Transcript Highlights:

• So, as I digress a fair bit, Mr. Chairman, I apologize for that.
• Okay, spring job fairs. We just kicked off our spring job fair season.
• We had our fifth annual virtual job fair.
• We invested in a platform called Easy Virtual Fair.
• And then just yesterday we had Dickinson's job fair.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Leadership Division of the Budget Section approved the prior meeting minutes and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s interim work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has reviewed state cash, investments, and liquidity across agencies and concluded the state’s overall mix of long-term and short-term assets is appropriate, with about $35 billion in total liquid assets and investments and roughly 89% in longer-term investments. He highlighted process improvements already underway, including replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work, and said the board sees opportunities to improve forecasting, automation, and statewide coordination. Members asked about whether the CD change would increase returns, how the Legacy Fund transfer for the homestead tax relief bill affected earnings, and whether more state cash could be consolidated or better managed through BND; Sickler and BND staff said those issues are being studied and may lead to legislation for the 2027 session. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the committee on the Task Force on Government Efficiency. He said the group has focused less on cutting dollars and more on defining metrics and asking how the legislature knows whether programs are working. The task force is pushing a standard set of questions for new or expanding programs—who is affected, expected outcomes, alternatives, how success will be measured, and full funding—and OMB has agreed to require those answers in future budget requests. Members discussed possible use of dashboards, program evaluators, AI tools, and possible rule or statutory changes to require performance measurement. Toman said the task force will continue meeting with agencies such as the courts, university system, auditor, HHS, Commerce, and ITD to identify workflow bottlenecks and potential efficiencies. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota gave a workforce update, reporting that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5% and labor force participation is about 68.7%, both well above national performance. He described Job Service’s 15 workforce programs, including H-2A housing inspections for foreign agricultural workers, the job placement partnership program with DOCR, WOTC, and other federal and state workforce efforts. Davis said the agency served more than 11,000 individuals in 2025, operates nine workforce centers, and tracks outcomes through quarterly and annual reporting. In response to questions, he said job openings data reflect only positions in the system and may understate actual hiring needs, that child care and other assistance programs could be better tied to employment outcomes, and that the DOCR partnership has shown strong results with lower recidivism and higher earnings. He also said the H-2A inspection workload is growing quickly and additional staffing or less frequent federal inspection requirements could help. Allen Knutson then presented S&P Global’s updated revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the prior month’s outlook, improving the state’s near-term revenue picture, though the economy remains volatile and agriculture is facing weaker commodity prices. Based on the updated forecast, total major tax revenues for the current biennium are projected to be about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and the next biennium could be about $500 million higher, though that estimate is preliminary and may change. He also walked through an alternate oil-price scenario showing significantly higher oil and gas collections and a larger Strategic Investment Fund balance if prices remain elevated. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about tribal allocation changes in the alternative scenario; Knutson said additional updates are possible through OMB and future forecast cycles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, that's fair.
• We believe it has been modified to an extent where it's very fair and even-handed.
• Okay, fair enough, fair enough, fair enough.
• Okay, fair enough, fair enough, fair enough. But, I mean...
• Basic transparency and fair market principles. Thank you. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Fair Commission?
• They're the ones that determine where the state fair is going to be housed. Mr.
• There are three options: either to keep the fair in its current location, to move the fair, or to have
• Decide where to put the state fair if it's not there.
• , I want to ask if the State Fair Commission is going to determine.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also eliminates structure is fair.
• I don't know how that's fair. heard. I don't know how that's fair.
• It is about the unequal fairness.
• >> This is about fairness. Thank you, Mr. >> This is about fairness.
• fair for the employees. fair for the employees.

Bills: HF3889, HF2567, HF3878

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that fair to say? I would think. I don't know, but I'm guessing yes.
• Is that fair to say? Yeah, I would say that's correct, I think.
• Wouldn’t you think that’s not fair? We have a police jury also.
• It's not fair. It's not fair to me as a citizen of Orleans Parish.
• Is that fair? Is that fair to all the taxpayers who have to pay for that? You know, Mr.

Bills: SB256

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not fair representation; it's political engineering, and it's wrong.
• It's a process rooted in fairness and population data, not political maneuvering.
• This redistricting session is not about fair representation. representation.
• I urge this committee to be fair and transparent.
• We need fair, nonpartisan maps that respect the reality of who we are.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fair? Yeah, that's right.
• S. 1148, An Act Relative to Fair Treatment of Employees. Michael D. Cutler, virtually.
• The goal here is to make the system fair. Uh-huh.
• The goal here is to make the system fair and keep it.
• We believe that a fair economy does not put a price tag on opportunity.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil actions, labor, consumer protection, and animal welfare bills. Chair Lydia Edwards and Representative Michael Day opened with strict testimony rules and time limits, then heard from legislators and advocates on measures including animal-abuser pet ownership bans (S. 1207/H. 1914), a name-change privacy bill (S. 1045/H. 1973), tort claims reform (H. 1724), law enforcement council coverage under the Tort Claims Act (S. 1199), civil rights and qualified immunity-related proposals (H. 1641), employee free speech/captive audience restrictions (S. 1078/H. 1653), consumer protection and civil rights jurisdiction expansion (S. 1041), private right of action for wage theft (H. 1916), gun-owner liability insurance (H. 1836), pseudoephedrine sales tracking (S. 1243/H. 1581), prepaid legal services plans (H. 1612), structured settlement protections (H. 1863), third-party litigation financing disclosure (H. 1861), antitrust reform for small businesses and workers (S. 1038/H. 1982), legal notices in online-only newspapers (S. 1279/H. 1632), and several animal cruelty and protection bills including H. 1938, H. 1949, S. 1277/H. 1934, and H. 1764. Testimony was largely supportive from bill sponsors and advocacy groups, with repeated themes of protecting vulnerable people and animals, improving access to justice, and updating outdated laws. Supporters of the animal bills argued for stronger possession bans, broader cruelty citations, and civil removal tools to prevent repeat abuse; opponents or conditional supporters raised due process and enforcement concerns, especially around warrantless seizures and requiring retail or shelter staff to check registries. On the labor and consumer side, supporters said the antitrust bill would curb monopoly power and help small businesses and workers, while opponents warned it could destabilize competition and burden successful firms. The employee free speech bill was backed as a response to captive audience meetings, and the wage-theft bill was presented as a way to let workers or organizations pursue claims when individual employees are afraid to come forward. Several public officials and association representatives testified on the law enforcement and civil rights bills. Chiefs of police supported adding law enforcement councils to the Tort Claims Act, saying it would close a liability gap for regional mutual-aid collaborations. But police representatives opposed changes to the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act and qualified immunity-related provisions, arguing the federal system already provides a workable forum and that expanding liability could increase costs, reduce morale, and worsen recruitment and retention. On the consumer/civil rights bill, Senator Collins and a veteran described an out-of-state assault case that they said showed the need for Massachusetts to let residents seek redress at home when rights are violated elsewhere. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing itself; the committee mainly received testimony and questions. Several witnesses indicated they had submitted written testimony or proposed amendments, and some bills drew requests for favorable reports while others were explicitly opposed unless amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• lacks the specialized expertise that PERB allows, and moreover doesn't provide the same level of fairness
• By moving these disputes to PERB, SB 1166 creates a fair and streamlined process for both workers and
• PERB provides specialized expertise in public sector labor law and offers a fair, consistent, and trusted
• I think it's a fair bill.
• At its core, this bill is about fairness.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just letting you know that that's not fair.
• >> Fair<00:46:30.880> enough, >> Fair enough, >> Fair enough, Senator<00:46:
• >> Fair<00:47:52.800> enough.
• Well, you do know that the >> Fair enough.
• Fair<00:55:14.000> enough.

Bills: HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: elections, audit procedures, ballot integrity, political party observation, transparency, county officials, election code, misconduct, removal, government accountability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that fair to say?
• Is that fair to say?
• Is that fair to say?
• Is that fair to say?
• The Chair responded: “Fair, fair points.”

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brown communities already don't have fair representation.
• Is that fair? I guess I would limit it to the latter.
• We believe in local control. ...fair maps.
• Texans want fair maps. We want fair elections.
• So I ask you to redistrict with fair representation.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think that's fair. It serves both sides, and the... I think that's fair.
• That's fair. That is fair. So there is... Is fair.
• Fair enough. Representative Preciate. You'll inquire, sir. Proceed. Good morning, sir.
• under construction is probably not fair to tax as if I was living in it.
• Fair enough. Thank you for that. Yeah. Yeah, fair enough. Thank you for that.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would operate in a fair way that respects all members going forward, and that is the way that I would
• I would operate in a fair way that respects all members going forward, and that is the way that I would
• <00:07:55.400> Way is that I would operate in a Fair Way is that I would operate in a Fair
• <00:08:15.560> way Minnesota I would operate in a fair way Minnesota I would operate in a
• fair way that<00:08:15.919> respects<00:08:16.639> all<00:08:17.159> members<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders held a press availability focused on the ongoing Minnesota House stalemate caused by the absence of Democratic members, which left the chamber without a quorum. Speaker Lisa Demuth and Leader Harry Niska said Republicans were present and ready to work, argued that Democrats were refusing to attend session, and said the Secretary of State had not allowed motions to be taken on the floor. They also criticized Secretary of State Steve Simon for adjourning the House and for not recognizing Republican motions or members. Niska described a proposed motion under Article 4, Section 13 of the Minnesota Constitution that would have compelled absent members to attend the next session and would have withheld their legislative salary and per diem until they returned. He said the motion was blocked and argued that the Constitution gives the House authority to compel attendance and impose penalties. The leaders repeatedly said Democrats needed to “show up for work,” and said the situation was delaying negotiations over a power-sharing agreement and other House business. The discussion also touched on Representative Brad Tabke, whose seat has been part of the dispute. Republicans said Tabke had not appeared in the chamber and that his absence was not helping negotiations. Demuth said Republicans would return the next day at 3:30 p.m. and continue working if Democrats appeared. No votes were taken, and no motion was adopted during the availability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I founded South Coast Fair Housing in 2012 to ensure that fair housing enforcement services were available
• South Coast Fair Housing, the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, the House... ...South Coast Fair Housing
• , the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, the Fair Housing Project at Community Legal Aid, and the Housing
• I am the executive director of the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, the oldest fair housing center
• I am the executive director of the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, the oldest fair housing center

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• every county has a fair and a huge state fair.
• senators for the state fair association. senators for the state fair association.
• Fair Association. Fair Association.
• <01:36:35.360> Fairs<01:36:35.760> are and a huge state fair.
• Fairs are and a huge state fair.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's all any of us are ever asking for: a fair chance to compete.
• Fair opportunity to bid.
• That progress was abruptly, without any notice, halted. fair opportunity to bid.
• This is an issue related to giving folks a fair chance and an opportunity.
• The people of Texas deserve equity, fairness, and full protection of the statute."

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not fair.
• That's not fair.
• That's not fair.
• That's not fair.
• So, is it fair to say do.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:55.040> uh in a manner of making it more fair uh in a manner of making it more fair
• I mean, I think I makes it fair.
• million or to put to to put the fair million or to put to to put the fair market<01:19:52.800>
• thing that concerns me about the fair thing that concerns me about the fair market<01:19:59.199>
• Um, could go fair market value there.

Bills: HB0045

Keywords: property tax, exemption, homeowners, long-term, aged, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sports is about fairness. It’s about teamwork.
• It's not a fair competition. So then if the boy... It's not a fair competition.
• That can happen, and that's not fair to my other athletes. That's just not fair to everybody.
• We all want sports to be fair and student athletes to be safe.
• I urge you to pass this bill to safeguard fairness and safety for our daughters.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a very full public hearing on the first Education Committee hearing of the session, with testimony taken on a large slate of bills, especially H. 650/S. 436 and related measures. The chairs explained the hearing rules, including two-minute testimony limits, live streaming, written testimony, and accommodations for interpreters and disabilities. The committee first heard extensive testimony on H. 460/S. 436 and later H. 650/S. 436, bills to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for all children, including immigrant students, English learners, and students with disabilities. Witnesses included parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and state officials, many of whom described fears caused by federal policy changes and argued that Massachusetts should codify protections for school enrollment, special education, interpreter services, and due process in discipline cases. The Attorney General’s office, Mass Advocates for Children, Lawyers for Civil Rights, MIRA, the Children’s Law Center, the Disability Law/advocacy community, and others all urged favorable action, while committee members asked questions about Plyler v. Doe, manifestation determinations, interpreter qualifications, and how the bill would mirror or preserve existing federal protections at the state level. The committee also heard testimony on H. 702/S. 460, establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program, which was supported as a way to expand STEM opportunities and help schools fund robotics programs. Representative Sweeney also testified on H. 713, a bill to support student participation in 4-H programming by allowing excused absences similar to those for athletics and other sanctioned activities; members noted bipartisan support and the bill’s long history. The hearing then moved to H. 543/S. 417, a recess bill requiring at least 30 minutes of free-play recess for K-8 students. Supporters included the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the League of Women Voters, educators, and parents, who emphasized recess as important for physical health, social-emotional development, attention, and academic performance, and noted that unequal local policies create disparities across districts. Several witnesses also tied recess to broader concerns about student well-being and screen time. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed testimony on the bills as it moved through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said it was fair to say that the issues Mr.
• So simply put, this bill is about safety, transparency, and fairness.
• Designating male, female, and co-ed assures fairness and safety.
• This is about transparency, safety, and fairness. Thank you.
• It is an issue of fairness. It’s deeply unfair. I’m not wrestling with the fairness issue.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent Tom Horn’s State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, teacher pay, school choice, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools. Horn argued that students cannot learn unless schools are safe, cited increased funding for school police officers and a recent Tucson charter school incident as evidence for more officers, and said the department’s academic efforts have centered on Project Momentum, tutoring, cell phone restrictions, career and technical education partnerships, and support for Native American districts. He also urged direct teacher pay increases through Proposition 123 and said the state board should revise teaching standards and school grading practices. Members questioned him about DEI compliance, cell phone enforcement, ESA accountability, teacher preparation programs, school safety funding, and literacy outcomes; Horn said the department’s role is largely advisory in a local-control state, that it tracks school practices on a website, and that it lacks academic outcome data for ESA students because private schools are not tested by the state. The committee then took up House Bill 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues or memberships to professional library associations that advocate for libraries and information services. Representative Cooper, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while arguing that membership could still be paid privately and that free professional development options exist. Opponents, including former librarian Judy Schweber, Marana board member Hunter Holt, and the ACLU of Arizona, argued the bill would undermine professional development, local control, and constitutional rights of association and petition, and that there was little evidence public funds were actually being used this way. Supporters, including Adrienne Johnson, said some library materials and associations promote political viewpoints and should not be funded with public dollars. After public comment and debate, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2008 a do pass recommendation. Members who explained no votes said the bill targeted a non-issue, lacked data showing a problem, and would divert attention from funding and literacy needs. Members supporting the bill said it was a reasonable restriction on public spending and a way to keep school libraries ideologically neutral. The committee then announced it would move on to House Bill 2249, the Parents’ Bill of Rights and Remedies.