now closed.
• House Bill 120 prioritizes.
• ...to testify for or against House Bill 1458.

Bills: HB 1022 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HJR5 , HB6 , HB 120 , HB210 , HB1458 , HB 1188 , HB3126 , HB6 , HB120 , HB210

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2259 has two components to it.
• I'm here in support of House Bill 2259.
• opposition to House Bill 2259.
• I'm here in support of House Bill 2259.
• I'm here in favor of House Bill 2260.

Bills: HJR4209 , HB2260 , HB2259

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: redistricting, congressional representation, census, state law, legislative boundaries, ballot measures, petitioners, signature gatherers, voting rights, election integrity, initiative process, referendum, signature gathering, ballot measure, citizen actions, support demonstration

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill to amend the Town of Natick Home Rule Charter, House number 3898, comes from the House
• The House bill to amend the Town of Natick Home Rule Charter, House number 3898, comes from the House
• The bill is ordered to a third reading. And now another paper from the House. The House bill...
• House Bill 4530 comes from the House passed to be engrossed.
• Paper from the House. The House bill, establishing that the House bill, establishing that...

Summary: The Senate took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with unanimous adoption of resolutions congratulating two Eagle Scouts. It then advanced several local and special acts, including measures on Machado-Joseph disease awareness day, the Ipswich senior tax referral program, Swampscott conservation commission appointments, protections for individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs, continued employment in Brookfield, Marblehead parking fines, Natick’s home rule charter, and Boston affordable housing/branch library space. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees. The Senate enacted House bills authorizing additional wine and malt beverage licenses in Lexington and a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Melrose. It also passed Senate Bill 2603 on affordable car rentals after adopting an amendment; supporters said the bill would reduce rental costs by changing Massachusetts’ rental car insurance rules to align with most other states. Senate Bill 1057 on fentanyl test strips was also passed to be engrossed after Senator Creem argued the bill would expand access to a low-cost overdose prevention tool and save lives. Senator Moore then spoke in support of expanding Nikki’s Law to cover MassHealth day habilitation programs, describing the bill as a needed protection for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. A major portion of the meeting focused on House 4530, a FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing $234 million for hospitals and community health centers. Senators discussed the Health Safety Net shortfall, rising health care costs, underinsurance, and federal reimbursement; Ways and Means explained that about $93 million was expected back in federal financial participation, making the net state cost about $140 million. The Senate also took up House 4531 on the 2026 state primary election date, rejecting an amendment before passing the bill to engrossment. The chamber later adopted emergency preambles for House 4530 and House 4531, and all three final bills—Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day, the supplemental budget, and the primary election date bill—were enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate adjourned in memory of Ricardo Barbosa after a memorial statement by Senator Miranda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those of you who were in the House then voted on a much more comprehensive version of this bill that
• This is a companion to House Bill 2230, and this matches the version that passed out of the House.
• I appreciate Representative Zahn for sponsoring the companion bill in the House.
• Senate Bill 5957 is identical to House Bill 2185, which was heard and passed out of this committee earlier
• This bill, the companion bill that Representative Ormsby was prime sponsor of, passed the House unanimously

Bills: SB5957 , SB5977

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: homeless youth, youth homelessness, runaway youth, young adult homelessness, housing instability, family reunification, family stability, youth services, homelessness prevention, protective services, Department of Commerce, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, advisory committee, lived experience, data sharing, outcome measures, interagency coordination, service providers, at-risk youth

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates a state affordable housing tax credit that pairs with the federal LIHTC, unlocking
• And this bill is 2 million times six years. The house is on fire and you all got a squirt gun.
• Madam Chair, I move that House Bill 2804 be returned with a due pass recommendation.
• You have passed House Bill 2804. Thank you very much. We've got 10 minutes to do the ACA.
• Okay, Madam Chair, I move that House Bill 2388 be returned with a due pass recommendation.

Bills: HB2388 , HB2804 , HB2926

Committees: House Rural Economic Development , House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Keywords: HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages, tax revenue, broadband, infrastructure, secondary businesses, tertiary businesses

Transcript Highlights:

• When the agenda is House Bill 4995, counsel will explain the bill and move having it read.
• The bill will be reported. The next item on the agenda is House Bill 5214.
• The next item on the agenda is House Bill 4025.
• Counsel will explain the bill and move having it read. House Bill 4025, or 5441?
• for the committee substitute for House Bill 4025.

Summary: The committee considered and advanced several bills. House Bill 4995, concerning video cameras in special education classrooms, was explained as requiring parents to be notified of recording interruptions, providing written notice of the law to parents and school employees, shortening the required random review of recordings from every 90 days to every 30 days, and clarifying that school boards must still conduct independent investigations even if DHS or prosecutors do not act. The committee adopted the motion to report the bill to the full Senate. House Bill 5214, dealing with drug testing in child abuse and neglect cases, would allow courts to order testing of parents in certain cases, require laboratory confirmation of positives, and require DHS to notify the court and other parties; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, then reported the bill as amended and adopted a title amendment. The committee also advanced House Bill 4025 and House Bill 5441, both restructuring state personnel systems. HB 4025 would exempt employees of the Department of Health, health facilities, and human services from classified civil service and grievance procedures beginning July 1, 2026, while preserving status for some current employees and allowing exemptions to comply with federal requirements; the committee adopted a piecemeal amendment and reported it as amended. HB 5441 would eliminate separate civil service systems for Transportation, Revenue, and the Bureau for Social Services and move classifications and compensation structures to the Division of Personnel, with testimony from the governor’s counsel emphasizing faster hiring and more flexibility; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment and reported the bill as amended. House Bill 4602, a child welfare pilot program creating a private community-based system for post-removal services, drew testimony from DHS about concerns over costs, continuity, oversight, and child well-being outcomes, while supporters argued it could reduce caseloads and improve flexibility. The chair amended the bill to remove one of the two pilot regions, leaving only the Berkeley/Jefferson County pilot, and the committee then reported the bill as amended despite opposition from the senator from Marion. House Bill 4106, removing the provisional concealed handgun license requirement for ages 18 to 21, heard testimony from a pediatrician opposing the change and from a gun rights advocate supporting it; an amendment requiring firearms training for under-21 carriers failed by a 1-14 roll call, and the committee then reported the bill as amended. Finally, House Bill 4198, after a subcommittee rewrite, was advanced with a strike-and-insert amendment that refined E-Verify requirements for public and private employers, added exemptions for certain small or new employers and sole proprietors, clarified recordkeeping and notice requirements, and adjusted penalties and enforcement procedures. After a motion for the previous question, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 4198 as amended. House Bill 5319 was removed from the agenda, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have here House Bill 4454. House Bill 4454 addresses patient brokering.
• Now, I present to you House Bill 4638. House Bill 4638 by Dr.
• House Bill 2851 requires...
• House Bill 2844 fixes this.
• Yes, House Bill 1586.

Bills: HB 1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB 1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• So, two bills this morning: House Bill 817, House Bill 816, and then we will recess for caucuses and
• The Senate proposal of amendment on House Bill 817 is an amendment on House Bill 817, which is an act
• is</c><00:15:31.320><c> an</c> report on House Bill 816, which is an report on House Bill 816, which
• </c> rules to take up House Bill 816 off the rules to take up House Bill 816 off the notice<00:15:43.280
• </c><00:16:20.400><c> Bill</c> suspended rules to take up House Bill suspended rules to take up House

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, as passed the House... House Bill 2305. Mr.
• Now we'll move on to House Bill 2321. Mr.
• Okay, moving on to House Bill 2406. Mr. Chair and members, as passed the House, House Bill 2406...
• House Bill 2408. Mr.
• Okay, move on to the next one here: House Bill 2957.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill is left pending. The chair lays out House Bill 203.
• testify on for or against House Bill 1244?
• The chair lays out House Bill 1284 and recognize Chair Turner to explain the bill.
• Shirley is out House Bill 1533.
• The chair lays out House Bill 1284 and recognizes Chair Turner to explain the bill.

Bills: HB148 , HB203 , HB360 , HB552 , HB 1244 , HB 1284 , HB1533 , HJR30 , HB148 , HB203 , HJR30

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: residential property, ad valorem tax, leasing, property appraisal, fair market rent, housing affordability, appraised value, tax limitation, housing market, affordable housing, leased residential real property, rent control, Texas Tax Code, property tax, residential leasing, homestead, tax code, appraisal review board, real estate sales, property tax relief

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred House Bill 5279, financing long-term improvements
• , House Bill 5375, entitled the same.
• , substituting their accompanying bill, House number, the accompanying bill with the same title, House
• The bill is ordered to a third reading as amended. House is in brief recess.
• The bill is passed to be engrossed. House No. 5317.

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a gubernatorial message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also approved several resolutions, including honoring Abby Goodman, reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognizing the Cambodian American Khmer New Year celebration, and observing Elks National Youth Week. Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes were referred to the Committee on Aging and Independence, and the House concurred with those referrals. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended an amended substitute bill, and the House adopted the amendment and advanced the bill to third reading. Later, the House took up the substitute bill, House 5375, and members spoke in support of the Chapter 90 transportation package, emphasizing municipal road and bridge funding, rural road mileage distribution, housing-related infrastructure, lifecycle asset management, DCR deferred maintenance, and MBTA electrified locomotives. A roll call vote was ordered, and the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 155 in favor and 0 against. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston. In addition, the chamber received the certified returns for the 5th Essex District special election and adopted an order creating a special committee to escort the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Executive Council for the swearing-in of Representative-elect Andrew Francis Robert Tarr. Tarr was then administered the oaths of office by Governor Maura Healey and seated. The House later adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• voted on House bill 503 When this house voted on House bill 503 in<00:18:29.080><c> the</c><00:18:29.159
• <00:22:58.520><c> Bill</c><00:22:58.760><c> 503</c> House Bill 503 House Bill 503 or<00:23:00.800><c>
• House<04:03:54.040><c> Bill</c><04:03:54.320><c> 651</c> House Bill 651 House Bill 651 seeks<04:03:56.240
• </c> amended in House Bill 360. amended in House Bill 360.
• <07:15:25.520><c> Bill</c><07:15:25.720><c> 686</c> House Bill 686 House Bill 686 is is is referred<07

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 1183, House Bill 1184, House Bill 1187, House Bill 1188, House Bill 1194, Senate Bill 36, Senate
• Bill 1183 as amended; House Bill 1184 as amended; House Bill 1187; House Bill 1188; House Bill 1194
• Bill 1183 as amended; House Bill 1184 as amended; House Bill 1187; House Bill 1188; House Bill 1194
• </c><02:58:25.359><c> House</c> House Bill 1187. House Bill 1188. House House Bill 1187.
• 154, House Bill 1304, House Bill 1203, and House Bill 1320.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Bill: House Bill 5001, a bill to be entitled an act making appropriations.
• Read the House Bill: House Bill 5003, a bill to be entitled an act implementing the 2026-2027 General
• Read the House Bill: House Bill 5201, a bill to be entitled an act relating to collective bargaining.
• Read the House Bill. House Bill 5205, a bill to be entitled an act relating to retirement.
• Read the House Bill: House Bill 5401, a bill to be entitled an act relating to trust funds of the state

Transcript Highlights:

• The second is House Bill 902, which is an act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the
• Bill 902, which is The second is House Bill 902, which is an<00:03:00.120><c> act</c><00:03:00.400><
• The bill was referred to the Committee on General and Housing, which recommends that the House propose
• The House Appropriations Committee reviewed S. 89. There is no money in this bill.
• Now we'll take up House Bill ordered.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 14 bills to hear in two hours so let's Let's go. The chair lays out House Bill 3146.
• The chair lays out House Bill 3719 and recognizes Representative Hunter to explain the bill.
• Representative Lopez on House Bill 5238.
• against House Bill 4748.
• I'm here to testify on House Bill 4751.

Bills: HB3146 , HB3719 , HB3895 , HB3923 , HB4748 , HB4751 , HB4936 , HB4952 , HB4990 , HB4991 , HB5061 , HB5196 , HB5238 , HB5246 , HB5487

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative hearings, contested case, contested case hearing, administrative law judge, ALJ, final decision, proposed decision, agency hearing, hearing continuance, rescheduling, Texas administrative law, Government Code Chapter 2001, workers' compensation, Department of Human Resources, Texas Labor Code, Transportation Code, Agriculture Code, Insurance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the bill has been read the first time and is referred to the committee on general and housing.
• Bill 842 is an act relating to the House Bill 842 is an act relating to the commission<00:05:31.840>
• House Bill 790, which Now we'll take up House Bill 790, which is<00:18:27.200><c> an</c><00:18:27.440
• to suspend our rules to message our action on House Bill 790 to the Senate forthwith?
• You have suspended our rules and messaged our action on House Bill 790 to the Senate forthwith.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2170 would make this worse.
• : House Bill 1508 and House Bill 2170.
• House Bill 1508 and House Bill 2170 are relating to ecosystem services.
• I'm here to support House Bill 2544.
• I'm here to support House Bill 2544.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2170, which would authorize DNR to enter ecosystem service and carbon contracts on state trust lands, and House Bill 2578, which would add tribal members and alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. For HB 2170, the Department of Natural Resources and supporters said the bill would diversify revenue, help meet climate goals, and allow DNR to participate in emerging carbon and ecosystem markets without necessarily eliminating timber harvest. Opponents, including counties, school districts, timber companies, loggers, and forest industry groups, argued the bill could reduce harvest levels, harm rural jobs and mill supply, and lower revenues for schools and other trust beneficiaries; several said any new authority should be limited to additive projects with stronger safeguards. Supporters included environmental groups and some local officials who said the bill would provide a more stable revenue stream and better align land management with climate and watershed benefits. The chair noted there are two related vehicles in committee, HB 1508 as the negotiated version and HB 2170 as the department version, and the public hearing on HB 2170 was closed after extensive testimony. For HB 2578, staff explained that the bill would add four tribal commissioner positions and four alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, with representation from federally recognized tribes on both sides of the Cascades and staggered terms. Prime sponsor Rep. Deborah Lekanoff said the measure would strengthen co-management and the state’s government-to-government relationship with tribes, while acknowledging there are other related bills and ongoing legal issues involving WDFW. The chair asked whether the bill would affect existing tribal consultation obligations, and Lekanoff said it would not replace government-to-government consultation; she also said she would follow up on how the governor would make appointments. The hearing on HB 2578 was then suspended so the committee could return to HB 2170 testimony. The committee also heard staff briefing and sponsor testimony on House Bill 2544, which would create a pilot process for the Upper Columbia River water rights adjudication. Staff said the bill would require Ecology to run the adjudication in two phases, starting with tribal and federal claimants and allowing time for settlement before bringing in other claims, with a report due by June 2035. Rep. Larry Springer said the bill is intended to establish a baseline of water use more efficiently in a process that can otherwise take decades. After the briefing and sponsor remarks, the committee began public testimony on the bill, with tribal representatives and other stakeholders queued to testify.