Video & Transcript Research : '929'

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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's why I'm urging you to pass H. 1436 and S. 929.
  • I also urge you to give a favorable report to H. 1436 and S. 929, an act relative to debt-free public
  • I also urge you to give a favorable report to H. 1436 and S. 929, an act relative to debt-free public
  • I am testifying today to support H.1436, S.929, and H.1459.
  • House Bill 1436 and Senate Bill 929, an act relative to debt-free public higher education.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes. The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further. Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.
NE

Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislative Morning Session Apr 17th, 2026

Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • President and Senators, I return herewith LB 929 without my signature and with my objections.
  • LB 929 is the epitome of do-nothing legislation.
  • Even though it has limited immediate effect, LB 929 sends a terrible message.
  • LB 929 invites overuse of our health system and more meddling in future legislative sessions.
  • So I wanted to talk a little bit about why we brought LB 929 forward.
Bills: LR509, LR510, LR511
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

April 10, 2025 - 11:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representatives Booth and Alvarez, you are recognized to present C.S. for House Bill 929.
  • We are here today to bring before you C.S. for House Bill 929.
  • C.S. for House Bill 929, Firefighter Health and Safety.
  • House Bill 929 updates Florida firefighter OSHA statute to enhance workplace safety and mental health
  • Please show CS for House Bill 929 favorably reported. Congratulations to both of you.
Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered only one bill, C.S. for House Bill 929, relating to firefighter health and safety. The bill sponsor explained that it would strengthen firefighter workplace safety and mental health supports by requiring reporting of firefighter suicides, directing the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal to establish mental health best practices, requiring notice about potential chemical hazards in protective gear, and encouraging work schedules not exceeding 42 hours per week. Florida Professional Firefighters testified in support, tying the bill to prior cancer and PTSD legislation and emphasizing the need for prevention and best practices. Members from both parties spoke strongly in favor of the bill, describing firefighters as heroes and highlighting the mental health toll of the job, toxic gear concerns, and the importance of support for firefighters and their families. Several members noted personal connections to firefighting or experiences with firefighters in emergencies. The chair also stressed concern about rising firefighter suicides and the trauma first responders face. No amendments were offered. The committee then voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. Afterward, the chair briefly discussed broader budget conference issues, including agency vacancies, salary information, and ongoing talks with agencies before conference, and the meeting adjourned.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Going forward, AB 929 will require GSPs to include the plans in...
  • AB 929 would...
  • AB 929 will help them remain so.
  • Item number eight, AB 929. Motion is do pass as amended to Appropriations. Alvarez? Aye.
  • That was AB 929, Connolly. Oh. Item number eight. Sorry. That's okay. Are we all good?
Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, I want to just have a quick discussion about re-engaging 929 and to help us sort out the temp the
  • I received a, at my request, I received a statement of work from 929.
  • So, discussion Any concerns with re-engaging 929? This low hip the us Iit heard the loss.
Keywords: 914, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Senate Floor Session - 02/06/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I move that Senate File 929 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and re-referred
  • Senator Marty moved that Senate File Number 929 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer
  • Senator Marty moved that Senate File Number 929 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The Senate was called to order, a call of the Senate was imposed, and the Sergeant at Arms was directed to bring in absent members. Reverend Jennifer McNally delivered the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A quorum was established after the roll call, and the Senate proceeded from the agenda dated Thursday, February 6, 2025. The body adopted the committee reports printed in the agenda. Senate File 310 received its second reading. During first readings and referrals, several bills were assigned to committees, including SF 107 to Education Policy, SF 1049 and SF 1069 to Health and Human Services, SF 1063 and SF 1120 to Judiciary and Public Safety, and SF 1070 to Elections. Under motions and resolutions, the Senate approved re-referrals of SF 554 from Health and Human Services to Human Services and SF 929 from Commerce and Consumer Protection to Health and Human Services, with both committee chairs in agreement. The Senate also excused Senators Weber and Howley for the day. The chamber then adjourned on motion of Senator Murphy until Monday, February 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.