Transcript Highlights:

• What types of disabilities would be categorized under that disability categories?
• What types of disabilities would be categorized under that disability categories?
• What types of disabilities would be categorized under that disability categories?
• 00:27:41.320><c> disabilities</c><00:27:42.320><c> or</c> um multiple disabilities or um multiple disabilities
• </c> right? Okay. That that I just Okay. right? Okay. That that I just Okay.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, thank you.
• All right, thank you. Thank you.
• All right?
• </c><01:56:33.239><c> see</c> all right all right and we'll see all right all right and we'll see everybody
• All right, hearing none.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• So pros and cons to everything, right? All right.
• Do we need the $9 million right now?
• And so that's a moving target, right?
• Right now. Right now it's not in the ADAP estimate package.
• All right. You have a combined three minutes. All right. Go ahead.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OR APD SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES
• RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CDC ON TIER NUMBER TWO.
• >> NOT IMPORTANT BUT NOT REQUIRED RIGHT NOW TO FORCE A STANDARDIZED STRUCTURE.
• >> RIGHT NOW I WANT TO OR WHAT CBCS MAY ACCEPT AS QUALITY MEASURES?
• WHAT I AM GETTING AT IS THERE IS NOT A POT OF MONEY FOR IT RIGHT NOW.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, right? It's like to block. It's right. Because it also block, you know. It's the way.
• With me today to testify is Conrad Crump, senior policy advocate with Disability Rights California.
• My name is Conrad Crump, and I'm here on behalf of Disability Rights California, and also in support
• In my role as senior policy advocate with Disability Rights California, I work very closely with attorneys
• I think people have a right to associate. I think people have a right to protest.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're right.
• disability services.
• right position.
• All right.
• Bill thank you madam chair all right all Bill thank you madam chair all right all right<01:40:46.360>

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Right.
• The infant development for kids with a disability and then Right Track for, is it Right Track?
• All right. All right.
• All right. Thank you. All right.
• Right.

Committee: Joint Human Services

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• All right. We are going to go to Mr.
• , right?
• Then if you are fortunate enough to be able to pay into private disability, you may have private disability
• I want to just say right out the gate to echo.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• , right?
• , right?
• All right, so next slide.
• They say housing, you have to be on the list by 18, right?
• , how to support people with disabilities.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes. The main presentation was from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE), a five-year grant project focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence. Presenters described the project’s community conversations, consortium, and four work groups, with emphasis on the family-partnership work group and a family survey designed to better understand engagement barriers and transition needs. The survey results showed that family participation increased sharply when Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute the survey, rising from about a dozen responses to more than 200. Key findings included barriers such as scheduling conflicts, language access, childcare, and limited understanding of the IEP and transition process. Many families said they wanted their children to pursue college or employment after high school, but fewer reported access to pre-employment training, suggesting a gap between expectations and awareness of available services. The Lawrence team also described a bilingual transition website, workshops offered at different times with interpretation and childcare, and efforts to make transition planning more visible and accessible. Committee members responded with questions and comments about cultural barriers, early transition planning, college and community college pathways, trades, summer youth employment, and how to reach families earlier, especially in middle school. Presenters said Lawrence has a strong transition team and existing resources, but needs more real-world work experiences and better communication so families understand and use them. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters, a note that committee members would meet with SEED later in the week about Massachusetts as a model employer, and an announcement that the May meeting would feature the Office of Veterans Affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a very important bill that will protect public employees' conscience rights, the right of
• Those rights are Blake Harper: given to us by God. Man cannot compel those rights on another man.
• What a beautiful thing, right?
• Chair: Laura Lee Minutello, Disability Rights Florida, is an opponent, followed by Jacqueline Steele.
• should be protected, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a good man right there. Well, Senator, there's also something else that we have to celebrate.
• So the old term, if you look to my left and to my right, and the entire committee is called diversity
• I am a disabled veteran myself.
• I'm an Air Force disabled veteran, and I support this bill. Thank you. Thank you.
• All right. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your patience.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The committee met with one item on the agenda: Senate Bill 623 by Senator Archuleta. The bill would implement a related constitutional amendment to provide property tax relief for veterans and their families by allowing eligible veterans to combine, or “stack,” the homeowners’ exemption with the disabled veterans’ or veterans’ exemption, and by removing certain property limitations tied to the exemption. The author and chair framed the measure as recognition of veterans’ service and a way to expand access to tax relief for veteran homeowners. The committee heard extensive testimony in support from veterans and advocates, including disabled veterans, combat veterans, representatives of veterans’ organizations, and county and health care advocates. Supporters said the bill would meaningfully improve benefits for veterans and their families. No opposition testimony was presented, and no committee member raised objections during the hearing. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Committee on Appropriations. The roll call vote was 3-0 in favor, with the bill held on call pending Senator Menjivar’s return so she could vote as well. The meeting then adjourned after the chair thanked the veterans and attendees.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a good man right there. Well, Senator, there's also something else that we have to celebrate.
• So the old term, if you look to my left and to my right, and the entire committee is called diversity
• I am a disabled veteran myself.
• I'm an Air Force disabled veteran, and I support this bill. Thank you. Thank you.
• All right. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your patience.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You got affirmative action and the right to vote, right?"
• Occupied with a disability rights group here in Sacramento and volunteer at a Meals on Wheels cafe, a
• Yes, I think one of the challenges is that people who are disabled right now, who are receiving SSI,
• Yes, come on, right?
• All right. Thank you very much to this panel. Thank you. Issue number nine. All right. All right.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an exemption on the books now for 100% disabled persons for property... ...disabled persons
• But the total exemption right now for 100% disabled persons is $12,500.
• Absolutely, yeah, I think it fits right in.
• So in terms of if my math is right, is that wrong?
• They... levels, right? Yes, they are.

Bills: HB205 , HB226 , HB234

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications, church magazines, Bible class materials, Sunday school materials, tax administration, indirect tax, state revenue, HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, my partner in crime right now.
• I also want to speak about a disability. I also want to speak about a disability.
• I do encourage a green vote. disability. I also want to speak about a disability.
• </c> disability issues, the tough issues. Mr. disability issues, the tough issues. Mr.
• All right, let's see.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is your chance to get it right.
• Other UIS, right?
• We think the time is right.
• are still disabled...
• For adults and people with disabilities. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, including physical disabilities and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• We've got the right people. I'm Molly Regan, I'm the.
• That is something that we're looking at right now.
• the right job for me?
• just need support, or are they not the right fit?

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And on the right, you'll just see Medicare listed.
• , uh, including physical disabilities and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• , blindness, or another disability.
• We've got the right people. Uh, I'm Molly Regan.
• Staffings that are on a youth by youth basis to determine what's the right services and what's the right

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hear what you're saying, Cal, but please, just— no, this needs to stay clean, right?
• Instead, where I feel like I'm in the other body right now.
• </c><00:32:37.200><c> and</c> games with people with disabilities and games with people with disabilities
• Chair, all right. Senator Koran, any further comments on Senator Hoffman's bill?
• </c><00:36:35.240><c> people</c> mechanism they're all the right people mechanism they're all the right

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Eman from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
• Some of them do have behavioral health elements, right? And substance abuse.
• All right. The next item on the agenda. All right.
• All right, fair enough. Yes, you know where to find me. That's right. Thank you, Chair. Absolutely.
• All right. Well, as I said, I've appreciated working with all of you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities subcommittee on workforce supports met with Chair Andrew Lerault presiding. Members completed roll call, approved the August 2025 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Amy Doyle, director of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. Doyle described the center’s launch in September 2024 and its legislative mandate to study behavioral health payment rates, workforce needs, and licensure/certification barriers, with an emphasis on recruitment, retention, capacity building, diversity/equity, and sustainability. She also shared data on unmet behavioral health needs, ED boarding, workforce shortages, aging and turnover in nursing and direct care, and the need to improve data collection on non-licensed workers and populations such as people with developmental disabilities and autism. Committee members asked questions about what provider types were included in the workforce data and whether DDS-related residential and direct support roles were captured. Doyle said the center is still working to define and measure the full behavioral health workforce, including non-licensed roles, and welcomed follow-up on missing data sources. Members suggested additional sources such as CHIA and the Association of Developmental Disability Providers’ workforce survey. Doyle noted that the center is working with CHIA and that new licensure renewal surveys for behavioral health and allied mental health professionals will begin in 2025, which should improve future workforce data. The discussion also touched on the Health Policy Commission’s broader workforce findings, including nurse attrition, burnout, low wages, and the importance of career ladders and advanced training. Doyle said the center’s first policy recommendations will come from its rate study, expected in the next one to two months, and will likely focus on capacity building and sustainability. After the presentation, members thanked Doyle and discussed subcommittee leadership. Chair Lerault announced he was stepping down, and Chris White volunteered to serve as co-chair; the committee agreed to move forward with that arrangement and to revisit FY26 goals once new leadership is in place. The meeting then adjourned by motion and second.