Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Joint Resolution 16 by Assemblymember Alvarez and others relative to the Tijuana River.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the head distiller for Red River Distillery in Birmingham.

Bills: SB312 , SB316 , SB90

Committees: House Tourism , House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: alcoholic beverages, ABC Board, Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control, special event license, special events retail license, nonprofit special events retail license, special retail license, event storage license, government venue license, alcohol storage, alcohol transfer, beer, wine, liquor, on-premises consumption, public venue, government-owned property, municipal property, county property, state property

Transcript Highlights:

• cities and communities with large immigrant populations: Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Boston, Fall River
• Most immigration legal services are concentrated in Boston, leaving families in New Bedford, Fall River
• currently overwhelmed, and services to fill the gaps in Lowell, Lawrence, Franklin, Whitinsville, Fall River
• currently overwhelmed, and services to fill the gaps in Lowell, Lawrence, Franklin, Whitinsville, Fall River

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil rights, immigration, hate crimes, and reparations bills. Chair Edwards and Chair Day opened with strict testimony rules, including two-minute limits, written testimony options, and decorum requirements. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell testified in strong support of S. 1126/H. 1920, the Combating Hate in the Commonwealth bill, saying Massachusetts needs stronger tools to address rising hate and bias incidents. Her Civil Rights Division chief explained that the bill would give the division civil investigative demand/subpoena power, expand civil rights enforcement, close loopholes in the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, add protected classes to the hate crimes law, and require better hate-crime data reporting. The committee also heard support for H. 1954 on access to counsel in immigration proceedings, H. 4684 on law enforcement identification and public trust, and H. 1927 to exonerate individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Several bills focused on discrimination and civil rights enforcement. Supporters of S. 1248 on organizational standing said fair housing nonprofits need explicit authority to bring discrimination complaints in their own names, especially as federal protections are under attack. On H. 1246, advocates urged adding sex and gender as protected classes in the hate crimes statute, arguing women are not protected under current state law. H. 1820 drew testimony for protections against height and weight discrimination. H. 1995 would regularize sentencing for hate crimes by requiring diversity awareness training for both convictions and continuances without a finding, and H. 1056/H. 1589 would broaden hate-crime victim standing and require restitution to be used to repair harm. H. 1886 would clarify that defense-based social service staff are exempt from mandated reporter obligations when working under attorney-client privilege. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1889/S. 1064, a bill to eliminate disparate impact. Environmental justice advocates, fair housing attorneys, and community members argued that neutral policies can still produce discriminatory outcomes and that Massachusetts should allow state-court claims and a private right of action to address them. Committee members raised concerns about litigation floodgates, punitive damages, and the scope of protected classes, while supporters said the bill would mainly target systemic harms and injunctive relief. Additional testimony supported H. 1922/S. 119, the Fair Investment Act, which would create civil rights protections in venture capital and other investment settings for founders and investors, especially women and minority entrepreneurs. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1683, the Sex Trade Survivor Act, which would expand vacatur and expungement relief for trafficking survivors, remove archaic offenses from the code, and create an interagency commission; supporters emphasized reducing barriers to housing, employment, and reentry. Finally, the committee heard extensive support for H. 1753/S. 1181, establishing a commission to study reparations in Massachusetts. Testifiers described the state’s history of slavery, redlining, and ongoing racial disparities, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I live on the Cloquet River and Indian Lake. And the water came up. I couldn't believe this.
• /c><00:51:15.200><c> on</c><00:51:16.040><c> the</c><00:51:16.120><c> Cloquet</c><00:51:16.600><c> River
• </c><00:51:17.000><c> and</c> And I live on the Cloquet River and And I live on the Cloquet River and

Bills: HF1082 , HF2099 , HF4177 , HF2742

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• their mistaken belief that they had jurisdiction over our permitting process for effluent into the river
• 06.720><c> into</c><00:05:07.039><c> the</c> effluent into the effluent into the um<00:05:08.960><c> river
• </c> um river system. um river system.

Bills: HF3458 , HF3777 , HF3778 , HF3912

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of the Great River Covenants project, a digital humanities collaboration among many central Minnesota
• As part of<00:15:49.279><c> the</c><00:15:49.519><c> great</c><00:15:49.680><c> river</c><00:15:50.000
• ><c> covenants</c><00:15:50.560><c> project,</c><00:15:50.959><c> a</c> of the great river covenants
• project, a of the great river covenants project, a digital<00:15:51.519><c> humanities</c><00:15:52.079

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• important, and to give people who can afford it a pass while the people in the johnboat floating down the river
• people in the johnboat floating down the people in the johnboat floating down the<00:19:32.320><c> river
• </c><00:19:34.240><c> That's</c> the river are paying the way. That's the river are paying the way.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we hear people walking around our college students chanting, 'from the river to the sea,' it's because
• When we hear people walking around our college students chanting, 'from the river to the sea,' it's because
• internationally recognized term for the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory west of the Jordan River
• internationally recognized term for the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory west of the Jordan River

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all narrowed eligibility to certain properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added environmental and zoning criteria, and included exemptions for agricultural land, parks, military-adjacent land, and other areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably 8-0. The committee then heard SB 212 on sexual offenders and predators, as amended to add public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing child safety and opponents arguing the bill lacked empirical support and would worsen homelessness and impose retroactive burdens. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably 8-1. Members next approved SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after adopting an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstate highways to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses while clarifying protections for critical areas, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and military installations. The bill drew opposition from a county Republican committee representative who argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive planning and encourage urban sprawl, while homebuilders and industry groups supported it. The committee also reported favorably SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a Florida Bar-backed update intended to modernize and harmonize nonprofit corporate law, and SB 1338 on charitable giving, which would create donor remedies for endowment restrictions and limit state reporting burdens on certain charitable organizations; members noted the latter would need further work on cy pres and related issues. The committee then approved SB 532 on court fees after a strike-all that would let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than splitting excess with general revenue, with clerks’ groups supporting the change and members citing long-standing funding shortfalls. SB 218 on land use regulations was also reported favorably; it would restore normal land-use authority to counties unaffected by the 2024 hurricanes while keeping SB 180 protections in place for damaged areas. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability passed 9-2 after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption was retroactive; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks and reduce class-action litigation, while opponents wanted stronger compliance requirements. Finally, SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended and passed unanimously as a process-reform measure allowing licensed professionals to conduct pre-application reviews, and SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools was reported favorably 8-3 after extensive testimony and debate over whether it would protect free expression or invite coercion and litigation. The committee also began consideration of SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor framing it as historical accuracy and opponents arguing it erased Palestinian identity; the transcript cuts off during that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the Baptist system, North Mississippi, Memorial, Singing River, King's Daughters, and Delta Health
• North Mississippi, Memorial,<01:13:17.600><c> uh</c><01:13:17.840><c> Singing</c><01:13:18.320><c> River
• ><01:13:19.120><c> uh</c><01:13:19.280><c> those</c><01:13:19.520><c> are</c> Memorial, uh Singing River
• , uh those are Memorial, uh Singing River, uh those are examples<01:13:20.480><c> of</c><01:13:21.040

Committee: Joint Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• And in bankruptcy court itself, hard to get a number, but all we're doing is floating down the river
• <00:30:45.400><c> floating</c><00:30:45.720><c> down</c><00:30:45.960><c> the</c><00:30:46.040><c> river
• </c> we're doing is floating down the river we're doing is floating down the river at<00:30:46.640><c

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• is a heck of a struggle because the, uh, MPCA puts a freeze on the water salting on the Minnesota River
• the salting the water on<01:12:22.080><c> the</c><01:12:22.159><c> Minnesota</c><01:12:22.760><c> River
• now</c><01:12:23.679><c> you</c><01:12:23.800><c> have</c><01:12:23.920><c> to</c> on the Minnesota River
• now you have to on the Minnesota River now you have to fix<01:12:24.320><c> your</c><01:12:24.520><c

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• fair to homeowners and what a homeowner is responsible for in redirecting water over streets and to rivers
• streets</c><00:47:37.119><c> and</c><00:47:37.680><c> to</c><00:47:37.920><c> The</c><00:47:38.319><c> Rivers
• </c><00:47:39.319><c> so</c><00:47:39.640><c> I</c> over streets and to The Rivers so I over streets
• and to The Rivers so I guess<00:47:40.800><c> this</c><00:47:41.000><c> goes</c><00:47:41.319><c> back

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 13, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of housing, land, and resource bills. Early bills included HB 743 on fiscal sustainability, HB 1318 on affordable housing, and HB 1409 on the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Testimony on the housing measures was largely supportive from agencies and advocacy groups such as the Office of Planning, Hawaii Housing Future, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities, and the County of Kauai, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) raised concerns on HB 1318 about public trust duties for ceded lands. On HB 1409, members questioned whether the bill needed updating in light of a separate bill changing the board structure, and witnesses said the measure did not change funding but only the board’s mission and scope. The committee also heard HB 1410, which would create a supportive housing special fund. Supporters, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Appleseed, argued that predictable dedicated funding is needed for supportive housing, social services, and long-term homelessness solutions. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed tax earmarks in general, saying they subvert the constitutional budgeting process. Members asked how the fund would be administered and who could access it; witnesses said HHFDC and the counties would coordinate the process, but DLNR noted the bill did not provide additional administrative capacity and suggested language to address that. Later bills included HB 528 on residential leaseholds, HB 1359 on flood mitigation, HB 1087 on historic preservation reviews, HB 868 on disabilities, and HB 1323 on transfer of non-agricultural park lands. HB 528 drew limited testimony, with a Catholic Charities/Hawaii Public Housing Authority representative offering a general example of leasehold development but saying the bill’s exemptions had not been discussed in detail. HB 1359 prompted discussion of homeowner and county responsibilities for drainage and flood damage, with DLNR saying private owners are responsible for drainage on private property and counties for county roads. HB 1087 was supported by DHHL, which said historic preservation reviews currently take about 165 days and the bill could improve timeliness, while Hawaii Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed it. HB 868 drew support from the Disability Rights Center and DCAB, with testimony focusing on beach access and the need for clearer legal authority. On HB 1323, DLNR opposed the bill, saying it did not reflect Act 90 and that some agricultural parcels should remain under DLNR for conservation, watershed, recreation, or fire protection reasons; DOA, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the measure, arguing that productive agricultural lands should be transferred to agriculture to protect local food production and family ranches.

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Lakeville, represent about half of Lakeville, Credit River, Elko New Market, and the townships
• represent uh about half of Lakeville represent uh about half of Lakeville Credit<01:05:14.880><c> River
• 16.079><c> New</c><01:05:16.240><c> Market</c><01:05:16.480><c> in</c><01:05:16.559><c> the</c> Credit River
• Elco New Market in the Credit River Elco New Market in the townships<01:05:17.119><c> of</c><01:05:17.359

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• science programs from four of our state schools: Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Jones College, Pearl River
• :24:40.840><c> Jones</c><00:24:41.360><c> College,</c><00:24:42.320><c> Pearl</c><00:24:42.720><c> River
• </c> College, Jones College, Pearl River College, Jones College, Pearl River Community<00:24:43.520><
• >> Senator Johnson, if someone here is working on a visa, someone is picking blueberries in Pearl River
• gallery we have Poplarville High School and Middle School choirs from Poplarville, Mississippi, in Pearl River

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything is an hour and a half to two hours in the life of Urock and living on the Klamath River. and
• that's Everything is an hour and a half to two hours in the life of Yurok and living on the Klamath River
• You know, that's where we live in a beautiful area that's surrounded by the river and the forest.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything is an hour and a half to two hours in the life of Yurok and living on the Klamath River, and
• that's Everything is an hour and a half to two hours in the life of Yurok and living on the Klamath River
• You know, that's where we live in a beautiful area that's surrounded by the river and the forest.

Summary: The joint Assembly Health and Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an oversight hearing on AB 988, California’s 988 crisis line and mobile crisis response system, followed by a discussion of suicide prevention and intervention in California Indian communities. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that AB 988 was intended to create a true alternative to 911 for behavioral health crises, with “someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go,” and that Native communities continue to face disproportionately high suicide rates and barriers to culturally responsive care. The first panel of call center and stakeholder witnesses largely argued that implementation is falling short of the law’s intent. They said 988 call centers are underfunded, text/chat answer rates remain far below call answer rates, staffing is strained, and the system still lacks meaningful statewide interoperability between 988 and 911. Several witnesses said mobile crisis teams are not being dispatched through 988 as envisioned, and that funding formulas and governance are too opaque. San Joaquin County was presented as a local success story, with integrated 988, access lines, and mobile crisis handoffs that have reduced reliance on emergency departments and involuntary holds. Witnesses also discussed the need for better tribal outreach, the role of CCBHCs, and the importance of culturally competent services. State officials from CalHHS and DHCS described the five-year 988 implementation plan, the current governance structure across multiple agencies, and efforts to support training, public awareness, and referral tools. They reported growth in 988 contacts, ongoing training with the Trevor Project, a statewide resource directory, and a tribal awareness campaign. DHCS also outlined proposed trailer bill language that would create a formal designation process for 988 centers, set statewide standards, and require existing centers to obtain designation by 2029. Officials said current funding includes SAMHSA grants, block grant dollars, and an expected $67.3 million from the 988 fund in the next budget year, with a large share earmarked for Medi-Cal mobile crisis services. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $545,000 is for that one-time funding for River Oaks and Brentwood and Shreveport and New Orleans,
• We've been at River Rokes Arts Square in Alexandria for three years in a row, two organizations in Shreveport
• We've been at River Rokes Arts Square in Alexandria for three years in a row, two organizations in Shreveport

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met on March 17 to review the FY27 budgets for the Department of Education and several special schools and commissions. Fiscal staff outlined the Department of Education’s roughly $6.4 billion budget, noting that most funding goes to the Minimum Foundation Program and subgrantee assistance. Major changes discussed included the removal of one-time teacher pay stipends, increases for the LA GATOR scholarship program, and projected adjustments in early childhood funding. Members also reviewed the constitutional amendment proposal tied to using about $2 billion to pay down teacher retirement obligations and provide future teacher pay raises. Dr. Cade Brumley testified that Louisiana’s education outcomes have improved and answered questions on math performance, charter school funding, the LA GATOR scholarship, and the special education Choice program. Members pressed the department on the sustainability and balance of funding between LA GATOR and Choice, the number of applicants and current recipients, and outreach efforts. Brumley said charter schools are funded through the MFP like other public schools, that LA GATOR currently serves about 5,500 students with applications recently reaching about 17,000, and that the Choice program serves about 500 students with a waiting list of about 700 applicants. He also said the department would implement whatever funding levels the legislature approves. The committee then heard the special schools and commissions budget, including the Special School District, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Thrive Academy, École Pointe-au-Chien, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and BESE. Testimony focused on facility needs, enrollment, and program outcomes. LSU? No—LSM leaders described urgent roof and ceiling repairs estimated at about $800,000, while Thrive Academy highlighted student achievement, community service requirements, and economic impact. LPB said it is facing a federal funding loss of about $2.5 million and is responding with higher Passport fees, underwriting, and private fundraising. BESE’s small staff and administrative role were also explained, with members asking about board operations and the use of statutory dedication funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we went up there to, I think it was White County, a White River County, I don't know.
• There to, I think it was White County, a White River County, I don't know.
• that, as you know, I think you know that that was a program that started after the record Arkansas River

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• President, that go over the Methow River. That is the communities up and down that corridor.
• support for communities like the town of Wilkinson, which has been hard hit by the closure of the Carbon River
• support for communities like the town of Wilkinson has been hard hit by the closure of the Carbon River

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231

Summary: The Senate met on February 23, 2026, opened with the usual roll call, pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8698 recognizing piano teachers, with several senators sharing personal remarks about their own teachers and the role of music education in families and communities. Guests from the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then moved into budget debate, considering a series of amendments to the operating budget. Several proposals focused on housing costs, local planning, utility rates, and state spending restraint. Amendment 0772, which would have created a housing-related task force and increased funding, was rejected after debate over housing affordability and regulatory costs. Amendment 0785, restoring growth management planning funding for local governments, was also rejected. Amendment 0791, directing the Department of Commerce to study the effects of climate and clean energy laws on utility costs, and Amendment 0769, related to grid capacity and clean energy investments, were both adopted. Other amendments drew sharper partisan debate. Amendment 0798, which would have reduced the Supreme Court from nine justices to five and redirected savings to public defense, failed. Amendments 0794 and 0795, seeking funding for ballot measure costs tied to initiatives, also failed. Amendment 0799, intended to redirect Pacific Tower lease savings to developmental disability services, was rejected after discussion of the building’s current public uses. Amendment 0773, capping state spending growth and tying it to median wage growth, failed on a roll call vote, while Amendment 0777, addressing concurrent use of paid family and medical leave and sick leave by state employees, also failed after extended debate. Later, Amendment 0776 on tort liability reporting was adopted, as were Amendment 0758 creating a DSHS work group on community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Amendment 0786 was introduced to reduce cash and food assistance work-related funding, with debate beginning before the transcript ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:57.440><c> Eden</c><00:26:57.840><c> Prairie,</c><00:26:58.559><c> Elk</c><00:26:58.880><c> River
• ,</c> Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Elk River, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Elk River, and<00:26:59.919><c