Transcript Highlights:

• This takes that idea and will ask for a study the PCA to do a study and make some recommendations back
• And I I wonder if that should be study.
• <00:16:54.120> can study what I think the study can study what I think the study can accomplish
• I'm a professor of political science, legal studies, and environmental studies at Hamline University.
• I'm a professor of political science, legal studies, and environmental studies at Hamline University.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The findings are consistent across many studies and populations.
• So there was a meta-analysis, a study of a lot of other studies. There have been so many studies.
• So there was a meta-analysis, a study of a lot of other studies.
• And the studies all agree that it doesn't.
• And I've studied the history of law. Virginia studied the history of law.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), focusing on the economic and public-system impacts in North Dakota. She explained that ACEs are a population-level measure, not a diagnostic tool for individuals, and said higher ACE exposure is consistently associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare involvement, justice-system contact, and reduced workforce participation. She emphasized that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across a person’s life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based prevention and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, historical trends in ACEs, and the role of positive childhood experiences and home visiting. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota, including Healthy Families, Early Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. They described home visiting as voluntary, relationship-based, and tailored to family needs, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, human service zones, pregnancy navigators, self-referrals, and other community sources. A parent, Abby, shared that home visiting helped her family after premature births and NICU stays by providing support with postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, developmental screenings, referrals, and parenting guidance. The presenters said the programs are funded through a mix of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E dollars, Medicaid targeted case management, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and grants, and they noted that current funding is fragmented and insufficient to serve all eligible families statewide. Members discussed whether the state should expand or better fund these services and how to improve outreach and referrals. Later, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, followed by a presentation from a BCI special agent on how AI is already affecting child exploitation investigations in North Dakota. The memo and testimony described AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and risks posed by chatbots, along with relevant federal and state law and recent executive orders. The agent said North Dakota saw 2,698 cyber tips in 2025, the highest on record, and that investigators are increasingly encountering AI-assisted exploitation that is harder to detect and verify. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and spreading misinformation. No votes were taken on the AI materials during the portion provided, and the committee recessed briefly after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll do a comparison to previous studies.
• overview of the study and why we do it. overview of the study and why we do it.
• For those of you previous studies.
• > all<00:03:13.200> Minnesota Um, the study includes all Minnesota Um, the study includes
• So, it's a study of of this magnitude.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any more discussion on interim study? Any more discussion on interim study?
• >> interim study.
• Interim study. Yes.
• So the motion is interim study. Right. All those in favor of interim study.
• Uh all those in favor of interim study. study. study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions on the study? Representative Doctor, I'll make a motion for a due pass. Second.
• I'd move that we put that study on the consent calendar. I'll second that.
• I think it would be better to go through the study first. Thank you.
• I think it would be better to go through the study first. Okay.
• And that is the study regarding watershed boundaries.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with Senate Bill 2267 on on-site wastewater systems. DEQ testified that the bill would make DEQ the sole agency responsible for developing statewide wastewater code and licensing installers, replace local public health unit codes, create enforcement authority and civil penalties, and provide a $99,500 general fund appropriation for implementation. Members discussed whether the bill and proposed amendments adequately protected existing functioning or nonconforming septic systems, and DEQ said it would compare the Senate amendment with the committee’s draft and return the next day with feedback. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2339, a wildfire mitigation plan bill, and adopted amendment 02001 with a change from “Shell” to “May” on one line. After amendment, the bill passed 9-3 on a do pass as amended vote, despite opposition from members who argued it created a utility carve-out, reduced liability exposure for utilities, and incentivized safety without requiring compliance. The companion study bill, Senate Bill 2340, on fire service operational response needs also received a do pass recommendation, and the committee later agreed it should be handled on the floor before the mitigation bill so the two measures could be explained together. The committee also approved Senate Bill 2210, a study bill on watershed boundaries, with members noting it would help inform ongoing work on related water legislation. Finally, Senate Bill 2325, dealing with ordinary high watermark determination, received a unanimous do not pass recommendation after members expressed concern that high-water-mark language is difficult to define and may be better addressed in a separate study or resolution. The committee adjourned after noting that DEQ would return the next day with proposed amendments and that work on Senate Bill 2276 would continue with interested parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:00:52.920> study<01:00:53.240> committees terms of uh those study study committees
• terms of uh those study study committees is<01:00:53.839> Staffing<01:00:54.799> and<01
• to provide one member of that study to provide one member of that study committee<01:01:08.359><
• you think this study sessions do you think this study committee<01:01:29.880> should<01:01:30.240
• So I think the other study committee, you can do what you will like.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• A 2013 study found these laws were associated with a 6% to 11% increase in homicide rates.
• A 2013 study found these laws were associated with a 6% to 11% increase in homicide rates.
• A 2013 study found these laws were associated with a 6% to 11% increase in homicide rates.
• A study from Texas A&M University found A study from Texas A&M University found that<00:15:30.440
• Studies show this law application.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard Chair Bliss present HF 13, a bill to change Minnesota self-defense law so that a person using reasonable force in resisting an offense against the person would not be required to consider retreat. Bliss tied the proposal to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court case involving a man at a light rail station and argued the court had effectively created a duty to retreat that the legislature had never enacted. He said the bill would codify the right to stand one’s ground while still leaving reasonableness to judges and juries. Supporters Bryan Gosh of the NRA and Rob Door of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus testified that Minnesota’s duty-to-retreat rules are confusing, judicially created, and out of step with other states. They argued the bill would clarify self-defense law and protect people who defend themselves or others, citing examples from other states and a Texas church shooting to argue that a retreat requirement can endanger victims and bystanders. Opponents Maggie Emery of Protect Minnesota, Sarah Erickson of Giffords, and Don Einwalter of Moms Demand Action argued the bill would function as a “shoot-first” law, increase homicides, worsen racial disparities, and make communities and law enforcement less safe. They cited studies linking stand-your-ground laws to higher homicide rates and pointed to incidents in Florida and Minnesota involving firearms and children. The committee also took up two amendments. Representative Hollins offered an amendment on safe and secure firearm storage, saying it was intended to reduce child access to guns and suicides; she requested a roll call. Chair Bliss opposed it, saying current law already covers negligent storage and that the amendment was too broad, including for a rural constituent who keeps a shotgun by his door. Representative Hudson and Representative Pinto argued over whether current law is sufficient and whether the amendment would remove needed flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of the amendments, with no final vote or disposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And these studies have to be complete before ... boards directly.
• studies done.
• So um background studies studies done.
• I think it's $44 right now to complete those background studies.
• the record, I think about 80% of our background studies are complete within two days.

Bills: HF729

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Du Bois, who brings the first study with The Philadelphia Negro.
• Du Bois, who brings the first study with The Philadelphia Negro.
• Du Bois, who brings the first study with The Philadelphia Negro.
• Du Bois, who brings the first study with The Philadelphia Negro.
• Du Bois, who brings the first study with The Philadelphia Negro.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• > proposed<01:49:52.880> in The Medicaid impact study proposed in The Medicaid impact study
• and and is conducting a clinical study and and is conducting a clinical study uh<05:22:03.680>
• I I move intro study. study. study.
• So I think there are better ways to do it, and I hope that the interim study will be a true interim study
• study will be a true interim study. study will be a true interim study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And many queer youth, 72% in our study, also feel that public posting would expose them to harassment
• I want to be careful about generalizing from these studies.
• One of the teens in our studies said, 'Throughout my entire life, I've been bullied relentlessly.
• But we have just finished the next round of surveys for that study.
• Pulled out of mainstream studies.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on the impact of social media on LGBTQ+ youth, focusing on benefits, risks, and possible safeguards. Chair members framed the discussion around the tension between protecting young people from addictive design, harassment, hate speech, exploitation, and mental health harms while preserving access to affirming resources, community, and crisis support that many LGBTQ+ youth rely on online. Members emphasized that the hearing was meant to inform future policy rather than relitigate prior bills, and several members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus attended or participated. The first panel featured lived experience and advocacy testimony from Madi Roby of Alliance for Trans Youth Rights, Shea Gardner of LGBT Tech, and Casey Pick of the Trevor Project. Roby described social media as essential to exploring identity, finding trans language and safety information, and connecting to Trevor Project resources during a family crisis, while also acknowledging online hate and bullying. Gardner argued that lawmakers should regulate harms more precisely rather than impose broad age-based exclusions, warning that account bans and age-gating could cut off access to community, privacy-protective pseudonymity, and crisis resources. Pick testified that LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than peers to attempt suicide, that social media can be both a lifeline and a risk, and that Trevor Space and other moderated online spaces can improve mental health and reduce isolation; she also cautioned against policies that would push youth into less visible, less moderated spaces. Committee members questioned the witnesses about algorithmic feeds, addictive design, age verification, and whether platforms should be required to do more to protect youth. Several lawmakers distinguished between personalized feeds and addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, and asked for more targeted prescriptions. Witnesses generally supported stronger privacy protections, limits on data collection and use, better reporting and moderation tools, digital literacy, and design changes that reduce harmful engagement patterns without eliminating access to community. The discussion also touched on the loss of LGBTQ-specific 988 services at the national level and the importance of maintaining alternative support pathways. The second panel presented research from Common Sense Media, UC Irvine, Hope Lab, and LGBTQ+ Health Australia. Researchers reported that LGBTQ+ youth often arrive online with higher depressive symptoms and limited in-person support, encounter homophobic and transphobic content at high rates, and may self-censor because of fear of harassment. At the same time, many said social media helps them feel less alone and find affirmation. Dr. Sean Young emphasized a harm-reduction approach, noting that online environments can be designed to support health and that policymakers should measure whether restrictions actually reduce harm or simply displace it. Dr. Amy Green echoed that social media is both harmful and supportive for LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring that the policy goal should be to make youth safer rather than less visible online.

Transcript Highlights:

• study. of sort out?
• And of course, as you all up the study.
• And of course, as you all know,<03:36:28.800> the<03:36:28.960> study know, the study know
• come up with a well formulated study. come up with a well formulated study.
• two years down engage in another study two years down the<03:37:32.800> road.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up several liquor-related bills. Senate Bill 24, allowing students under 21 to taste wine in educational settings, drew no opposition or amendment and was reported out 6-0. Senate Bill 79, authorizing self-pour automated systems under the liquor commission, also faced no opposition and was voted ought to pass 6-0. Senate Bill 80, shifting licensing, auditing, and enforcement for wholesale and retail e-cigarette sales to the liquor commission, prompted discussion about whether the change would add cost; members heard that the liquor commission already handles similar enforcement and that the change was meant to address nonreporting. It was voted ought to pass 6-0. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 87, concerning alcohol service in salons, barbershops, and spas. Members and staff focused on how to limit the amount served, whether to require recordkeeping, and privacy concerns about tracking what patrons drank. The discussion settled on removing references to alcohol type and quantity and keeping only patron records, with the understanding that the agency would set the details by rule. The bill was not formally amended at the meeting, but members agreed an amendment would be drafted for the following week; the bill itself was reported ought to pass with that amendment to be determined. Finally, the committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 245, the EMS No Surprises Act and System Stabilization Act. The sponsor, Senator Suprena, said the bill would prohibit balance billing for emergency ambulance calls and unscheduled transfers, while setting reimbursement at either locally set public rates or 325% of Medicare. She explained that the proposal was based on national work on ground ambulance billing and was intended to stabilize struggling EMS providers. Committee members sought clarification that the bill did not eliminate balance billing for non-emergency transfers, and the sponsor confirmed it did not. A second witness, Jerry Stringham, testified in support, citing his reimbursement background.

Transcript Highlights:

• We weren't, none of us were a part of that, but wasn't there a study done by the legislative study that
• If you really look at the study, the H-SRI study, the long-term care study, it never said build a state
• We've actually been related to the study by adding more local services.
• There are some alternatives: just study it, just do the deferred maintenance, just let's get it right
• There are some alternatives: just study it, just do the deferred maintenance, just let's get it right

Bills: SB2012

Keywords: transportation, funding, infrastructure, grants, municipal, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations division met to consider House Bill 1015, the OMB budget, with several amendments already in hand. A major portion of the discussion centered on Senator Mathern’s concerns about the proposed new state hospital in Jamestown. He argued the project is outdated, too expensive, and should be delayed or reduced in favor of local behavioral health services and deferred maintenance at the existing LaHogue facility. Other members questioned him about staffing, capacity, constitutional issues, and the relationship between the hospital proposal and broader mental health investments in other bills. The committee also reviewed budget mechanics, including the transfer of up to $240 million from the Social Services Fund to the Human Services Finance Fund, a $40 million deferred maintenance fund, a $3 million deficiency appropriation for the new and vacant FTE pool, and other OMB-related items. Members discussed whether OMB should have managerial control over the Jamestown project and generally agreed that OMB oversight could help manage costs, though concerns about the hospital remained. The committee then considered two funding items that drew the most debate: guardianship grants and a pro-life education campaign. After testimony from a representative supporting the campaign, members agreed to reduce that item by $500,000 and add $1 million for guardianship grants, while leaving the overall bill to be finalized in conference. The committee adopted Amendment Version 2006 with those changes and then passed HB 1015 as amended on a roll call vote, with all members voting aye except Senator Burckhard on the amendment vote; he later voted aye on the bill itself. The chair indicated the bill would move to conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We used $36,333 of that to do an engineering study to determine the condition of the building.
• asking to use that to correct some of the deficiencies that were discovered during that engineering study
• We used $36,333 of that to do an engineering study to determine the condition of the building.
• <00:12:21.040> I'd<00:12:21.200> be study that was done last year.
• I'd be study that was done last year.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee approved the February 24 minutes and then voted to confirm Senator Mark Maki as vice chair. The committee next took up DAS request CAP 25004, which sought permission to use the remaining $713,667 from a $7 million appropriation for the purchase of 25 Hall Street to address deficiencies identified in an engineering study. DAS explained the building was bought for $6.25 million after the study revealed issues, and the funds would be used first for the most urgent repairs, especially the roof. In response to questions, DAS said the roof estimate was about $560,000, with other estimated needs including a skylight at $288,000, plumbing at $59,000, HVAC at $325,000, and electrical work at $547,000; the committee approved the request. The committee then considered CAP 25005, another DAS request to transfer $221,632 from five completed capital projects to the Hillsborough County South cell block renovation project. DAS said the project had been identified years earlier, had only recently entered design, and now appeared likely to cost more than the original appropriation because of inflation and delay. Senator Lang asked whether the transfer would be enough, and DAS responded that there was no final estimate yet but they hoped to engineer the project to fit the available funds. The committee approved the transfer. Later, the committee welcomed Senator Maki, who accepted the vice chair position. Under other business, members discussed a prior proposal in HB 2 that would have changed reporting from quarterly to annual; the committee was told the amendment had been made so that change would not go forward, and that the relevant section remained in HB 25 because it corrects capital budget language in multiple places. The committee set its next meeting for June 30 at 9:00 a.m. and requested that the Liquor Commission attend to discuss the 90/95 sale of property. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we did a big study called the 2050 Transmission Study, first really long-term plan.
• So we did a big study called the 2050 Transmission Study, first really long-term plan.
• So we did a big study called the 2050 Transmission Study, first really long-term plan.
• study for the region.
• study for the region.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are studies funded by our National Institutes of Health, high-quality studies published in high-quality
• Um these are studies to eight years.
• highquality studies published in highquality<00:24:07.840> journals.
• <00:24:55.360> showed parts per million and the study showed parts per million and the study
• <00:41:39.280> on their cohort that they ran the study on their cohort that they ran the study

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:10 Roll Call 00:00:24 HB 108 Discussion 00:03:45 HB 108 Vote 00:05:15 HB 194 Discussion 00:07:13 HB 194 Vote 00:09:45 HB 276 Discussion 00:11:53 HB 276 Vote 00:13:35 HB 290 Discussion 00:15:32 HB 290 Vote 00:18:29 HB 103 Discussion 00:20:31 HB 103 Vote 00:46:59 Adjournment 00:50:36, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its first meeting of the session and took up several local government bills, beginning with House Bill 108 on residual waste landfills. The bill would keep current rules in place when a landfill and the related company are in the same county, but would make projects subject to local determination when the landfill and industry are in different counties. The sponsor said it only affects residual waste landfills, not solid waste landfills. There was no opposition, and the bill passed with favorable expression by a 13-aye, 2-pass vote. The committee then approved House Bill 194, as amended by a committee substitute that changed a sales threshold from 15% to 25%. The bill creates a narrow exemption allowing cigar smoking inside tightly defined cigar bars, while not changing smoke-free laws for other public places. One member explained a no vote as a local control concern, but the bill passed with favorable expression. House Bill 276, which would authorize backyard chickens and prevent local governments from banning fewer than six chickens while still allowing setback rules, also passed with favorable expression. Supporters said it would not affect homeowners associations or commercial use, while one member opposed it as a local control issue. House Bill 290, dealing with county law libraries, passed unanimously with favorable expression. The sponsor said the bill would let local bar associations use their own funds for online legal research and computers instead of only books, noting that many law libraries are underused because legal research is now mostly online and that the libraries remain open to the public. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 103 on fluoride in public water systems after adopting a committee substitute that clarified an immunity clause for water districts. Sponsors said the bill would make fluoridation a local decision rather than a state mandate and argued that newer research raises health concerns, while opponents from the dental community and Kentucky Voices for Health testified that community water fluoridation is safe, cost-effective, and important for preventing cavities, especially for low-income and Medicaid populations. The transcript cuts off during the opposition testimony, before any final committee vote on HB 103.

Transcript Highlights:

• My submission cites studies demonstrating biological effects.
• I don't know if there is a study. I'm just curious.
• If there's some studies or something.
• One epidemiology study found that infants born to non-U.S.
• I've also studied the medical and public health data.

Keywords: 995, all

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:

• <02:37:55.279> committee that you would like the study committee that you would like the study
• So I don't think we need to direct that in the study committee. I hear you.
• and there's a there's a a study and there's a there's a a study committee<02:40:30.600> makes
• <02:40:43.359> committee the principle of a study committee the principle of a study committee
• this got me thinking to a study this got me thinking to a study committee<02:43:21.760> that<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Professor Kwak made profound contributions to the discipline of Asian studies, to the education of thousands
• His father, Taka Kwak, had studied political science at the University of Washington, Harvard, and Cambridge
• He went on to earn his Master of Arts degree in Far Eastern studies in 1956 and a PhD in history from
• taka quac had studied political science at<00:03:35.080> the<00:03:35.159> University<
• <00:03:57.280> in arts degree in Far Eastern studies in arts degree in Far Eastern studies

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 24 members present and one excused, approved the previous day’s Journal, and heard several introductions. Senator Hashimoto welcomed a visiting Kukui Fellowship Program cohort from Maui, and Senator Chang delivered a tribute honoring the late University of Hawaii Professor Daniel W. Kwak, highlighting his scholarship in Asian studies, his teaching career, and the journalism fellowship and China seminar he founded. A late introduction also recognized retired UH communications professor Gerald Kato for his work in journalism policy. The chamber then processed messages and communications, including Governor’s nominations to boards and commissions, House communications returning Senate bills, and a Judiciary communication transmitting the nomination of Sonia H. Toma to the Family Court of the Second Circuit. The Senate adopted Standing Committee Reports Nos. 1369 and 1370, agreed to disagree with House amendments to Senate Bill 108, and received notice that conferees would be named later. House concurrent resolutions transmitted from the House were referred to committee. On third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 994, HD1, relating to promoting pornography to minors, and House Bill 1175, relating to tax appeal procedures, both by unanimous consent with 24 ayes and no reservations. The Senate also granted a waiver of referral for a list of Senate concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions so they could meet an upcoming deadline. The President thanked staff for the job fair and noted its value for employees whose service would end at adjournment. The Senate then adjourned until 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 31st.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that an appropriate approach to the bill is if there are studies going on, and there are studies
• Maybe extend the sunset and look to see what the results of the data are, the results of the study.
• Studies show that if you stabilize behavioral health conditions, chronic disease exacerbations, which
• I just want to make a request when you're going through your studies.
• Please tell us what the long-term effect of the results of your study will be.