Transcript Highlights:

• Some broadband providers report application fees up to $250 per pole.
• This chapter in the code is applicable to certain telecom entities.
• to broadband providers, and then Chapter 252 applicable to cable providers.
• For example, would a case involving one municipality be applicable to others?
• Would a case involving one telecom company be applicable to others?

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, one of the things that we have done is streamline grant applications, pretty. robustly streamlined
• grant applications for districts.
• We don't know how many applicants are coming into the system because their applications are duplicated
• In fact, we don't have a structure in place to let these nursing school applicants understand that there
• The application of that. on the defense side from a defensive standpoint is making sure that our own

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just tell you, retroactivity, application, federal, state, fee, impact on business.
• So let's start with application. Is it your intent, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, Mr.
• before the issuance of operating or construction permits. sources owned or operated by permit applicants
• It adds another item that was inadvertently left out regarding copies of any permit applications.
• Ohio doesn't have an applicable. statute.

Transcript Highlights:

• the environmental qualification, narrowing required evidence of contaminant or pollutants above applicable
• Could you explain that and how your bill is modifying its application?
• Could you explain that and how your bill is modifying its application?
• How does one determine if the group is being spotlighted or the application is unfair?
• How does one determine if the group is being spotlighted or the application is unfair?

Summary: The committee first considered CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all amendment narrowed eligibility to certain contaminated or brownfield properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added adjacency and density/intensity limits, and excluded agricultural land, park land, land outside the urban growth boundary, and land near military installations. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote, with limited support and opposition noted in waived appearance forms. Members then took up CS/CS/SB 212 on sexual offenders and sexual predators. The strike-all added public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided: proponents argued the bill would help protect children and law enforcement, while opponents, including treatment experts and homelessness advocates, said there was no empirical evidence the restrictions reduce abuse and warned of retroactive punishment and increased homelessness. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 8-1. The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstates to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses and clarifying exclusions for protected areas. Opponents argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive plans, while supporters framed it as a property-rights measure; the bill was reported favorably 10-0. SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a technical update to nonprofit law modeled on prior for-profit corporate revisions, also passed unanimously after supportive waived testimony. Later, the committee approved SB 1338 on charitable giving, which creates a donor remedy for endowment restrictions and limits state reporting burdens on certain regulated or exempt organizations; members discussed cy pres and the sponsor said further changes would be worked out later. CS/SB 532 on court fees was amended to let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than half, with supporters saying clerks have been underfunded for years; it passed 10-0. The committee also favorably reported SB 218 on land use regulations, which restores normal land-use authority to counties not affected by recent hurricanes, and CS/SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability, which creates a presumption against liability for entities that comply with cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements; the cybersecurity bill drew concerns about retroactivity and the adequacy of compliance incentives but passed 9-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm putting in a new item six in this bill, a new paragraph having to do with assessing applications
• under the cost of care fund. ...applications under the cost of care fund, and I took the comments from
• of the cost of care fund, and that we would insert this paragraph 3A: applications for reimbursement
• under the cost of care applications under the cost of care fund<01:08:53.960> um<01:08:54.199
• of the cost of assess uh the application of the cost of care care care fund<01:09:51.359> and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through a draft bill amending animal cruelty and protective custody provisions, focusing on how animals may be seized, cared for, and returned, and on what rights owners have when animals are taken. Members discussed adding language requiring officers to inform a charged person in writing of the right to petition for a veterinarian of their choice, clarifying that any documents presented for signature must be fully and honestly explained, and revising language so confiscated animals cannot be altered without notarized owner authorization. They also considered a new prohibition on using confiscated animals for fundraising or donations, ultimately preferring the term “financial gain” over “profiteering.” The discussion also covered protective custody procedures, including adding “municipal animal control officer” to the list of officers involved, allowing return of animals to the owner or caretaker if no charges have been filed or no warrant establishing probable cause has been sought or issued, and clarifying the distinction between criminal seizure and temporary protective custody. The commissioner’s comments led to several proposed deletions or revisions, including removing language viewed as redundant or inconsistent with protective custody, and striking references to live racing provisions that are no longer relevant. Members further addressed lactating animals, agreeing to add language that confiscated lactating animals should not be separated from their nonweaned offspring. They also discussed a proposed confidentiality provision requiring people assisting in investigations or taking possession of seized animals to sign a binding nondisclosure agreement, though members noted similar protections may need to be duplicated in the temporary custody section as well. The conversation was largely about drafting and legal clarity, with no final vote or formal action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It says that wherever 271G and 269 conflict, 271G governs, but 269 is still applicable.
• So if there's anything pending, like a docket application or even motor carrier fees being collected
• or even Motor Carrier uh application or even Motor Carrier uh fees<00:50:48.880> being<00:50:
• especially like from of applications especially like from Young<00:51:13.640> brothers<00:51:
• make a final process that application make a final decision<00:51:26.839> right<00:51:27.079>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of transportation-related bills. SB 21 on water carriers would create an inflationary cost index mechanism; DOT, Agriculture, DCCA, the PUC, and several harbor and logistics interests supported it, while Pacific Transfer opposed. SB 1478 would require vessel masters to follow harbor master evacuation orders during emergencies; DOT clarified it applies only to commercial ports, with support from Hima and the Harbor Users Group and opposition from the Hailongm Association. SB 108 would authorize DOT to regulate vessel noise near commercial harbors; the White Harbor Users Group opposed, while DOT said it supported the intent but warned the bill may be preempted by federal law. SB 1475 would raise the bond ceiling for harbor improvement projects from $100 million to $600 million, and SB 1473 would cap central services assessments on DOT funds at $5 million and tie them to CPI; DOT supported both, and Budget and Finance explained the central services fee is generally a 5% deduction from special funds with some statutory exceptions. The committee also heard SB 1402 on securing mooring lines in state commercial harbors, which drew support from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Longline Association. SB 1522 on vehicle title transfers was supported by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. SB 599 would require DOT or counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips before disposal; DOT said it would provide scanners, the Hawaiian Humane Society and a private witness strongly supported the bill, and the committee discussed that the measure would not charge pet owners and that Oʻahu microchip rates are about 80% for dogs and 70% for cats. SB 1025 would allow service and non-service animals on mass transit under certain conditions; DHS offered comments, Maui and Honolulu opposed, while the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Environmental Caucus, and others supported it, and an opponent raised concerns about large pets, service animals, and the need for size and off-peak restrictions. Later, the committee heard SB 1096 on license plate-flipping devices, with DOT and Honolulu police supporting it. SB 384 would expand victim restitution in DUI-related negligent homicide cases to include child support for surviving minor children; DOT, MADD, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported it, while the Public Defender opposed, arguing the restitution amounts would be unverified and better handled through civil remedies. SB 597 would extend the deadline for the administrative driver license revocation office to issue decisions, and the Attorney General, police, and Maui prosecutors supported it because of drug-testing delays, especially on neighbor islands. Finally, SB 1285 would create a lower-level impaired driving offense and authorize administrative action; the Attorney General and Public Defender both raised concerns about charging discretion and resource impacts, while county, public health, alcohol policy, and victim advocates strongly supported the bill as a life-saving measure. The transcript ends partway through testimony on SB 1285, with no final committee votes or actions recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It describes the information that needs to support a determination of exceptional growth in applications
• It describes the information that needs to support a determination of exceptional growth in applications
• It describes the information that needs to support a determination of exceptional growth in applications
• compliance with other applicable compliance with other applicable laws<00:38:25.680> and<
• or the license holder received assistance in preparing the application or accompanying materials from

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I feel like the uh fire drill was a good example that we planned for uh for this application response
• Uh, we also, at the end, when we submitted the application, went back and got letters of support from
• But, let me this application response.
• , went back and got letters application, went back and got letters of<00:03:12.400> support<00
• <00:07:23.240> is things we've done in our application is things we've done in our application

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board received a presentation from Dr. Stack and Commissioner Langfeld on Kentucky’s application for a federal Medicaid-related funding opportunity tied to House Resolution 1. They described a compressed six-week stakeholder process that produced more than 50 responses and letters of support, and said the application was organized around five broad priorities: maternal health, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, EMS/trauma response, and chronic disease. They emphasized that the proposal was designed to align with CMS goals, use allowable funding categories, and focus on sustainability rather than a short-term grant. Commissioner Langfeld outlined five core initiatives: rural community hubs for chronic care innovation, beginning with obesity and diabetes; a maternal and infant health effort called POWER; a behavioral health and substance use model called IMPATH; an oral health initiative called Rooted in Health; and an integrated crisis-to-care EMS and trauma response effort. He said the chronic disease work would include prevention, food-as-medicine concepts, and technology tools, while the maternal health effort would expand team-based care around mothers and infants using community health workers and doulas. The behavioral health proposal would build on existing crisis intervention models, oral health would address workforce and access gaps through training, mobile vans, and telehealth, and the EMS proposal would better connect emergency response with home-based and community care. Several senators questioned whether the proposal would meaningfully address rural hospital closures or the broader rural health care crisis. Senator Meredith said the plan was not transformational and would not save rural hospitals, while Senator Berg asked how success would be measured. In response, the presenters said they would use both lagging and leading indicators, with an emphasis on rapid-cycle feedback and data use that is more actionable in real time. They also said the work could help existing models that already show promise, such as behavioral health units and dental workforce expansion, even if it would not solve the larger funding gap created by HR1. Senator Douglas asked how the proposals would motivate patients to participate in their own health care. The presenters responded that the chronic disease prevention work would focus on obesity, diabetes prevention, nutrition, and consumer-facing technology tools to help people engage in their own care, and that EMS-community health worker partnerships could identify unmet needs in the home and reduce preventable problems. The board then moved on to its next agenda item, Medicaid managed care delivery models, with Tom Stevens, Katherine North, and Dr. Patel scheduled to present.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1862 by Hughes relating to interstate notification by a voter registrar of certain applicants for
• exemptions or allocations and the calculation of the penalty for filing a late application for such
• SB 227 by West relating to the application review process for certain delayed birth certificates.
• So Senate Bill 227 fixes this issue by prohibiting the denial of an application.
• It required consideration of the entire application to verify doubts about the place of birth.

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved several routine motions, including excuses for absent members, permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, and postponements of some bills. The chamber also received a Senate message listing measures passed by the Senate and adopted a memorial resolution honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, with remarks entered into the House Journal after a moment of silence. The House then took up a long third-reading calendar and passed a series of Senate bills on topics including criminal justice and corrections sunset provisions (SB 2405, 2406, 2407), election equipment testing (SB 2166), electric grid reliability and attack-preparedness exercises (SB 2148), firefighter collective bargaining (SB 777), DFPS and foster care procedures (SB 1141 and SB 1398), Medicare durable medical equipment billing (SB 1330), property tax administration (SB 1453), probate cleanup and record transfers (SB 1448 and SB 1839), mental health filing procedures (SB 53), school residency for children in safety placements (SB 226), diabetes-related amputation study (SB 1677), rapid DNA analysis (SB 1723), utility rate transparency and capacity cost recovery (SB 1664 and SB 1856), community supervision eligibility (SB 552 postponed), and other measures. Several bills passed with broad support, while others drew notable opposition and narrower margins, including SB 777, SB 2137, SB 2111, SB 1677, SB 1936, SB 1453, and SB 38. Two bills drew especially extensive debate. SB 2148, dealing with electricity supply chain reliability and tabletop exercises for critical facilities, was discussed as a grid-security measure aimed at coordinating utilities, law enforcement, ERCOT, and the PUC in the event of physical attacks; it passed unanimously. SB 1936, changing how LSD is measured for criminal prosecution from dosage-based to weight-based calculations, prompted extended discussion about lab consistency, carrier mediums, and fairness in charging, with supporters saying it would help crime labs and law enforcement and opponents warning it could distort penalties depending on the medium used; it passed 108-26. The House also passed SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, after questions about overlap with TDEM and the cost of adding personnel. Late in the day, the House debated SB 38 on eviction procedures, with supporters saying it targeted squatters and streamlined removal of unauthorized occupants, and opponents arguing it would make evictions too easy and worsen homelessness; it passed 85-44. The chamber also began debate on SB 37, a major higher-education governance bill that would expand governing-board oversight of curriculum, hiring, and faculty senates; members raised concerns about academic freedom, faculty governance, and the impact on humanities programs, and debate was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we look at the applications for residency programs, there are over 50,000 applications and the positions
• When we look at the applications for residency programs, there are over 50,000 applications and the positions
• When we look at the applications for residency programs, there are over 50,000 applications and the positions
• When we look at the applications for residency programs, there are over 50,000 applications and the positions
• When we look at the applications for residency programs, there are over 50,000 applications and the positions

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that happens in other applications.
• mean that happens in other applications mean that happens in other applications there's<00:07:31.759
• We received 40 applications from 29 applicants, way more than the funding was allowed.
• 40 applications from 29 applicants<00:57:59.880> way<00:58:00.079> more<00:58:00.359><
• The response was that much of that increase is driven by facilities applications.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not that we're not getting applicants.
• We're actually lucky we're getting applicants, and we're trying to get to 68.
• What was meant by identifying a primary petitioner is that on that application, if you will, the application
• warrant article there's an application warrant article there's an application it's<05:35:27.920>
• application if you will the application application if you will the application will<05:35:43.360

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Requires electric public utilities to consider interconnection applications for certain solar projects
• . ...to consider interconnection applications for certain solar projects.
• Senator Scutari extends memorandum of understanding requirements for pursuit of a consolidated application
• for residential utility assistance programs. ...of consolidated application for residential utility

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While foster children may already qualify for assistance under current policy, the existing application
• It allows us to look at applicant pools, again, coming off of the preceptors, looking at and talking
• It allows us to look at applicant pools, again, coming off of the preceptors, looking at and talking
• nursing profession through collecting and analyzing nursing workforce data, monitoring nursing application

Bills: HB359, HB385, HB165

Keywords: human remains, indigent, burial, cremation, next of kin, social services, environmental impact, nursing education, preceptorship programs, healthcare workforce, nurse shortage, clinical training, dry needling, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, referral process, neuromusculoskeletal pain, Western medicine

Summary: The Senate Health and Social Services Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior two meetings, and briefly acknowledged the tragedy at Christiana Care before moving to legislation. The committee heard House Bill 385, which creates a statewide nurse preceptor grant program to expand clinical training placements for nursing students; testimony from nursing organizations, health care associations, and educators emphasized workforce shortages, the need for preceptor stipends and training, and the bill’s potential to help students complete programs and remain in Delaware. Members asked about eligibility and reporting, and several senators asked to be added as co-sponsors. Public comment was uniformly supportive, and the bill was advanced out of committee. The committee then considered House Bill 424, which repeals Delaware’s Autism Surveillance and Registration Program and requires DHSS to expunge protected health information collected through the registry. The sponsor and DHSS said the registry is no longer used for research or policy development and that repeal would reduce outdated reporting burdens; Autism Delaware, the Delaware Health Care Association, and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities support the change. A committee member raised the question of whether families would be notified before records are expunged, and DHSS said that process was not yet clear and would need further verification. Members discussed the issue, and the bill also moved forward. House Bill 419 was next, making children in foster care automatically eligible for the Purchase of Care child care subsidy and extending the same treatment to certain kinship and safety-plan placements through House Amendment 1. The Children’s Department and advocacy groups said the bill would provide immediate stability for children and caregivers, reduce delays from applications and income verification, and support working foster and kinship families. The committee also heard House Bill 359, which would allow cremation as an option for unclaimed and indigent remains when there is no family objection or next of kin cannot be found, addressing a shortage of burial plots and lowering costs; funeral industry testimony focused on preserving next-of-kin rights. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 475, creating a Delaware Nursing Advancement Fund financed by a $10 surcharge on nursing licenses and disciplinary fines to support workforce data collection and analysis through a nonprofit partner, and House Bill 165, authorizing physician associates, occupational therapists, and APRNs to perform dry needling under training and practice standards set by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. All of the bills received supportive testimony, several members added their names as co-sponsors, and the committee adjourned after moving through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• 01.679> state<00:32:01.840> of Students learn the core skills that are immediately applicable
• learn the core skills that are Students learn the core skills that are immediately<00:32:53.360> applicable
• <00:32:53.919> after<00:32:54.240> high immediately applicable after high immediately
• applicable after high school.<00:32:54.880> Budgeting,<00:32:55.440> banking,<00:32:56.000

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 27, 2026 journal as corrected, and noted several roll-call corrections. A committee report from State Veterans and Military Affairs recommended Senate Bill 4 be amended and sent to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The president also announced signing of Senate bills and Senate Joint Resolution 5. The bulk of the meeting consisted of announcements and recognitions. Senators highlighted visits from the Colorado Council of 911 Authorities, Colorado Mesa University, CASE members, physical therapists and students, Rooted Christian Academy, the state community college system, a sportsmen’s legislative reception, and an open house for National Unclaimed Property Day. Senator Carson recognized Mountain Vista High School students who created a financial literacy curriculum and app to teach budgeting, banking, credit, interest, and debt, tying their work to last year’s financial literacy legislation. Committee scheduling announcements included the Joint Health and Human Services Committee meeting after House adjournment with the Joint Budget Committee presenting the governor’s budget, no Judiciary Committee meeting that day, and the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee’s first meeting to hear confirmations, Senate Joint Resolution 1, and Senate Bill 103. The Senate then recessed until 11:00 a.m. after a motion by the Majority Leader.

Transcript Highlights:

• That Vermont code section, contrary to the applicable federal law, allows Vermont institutions of higher
• That Vermont code section, contrary to That Vermont code section, contrary to the<00:13:53.360> applicable
• <00:13:53.920> federal<00:13:54.320> law,<00:13:55.120> allows the applicable
• federal law, allows the applicable federal law, allows Vermont<00:13:56.000> institutions<00:

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, then suspended rules to introduce 16 House bills by number only. The bills were referred to committees, and H.790, the House Committee on Appropriations Budget Adjustment Act, was placed on the calendar for notice the next legislative day. The chamber also read JRH7, a joint resolution supporting the existing U.S.-Denmark treaty relating to Greenland and opposing American efforts to secure sovereignty over the island; it was referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. HCR 162, congratulating the 2025 Colchester High School Lakers Division 2 championship football team, was read and celebrated, with the team and coaches recognized in the chamber. Members also marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day with remarks tied to HCR 174 and a moment of silence. On the action calendar, the House passed H.508, approving amendments to the Burlington city charter. It then took up H.532, which removes a Vermont statutory provision allowing mandatory retirement of college professors at age 70 so state law aligns with federal age-discrimination law; the committee reported it ought to pass by a 10-1 vote, and the House ordered third reading. The final action item, S.23 on the use of synthetic media in elections, was postponed for one legislative day at the request of the House Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee. The meeting also included several announcements: the Rural Caucus and Older Vermonters Caucus scheduled upcoming meetings, House Democrats noted a caucus and a visit from Congresswoman Becca Balint, House Republicans announced a caucus after adjournment, and House Progressives said they were not caucusing that week. The House then adjourned until Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hughes's bill relating to discrimination against or burdening certain constitutional rights of an applicant
• gonna vote on some more pending business. 2742 amends the estates codes to enhance the guardianship application
• Members, uh, they're in a box that on the, uh, application or the sign-in sheet that says I'm here because
• Hughes's bill relating to discrimination against or burdening certain constitutional rights of an applicant

Transcript Highlights:

• When considering an application for a groundwater permit, groundwater conservation districts (GCDs) must
• of factors that a groundwater conservation district (GCD) must consider when reviewing a permit application
• We'll give those people standing should they file a protest against a new permit or a new application
• or amendment application.

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• uh in fact uh the D applications uh in fact uh the D selected<00:15:14.000> three<00:15:14.759
• I'm just wondering how is it will it make the application process more efficient?
• You know, we're keeping up with the applications.
• tried to expedite uh their application tried to expedite uh their application to<01:30:01.360>
• <01:30:36.960> process I'm assuming the application process I'm assuming the application process

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held an informational briefing with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on its budget, staffing, and operations. The director reviewed department leadership and reported on recruitment and retention efforts, including a 14% vacancy rate, a 10.5% workforce increase from filling 189 positions, and the Hela Imua internship program, which has placed 516 interns since inception and led to 62 permanent hires. The department also described modernization efforts, including the UI Huakai project and the Disability Compensation Division’s electronic case management system, and said the unemployment compensation trust fund exceeded $71.5 million, triggering Schedule C for calendar year 2025. The department’s main budget requests included $2.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to support maintenance and operations of the electronic case management system, plus restoration of two enforcement specialist positions. Officials said those positions are needed to address a decline in investigators from 11 to six since 2009, improve compliance, and handle Hawaii Compliance Express certificate work. Additional requests included two human resources specialists to address recruitment backlogs, two labor enforcement specialists to reduce a backlog of Chapter 104 prevailing wage and wage cases, and two positions for the Office of Community Services to expand immigrant services and access centers. The department also discussed federal funding for unemployment insurance and workforce programs, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and said some funding is received in increments and may require extensions. Members asked about Kauai inspection coverage, federal funding uncertainty, the size of the special unemployment insurance fund, and whether the department could ramp up staffing during a future crisis. Officials said Kauai is currently served by inspectors from Honolulu and there are no plans to open a permanent island position because of staffing constraints. They said the department is meeting federal guidelines and is not in jeopardy, and that the special unemployment insurance fund has about $10 million, with current UI operations funded at a little over $15 million, meaning the fund may need to cover roughly $5 million if federal support declines. The director said the department would use the special fund to supplement shortfalls, but noted that federal funding cuts and the loss of ARPA support have already affected operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• That said, when we get the applicants in the... ...written exam, and we are one of many law enforcement
• That said, when we get the applicants in the...
• That said, when we get the applicants in the pool of applicants that are presented to the State Police
• Depending on the size of the pool of applicants, we then have to make determinations relative to the
• So we have the funds to cover about 53% of the applications, and 47% of those applications will go unfunded

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.