Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to continuing working with them.
• We've worked with the author and his staff, and we'd like to say thank you very much for working amendments
• As part of that work, I also work with national advocacy groups, serving on the board of the Physical
• I would love to work with the committee on that and more than happy to get together and work with that
• My family and I live here in Sacramento, and we appreciate the work you do keeping the government working

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and announced that all bills on the agenda had revenue impacts placing them on the suspense file, so none were eligible for immediate vote. The chair also reviewed procedural rules, including the deadline for position letters and the suspense-file threshold, and later established a quorum before proceeding through the agenda. Most measures were presented, heard, and then referred to suspense without committee votes. Several bills focused on tax credits or exclusions tied to housing and property. AB 1606 proposed a five-year tax credit for small businesses facing cleanup costs from illegal dumping and encampments; AB 1971 would clarify that home-hardening retrofits are not assessable for property tax purposes; AB 2394 would create a capital gains exclusion to encourage long-term homeowners to sell and downsize; AB 1714 would offer a credit for sellers who complete required repairs for CalHFA-assisted first-time buyers; and AB 2389 would extend the property tax exclusion for newly installed solar systems. Supporters generally framed these bills as targeted relief or affordability measures, while opponents raised concerns about revenue loss, policy effectiveness, or implementation. The committee also heard a series of agriculture-related bills. AB 2427 proposed a tax credit for qualified agricultural producers to offset labor, equipment, infrastructure, and production costs, and AB 2192 would extend the state’s farm equipment sales tax exemption to local sales taxes with a General Fund backfill for local governments. Supporters argued both measures would help preserve California agriculture, jobs, and food security amid rising costs and regulatory burdens; opponents questioned the need for the subsidies and the size of the fiscal impact. Both bills were referred to suspense. Other measures included AB 1611, which would end a tax break on capital gains from single-family home sales for large corporate investors to discourage investor competition with homebuyers; AB 2522, which would exempt over-the-counter medications from sales tax; AB 2444, which would add a state deduction for ScholarShare 529 contributions and align California law with federal Roth IRA rollover rules; and AB 1550, which would allow deductions for tips and overtime. Each drew support from sponsors and allied groups, while tax reform and local government representatives opposed several bills over revenue and policy concerns. All of these measures were also sent to the suspense file, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we Are working hard to look at our bylaws and working with schools.
• I then had the opportunity to work for a few national non-profits where I did policy and advocacy work
• What doesn't work around the country.
• It's a solution that is actually working, and that we know is working.
• We've done some work on this in the last few sessions, and we have a bill in the works that. will take

Transcript Highlights:

• We are prioritizing our work differently.
• work.
• Let's do this work humbly.
• This will be difficult work, but we can do it.
• I would be happy to work with you on that.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• You've done great work.
• I felt isolated as my husband traveled for work.
• I see that every day in Baltimore where I work.
• And when we look at what works.
• some sort of part-time or full-time work so the work requirements situation would just really add a

Committee: Senate Aging (Special) Committee

Keywords: opioid crisis, overdose, naloxone, drug trafficking, law enforcement, treatment, prevention, older adults, Medicaid expansion

Summary: The meeting convened to address the dire opioid crisis affecting communities nationwide, with a particular focus on the alarming rise of opioid use disorder among older adults. Key testimonies highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, treatment, and strict law enforcement actions against drug traffickers. Sheriff Dennis Lima from Seminole County outlined successful strategies implemented in Florida, including increased access to naloxone and legislative changes to hold drug dealers accountable for overdoses. Various members expressed a united front on tackling this multifaceted issue, advocating for the expansion of Medicaid and better access to treatment as essential steps to curbing the epidemic.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do a lot of those work, a lot of investigative work, forensic work, and so in particular with the
• The work groups take that seriously, work through it.
• Glenn Hager: Yeah, we're working.
• Um, and so we work very hard, very hard to educate our employees of those threats to work on our IT systems
• We've been working on this for eight years.

Bills: SB 1 , SB1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It's my 2nd year working with the task force.
• All right, Simon, and leave Europe with our work plan.
• Simon, please, work plan. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• could These sort of worked out today.
• Um, but I would take a motion on our, um, Work plan.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the support folks for this commission, and I'm looking forward to their work, and they're working
• Based on the work of the working groups and the testimony we hear today and in the fall, our staff will
• Our oral medications are not working.
• Look forward to working with you.
• And we need more work on this.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like working on my right.
• , the Asakia Construction Works Fund?
• Speaker, gentlemen, it's the Irrigation Works and Construction Fund. gentleman it's the irrigation works
• There were concerns with the original HB 21, which had been worked on very long, and they were working
• I see that this program could work.

Bills: HB145 , HR1 , HB80 , SB29 , SB37 , HB206 , SB193 , SB58 , SB64 , HB153 , HB195 , HB234 , HB248 , HB255 , HB279 , HB287 , HB292 , HB303 , HB309 , HB371 , SB30 , SB35 , SB40 , SB43 , SB48 , SB96 , SB143 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Summary: The meeting opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of announcements and personal remarks. Members then spent a large portion of the session honoring Representative Joanne Ferrary, who announced she will not seek re-election. Speakers from both parties praised her persistence, mentorship, and work on public safety, environmental protection, health care, women’s rights, and advocacy for workers and families. Ferrary thanked colleagues and said she hoped to continue supporting initiatives in the interim and beyond. The House also recognized Representative Matthew McQueen, who is running for commissioner of public lands and will leave the legislature after this term. Members highlighted his work on conservation, land grants, wildlife protection, legislative drafting, and his reputation for principled, detailed review of bills. McQueen thanked colleagues and said he hoped to remain involved in the building in another capacity. The House then moved to third reading and passed House Bill 371, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute creating a temporary funding source for land grants and acequias from remaining sponge bond revenues. Supporters said it would provide a more stable, long-term funding mechanism for acequia and land grant infrastructure while preserving existing funding streams and requiring legislative appropriation and annual reporting. Some members raised concerns about oversight and the lack of a sunset or review clause, but the bill passed 63-2. The chamber also passed House Bill 248, authorizing $392 million in general obligation bond capacity, by a vote of 65-0. The House then debated House Bill 153, a committee substitute creating a market-based framework for carbon reduction and economic development. The bill includes an environmental product declaration act, a low-carbon materials rebate, and an industrial carbon reduction grant program. Supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions while encouraging economic development and new technology at industrial facilities. Members questioned the timing of the grants, anti-donation concerns, and whether companies would receive funding only after making investments, and sponsors explained that entities must pre-certify and then apply after beginning production or retrofits. Debate was ongoing at the end of the excerpt, with no final vote shown on HB 153.

Transcript Highlights:

• And is there more work to do?
• Um, I'm hoping that somehow we can create working conditions where people are not afraid to work and
• , what's not working.
• We have a body of nurses in our first judicial district, and with them we work, and their work is done
• And we continue working as a team, and the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs works with

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• There's going to be some work that I'm going to have to work out on how that's going to be distributed
• There's going to be some work that I'm going to have to work out on how that's going to be distributed
• We are committed to working with you and your colleagues to pass this bill and use this funding for work
• It seems to me that you guys need to work with us, work with Senator Kennedy, and study the effects of
• Well, again, I appreciate your work.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, March 11, with a quorum present and heard several specialty license plate bills. HB 801 by Rep. Martinez would create a classic black specialty plate, with revenue directed to State Police high-speed pursuit training for local law enforcement. Members discussed the need for better pursuit training in light of fatal crashes, adopted a set of amendments and a technical change, and reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee also advanced HB 891 by Rep. Landry, which creates wildlife conservation specialty plates and adjusts revenue distribution to support conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited and Quail Forever, while also helping the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conservation fund. Testimony from LDWF and the conservation groups emphasized habitat work, fundraising leverage, and conservation benefits. The bill drew extended questioning from Vice Chair Fontenot about Ducks Unlimited’s work, including its projects in Louisiana and other states and whether certain habitat practices affect duck migration; the committee then reported the bill with amendments. HB 587 by Rep. Dickerson would create a PANS/PANDAS specialty plate to raise awareness and return revenue to the general fund to help cover treatment costs. The bill was supported by a parent and child who described the disorder and the impact of insurance coverage for IVIG treatment; it was reported with amendments. HB 331 by Rep. Mack created a Louisiana GOP specialty plate and was reported with amendments after brief discussion. HB 629 by Rep. Lyons created a plate for the Crew of Athena and was also reported with amendments. HB 428 by Rep. Baham created an LSU baseball championship plate recognizing the 2023 and 2025 national title teams and was reported with amendments. Rep. Walters voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, and HB 854, and the committee adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it fails, then we'll work on it next round.
• What works for one may not work for another.
• If that is going to be the case, but works for one may not work for somebody else, and one size does
• We'll just say that we worked, the reason why all of us are up here is we work together to address not
• So with Part B working, it solved the $37 a unit.

Committee: Senate House Education

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 47, the school employee insurance “80-20” bill, which would require school districts and charter schools to pay 80% of employee health insurance premiums, bringing K-12 employees into parity with other public employees. Supporters from school superintendents, school boards, charter schools, teachers, AFT, NIA, and labor groups said the bill would improve recruitment and retention, reduce the burden of rising premiums, and increase take-home pay, especially in rural districts. One amendment proposed by Senator Ramos would have expanded the bill to require a cooperative purchasing process and more insurance options, but it was opposed as a structural change not vetted for this bill and was withdrawn. The committee then approved HB 47 on a roll-call vote and sent it to the Senate floor. The committee next took up House Bill 253, the public education changes bill, which focuses on full-time virtual education and related funding issues. The sponsor and education officials said the bill preserves virtual learning options, requires districts and charters to report virtual enrollment, creates an evaluation/certification process for full-time virtual programs, and includes a temporary funding fix to address budget shortfalls caused by virtual enrollment growth. Testimony from school leaders and boards supported the compromise, noting the need to avoid a statewide loss in unit value while also addressing the Gallup-McKinley situation and other funding distortions. Several senators raised concerns about impacts on small rural districts, out-of-state students, and the treatment of full-time virtual students in rural-unit calculations, but officials said emergency supplemental funding could address shortfalls and that a broader study would be done in the interim. The committee then passed HB 253 on a roll-call vote and advanced it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• And working with our partners and then internally working with our tribal leadership and membership,
• Additionally, we've been working with the county, and they, Additionally, we've been working with the
• Is this mic working? Okay. Thank you, Senator Leah. Thank you. Is this mic working?
• Is this mic working? Okay. Thank you, Senator Leah. Thank you. Is this mic working?
• With that, that is the end of our work session. So we will adjourn our work session.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met in Yakima and focused on tribal traffic safety, with an emphasis on the Yakama Nation’s transportation safety efforts and partnerships. Yakama Nation leaders and engineering staff described ongoing work on U.S. 97 corridor safety improvements, heritage connectivity trails, roundabouts, and the use of advanced traffic sensing technology through a University of Washington spin-off, AI Vision. The technology, called MUST, was presented as a way to collect speed, volume, pedestrian, roadway-condition, and near-miss data, support real-time warnings, and help create a digital twin and virtual traffic management center to move from reactive crash response to proactive risk reduction. Committee members asked about speed tracking, driver behavior, enforcement, and agency coordination, and Yakama representatives said the work depends on a multi-pronged approach involving engineering, policy, and enforcement, with strong coordination among the tribe, WSDOT, the Traffic Safety Commission, counties, and universities. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission then presented statewide fatality trends and tribal traffic safety data. Staff said 2024 saw about a 10% drop in statewide traffic fatalities after several years of increases, but recent years remain among the highest in decades. They noted that among American Indian and Alaska Native fatalities, many victims were pedestrians, passengers, or bicyclists rather than drivers, and that restraint nonuse and alcohol impairment were significant factors. The commission also highlighted that many AI/AN fatalities occur off tribal lands, while many fatalities on tribal lands involve non-tribal members. Penny Rerick described tribal traffic safety coordinators as a proven countermeasure and outlined current and planned tribal projects funded through federal and state dollars, including work with Yakama Nation, Colville, Kalispel, Makah, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Muckleshoot, Lower Elwha, Puyallup, and others. She said state proviso funding is being used flexibly for equipment, education, pedestrian safety, and local planning, and committee members asked staff to provide data on total requests versus funded amounts. The final presentation highlighted Yakima-area impaired driving enforcement and ignition interlock compliance efforts. Yakima Police Chief Sean Boyle said the city created a DUI enforcement and education officer program, later expanded with state support, to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes; he reported more than 1,100 contacts, 222 DUI-related arrests or stops, extensive outreach, and a 12-month period without an impaired-driving fatality in the city. Nick Bazan of Yakima County District Court described a DUI supervision and ignition interlock compliance pilot that targets both pre-conviction and post-conviction barriers, including indigent support, case planning, and evidence-based supervision. He said the county had more than 1,000 DUI convictions in 2024-25 and roughly 3,800 noncompliant ignition interlock users, and that 51% of roadway fatalities involved an impaired driver. The committee praised the work, noted the importance of sharing best practices statewide, and then adjourned the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The mic is working. Oh, yay, the mic is working. Yes, it's a lot clearer.
• Most retirees are limited to working 867 hours a year if they decide to work during retirement.
• Now, to unpack the work plan a little bit more, Now to unpack the work plan a little bit more, there
• a preliminary work plan.
• I'm good with the 15 minutes if that works for everybody else. That works for me as well.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy opened its 2025 interim with roll call, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief administrative update on meeting procedures, new members, and a planned change to hold officer elections in June rather than immediately. Staff then presented a high-level recap of the 2025 legislative session, focusing on pension-related bills affecting Plans 1, 2, and 3, including the failed Plans 1 COLA and month-of-death bills, enacted changes on retire/rehire rules, state actuary appointments, service credit purchases, excess compensation, and a budget proviso directing study of proposed LEOFF 1 merger/termination concepts. Staff also highlighted ESSB 5357, which changes funding policy and the assumed rate of return, and noted that a deeper briefing on that complex bill may be needed. The committee then received an interim kickoff presentation explaining the SCPP’s role, membership, meeting structure, public participation, and the typical process for studying issues. Staff reviewed the draft interim work plan, which will be shaped by statutory studies, annual agency reports, legislative outcomes, stakeholder requests, and committee goals. Key upcoming work includes the mandated study of LEOFF 1 merger and termination concepts, the state actuary’s odd-year economic assumption recommendations, annual updates from DRS, OSA, the LEOFF 2 Board, and the State Investment Board, and other recurring reports such as the DRS benchmarking study and actuarial valuation materials. Members also discussed the importance of understanding asset smoothing and long-term funding impacts, and staff said updated contribution projections will be available later in the fall. During public comment, several speakers urged the committee and the State Investment Board to address climate-related financial risk and divest from fossil fuels, arguing that current coal, oil, and gas holdings are too large and that existing screening methods undercount exposure. One commenter also asked the committee to consider climate risk in the upcoming long-term economic assumptions study. Another public commenter, representing school retirees and administrators, urged continued study of COLA proposals and asked the committee to review the recently enacted funding bill and a separate bill related to COLA financing. The meeting concluded with a short break and adjournment of the full committee portion before the executive committee session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank you for your work. I think it's important work.
• There is no concern with us doing the work. Because clearly, I can do the work.
• All right, great work. Good work, everyone. Room 447. No, 447, right across the hall.
• All right, great work. Good work, everyone. Only six. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• We appreciate all the hard work and look forward to continuing to work together. Thank you.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure by Senator Umberg. The bill would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, expand data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and broaden eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said the bill would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people get treatment; opponents argued it would greatly expand the program without enough housing, staffing, or resources and could sweep in people who can make their own decisions. The committee members raised concerns about scope and resources but ultimately voted to pass SB 27 to the Health Committee, with the bill placed on call. The committee then took up SB 82, which would limit consumer arbitration clauses to disputes arising from the specific product or service the consumer agreed to buy, aimed at stopping “infinite arbitration clauses” that force unrelated claims into arbitration. The author and supporters described cases where consumers were compelled to arbitrate claims involving corporate affiliates or unrelated incidents, while opponents warned the bill was too restrictive and should be clarified on retroactivity and construction. Members generally supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass motion, with several votes recorded and the bill placed on call. Next, the committee heard SB 437 and SB 518, both related to California reparations efforts. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop an evidence-based, reproducible genealogical methodology for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with supporters emphasizing oversight, transparency, and a framework for using the $6 million already allocated in the budget; opponents argued the work was unnecessary, duplicative, and should be done by existing genealogists rather than CSU. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs; supporters called it the infrastructure needed to implement reparations recommendations, while opponents objected to housing the bureau in the Department of Justice, overlap with SB 437, and the inclusion of other communities. Both bills advanced on do-pass motions to Appropriations and were placed on call. Finally, Senator Perez presented SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would make it illegal to use algorithms to collude and artificially inflate rental prices. The author and supporters said landlords and AI companies are using pricing tools to share competitive data and fix rents in the midst of a severe affordability crisis, and that the bill would clarify protections and create enforcement mechanisms. The transcript cuts off during testimony on SB 52, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Its work ensures that decision-making.
• It's a lot of work.
• </c> After I retired from the bench, I worked After I retired from the bench, I worked in<00:10:44.320
• ><c> with</c><00:19:53.360><c> candidates,</c> our role in working with candidates, our role in working
• ><c> of</c><00:20:43.760><c> enforcement</c> worked on a number of enforcement worked on a number of

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's hearing builds on that work.
• I worked personally on the Smuggler's Inn.
• Accountability should mean that we work hard to sustain what works.
• And as much as I respect the people who work in this space, because this is not an easy space to work
• HAP is working. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:56.000><c> providing</c> school people get to work providing school people get to work providing
• Um, I always invite my the work.
• </c><00:13:30.079><c> and</c> colleagues to join me in that work and colleagues to join me in that work
• You mentioned working bipartisanly.
• You mentioned working about that.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> go through and work that work that MCO's go through and work that work that MCO's contracts.<00:
• How do we work How do we talk about it? How do we work together?
• It's just how it works.
• We work very closely with CSG. We've worked with PTAC, many of the partners.
• That didn't work. as an organization. That didn't work.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then approved an agency amendment to a health and family services regulation. The amendment reversed a prior change so that neonatal ICU beds would remain subject to regular review rather than nonsubstantive review. The remaining administrative regulations were then reviewed without objection. The main presentation was from State Auditor Allison Ball on a report finding $836 million in concurrent Medicaid capitation payments from 2019 through 2022, involving individuals enrolled in Kentucky and at least one other state. Ball said Kentucky relied on the PARIS system, which has limitations because it is updated quarterly and depends on voluntary state participation, while a better federal data source, T-MSIS, was not fully available to the state. She said the audit found weak internal controls, siloed processes, outdated guidance, and a low-priority attitude toward residency checks, all of which contributed to missed alerts and improper payments. She also said the report identified additional problems, including payments made after beneficiaries died and cases involving multiple states paying for the same person. Ball recommended better access to federal data, stronger MCO contract provisions, and more active oversight by the Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations. She said the contracts reviewed did not provide a clear way to recoup the improper payments, though she and her counsel suggested possible equitable legal theories might be explored. Members expressed concern about the scale of the waste and the lack of contract enforcement, and asked whether any money could be recovered. Ball said the audit did not identify a clear contractual path to recoup the funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> working.
• </c><00:19:07.440><c> They're</c> working group remains working.
• They're working group remains working.
• </c> work as well.
• So um these things do work work as well.

Bills: HF3421

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Your work is deeply personal.
• Your work is deeply personal.
• It's working. Green light.
• Yeah, she works here.
• We know this approach works.

Summary: The meeting was a special commission hearing on antisemitism held off-site at Kerem Shalom Synagogue in Concord, with commissioners approving prior minutes and noting a quorum, a rescheduled October 27 meeting, and the addition of a new commissioner. The co-chairs and host speakers emphasized the personal and communal significance of holding the hearing in a synagogue and the importance of confronting antisemitism while protecting free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse. The commission heard from former SJC Justice and current UMass General Counsel David Lowy, who discussed the IHRA definition of antisemitism, said its use as nonbinding guidance does not raise First Amendment concerns, and described UMass’s response to a discriminatory academic conference policy. Commissioners also asked about campus speaker vetting, protest rights, and university practices for addressing antisemitism and protecting students’ access to education. District Attorney Marian Ryan testified about restorative justice as a tool for addressing hate incidents, saying it can help victims be heard, reduce reoffending, and be used in criminal, school, and community settings. She described local programs, online reporting forms, and the need for better statutory tools, including changes to restitution and education requirements in hate-crime cases. Commissioners asked whether restorative justice affects charging decisions, and Ryan said it should not alter whether a hate crime is investigated or charged. She also identified model programs and said the commission’s work aligns with the national strategy it is charged with implementing. Three rabbis then described the rise in antisemitic incidents in schools and communities, the emotional toll on Jewish families, and the need for stronger school responses, clearer language in incident communications, and better training for educators. Rabbi Brad David recounted repeated incidents in Acton-Boxborough and praised the district’s improved partnership and response, while Rabbi Tom Shah described parental anxiety, concerns about classroom materials lacking context, and the need for balanced instruction. The rabbis also discussed synagogue security costs and measures, including volunteer security teams, police support, grants, and physical protections. Commissioners said the testimony would inform forthcoming recommendations, and DESE staff noted they are developing instructional-materials guidance and a rubric for educators. The final witness, Professor Christina Miller, outlined hate-crime prosecution issues in Massachusetts, including mixed-motive cases, the need for clearer statutes and jury instructions, better training for police and clerk magistrates, guidance on sentencing and diversity-awareness programs, and the use of community impact statements.