Transcript Highlights:

• So specifically what we want to know is: Are the potential placement sites being reviewed before the
• And what has the department done to increase outreach in these communities where these sites are being
• , and what are you doing to reach out to the communities to have stronger input into these site-siting
• getting to that portion of the placement review process, which... ...once Liberty completes their site
• But those services may not, they're not going to be, you know, every single day on site all the time

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on the state auditor’s October 2024 report on the California Forensic Conditional Release Program (CONREP) for sexually violent predators. The auditor said CONREP participants were convicted of new offenses less often than SVPs who were unconditionally released, but also found long delays in finding housing, weak guidance for local housing committees, and limited accountability over Liberty Healthcare and the Department of State Hospitals (DSH). The audit noted that 18 of 56 SVPs placed through CONREP had been revoked and returned to state hospitals, and that some participants waited months or years for placement while pre-placement costs continued to accrue. The auditor recommended, among other things, clearer committee guidance, better oversight of Liberty, and exploring transitional housing; DSH agreed to most recommendations but rejected transitional housing as a solution. Members from rural and high-desert districts described repeated placements in their communities and argued the program concentrates risk in areas with fewer services and slower law-enforcement response times. Senator Jones said the audit confirmed a broken system and pointed to his bill SB 380 to require DSH to develop transitional housing. Assembly Member DeMaio sharply criticized the program, the audit title, and Liberty Healthcare, alleging misleading practices with property owners and calling for the program to be suspended. Other members pressed DSH and Liberty on why placements often end up in rural areas, how judges make placement decisions, and whether the current process adequately protects public safety. DSH and Liberty defended the program as a court-ordered, highly supervised treatment model intended to reduce reoffending and support eventual reintegration. They said DSH now has a more active review process for proposed sites, has implemented four of the five audit recommendations, and is tracking program reviews and committee guidance. They also said the state has repeatedly sought additional vendors without success, and that the small scale and high-profile nature of the program make contracting difficult. DSH and Liberty maintained that transitional housing would not solve the core placement problems and would add cost without resolving county-of-domicile and school-proximity restrictions. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, after public comment was waived due to no speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• State, at looking at redevelopment, not new development of antiquated energy sites for data centers.
• We've taken a proactive approach in creating a strong environment for major site development by completing
• centers, the layers of regulatory and statutory requirements have added uncertainty on timing and siting
• 34.520><c> these</c> solution, but the idea is to take these solution, but the idea is to take these sites
• that are being so desperately hit sites that are being so desperately hit um um um by<00:15:38.440><

Transcript Highlights:

• They're pre-cutting the lumber so when it arrives at the job site, there's much less waste and they have
• So the up to $500,000, I think, would be for a larger commercial site.
• incentives for materials that are lower carbon compared to average materials that would be used on site
• Lower carbon compared to average materials that would be used on site.
• Incur first costs for those using the materials on site for the first time. Okay, thank you, Mr.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, workers who are, um, making the duct work on site, the, the fabrication sites on site, um, they're
• It's not for the, the, the lumber and, and, and framing out or the other skilled labor on site.
• as opposed to those workers who fabricate off-site.
• Speaker, Representative, um, there are, I think, at least 3 sites.
• It includes the future of the fair and the future of the site.

Transcript Highlights:

• By the end of May, we will be on-site to every one of these providers.
• </c> review of that information, um site review of that information, um site visits<00:09:54.720><c>
• In addition to unannounced site visit.
• Each MCO site visits and investigations.
• ,</c> Feeding Our Future sites, Feeding Our Future sites, and<01:39:16.920><c> then</c><01:39:17.080>

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Having this historical context of New Mexico as being one of the richest archaeological sites in the
• Indigenous people, when these sites were either looted or when materials were taken, Indigenous people
• Additionally, we have items from our historic sites, as well as at the Historic Preservation Division
• We have right now an accounting of about 1,250 ancestors from various sites.
• The field of archaeology is now much more focused on keeping ancestors and objects intact on the site

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are heading out to a site visit to the FDLE.
• Today's site visit, we're going to learn about their crime lab, their canine demonstration, and we're
• Out to a site visit to the FDLE.
• Today's site visit, we're going to learn about their crime lab, their canine demonstration, and we're
• On our one last note, we will be adjourning after the site visit this morning.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee convened, completed a roll call, and established a quorum. The chair announced that the meeting would be brief because members were heading to a site visit at FDLE. Members were told the visit would include FDLE’s crime lab, a canine demonstration, and displays of agency tactical vehicles and drones. The chair encouraged members to use the visit to learn from law enforcement personnel about their work and how it informs the committee’s responsibilities. No bills were heard, no testimony was taken, and no votes or formal actions were recorded. The subcommittee announced it would adjourn after the site visit and that members would not need to return to the room.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the master operator for that entire site and everything.
• We have the master operator for that entire site and everything.
• And I'm aware, ...operator for that entire site and everything.
• And I'm aware that the excess sites fund is responsible for DMV site locations and other state properties
• We've taken steps to make more sites available.

Transcript Highlights:

• selection but also financing will site selection but also financing will also<00:44:41.920><c> add</
• in the state, collect data on burial site locations, and conduct an archaeological surface survey.
• data on burial site locations collect data on burial site locations and<00:51:27.480><c> conduct</c>
• Okay, going once, twice, and then we'll proceed with SB 1266, and this is relating to burial sites.
• SB 1266 relating to burial sites.

Summary: The committees first heard SB 443, which would require agricultural-district lands with solar energy facilities to also be certified as being used for a farming operation. DLNR, the State Energy Office, and the Agri-Business Development Corporation all supported the bill but recommended changes, including shifting the certifying authority from DLNR/BLNR to the Department of Agriculture. The Attorney General also recommended replacing the certification requirement with a condition that the land be used for a farming operation, citing the lack of a clear statutory framework for certification. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the measure but suggested using existing county agricultural dedication processes and raised concerns about conversion of agricultural land. The committees adopted amendments reflecting the Department of Agriculture as the certifying body and the Attorney General’s proposed language, then passed SB 443 with amendments. The committees then took up SB 79, relating to historic preservation reviews for state affordable housing projects. DLNR State Historic Preservation and DHHL supported the bill with amendments, including striking a redundant section and conforming the language to existing law. The committees agreed to those changes, and after a brief recess and decision-making, Water and Land, Housing, and Hawaiian Affairs each voted to pass SB 79 with amendments. The record notes that some members were excused and that the committees adopted the chair’s recommendations. Later, the joint Housing and Water and Land hearing considered SB 26, SB 867, and SB 1170. SB 26 would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within HCDA; HHFDC supported it, while HCDA suggested an alternative approach involving county coordination. The committees amended the bill to incorporate OPSD’s proposed language, add legislative and county representatives to the task force, and include an appropriation for the Mayor Wright project, then passed it with amendments. SB 867, which creates a working group to inventory water resources and streamline well permit approvals for affordable housing, drew broad support and was amended to specify the Department of Health director rather than the Clean Water Branch chief; it also passed with amendments. SB 1170, which would exempt certain Maui affordable rental housing projects from chapter 205A, drew support from housing interests but concern from the Attorney General that it could be unconstitutional; the AG suggested narrowing the bill to disaster recovery and limiting its scope. Testifiers also discussed the Weinberg Court Apartments project and other redevelopment concerns, but the transcript ends before final action on SB 1170 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• once we got power back on, it requires local governments to apply for at least one debris management site
• here are some of the actions the local supervisor may request: change the location of early voting sites
• All of the elements that we've included with the poll workers, with early voting sites, voting on the
• The Blue Sky contracts that you're talking about, having people with debris management sites, these are
• If I may just take one more minute to address some of the questions around super sites that came up.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 567, a broad transportation bill by Rep. McFarland. The bill, as explained, covered a range of transportation policy changes including higher speed limits, local regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters, parking accommodations for pregnant women, advance land acquisition for DOT projects, changes to FDOT contracting, elevation of roads in capacity projects, MPO quality metrics, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Two amendments were adopted: one added a prohibition on driving too fast through flooded roads and creating excessive wake, and another updated language to allow for future technology in traffic management systems. The strike-all removed several items from the original bill, including utility-right-of-way language, private-public-use airport funding, and an electric vehicle tax redirect, and added MDX board changes. The bill then passed favorably on a recorded vote. The committee next considered CS/HB 1535, also by Rep. McFarland, a lengthy hurricane recovery and preparedness measure. It requires local governments to post storm-preparedness and recovery information online, expands special needs shelter information, mandates emergency management training, improves debris removal planning, and adds provisions for fiscally constrained counties. It also addresses shelter access, rebuilding rules, permitting timelines and fees after storms, homestead rebuilding limits, and election flexibility after disasters, including a process for supervisors of elections to request emergency changes through the Secretary of State. Members asked several questions about local rebuilding ordinances, election “super sites,” and the request/approval process. The bill drew support from several groups, including disability advocates, builders, waste and recycling interests, crane owners, and restaurant and lodging representatives, and it passed favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 561 and CS/HB 563 from Rep. Cobb on manufacturing. HB 561 would elevate a chief manufacturing officer within the Department of Commerce, create a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign, and require biennial reporting on manufacturing efforts; an amendment removed the grant portion of the program, and the bill passed favorably with support from industry groups. HB 563 established an annual fee, capped at $100, for participants in the voluntary manufacturing promotional campaign and also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Spencer presented HB 827, which directs a statewide study on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on Florida’s workforce, to be updated every three years and developed with business, academic, and local input; it too passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned with notice that the subcommittee would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also want you to come out with me onto a job site.
• But I also want you to come out with me onto a job site.
• But I also want you to come out with me onto a job site.
• But I also want you to come out with me onto a job site.
• But I also want you to come out with me onto a job site.

Summary: Senate leaders and supporters held a press availability focused on passing a state capital investment, or bonding, bill this session. Chair Sandy Pappas said the state has received more than $7 billion in project requests and is pushing for a $1.4 billion bonding package to address infrastructure needs such as clean water, state parks and trails, college and university repairs, sewer capacity for housing growth, and other public facilities. She and other speakers stressed that delaying projects raises costs and that they do not expect a special session, making action before adjournment especially important. Testimony from labor and legislative leaders emphasized the economic benefits of bonding. Anthony Wilkie of SMART Local 10 said public bonding projects create work hours for skilled trades and cited Fraser Hall at the University of Minnesota as an example of a project that employed union members. Senator Nick Frentz argued that bonding supports jobs, especially in greater Minnesota, and highlighted water infrastructure needs, including communities facing manganese contamination and high water rates if they must finance treatment plants alone. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart pointed to PFAS-related water treatment costs in Minnetonka Beach and said she would support higher education and water projects. Majority Leader Erin Murphy said the Senate is working toward the $1.4 billion target, noting the state’s AAA bond rating and the need to keep borrowing costs low. She also said the recent Metro Surge period led to about 4,000 lost construction jobs, strengthening the case for a bill this year. In response to questions, Pappas said negotiations with Senator Housley and House leaders were underway but still early, with no final target set yet; she said staff are preparing project lists and language, and that some items, such as HCMC, may move separately. No formal vote was taken in the exchange, but the speakers expressed optimism about reaching a bipartisan agreement before session end.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the safety plans do not always include construction site access protocols.
• However, the safety plans do not always include construction site access protocols.
• So both, anywhere where there are students present, right now, all school sites have to do a school site
• So, a project, new construction site, security, and then also always to lock it up when they leave.
• So, a project, new construction site, security, and then also always to lock it up when they leave.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard several bills related to school nutrition, campus safety, college financial aid, and UC contracting ethics. SB 1058 by Senator McNerney would remove price as the primary factor in school nutrition procurement grants, allowing districts more flexibility to prioritize quality, local sourcing, cultural responsiveness, and healthier meals. Supporters from school nutrition and education groups said it would help districts better serve students and local farmers without increasing state costs. After questions about vendor selection and safeguards against favoritism, the bill was moved do pass and later approved 7-0. SB 1140 by Senator Ashby, sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers, would require school safety plans to address access control during construction, maintenance, and repair projects. Supporters said the bill closes a gap that can leave gates or doors unsecured and could help prevent unauthorized access to campuses. There was no opposition, and the committee approved the bill unanimously. SB 959 was also taken up on consent and passed. SB 1006 by Senator Padilla would raise the Cal Grant B Access Award and tie future increases to inflation using the California Consumer Price Index. Supporters said the current award has lost most of its value and does not cover basic needs like housing, food, transportation, and books, affecting hundreds of thousands of students. Members discussed the fiscal impact and the need to keep aid aligned with rising costs; the bill was moved forward and later approved 7-0. SB 1141 by Senator Wahab would bar UC contracts with businesses that pay UC executives or where executives serve in paid roles, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest. UC and the Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill as too broad and potentially disruptive to operations, while supporters argued existing rules are insufficient because many contracting decisions happen outside public view. After extended debate over recusal, transparency, and the scope of the restrictions, the committee passed the bill 4-2 and then finalized all bills on the agenda before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, SITE represents around 300 Missouri contractors.
• Currently, SITE represents around 300 Missouri contractors.
• Now, SITE's not here just representing SITE today.
• Currently, SITE represents around 300 Missouri contractors.
• Now, SITE's not here just representing SITE today.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted several bills do pass. House Bill 2409 was approved 14-0, House Bill 2654 was approved 15-0, and House Bill 2747 was approved after adoption of a House committee amendment and substitute, also by a 14-0 vote. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1915, which would regulate payment practices in private construction contracts. Representative David Castile, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to ensure timely payment to contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, limit abusive contract clauses, and require written notice before withholding payment. He emphasized that it was aimed at larger private projects and not owner-occupied residential work. Testimony on HB 1915 was mixed. Supporters, including electrical, mechanical, and subcontractor associations, said delayed payment is common, especially for smaller firms, and argued the bill would improve cash flow and reduce the need for liens. Opponents, including general contractors and home builders, said the bill as filed was too restrictive, especially the seven-day downstream payment deadline and the limits on withholding and termination rights, and warned it could increase costs and burden small builders. Several witnesses said they were working with the sponsor on a committee substitute to more closely mirror Missouri’s public prompt pay law and to clarify the residential exemption. The committee then heard House Bill 2151, which would raise income eligibility limits for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant from $40,000 to $50,000 for single filers and from $80,000 to $100,000 for joint filers. Representative Travis Wilson said the change was meant to reflect inflation and expand access for adults changing careers, apprentices, and other eligible students. Supporters from community colleges, chambers of commerce, and workforce groups said the program is working well, is budgeted, and helps fill workforce needs; one witness cited strong completion and retention rates among recipients. No opposition was presented, and the hearing concluded with adjournment of the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:16.079><c> on</c> Honu Hale, we also popped up a site on Honu Hale, we also popped up a site
• And the challenge to expanding the number of sites is obviously you need staffing to man these sites.
• If I come out and say we're going to do six sites, seven sites, and the staffing doesn't materialize,
• </c> know, 70% of what we need at two sites know, 70% of what we need at two sites or<00:36:37.040><c
• </c><00:37:52.079><c> the</c><00:37:52.400><c> staffing</c> sites, and the f and the staffing sites,

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• building or a camp site, an outdoor site, on how they qualify.
• site on how they camp site um an outdoor site on how they qualify<00:11:35.399><c> so</c><00:11:35.639
• And that's all labeled in the map, whether it's an open site or whether it's a closed site.
• or a closed site.
• </c> program provides the meal so at the site program provides the meal so at the site we<00:17:47.080

Summary: The Finance Committee Division II met with the New Hampshire Department of Education to review school nutrition programs and related funding. Department staff Melissa White and Kelly Rambo walked through a packet covering the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, explaining that these are federally funded USDA programs, with some state supplemental funding in certain areas. They also reviewed reimbursement rates for lunch, breakfast, child/adult care, and summer meals, noting that summer rates follow calendar-year timing while most others follow the state fiscal year. Members asked several questions about how the funding works, especially the difference between federal reimbursements and the state match. Staff explained that the state lunch line in the budget is a fixed match amount tied to federal participation, while breakfast funding is broken out by meal type and reimbursement category. They also discussed why FY 2022 federal spending was much higher during COVID, when USDA covered meals at the free rate for all students, and why FY 2023 and FY 2024 dropped as normal income-eligibility rules returned. A committee member also asked about the “severe need lunch” two-cent rate, and staff said they did not know USDA’s formula. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on summer meals and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved sites, which can be open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-operated benefit program that provides funds to families. They said some schools or sites may not qualify under USDA rules, but eligible children can often use another nearby open site, and the department posts an interactive map and phone line to help families find locations. The committee also discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. Staff said New Hampshire currently has three CEP schools, that the eligibility threshold had recently been lowered from 40% to 25% identified students, and that the program allows participating schools to offer free meals to all students while the local district covers the non-federal share. Members asked whether any districts in the 25% to 40% range had joined; staff said no. The department offered to provide the eligibility report in Excel and noted that the CEP intent is to reduce application burden, though the lower threshold can make the local cost share harder for some districts to absorb.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next tab is the Adjutant General Training Site Corps. We have no changes to that corps.
• So sometimes wardens will go to another site because it's a promotion and a raise.
• Now they have a week of on-site orientation at their home site they have to complete before they go to
• or new sites.
• health care versus that the department uses for on-site health care versus off-site health care when

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Next tab is the Adjutant General Training Site Corps. We have no changes to that corps.
• We have volunteers from those sites that are willing to go to other sites.
• So sometimes wardens will go to another site because it's a promotion and a raise.
• Now, they have a week of on-site orientation at their home site they have to complete before they go
• or new sites.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Missouri National Guard’s FY 2027 budget request in House Bill 2008. Brigadier General Bob Payne outlined the Guard’s dual state and federal mission, recent deployments and state activations, counter-drug work, and the need to maintain readiness and aging armory infrastructure. Members questioned several items, including a proposed internal auditor position required by statute, a World Cup-related NDI, the use of general revenue versus other funds, and a federal match for base operations support at Rosecrans Airport. The presentation then shifted into executive session, where the committee reviewed a House committee substitute and several amendments. One amendment to fund the Missouri State Fair’s Great American State Fair participation with ag and tourism funds was rejected, while an amendment reducing $50,000 in House and Senate legal contingency funding was adopted. Another amendment directing budget information to all committee members rather than only chairs was rejected. The committee then adopted the substitute and voted House Bill 2014 do pass by a 24-0-1 vote. The committee next took up the Department of Corrections FY 2027 budget in House Bill 2009. DOC described a new CERT stipend increase, a reduction in the Office of Director’s Staff, and several core items including professional standards, federal funds, community treatment programming, education grants, population growth pool, restitution payments, human services staff, telecommunications, general services, fuel and utilities, food purchases, food service, staff training, employee health and safety, overtime, adult institution staff, institution E&E, wage and discharge, and individual institutions. Members asked about the CERT stipend, PREA allegations, education funding, restitution payments, the population growth pool, the working capital revolving fund, food service costs, overtime, retention, warden turnover, the prison nursery, and the use of inmate canteen funds. DOC said CERT members are full-time employees who volunteer for additional duty, that staffing has improved but remains a challenge, that the food service increase reflects the end of inventory credits and inflation, and that the department generally spends non-GR funds first when possible. Discussion also turned to whether DOC facilities could be repurposed for pretrial or mental health populations; DOC said it is legally limited to post-sentence inmates and that staffing and labor-market constraints make reopening closed facilities difficult.

Transcript Highlights:

• as much to get the pipeline quality spec and they're putting it in their of garbage trucks there at site
• Today we operate about 1000 megawatts of solar generation at a number of different sites.
• Second speed, like I just mentioned, FPL can identify a new site, get through the engineering design,
• You know, every year we file a tenure site plan that it takes a ten-year look in their plenty of that
• So there's a certain amount of basically number 2 diesel on site that can run those units in the event

Transcript Highlights:

• Up this hill is the campus site. And Senior Hill.
• We are aware of three nurses that were living on site.
• And that's a question: Was there a true muster site?
• Was there really a true muster site for a flood?
• He would not have pinged weather sites that much. Would not have pinged weather sites that much.

Committee: House The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of wound care on site. These wounds are very complex.
• We do a lot of wound care on site. These wounds are very complex.
• Checking services, either on-site or in collaboration.
• Use by injection and injecting at multiple sites all increase the risk.
• I'm also an infectious disease and addiction doc, and I work in one of the drop-in sites in Boston.

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine held its first meeting, with House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Co-Chair John Keenan outlining the commission’s charge and a proposed work plan. The commission is tasked with studying the public health and safety impacts of xylazine in the illicit drug supply, including whether it should be scheduled as a controlled substance, how to regulate its production and distribution, and how to improve outreach and treatment for people exposed to it. Members were told the report deadline had been extended to March 30, 2026, and staff proposed a series of public hearings and working groups leading to a final report. The meeting also included attendance, packet materials, and procedural planning. The first major testimony came from BSAS Director Deirdre Calvert, who described xylazine’s appearance in Massachusetts drug supply data, the state’s public health alerts, and DPH’s partnership with Brandeis, CDC, and harm reduction organizations. She emphasized four priorities: reducing stigma and discrimination in health care, expanding self-directed wound care support and coverage for supplies, expanding access to drug checking and test strips, and supporting low-barrier services such as mobile vans and drop-in centers. Commission members asked about first responder awareness, medical education, and whether harm reduction services might face federal restrictions; Calvert said misinformation remains a problem and noted ongoing training efforts, including collaboration with public safety agencies. Several other speakers reinforced the need for low-barrier care and drug checking. Dr. Raghini Jala, an infectious disease and addiction medicine physician, said xylazine has become a common component of the unregulated opioid supply and urged support for rapid-response education teams, community-based drug checking, and better hospital and detox protocols for xylazine withdrawal and wounds. Recovery coach Alan Young testified from lived experience, describing severe wounds, fear of inadequate withdrawal treatment in emergency settings, and the value of mobile care vans that can provide methadone, buprenorphine, and wound care in the community. Dr. Sarah Wakeman echoed the need for naloxone, rescue breathing, low-threshold treatment, and non-stigmatizing health care settings, while Sarah Macon of the Boston Public Health Commission described Boston’s harm reduction and drug checking work, including on-site testing, wound care, and a decline in opioid mortality. Tracy Green of the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream explained that xylazine has declined in recent samples while metatomidine is rising, said drug checking is increasingly used but still not enough, and argued for more funding, staffing, and statewide access to real-time drug checking and harm reduction services.