Transcript Highlights:

• The chair moves that when the Senate adjourns today, it do so in memory of Mr. Edward F.
• Accordingly, a mark of respect in the memory of Mr. Edward F. Kenney was requested.
• The Senate now stands adjourned to meet again on Thursday next at 11 a.m., in memory of Edward F.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate met briefly, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up several routine matters. It considered final passage of H. 4364, an act authorizing the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to grant certain easements to the town of Bourne, requiring a standing vote for adoption of an emergency preamble. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring Knights of Columbus Leo Council 508 on its 125th anniversary. The Senate then advanced two Marblehead local bills to third reading: one authorizing the town to amend its parking violations law under Chapter 37 of the Acts of 2004, and another increasing the membership of the town’s board of health from three to five members. The committee on rules reported several Senate petitions and recommended suspension of Joint Rule 12; the Senate also suspended Senate Rule 36 to allow matters to be considered forthwith, and Joint Rule 12 was suspended. The Senate adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Thursday at 11 a.m., with the calendar printing dispensed with. Before adjournment, the chamber voted to adjourn in memory of Edward F. Kenney of South Boston, a World War II Navy veteran and retired Boston firefighter, and observed a moment of silence in his honor.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is language that has been worked on by Hennepin County, certainly involving North Memorial, that
• North Memorial that is involved in this program, and also the Minnesota Twins.
• The county and North Memorial Hospital, which is in my district.
• And North Memorial. I just wanted to get that on the record. Thank you for that clarification.
• And North Memorial. I just wanted to get that on the record. Thank you for that clarification.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair recognizes Senator Miranda for the purposes of a memorial adjournment motion. Mr.
• President and members of the esteemed Senate, I rise today in honor of the life and memory of my dear
• President, I respectfully ask that when the Senate adjourns today, it do so in memory of my brother Ricardo
• The Senate will stand in a moment of silence now in memory of Ricardo Barbosa. Thank you very much.
• The Senate stands adjourned in memory of Ricardo Barbosa.

Keywords: 995, all

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:

• that have forged that difference, beginning of course with the loss of Senator Dedick and may her memory
• that have forged that difference, beginning of course with the loss of Senator Dedick and may her memory
• that have forged that difference, beginning of course with the loss of Senator Dedick and may her memory
• that have forged that difference, beginning of course with the loss of Senator Dedick and may her memory
• The loss of Senator Dedick may her memory be a blessing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• were going through that moving out of our childhood home into assisted living and then eventually memory
• We've got a veterans memorial park in Forest Lake that Senator Fong Her helped get me get that in the
• 00:10:19.519> Lake,<00:10:19.760> a<00:10:20.000> veterans<00:10:20.399> memorial
• <00:10:20.800> park Forest Lake, a veterans memorial park Forest Lake, a veterans memorial

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a House memorial talking about asking the LESC to study more closely data governance and artificial
• So, data governance actually makes up the biggest piece of that particular memorial.
• This comes out of a working group that was the request of the House Memorial in 2022, I believe.
• I would say even the memorial, which calls for additional study, is a product of the study that we've
• Memorial, I believe maybe didn't pass, but that people took up anyway, and involved advocates, both in

Transcript Highlights:

• Commonwealth who has missed out on a year of property tax exemptions simply because of a lapse in memory
• Actually, my memory—I help him out with stuff, so with his finances, so that's on me—but I...
• Commonwealth who has missed out on a year of property tax exemptions simply because of a lapse in memory
• actually my memory I I help him out with stuff so with his finances so that's on me but I ...help him

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 32 bills related to veterans and service members, with opening remarks from Chair Madaro and Senator Eldridge emphasizing the committee’s work on tax credits and property tax relief, including follow-up to the HERO Act of 2024. The chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted the August 23 reporting deadline for House-filed matters, and explained that testimony would focus on issues including voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax, and economic development. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills drew testimony in support of expanding or simplifying veterans’ property tax benefits. Rep. Sylvia supported H. 3255 to raise the veterans’ property tax workoff cap from $1,500 to $2,000, matching the senior workoff program. Rep. Soder and Sen. Moore advocated for stronger property tax relief for disabled veterans, including H. 3245 and S. 2046, with Moore proposing a disability-based exemption and state reimbursement to municipalities. Rep. McGregor supported H. 3175, which would eliminate the need for veterans to refile annually for exemptions unless their status changes, arguing it would reduce burdens on veterans and assessors. Testimony also addressed line-of-duty death benefits and local implementation concerns. Mary Ann Cardi supported H. 3188 to clarify that surviving spouses of police and fire personnel who died in the line of duty qualify for a full real estate exemption. Chris Clark, Senator Sear, and Counselor Ludke all backed the veterans’ workoff bill, describing it as an equity fix that would align the veterans’ program with the senior program and help municipalities like Barnstable use the benefit more effectively. After hearing from all scheduled speakers and confirming no additional in-person testimony, the chairs adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• in camping drawer funds could not be located by park staff at the time of our audit, and at War Memorial
• War Memorial Stadium's change fund is unique because it has both a cash portion and a balance that's
• We have been looking at and considering testing at War Memorial Stadium specifically because other locations
• As we look forward to the future there, notifying our guests that have games at War Memorial Stadium

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Schmidt Memorial Highway.
• Schmidt Memorial Highway.
• Schmidt Memorial Highway.
• Schmidt Memorial Highway.
• Meyer Memorial Highway. There are a couple other memorials following that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represented Lawrence for 14 years in the United States Congress and was here when they built this building
• I represented Lawrence for 14 years in the United States Congress and was here when they built this building
• While Congress recently passed legislation that increased the NIH funding by $415 million, which shows
• you the rank-and-file members of Congress, this is not a partisan issue among Democrats and Republicans
• Massachusetts Center for the Book is the Massachusetts affiliate of the Library of Congress, with a focus

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Go to Congress and try to change it then.
• And we don't have to go to Congress to do something. Here in this legislature, we can.
• We don't have to go to Congress to do something. Here in this legislature, we can.
• But if you wanted to change immigration and enforcement, run for Congress.
• Congress.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened, first dealing with quorum and routine procedural matters before moving through a series of third-reading bills, many focused on immigration enforcement, worker protections, child care, and school or voting-site safety. Early measures included AB 2393, AB 1994, AB 1929, AB 1633, AB 1650, AB 1655, AB 1851, AB 1896, and AB 2230, with authors and supporters arguing these bills would provide accountability, protect immigrant communities, preserve access to benefits and services, and limit intimidation by immigration enforcement. Opponents repeatedly argued the bills were anti-law-enforcement, unconstitutional, or based on exaggerated or nonexistent threats. Several bills passed by recorded vote, including AB 2393 (41-15), AB 1994 (58-0), AB 1929 (41-17), AB 1650 (44-19), AB 1655 (50-14), AB 1851 (56-0), AB 1896 (41-19), and AB 2230 (42-15). AB 1633, a 54-vote bill imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, was debated at length but the roll was not completed in the excerpt and the item was moved on from temporarily. After a caucus break, the House returned and took up additional bills. AB 2379 would require child care providers to be informed of constitutional protections and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it passed 59-10 on both the urgency and the measure. AB 2460 would direct the education department to update referral protocols so schools can better respond to students affected by immigration enforcement trauma and family deportation; it passed 52-8. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on unfair immigration-related practices by employers, making immigration-related threats unlawful in workplace disputes; it passed 50-15. Throughout the day, debate was highly partisan and often heated, with repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real harms or were political messaging, but the Assembly ultimately advanced the measures that came to a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Go to Congress and try to change it then.
• And we don't have to go to Congress to do something. Here in this legislature, we can.
• We don't have to go to Congress to do something. Here in this legislature, we can.
• But if you wanted to change immigration and enforcement, run for Congress.
• Congress.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.

Transcript Highlights:

• The intent of Congress, the conventional wisdom is that Congress intended to address income shifting
• we just heard a little bit ago, GILTI derives from the 2017 federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, where Congress
• When Congress originally passed section 951A, the goal was clear: to target bad actors who shift profits
• When Congress originally passed section 951A, the goal was clear: to target bad actors who shift profits

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:24:33.840> larger Um, as Chair Wicklund noted, unfortunately our friends in CMS and in Congress
• Both models have strong bipartisan support in the state, Congress, and federal administrations.
• support<01:37:10.800> in<01:37:10.920> the<01:37:11.040> state,<01:37:11.880> Congress
• ,<01:37:12.520> and support in the state, Congress, and support in the state, Congress, and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds basically passed from Congress through EPA to the states to fund wastewater infrastructure.
• The funds basically passed from Congress through EPA to the states to fund wastewater infrastructure.
• The funds basically passed from Congress through EPA to the states to fund wastewater infrastructure.
• Similarly, we get funds from Congress, it passes through EPA to the states.
• Similarly, we get funds from Congress, it passes through EPA to the states.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the changes in particular that we're following looking at the individual market: Congress did
• [laughter] And then during the public health emergency, Congress extended these tax credits to ensure
• public health Uh and then during the public health emergency<00:18:33.840> uh<00:18:34.080> Congress
• c><00:18:34.640> extended<00:18:35.600> uh<00:18:35.840> these emergency uh Congress
• extended uh these emergency uh Congress extended uh these tax<00:18:36.480> credits<00:18:36.799

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress mandates that we look at certain areas, and because PAS is in so many different products, it's
• Congress mandates that we look at certain areas, and because PAS is in so many different products, it's
• Congress mandates that we look at certain areas, and because PAS is in so many different products, it's
• Um, you<01:04:20.880> know,<01:04:21.200> Congress<01:04:22.559> mandates<01:04:
• 23.599> that<01:04:24.480> we<01:04:24.880> look You know, Congress mandates that

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill held an informational briefing at the State Capitol focused on updates from the Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill and NAVFAC Hawaii. Members and Navy officials opened by noting the meeting format, providing public links to tank closure supplement 4 and environmental remediation resources, and thanking Admiral Barnett for attending before his transition. The Navy emphasized that the Red Hill closure effort and the PFAS/PAS environmental remediation effort are separate but coordinated, and that both are long-term undertakings. For the closure effort, Navy officials reported progress on tank cleaning, ventilation, sludge removal, groundwater monitoring, and preparation for pipeline removal. They said supplement 4 to the tank closure plan was submitted in May and outlines the overall closure strategy, post-closure monitoring, and the decision to proceed with closure rather than wait for beneficial reuse decisions. They described completed ventilation of tanks 3 through 8, the start of tank 2 ventilation, removal of 283 gallons of sludge from the first six tanks, and plans to begin pipeline pigging and removal later this year. Officials also said all sludge samples tested so far were non-hazardous and that air monitoring has not shown elevated volatile organic readings during operations. NAVFAC Hawaii then outlined the PFAS/PAS remedial investigation under CERCLA, explaining the cleanup process, the nature of PFAS, and the role of aqueous film-forming foam as a source. The presentation said the Navy began investigating PFAS releases in 2014-2015, that the 2021 Red Hill fuel release led directly into remedial investigation work, and that current activities include quarterly groundwater sampling at 42 monitoring wells, installation of new shallow and deep wells, soil sampling where exceedances were found, fate-and-transport modeling, and human health risk assessments. Officials said data are publicly available on the Red Hill environmental website and that the next restoration advisory board meeting is scheduled for August 27. The Navy also gave a water resiliency update, saying it is upgrading the joint base drinking water system with pump, tank, and cybersecurity improvements and is installing treatment systems for the inactive Navy Aiea and Red Hill shafts ahead of EPA drinking water standards taking effect in 2029. No votes or formal committee actions were taken, as the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• not environmentally robust, and that sentiment was supported by Sydney Leeb, assistant director of Congress
• not environmentally robust, and that sentiment was supported by Sydney Leeb, assistant director of Congress
• 00:36:05.400> of by Sydney leeb assistant director of by Sydney leeb assistant director of Congress
• 06.160> she<00:36:06.359> addressed<00:36:06.839> this<00:36:07.000> bill Congress
• when she addressed this bill Congress when she addressed this bill just<00:36:08.000> last<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She said she worked in Congress for 10 years and has relied on GAO reports a lot, and that they are considered
• She explained that she worked in Congress for 10 years, has relied on GAO reports a lot, and considers
• She said she worked in Congress for 10 years and has relied on GAO reports a lot, and that they are considered
• She said she worked in Congress for 10 years and has relied on GAO reports a lot, and that they are considered
• She said she worked in Congress for 10 years and has relied on GAO reports a lot, and that they are considered

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Through you to the members, and before I read this memorial for a Brockton firefighter, I want to thank
• This is a memorial for Brockton firefighter Jeffrey W.
• The ayes have it, and the Senate stands adjourned in memory of Jeffrey W.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and began the session with a moment of silence requested by Sen. Fattman for victims of the New Orleans attack, with remarks expressing sympathy for the families and those injured. The chamber then adopted organizational orders, including notifying the House of the Senate’s organization, informing the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Governor’s Councilors of their election, and receiving the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s certified election returns for executive councilors. The Senate also adopted an order to appoint a joint committee to count the votes for executive councilors, and the Senate members named were Sen. Eldridge, Sen. Driscoll, and Sen. Durant. Sen. Brady then offered a memorial tribute for Brockton firefighter Jeffrey W. Albanese, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest while responding to an incident. The memorial highlighted his 24 years with the Brockton Fire Department, his family, and his service to the community. The Senate approved a moment of silence in his honor. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. Sen. Driscoll moved to adjourn, and the Senate adjourned in memory of Jeffrey W. Albanese.