Transcript Highlights:

• So moved by Assembly Member Macedo, seconded by Assembly Member Ahrens.
• Member Rogers.
• Assembly Member Haney, thank you so much, Madam Chair and members.
• that member.
• for that member.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard a series of bills, beginning with AB 431, which would create a statewide framework for advanced air mobility infrastructure and planning. The author and supporters from AUVSI, Joby Aviation, United Airlines, Wisk Aero, the City of Long Beach, and Archer argued the bill would help California lead in eVTOL technology, support jobs, reduce congestion, and improve sustainability. The committee accepted amendments, and AB 431 passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee then considered AB 630, dealing with abandoned and hazardous RVs. The author and supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office, said the bill would help local governments address unsafe RVs, curb “van-lording,” and improve notice and reporting requirements before dismantling certain unclaimed vehicles. Opponents from the Western Center on Law and Poverty and ACLU California Action argued the bill would destroy needed shelter for unhoused people and that the notice and valuation process could harm vulnerable residents. Members discussed the bill’s focus on dismantling rather than towing, and AB 630 passed as amended. Other measures taken up included AB 314 on transit-oriented development around high-speed rail stations, AB 1223 on Sacramento County transportation funding flexibility, AB 1111 on flexibility for zero-emission school bus mandates, AB 1190 on limiting fees charged by DMV online business partners, AB 987 on predatory towing fees, and AB 911 on a narrow exemption from zero-emission fleet rules for telecommunications bucket trucks and sail-on wheels. Testimony generally split between supporters emphasizing affordability, local flexibility, consumer protection, or emergency readiness, and opponents raising concerns about implementation, mandates, or unintended consequences. Several bills were advanced by committee vote, with some members recording no votes or abstentions on measures they said needed further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Rogers, whenever you are ready. Well, good afternoon, Chair and members.
• We have item number 10, Assembly Member Berman. Thank you, Madam Chair and members.
• I will turn it over to the committee members. Assembly Member Ward. Thank you.
• Good afternoon, members.
• Vice Chair, members.

Summary: The committee heard a series of labor-related bills, with most measures focused on worker training, privacy, wages, and safety. AB 296 would require schools or districts to host apprenticeship fairs at least once a year, with flexibility on how they are run and whether programs outside the county can participate. Supporters said it would help connect students to skilled trades and address workforce shortages; school administrators opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate that could be impractical for elementary schools. The bill was later moved on call, with the committee noting it could not vote until quorum was established. AB 1221 and AB 1331 both addressed workplace surveillance. AB 1221 would restrict invasive monitoring tools, require notice to workers, limit the use and sharing of worker data, and require human review before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor groups supported the bill as a response to AI-driven monitoring, while business groups raised concerns about broad definitions, security cameras, investigations, and data-access provisions. AB 1331 focused more narrowly on privacy in off-duty and private spaces, limiting surveillance in places like restrooms, break areas, vehicles, and homes; hospitals and business groups opposed it as too broad and potentially disruptive to safety, cybersecurity, and facility monitoring. Both bills were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard AB 1181, which would require firefighter turnout gear to be free of cancer-causing chemicals such as PFAS by 2027, and AB 1198, which would require prevailing wage rates on public works to reflect the wage in effect when the work is performed rather than when the project was first advertised. Firefighter representatives strongly supported AB 1181, while the chemical industry asked to continue working on scope and timelines. AB 1198 drew support from labor and contractor groups but opposition from local governments and housing groups concerned about mid-project cost increases; it was passed to Appropriations after a roll-call vote. Other measures approved included AB 1235 on skilled-and-trained workers for CSU construction, AB 1251 on ghost job postings, AB 552 on locating the Agricultural Labor Relations Board office outside Sacramento, AB 1110 on updating Cal/OSHA workplace posters, AB 1136 on expanding high road training partnerships, and AB 1234 on wage claim enforcement. AB 692, which would ban employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave a job, drew strong support from nurses and labor advocates and opposition from business and health care groups; it was also passed on a roll-call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• But before we proceed, we have Assembly Member Haney, who proceed we have assembly member Haney who when
• Assembly Member Haney knows this better than anyone.
• We've got nearly 3,000 members statewide.
• Thank you, Madam Chair and members.
• Yeah, thank you, Assembly Member. Great question.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing availability and affordability. Chair Pacheco and Assembly Member Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage, rising costs, and the need to reduce unnecessary delays and burdens while still protecting public health, safety, and environmental goals. The first panel included housing policy experts and industry representatives, who argued that overlapping state and regional rules, complex code requirements, utility delays, and lengthy review processes add substantial cost to new housing. Bill Fulton described California’s land use system as a “big Rubik’s Cube” of competing goals, while CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and Bob Raymer urged more attention to affordability impacts in code adoption and state agency rulemaking. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger accountability for state agencies, citing project review delays, regulatory costs, and indirect impacts from water, stormwater, and transportation policies. State agency witnesses generally defended their roles as balancing housing with other statutory mandates. HCD said its enforcement of housing element law, streamlining statutes, and technical assistance has helped increase production, reduce entitlement times, and approve tens of thousands of homes that might otherwise have faced discretionary review. CARB said SB 375 does not regulate local land use or reduce housing supply, and that sustainable community strategies are planning tools that could support housing if fully implemented. The Coastal Commission said it has worked with local governments to streamline coastal housing approvals, approve density bonus and ADU ordinances, and support legislation to exempt some affordable housing from coastal permits, while still protecting coastal resources and sea-level-rise hazards. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are required by statute to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design complexity and upfront cost. Other agencies emphasized collaboration and early engagement as the best way to reduce delays. Fish and Wildlife said its mission is to protect California’s natural diversity and that better early coordination with developers can improve outcomes. DTSC said brownfield cleanup and vapor intrusion review are necessary to protect public health, but that early engagement, workshops, and site-specific approaches can help projects move forward; it also noted grant funding supporting affordable housing on contaminated sites. The Water Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to streamline permitting while meeting federal and state water-quality obligations, and that its infrastructure grants and loans support housing affordability. In response to Assembly Member Haney’s questions, several agencies said they already coordinate across departments, but he pressed for more cross-agency clarity and less siloed decision-making. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to begin by thanking everyone for being here today: our committee members, our new members, Assembly
• Member Alexandra Macedo and Assembly Member Catherine Stefani [member_23851, member_23837].
• Susie, may I want to welcome Assembly Member Erin's and Assembly Member Alanese.
• I want to welcome Assembly Member Arreguín and Assembly Member Alanis. Thank you for being here.
• Thank you, Assembly Member. Assembly Member Alanis. Thank you, Madam Chair, if you don't mind.

Summary: The Select Committee on Domestic Violence, chaired by Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio, held an informational hearing focused first on teen dating violence and healthy relationships, then on the impact of domestic violence on children. Rubio opened by describing domestic violence as pervasive and lifelong in its effects, and said the meeting was prompted in part by recent teen violence in her district and the need to help families, educators, and neighbors recognize warning signs and resources. Assembly Members Stefani, Gibson, Rodriguez, Alanis, and others shared personal experiences and emphasized the need for prevention, early intervention, and better support systems for victims and children. Janica Morin Pasquale and Taylor Stone Mill described how teen abuse often shows up through technology and social media control, isolation from friends, monitoring of phones and passwords, and coercive behavior that teens may mistake for love or jealousy. They stressed that many teens do not tell parents, that schools should bring in outside experts, and that prevention should start early and be reinforced through school curricula, athletics, and youth-facing social media resources. Taylor also cited teen dating violence statistics, discussed resources such as Love Is Respect and Take It Down, and said California should ensure consistent funding and implementation of the California Healthy Youth Act rather than treating the topic as a one-time lesson. The second panel, including Joyce Blue, Susie Flores, and Dr. Pamela Tate, focused on children exposed to domestic violence and the need for trauma-informed services. They described family justice centers and children’s advocacy centers as one-stop models that provide forensic interviews, therapy, safety planning, legal help, and emergency response. Speakers highlighted the prevalence and danger of strangulation, the use of risk assessment tools, the importance of safety plans, and the long-term effects of ACEs and trauma on children. Members and witnesses also discussed barriers such as school access, burnout among providers, immigration-related fear, and the need to consider memory and delayed disclosure when discussing statutes of limitations. No formal votes or actions were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with calls for stronger prevention, more collaboration, and sustained support for survivors and children.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the next thing that we have before us is RS 32917, K through 12 instruction of sexual orientation
• RS 32917, K through 12 instruction of sexual orientation.
• , because this is dealing with two subjects that we have left behind in Idaho education: sexual orientation

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, members.
• So does this affect current board members or only future board members?
• Thank you, members.
• Thank you, members.
• Chairman, members.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 431, which would require annual training for municipal mayors and related local officials. An amendment was adopted to add municipal retirement systems to the training categories. Representative Carlson and Louisiana Municipal Association President Mayor Ray Bork said the bill was intended to provide at least 16 hours of annual continuing education, with LMA developing and accrediting the curriculum. Members asked about online options, flexibility, and whether there would be penalties; the author said there would be no penalty beyond public reporting on the annual audit. The committee then approved the bill favorably. HB 150, by Representative Borek, would authorize Cameron Parish to establish a locally funded insurance or subsidy program to help residents recover and repopulate after storm damage. Members discussed flood insurance, FEMA Risk Rating 2.0, and whether the program would affect private insurance markets; the author said it was meant as a local subsidy, not a state-funded insurance program. The bill was reported favorably. HB 822, by Representative Newell, would remove nonprofit entities from appointing board members to certain economic development districts if they are not in compliance with Secretary of State filings; members agreed to add a two-year forfeiture period, and the bill was advanced. The committee then heard HB 204, which would require monthly financial reports from certain Baton Rouge-area agencies to the Legislative Auditor. An amendment removed the Council on Aging from the bill. Representatives from CATS and BREC said their financial statements and audits are already posted online, while the author argued the bill would provide more detailed, real-time vendor-level spending information like the Louisiana Checkbook. The Legislative Auditor said the office could receive the records but would likely need redactions and could face added workload; after extended debate, the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also approved HB 136 on Harahan classified police hiring, HB 376 extending provisional hire time in fire and police civil service from 60 to 90 days, HB 377 giving the State Civil Service Commission flexibility in setting pay ranges for state examiners, HB 450 clarifying veterans’ points in civil service exams, HB 273 repealing a duplicate local tax-distribution statute, HB 1068 allowing longer exclusive garbage collection and disposal contracts, HB 864 creating a fire limit to prohibit flammable storage under certain state or municipal structures in New Orleans, and HB 444 adding two members to the East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission board with a technical amendment correcting the Senate district member.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, and through the members. Mr.
• President, and through you to the members. And, Mr.
• President, and through the members. Mr.
• House 5070, the clerk will ascertain the votes of several members and record them.
• I'll advise the members. There are no further roll calls.

Summary: The Senate took up House No. 4646, an act enhancing child welfare protections, and considered a series of amendments focused on child welfare, school discipline, truancy, foster care transparency, and related services. Several amendments were withdrawn, including Senator DiDomenico’s proposal to create a Massachusetts children’s cabinet and Senator Tarr’s amendments on timeout and isolation standards, the best-interest-of-the-child standard, and mandated reporter definitions. Other amendments were adopted, including Senator Rauch’s amendments on student transfers and reasonableness, Senator Tarr’s amendment on information management integrity and youth engagement in the Office of the Child Advocate, and the Senate Ways and Means amendment. Amendments on school compliance before CRA filings, probation certification before accepting a child requiring assistance petition, and statewide truancy and engagement standards were rejected. After the amendments were resolved, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in the affirmative and none in the negative. The chamber also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, with moments of silence held for each. Later, the Senate also adjourned in memory of former U.S. Representative Barney Frank, with remarks highlighting his civil rights work, his role in financial reform, and his historic service as the first openly gay member of Congress. Before adjournment, the Senate took up a House amendment to the Senate bill establishing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference. The chair appointed Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor to the conference committee. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m. and dispense with printing a calendar, and finally adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to members and staff and members of the public who are here today and helped us get to this point
• ><c> Justin</c><00:18:58.720><c> Cop,</c> Uh Madame Chair, members, Justin Cop, Uh Madame Chair, members
• <c> of</c><00:31:25.679><c> the</c> Uh, Madam Chair, members of the Uh, Madam Chair, members of the conference
• Chair Port, Igo, conference committee members.
• I'm Paul Verrett, the public members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Leas, Ranking Member King, and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to speak
• Good afternoon, Chair Leas, Ranking Member King, members of the committee.
• Chair, committee members. Thank you, Mr. Chair, committee members.
• Founded in 1960, we are composed of clubs and individual members, deeply committed to vehicle-oriented
• Chair Leas, Ranking Member King, committee members.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee began with a work session on the Fairfax Carbon River SR-165 Bridge closure and replacement. Wilkeson Mayor Jamie Pololi described the bridge as a long-neglected state asset whose closure cut off a gateway community from Mount Rainier access, hurt local businesses and municipal revenue, complicated emergency response, and severed access to public lands. Pierce County’s Melissa Littleton emphasized that the Fairfax closure, along with recent bridge closures from other causes, shows the need for stronger preservation and modernization funding. WSDOT’s Steve Rourke explained that the 105-year-old bridge was permanently closed after structural failure, that a detour route on private property is now the only access for some residents, and that the agency’s planning study considered seven alternatives; the current recommendation is to continue geotechnical work and NEPA review, with construction likely taking 24 months or more once a design is finalized. Committee members asked about detour distance, speeding up the project, emergency authority, historic-preservation issues, community mitigation, and funding needs; WSDOT said about $7 million in existing preservation funds has already been used and more will be needed. The committee then heard public testimony on proposed substitute Senate Bill 5987, which would declare the Fairfax Bridge closure an emergency, direct WSDOT to restore SR-165 access as soon as possible, and give the transportation secretary some emergency authorities. Supporters, including the mayor, residents, recreation advocates, and trail groups, said the bill is needed because the closure was foreseeable, has harmed local economies and recreation access, and lacks a current emergency response pathway. WSDOT testified in opposition, warning that the bill could create false expectations because most of the timeline is driven by federal environmental review and historic-preservation requirements that the secretary cannot waive. The bill drew strong support in testimony, with 606 pro, 1 con, and 2 other recorded on the sign-in tally. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6170, which would raise dollar thresholds for state highway work performed by state forces and for certain contracting rules that help small and disadvantaged businesses compete. Staff said the limits have not been updated since 2005 and the bill would increase the normal state-force threshold from $60,000 to $100,000 and the emergency threshold from $100,000 to $160,000. Senator King, the prime sponsor, said the change would better match inflation and help keep maintenance work in-house when appropriate. Washington Federation of State Employees and WSDOT supported the bill, saying it would help maintenance workers do more timely work without harming existing equity and small-business contracting programs; the committee noted 55 pro and no con on the sign-in tally. The chair then reminded members that amendment requests for the upcoming executive session were due the next day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Liias, Ranking Member King, and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to speak
• Good afternoon, Chair Liias, Ranking Member King, members of the committee.
• Chair, committee members. Thank you, Mr. Chair, committee members.
• We are comprised of clubs and individual members, deeply committed to vehicle-oriented outdoor recreation
• Chair Liias, Ranking Member King, committee members.

Bills: SB5987 , SB6170

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 5987, SB5987, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, WSDOT, Washington State Department of Transportation, emergency bridge replacement, infrastructure failure, transportation emergency, climate commitment account, climate investment account, clean energy, climate funding, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, renewable energy, building electrification, industrial decarbonization

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair Waitman, Ranking Member Goehner, members of the committee. M.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Thank you, Chair Bateman and committee members.
• Good morning, Chair Bateman, Vice Chair Alvarado, Ranking Member Goehner, and members of the committee
• Members, we have a very short session this year.

Bills: SB6018 , SB6026 , SB6027 , SB6028 , SB5937 , SB5938

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: housing, finance, commission, state funding, affordable housing, residential development, zoning reform, mixed-use zoning, commercial zones, Growth Management Act, GMA, state preemption, local land use, development regulations, ground-floor retail, ground-floor commercial, permit waiver, waiver process, density, urban growth area

Transcript Highlights:

• President and members.
• Members, this bill relates to a public institution of higher education's orientation on the institution's
• President, members.
• Thank you, members.
• President, members.

Bills: HCR35 , SJR59 , SJR84 , SCR30 , SB127 , SB317 , SB324 , SB457 , SB506 , SB511 , SB529 , SB547 , SB584 , SB619 , SB636 , SB646 , SB659 , SB715 , SB732 , SB735 , SB771 , SB784 , SB800 , SB801 , SB904 , SB1026 , SB1049 , SB1065 , SB1181 , SB1224 , SB1250 , SB1383 , SB1467 , SB1524 , SB1528 , SB1531 , SB1568 , SB1585 , SB1640 , SB1681 , SB1754 , SB1757 , SB1777 , SB1972 , SB1980 , SB2007 , SB2041 , SB2046 , SB2050 , SB2055 , SB2069 , SB2080 , SB2119 , SB2138 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB2201 , SB2225 , SB2268 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2310 , SB2330 , SB2366 , SB2375 , SB2392 , SB2401 , SB2422 , SB2480 , SB2514 , SB2530 , SB2533 , SB2543 , SB2544 , SB2589 , SB2610 , SB2615 , SB2623 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB2693 , SB2695 , SB2707 , SB2722 , SB2742 , SB2753 , SB2807 , SB2843 , SB2844 , SB2858 , SB2880 , SB2885 , SB2891 , SB2925 , SB2938 , SB2986 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB5 , SB914 , SB963 , SB1197 , SB1415 , SB1437 , SB1786 , SB326 , SB767 , SB769 , SB783 , SB1035 , SB1271 , SB1619 , SB1637 , SB1806 , SB1 , SB260 , HB135 , HB 1109 , HCR35 , HCR64 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SCR30 , SCR3 , SB2023 , SB619 , SB2742 , SB646 , SB1026 , SB2880 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB529 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB584 , SB1085 , SB2046 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1721 , SB2366 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2383 , SB1754 , SB2119 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB2392 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2225 , SB1540 , SB2929 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB715 , SB2330 , SB1383 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB506 , SB2514 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB1531 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB771 , SB2844 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2807 , SB410 , SB659 , SB2776 , SB2693 , SB2580 , SB1980 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB456 , SB127 , SB1666 , SB2843 , SB2801 , SB800 , SB2055 , SB784 , SB2986 , SB735 , SB1012 , SB324 , SB2926 , SB2938 , SB2007 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB2615 , SB1049 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB1568 , SB2841 , SB2885 , SB3016 , SB2858 , SB2610 , SB2139 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB2308 , SB2306 , SB2041 , SB1528 , SB1681 , SB1141 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2375 , SB547 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB1467 , SB2069 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB2544 , SB672 , SB904 , SB2695 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB2543 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB457 , SB2357 , SB2721 , SB243 , SB1285 , SB2568 , SB1959 , SB1442 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB1237 , SB1844 , SB1586 , HB1392 , HB22 , SB1551 , SB3039 , SB2819 , SB66 , SB629 , SB1015 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2933 , SB1965 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB2605 , SB2419 , SB1957 , SB375 , SB250 , SB777 , SB628 , SB2523 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2778 , SB3044 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB865

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 169 of the Annex and on Zoom for other members
• The First Act asked Denita to call the roll and instructed members to indicate where they were physically
• We've asked Judge Willhoit, who is our former member, if he would come forward and take care of that
• who is our former member and uh uh<00:01:43.520><c> if</c><00:01:43.680><c> he</c><00:01:43.840><c>
• We did the new legislator orientation on December 3.

Summary: The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission met on January 14, 2025, with a quorum present in person and by Zoom. The commission swore in new member Representative Jeff Greer, with Judge Willhoit administering the oath. Members then approved the minutes from the November 19, 2024 meeting without changes. Staff reported that the commission remained within budget for the year to date, noting a refund related to an earlier overcharge for record center storage fees. The commission approved the financial report. Emily also introduced new general counsel Steven Pum, who began work on December 16 and is handling financial disclosures and informal staff opinions. Staff gave updates on recent training, including the December 3 new legislator orientation and the January 8 current issues seminar, which featured former U.S. Attorney David Devillers discussing the House Bill 6 scandal. Donita reported on technology and communications improvements, including the new Zoom-capable conference room setup and the Constant Contact email system now being used for newsletters and reminder emails to employers, lobbyists, and the media. She said both systems were working well, and that the office was busy with financial and lobbyist forms. The commission noted that several informal opinions were available in the binder and could be discussed in closed session if needed. The members then voted to enter executive session under KRS 61.810(1)(c) and (k) to discuss confidential complaints and informal opinions.

Transcript Highlights:

• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU MEMBERS.
• MEMBERS, WE ARE IN DEBATE ON THE BILL. EXCUSE ME. I AM SORRY.
• CHAIRMAN. >> Chair McClain: MEMBERS, ANY QUESTIONS ON THE BILL?
• MEMBERS, ANYONE WISHING TO DEBATE THE BILL?
• MEMBERS, ANYONE WISHING TO DEBATE? >> Sen.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our committee members, our new members, Alexandra Macedo, Assembly Member, and Assembly Member Catherine
• athletic orientation, then I'm part of that athletic orientation.
• Susie, may I want to welcome Assembly Member Erin's and Assembly Member Alanese.
• I want to welcome Assembly Member Erin's and Assembly Member Alanese. Thank you for being here.
• Thank you, Assembly Member. Assembly Member Alanis, thank you, Madam Chair, if you don't mind.

Summary: The committee met to discuss domestic violence with a focus on teen dating violence, healthy relationships, and the impact of technology on abuse. Chair Blanca Rubio opened by describing the urgency of the issue, including a recent teen murder in her district tied to domestic violence, and emphasized that restraining orders alone do not prevent abuse. The first panel featured Janica Morin Pasquale and Taylor Stone Mill, who described warning signs in teens such as constant monitoring through phones and social media, isolation from friends, jealousy normalized by online content, and control through gifts, food delivery, and access to passwords or tracking apps. They stressed that many teens do not tell parents, that parents often miss the signs, and that prevention should begin early and be reinforced in schools, homes, and youth activities. They also cited resources such as Love Is Respect, One Love, and Take It Down, and urged consistent funding and implementation of the California Healthy Youth Act rather than one-time lessons. The second panel shifted to the effects of domestic violence on children and the systems that respond to them. Joyce Blue of the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center described the center’s wraparound services, including forensic interviews, legal help, housing support, child therapy, and high-risk response, and highlighted the prevalence and danger of strangulation, including cases with no visible injury. She explained that domestic violence is about power and control, that children often normalize abuse, and that safety planning must accompany restraining orders. Susie Flores of Inner Circle Children’s Advocacy Center explained the multidisciplinary forensic interview model used for child abuse cases, gave examples of severe abuse involving children exposed to domestic violence, and noted that many centers are overwhelmed by caseloads. She stressed the need for immediate trauma-informed services and more front-end intervention rather than waiting until long-term harm develops. Dr. Pamela Tate of Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence and other members discussed the need to support not only victims but also the systems and educators who are expected to respond. Several members shared personal experiences with domestic violence, sexual assault, and family trauma, and raised concerns about school implementation, immigrant families’ fear of reporting, and the need to address abusers’ behavior and trauma as well. The discussion also touched on statute of limitations issues, with panelists saying memory and trauma can delay disclosure for years and that rigid deadlines can prevent justice. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and ended with members expressing support for continued collaboration, prevention funding, and stronger implementation of existing law.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1023 by Wilson relating to the design and issuance of specialty license plates to honor members of
• Students for the Subcommittee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education.
• System or for the subcommittee on academic career oriented education.
• these requirements HB 1124 by Lopez a Cameron relating to continuing education requirements for a member
• HB 1197 by courier relating to the requirement that an election for a member of a board of trustees of

Transcript Highlights:

• We will continue to work with our partners, community partners, stakeholders, and members.
• So this does not change the number of hours that our consumer members receive.
• That our consumer members receive. Someone might get 100 hours of PCA a week.
• And we'll see many of you on Friday in person at the State House for the orientation.
• For the orientation, right? Say that again, Carl?

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the November 2025 minutes. Commissioner Charlie Carr then introduced Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth, who provided an update on the PCA working group and on federal and state budget pressures affecting MassHealth and long-term services and supports. Darcy said the PCA working group had completed its work and submitted recommendations, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity, and ending paid paperwork time for EVV users; she said those changes were implemented on 11/26 and were expected to save $7.4 million. She also described additional consensus recommendations to lower the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, create a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue exploring benchmarks, though the group could not reach consensus on a benchmark standard. Darcy warned that a federal bill enacted about six months earlier would significantly affect MassHealth, with an estimated $3.5 billion loss to the Commonwealth by 2028. She outlined upcoming changes including revised immigrant eligibility rules in October 2026, work requirements for certain non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for some adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. In response to questions, she said people with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries would be exempt from the work and six-month redetermination requirements. She also explained that reduced federal ACA subsidies were being offset in Massachusetts by state spending, including $250 million in additional state support to keep premiums lower for middle-income families. Members raised concerns about community hospitals, the health safety net, and the impact of federal funding changes on provider rates and uncompensated care. Darcy said restrictions on provider taxes would limit MassHealth’s ability to use those revenues to support rates, and she noted a current $300 million shortfall in the health safety net. She said FY27 would likely include a rate freeze, targeted reductions, one-time budget measures, and further work groups to examine programs such as adult foster care, which she said had grown 40% in two years. Carr emphasized that the situation was serious but potentially fluid, and the meeting ended with no further business; the subcommittee agreed to adjourn before the next meeting and noted an upcoming February presentation from the Department of Public Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rachel, can you remind me if you have also decided to become a subcommittee member of the LTSS and Health
• So this does not change the number of hours that our consumer members receive.
• That our consumer members receive, someone might get 100 hours of PCA a week.
• And we'll see many of you on Friday in person at the State House for the orientation.
• For the orientation, right? Say that again, Carl?

Summary: The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with roll call, approval of prior minutes, and a presentation from Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth. The main discussion focused on the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) working group, which had completed its legislatively mandated review and submitted recommendations. Darcy said several earlier recommendations were already implemented, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity efforts, and removing paperwork-related authorized hours for EVV users. The group then reached consensus on additional recommendations to reduce the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, set a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue work on benchmarks, though no consensus was reached on a benchmark standard. Darcy said the proposed changes were intended to preserve program integrity while addressing rapid cost growth in PCA services. Darcy also reviewed the expected effects of a recent federal Medicaid-related bill, estimating that Massachusetts could lose about $3.5 billion by January 2028. She described upcoming changes affecting Medicaid eligibility for certain immigrant groups in October 2026, work requirements for some non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for certain adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. She emphasized that people with disabilities and people on Medicare would be exempt from the new work requirements and six-month redeterminations. Members asked about the impact on community hospitals, the health safety net, and ACA premium subsidies; Darcy said federal changes could worsen uncompensated care pressures, but Massachusetts used state funds to offset the loss of enhanced ACA premium tax credits, helping keep premiums lower for middle-income families. In response to questions about the FY27 budget, Darcy said MassHealth expected targeted reductions, some one-time measures, and likely a rate freeze rather than large base cuts, with further cost-containment work to follow in FY28. She noted that LTSS is a major share of MassHealth spending and that programs such as PCA, adult foster care, and adult day services are state-plan entitlements once adopted by the state, even though the federal government does not require them. Charlie Carr and other members stressed that the PCA work group had been difficult but collaborative, and Carr said the recommendations were modest compared with other options considered. The meeting ended with a brief planning discussion about a February guest presentation from the Department of Public Health and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.
• be term limits for members of the legislature.
• I'm a member of the Florida State Conference NAACP.
• I'm an Orlando resident and a proud staff member of Engage Florida.
• Because members, I don't care what's happening across the country.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Governor’s office on proposed congressional reapportionment. Executive Office of the Governor counsel Mo Jazeel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be used in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection principles and, in the executive branch’s view, are inseverable. Jason Parada then presented the proposed map, explaining that it was drawn using 2020 census block data, with county growth estimates used only as a guide, and that the plan was designed to be race-neutral while also considering compactness, county and municipal boundaries, and other traditional redistricting criteria. He said the map keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores comparable to the current map, and makes the largest changes in South Florida, with some districts remaining unchanged and others reconfigured around population shifts and geographic boundaries. Members questioned both presenters extensively about the legal basis for disregarding the Fair Districts Amendment, the use of partisan data, the absence of racial analysis, and whether the map truly reflects population growth. Jazeel said the executive branch’s position is that race-based provisions in the state constitution cannot be used if they conflict with the U.S. Constitution, and that the forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Calais could further clarify the law. Parada said he did not use race in drawing the map, did use partisan information as one of several traditional criteria, and relied on 2020 census data for population equality. Senators also pressed him on who reviewed the map, why the public and legislators had limited time to review it, and whether the plan was intended to favor Republicans; Parada denied partisan intent and said he was the only person who moved lines on the map, though he consulted with other Executive Office of the Governor staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns that the map did not clearly reflect Florida’s recent population growth, that some districts remained highly irregular, and that the plan appeared to be based on a legal theory contingent on future court rulings. The presenters responded that congressional districts must be equal to the person, that growth estimates can only guide orientation rather than replace census data, and that the map was designed to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible while making the largest adjustments in South Florida. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting, and the committee continued with questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, and through the members.
• President, and through the members.
• President, and through you to the members. And, Mr.
• President, and through the members. Mr.
• I'll advise the members. There are no further roll calls.

Summary: The Senate began with several adjournment motions in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, each adopted by voice vote, followed later by a unanimous adjournment motion in memory of Barney Frank. The chamber also observed moments of silence for the deceased. In between, the Senate considered a child welfare bill, House No. 4646, with multiple amendments offered on issues including a Massachusetts Children’s Cabinet, student transfers, reasonableness in statutory language, electronic backpack records transfer, Office of the Child Advocate information integrity, timeout and isolation standards, best-interest-of-the-child standards, CRA filing prerequisites, probation petition standards, truancy and engagement standards, and mandated reporter definitions. Several amendments were withdrawn; others were adopted or rejected. Notably, amendments on student transfers, reasonableness, electronic backpacks, information management integrity, and the Senate Ways and Means draft were adopted, while several Tarr amendments were not adopted. After amendment consideration, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in favor and none opposed. The transcript indicates the bill was then sent forward after engrossment. Separately, the Senate took up the House’s amendment to the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference, appointing Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor. The Senate also adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar before adjourning.