Transcript Highlights:

• So part of our testing of the census data certainly adds some time to the audit is we select a sample
• We did select a random sample of expenditures to ensure those expenditures...
• We did select a random sample of expenditures to ensure those expenditures were for lawful and official
• These private auditors that came to report, are those selected by the agencies, or are they selected?
• We did select a sample of the 28 renewals and found that 22 did not have pocket cards issued.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Weiden III, which is basically putting into the budget Donald Trump's priorities with respect to health

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Elementary and Secretary of Education, Deputy Commissioner Peter Brigham from the Division
• of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, DCAMM, Michael Loftran, a member of the Canton Select Board
• Next, I have Julie Beckham, who's also a member of the Canton Select Board. Welcome. Hi there.
• I'm an elected member of the Town of Canton Select Board, and today I'm speaking as a resident of Canton
• Selecting which one is the correct one is the work of this commission, and when that's selected, there's

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The special legislative commission on the future of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children held a hybrid public hearing focused on the hospital’s future, admissions, staffing, infrastructure, and whether the facility should be preserved, expanded, or reimagined. Opening remarks from legislators, commissioners, parents, and union representatives emphasized that Pappas provides a unique combination of medical, rehabilitative, educational, and residential services for children with complex needs, and several speakers argued that the hospital is effectively being depopulated through reduced admissions and ongoing discharges despite public assurances that it remains open. Multiple speakers urged the commission to extend its authorization and continue its work before any closure or major change can occur. Testimony from labor leaders, including AFSCME, SEIU Local 509, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association, described a “silent closure” in practice, with staff reporting confusion about the hospital’s status, declining census numbers, blocked admissions, and uncertainty about the workforce’s future. They called for immediate action to stop admission denials and unnecessary discharges, and some proposed short-term solutions such as temporary modular structures to address infrastructure barriers and allow admissions to resume. Parents and former patients testified that Pappas provided life-changing independence, specialized therapy, and campus-based supports that they said could not be replicated elsewhere, and they criticized alternative placements as inadequate. Commissioner Robert Goldstein of the Department of Public Health said the administration supports keeping Pappas open and funded while the commission works, but he argued that admissions must comply with hospital-level-of-care rules and that the campus’s deteriorating infrastructure limits the kinds of children who can safely be served there. He said the department is continuing admissions for appropriate patients, working to expand outreach and services, and exploring long-term options, including broader statewide models of care. Commissioners pressed him on whether discharge status or lack of a clear discharge plan had been used as a barrier to admission, and requested de-identified data on patients recommended for admission but denied. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• two-year task force modeled after the sexual assault survivors' task force in the Criminal Justice Division
• A-through-F ratings for nearby general enrollment public schools as a metric for determining development selection
• , this legislation establishes a rapid DNA pilot program, which will be deployed in two counties selected
• Selected by DPS.
• And all we're saying is that if you, in fact, select to go equal and uniform, that sales data cannot

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's your division, Representative? So my division, Mr.
• up division number two.
• Members, you're voting on Division 1. Members, you're voting on Division 1.
• I move Division Number 2, Mr.
• Members, you are voting on division<01:14:30.880> two division two division two of<01:14:32.800

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Formerly, I was with the Water Development Board as the Director of the Groundwater Resource Division
• For divisions like HR and IT, it's based on the total number of FTEs that they support for us.
• Some are using qualifications-based selection processes where we are looking at a combination of price
• comes down to it, I think that whatever is most suitable for a project is generally what people can select
• And I'm joined here today by Rear Admiral Michael Schmoyer, who Secretary Rollins selected to stand up

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I see that as a division of two responsibilities.
• boy, if that's the case on this one, I direct you and urge you, really honestly, to come with me to select
• ... ...to come with me to select water, where we dole out money by the millions, um, and to help agriculture
• we're not going to do it here, I want to know, because if that's the reason why, I got to look at select

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I mean, none of the agencies have been chosen or selected. Okay, thank you.
• legislation also establishes clear governing procedures, including terms of appointment, chairperson selection
• In terms of appointment, chairperson selection, removal, and all the typical protocol, it ensures transparency
• I deployed three times: once to Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division, and twice to Afghanistan with a

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy, who outlined procedures for the hybrid public hearing, noted the committee would hear testimony on 15 bills related to treatment settings, and recognized members present. The first major bill discussed was H. 4200, authorizing a pilot program for psychedelic-assisted treatment in licensed facilities. Representative Jim O’Day and witnesses from Control Z supported the bill, describing it as a tightly controlled, medically supervised pilot with DPH oversight, limited sites, and screening requirements. Committee members asked about the number of sites and whether Column Health still existed; witnesses said the bill contemplated three separate pilot programs and that Column Health no longer existed after being purchased by another company. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1405 to make the drug stewardship program permanent by removing its 2026 sunset date. Senator John Keenan and others said the program helps collect and safely dispose of unused medications, reduces diversion, and should remain in place because manufacturers should bear disposal costs. A member from Boston added support based on local concerns about people searching through bags for drugs, and Keenan explained the original sunset reflected pilot status and industry pushback. A large portion of the hearing focused on S. 1394 and H. 2193, which would strengthen implementation of the 2023 Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform. The Children’s Mental Health Campaign, Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, and Elliott Community Human Services testified that the roadmap’s helpline, community behavioral health centers, and crisis services are important but unevenly implemented. They urged a single point of accountability within EOHHS, regular strategic planning, a public data dashboard, and financial analysis of the behavioral health system and the access and crisis intervention trust fund. Witnesses said commercial insurance often does not fully reimburse community behavioral health center services, making sustainability difficult, and asked for better coordination across agencies and crisis response systems. Committee members asked whether the roadmap includes substance use disorder; witnesses said it is intended to cover behavioral health broadly, including mental health and substance use. The committee also heard testimony on bills to ban aversives and on suicide prevention signage. Lisa Jean Graff testified in support of S. 1394 by urging a statewide ban on aversive practices, including electric shock, withholding food or bathroom access, and other painful interventions, arguing disabled people deserve the same protections from harm as others. Fonda Bryant and Carol McLean supported a bill requiring suicide prevention signs on tall parking garages, describing personal experiences and saying the signs could create a brief pause and connect people to 988 or other help. McLean said her son died by suicide from a parking garage and that signage might have made a difference. The committee also heard strong testimony in support of creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within DMH facilities (S. 1398/H. 2204), with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and a DMH nurse arguing that highly assaultive patients need specialized, more secure units to protect staff and other patients and to improve care. Additional testimony supported creating a dedicated board for licensed mental health counselors (H. 4696/S. 1382), with Rep. John Badger, the Mass Mental Health Counselors Association, and others saying LMHCs are a large and growing workforce that needs its own licensing board, clearer standards, and faster implementation of existing licensure reforms. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H. 2223 regarding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Survivors and advocates described severe withdrawal, lack of informed consent, cognitive harms, and long-term disability, while a physician supported the bill as a way to improve disclosure of risks. Finally, the committee heard multiple witnesses in favor of H. 2231/S. 1383 to establish peer-run respite centers statewide. Advocates and people with lived experience said peer respites provide non-coercive, home-like alternatives to hospitalization, can reduce trauma and repeated admissions, and may be especially important for marginalized communities; they also cited cost savings and existing positive outcomes from current respite programs. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing portion reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• deficit, which still exists, is to do the hard analysis of the efficacy and realistic sustainability of select
• deficit, which still exists, is to do the hard analysis of the efficacy and realistic sustainability of select
• There are also some additional select augmentations included in the package.
• climate funding, the Student Loan Empowerment Network to support student borrowers, and an additional division

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everyone, to our first regional hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting
• right now, but the general concept of inviting, I believe it was the Director of the Civil Rights Division
• I remember sitting in those very chairs when I was on the Special Select Committee on Redistricting back
• inclusive law. ...Texans with citizen input, review, and approval because legislators shouldn't be selecting

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Division is called. Those who support the A5 Dames amendment, please raise your hand.
• investigated the process of uh selecting investigated the process of uh selecting a<01:50:41.000
• , like if they wanted to go to select an extended basic...
• , like if they um make a a new selection, like if they wanted<01:54:04.360> to<01:54:05.040>
• > go<01:54:05.880> to<01:54:06.080> select<01:54:06.520> an<01:54:06.640>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, each of you were selected by organizations based on your knowledge and expertise. but um there's
• Uh each of you were selected by balance.
• Uh each of you were selected by organizations<00:18:48.559> based<00:18:48.880> on<00:18
• Uh, to date, we've only heard from a few select individuals and organizations on this issue.
• Uh, to date, we've only heard from a few select individuals and organizations on this issue.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a list of quote high-quality curriculum and instructional matters from which school districts may select
• c><00:41:20.160> That<00:41:20.400> sounds<00:41:20.720> super districts may select
• That sounds super districts may select.
• It grants the Division of Motor Vehicles the authority to evaluate out-of-state certification programs
• It grants the Division of Motor Vehicles the authority to evaluate out-of-state certification programs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and it will provide estimates across several common procedures that patients can filter through, select
• Yes, oftentimes, multiple times a week, we get through our consumer services division, citizens call,
• Also signed up to speak is Kim Bernard from the Nashua division of Public Health and Community Services
• <02:31:39.200> of Bernard from the nashille division of Bernard from the nashille division
• of Public Health and Nashwood division of Public Health and Community Community Community Services<02

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:11.839> It's<00:59:12.240> uh<00:59:12.880> selected<00:59:13.520>
• It's uh selected hand we just got.
• It's uh selected hand handout<00:59:15.040> and<00:59:15.280> it<00:59:15.599> says<
• I would note that this very interesting chart is a selection, as Representative noted.
• The chart is a selection, as Representative noted.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the savings accounts don't actually cover all of the school tuition, or in some cases there are selective
• private schools that don't are selective private schools that don't accept<00:23:09.760> students
• <01:17:35.719> process<01:17:36.080> is address how the selection process is address
• how the selection process is made<01:17:36.679> if<01:17:36.840> a<01:17:37.120> if
• <01:54:15.760> one want my kid to play division one want my kid to play division one football

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Similarly, in our securities division... ...and other forms of incorporation in Massachusetts.
• Similarly, in our securities division, we've been also very active.
• One of the things I am pushing for is more resources for that particular division.
• Veterans Bonus Division, as always, is exceptionally busy.
• The division has received 756 claims from 559 applications and 570 in curriculum.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a Town of Lexington Select Board member.
• basis if that occurs, rather than having a ban on everybody installing as much as they need, have it selected
• The United Nations Science Division says 40 to 60% of the rain falling over land comes from moisture

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals. A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities. Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers. No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2.87%, the May Revision includes an ongoing increase of $6.1 million in Prop. 98 General Fund for select
• The ongoing increase of $6.1 million in Prop. 98 General Fund is for select categorical programs and
• The division proposed a $664,000 one-time General Fund appropriation in 2026-27 to support the California

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We went out to bid as we do, and we had a very robust, competitive bidding process, and we selected We
• had a very robust, competitive bidding process, and we selected the Institute for the Future.
• Leah Madrano of the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program, Chief Adele Burns of the Division

Keywords: 987, senate, all