Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reports recommending that House Bill 4101, relative
• Second reading of the bill: An act relative to the Dracut Water Supply District, House Bill 4101.
• Third reading of the bill: An act relative to waiving the maximum age requirement for Boston police officers
• House Bill 1646, an act relative to violation of regulations regarding hot work process, is now before
• House Bill 5511, an act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy, is now before the House

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural motions. It adopted a resolution commending Bill Spain on his retirement from the Castle Island Association and his work preserving Fort Independence. The House also concurred in a Senate petition concerning improved public access and climate resiliency on the Mystic River and referred it to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. In addition, the House suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions: one establishing a sick leave bank for a Massachusetts Department of Transportation employee and another creating a Legion of Merit motor vehicle license plate. The chamber then advanced House Bill 4101, relative to the Dracut Water Supply District, suspending Rule 7A, taking a second reading, and ordering it to a third reading. On third reading, House Bill 5034, waiving the maximum age requirement for Boston police officers for Matthew Cummings, was passed to be engrossed. House Bill 1338, allowing fair compensation of Massachusetts credit union directors, was amended to add an emergency preamble and strike Section 2, then passed to be engrossed as amended. Later, the House recessed and then returned to final passage on House Bill 1646, concerning violations of regulations regarding the hot work process, and House Bill 5511, concerning teacher preparation and student literacy; both were passed to be enacted. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Steering and Policy and Scheduling reports recommending that House Bill 4101, relative
• Second reading of the bill: An act relative to the Dracut Water Supply District, House Bill 4101.
• Third reading of the bill: An act relative to waiving the maximum age requirement for Boston police officers
• The House is now before the House on final passage of Senate Bill 1646, an act relative to violation
• of regulations regarding hot work process, and House Bill 5511, an act relative to teacher preparation

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate order relative to granting the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development until March 3,
• 2026, within which to make its final report on current Senate documents relative to workforce development
• The Senate order relative to granting the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development until March 3rd
• , 2026, within which to make its final report on current Senate documents relative to workforce development
• Committee on Rules, of two branches and action concurrently, to whom was referred the Senate order relative

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:28.960><c> to</c> you know, general funds relative to you know, general funds relative to
• Uh relative to this, I agree with you.
• Just and the relative percentages there.
• </c> uh the pie charts there give a relative uh the pie charts there give a relative breakdown<00:56:
• We still have a relatively healthy budget.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution 118 by Assembly Member Garcia relative to the FIFA World Cup.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 193 by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry relative to International Year of
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 210 by Assembly Member Jackson relative to a sister state relationship
• House Resolution 113 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, relative to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
• House Resolution 113 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, relative to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Transcript Highlights:

• At this hearing, we will hear testimony on initiative petition number 25-01, H.5-001, an act relative
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify on ballot initiative number 25-01, an act relative to election
• Massachusetts already performs relatively well on civic participation compared with some states, so no
• Those costs are relatively small.
• And I was just wondering if there was any data relative to how many, when you...

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a hearing on Initiative Petition 25-01, H.5-001, an act relative to election day registration. The co-chairs explained the Article 48 initiative process and noted that the committee must report on the petition to the legislature. The hearing focused on how election day registration differs from same-day registration, how it is used in other states, and what implementation would require in Massachusetts. Three expert witnesses testified in support of the concept. A Northeastern University political science professor said the research shows election day registration would likely increase turnout, especially among younger voters, renters, recent movers, and other underrepresented groups, while requiring planning, training, and funding. A National Conference of State Legislatures policy analyst described how election day and same-day registration work in other states, including proof-of-residency and ID requirements, provisional ballot options in some states, and the need for updated voter systems and staffing. An MIT election administration professor said the proposal is mainstream, likely popular with Massachusetts voters, and administratively workable if the state addresses workload, wait times, and system integration. Committee members asked about costs, residency documentation, use of Real ID, provisional ballots, rural polling places, and whether election day registration could increase lines or discourage advance registration. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin and volunteer proponent Norma Shulman testified in favor of the petition. They argued that election day registration would help eligible voters who miss deadlines or move before an election, reduce reliance on provisional ballots, and improve participation. Galvin said the proposal includes a 10-day reconciliation period and would likely require additional staffing and possibly technology, but he viewed the reform as worth the cost and consistent with broader election reforms. Shulman said voters she encountered during the signature drive strongly supported the measure and viewed it as common sense. In questioning, Galvin said the measure would help voters who move within a community or arrive at the polls unregistered, and he said many provisional ballots are not counted because of eligibility or registration problems. Opponents from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association argued that while expanding access is important, election day registration would add to already heavy workloads for local clerks, who are managing early voting, vote-by-mail processing, and election-day operations with limited staff and resources. They said any major election change should be developed through the traditional legislative process with direct input from local officials, and they urged caution until municipalities receive more administrative and financial relief. The hearing then moved into the public testimony section, beginning with a representative from Mass for Fair Elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is House Bill 1195 by Representative Weibel relative to the Louisiana State Athletic Commission
• rules and regulations of contests or exhibitions, to provide for fines and penalties, to provide relative
• That seems to be an answer to everything we try to do relative to our consumers and our customers and
• This is House Bill 1222 by Representative Lyons, relative to grocery initiative grants and financial
• And so I think that just shows that it's, again, a relatively new issue.

Bills: HB471 , HB798 , HB947 , HB1140 , HB1186 , HB1195 , HB1222

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, consumer protection, automated decision systems, data privacy, broadband, cable service, price increase, notification, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, telecommunications, spoofing, call authentication

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 65 FN, relative to storm water management for solar arrays.
• Senate Bill 233 FN, relative to the grid modernization advisory group.
• Senate Bill 254, relative to controlled substance inventories and relative to surrogate parent criminal
• Senate Bill 73 FN, relative to the operation of bingo games.
• Senate Bill 73 FN relative to President.

Transcript Highlights:

• The papers from the House: The House petition of Paul McMurtry, relative to licenses for off-premises
• : Order that, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 and any other rules to the contrary, the Senate bill relative
• : Order that, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 and any other rules to the contrary, the Senate bill relative
• read: Order that, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 or any other rules to the contrary, the Senate bill relative
• to amending certain use restrictions for the Foxborough State Hospital... ...the Senate bill relative

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up two local bills for final passage: House No. 2320, establishing an appointed treasurer-collector in Berkeley, and House No. 4136, further regulating stabilization funds in Leicester. Both bills were approved to be enacted and sent to the Governor after being signed by the President. The Senate also adopted a resolution offered by Senator Gomez commending the Taino people in recognition of October 13, 2025, as Indigenous Peoples Day. In addition, the chamber suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition by Paul McMurtry concerning off-premises retail alcohol licenses near other such licenses to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. Several Senate orders from Senator Rodrigues were then adopted, advancing bills related to disposable menstrual products, menstrual product ingredient disclosure, the move over law, and use restrictions for the Foxborough State Hospital. Each order required suspension of Senate rules and placed the measures on the Orders of the Day for later consideration with Ways and Means new drafts pending where applicable. Before adjournment, the Senate adopted an order setting the next meeting for Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and dispensing with the printing of a calendar. The Senate then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to the nomination process for candidates for town meeting in Milford, House No
• The House bill relative to the charter of the town of Westboro, House No. 4751, local approval received
• An act relative to the nomination process for candidates for town meeting in Milford, House No. 4185.
• An act relative to the charter of the town of Westboro, House No. 4751.
• An act relative to the charter of the town of Westboro, House No. 4751.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there is no objection, one matter shall be taken out of the orders of the day: an act relative to
• Third reading of a bill: an act relative to the charter of the town of Fairhaven, House No. 4232.
• If there is no objection, one matter will be taken out of the orders of the day: an act relative to the
• Development until July 30, within which time to make its final report on certain current Senate documents relative
• The House bill, relative to the employees of the Dedham-Westwood Water District, House No. 2917, comes

Summary: The Senate took up several bills on final passage and enacted measures including retirement benefits for a former Attleboro firefighter, maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, expansion of a local board of health, and amendments to the Middleton town charter. It also adopted a series of Eagle Scout congratulatory resolutions and advanced a bill allowing Somerset to prohibit water fluoridation, a Fairhaven charter bill amended on the floor, a Boston easements/takings measure consolidated with a Senate bill, and local bills for Lancaster and Orange. The Senate additionally ordered to third reading and engrossment a bill concerning Dedham-Westwood Water District employees. The chamber approved extensions of reporting deadlines for the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development and the Committee on Transportation, after members asked how many bills were covered and the deadlines involved. The Labor extension covered 13 bills until July 30, and the Transportation extension covered 11 bills until July 31, 2026. The Senate also suspended rules to advance two public service committee reports establishing sick leave banks for Greg Pinkerton of the Department of Correction and Stephanie Rivera of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. A motion was adopted for the Senate to adjourn in memory of Dorothy Bonfante, with a brief tribute read into the record describing her family, community involvement, and ties to Peabody and Salem. Later, the Committee on Ways and Means reported that House No. 5316, a bill titled to promote rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment, ought to pass with a new text amendment. The Senate adopted a special order setting the bill for second reading on May 7, 2026, with filing deadlines and procedures for amendments, then suspended the rules and adopted the order by standing vote. The Senate finally adopted an order to meet again on Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Bills: HB145 , SB37 , HB279 , HB292 , SB35 , SB48 , SB20 , SJR1 , SB38 , SB41 , SB73 , SB100 , SB111 , SB132 , SB152 , SJR7 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM30 , HM52 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB2 , HB70 , HB180 , SB151 , SB240 , SB273 , HB95 , HB247 , HB332 , HB8 , HB253 , HB4 , HB96

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education

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

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County, public accountability, government oversight, impeachment power, children and vulnerable persons, public funds

Bills: HB111 , HB108 , HB145 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB63 , HB64 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HB4 , HB7 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB88 , HB96 , HB166 , HB285 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Bills: HB111 , HB108 , HB145 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB63 , HB64 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HB4 , HB7 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB88 , HB96 , HB166 , HB285 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 208, by Assembly Member Ramos, relative to California Native American
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 208, by Assembly Member Ramos, relative to California Native American
• House Resolution 102 by Assembly Member Colosa relative to Filipino American History Month.
• House Resolution 120 by Assembly Member of all of these relative to veterans.
• House Resolution 120 by Assembly Member of all of these relative to veterans.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with a Native American prayer/song and a moment of silence for former staff member Eric Washington, then proceeded through a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor ceremonies. Members also recognized Assemblymember Ward’s birthday and welcomed several guests, including family members, business and community leaders, firefighters, and students. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Native American Day ceremony and adoption of ACR 208 by Assemblymember Ramos, which recognized California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders spoke in support, emphasizing Native history, sovereignty, cultural preservation, missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the need to tell California’s history honestly. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 coauthors were added, followed by a ceremonial honoring of tribal elders and leaders. The Assembly also adopted several other resolutions and concurred in Senate amendments on multiple bills. These included ACR 126 designating the Captain Vida Anderson Memorial Highway, AB 1651 requiring disclosure of AI use in bar exam development, AB 2789 on mediation, AJR 27 urging federal disaster aid for Eaton and Palisades fire victims, and AB 2134 protecting local officials taking parental leave. Later, ACR 213 designated September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, HR 102 recognized Filipino American History Month, and ACR 230 proclaimed California Firefighter Appreciation Month and California Firefighters Memorial Day; all were adopted with broad support and many coauthors. The Senate file also began with SCR 136 on coastal protection and SJR 12 opposing offshore drilling, with debate reflecting strong environmental opposition and a dissenting view that the resolution was too absolute and could raise energy costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This instrument provides relative to insurance coverage.
• This instrument provides relative to a prescription drug... ...by Senator Talbot.
• This instrument provides relative to biomarker testing.
• And amendment number four removes the provisions of law that are relative to clinical utility.
• This instrument provides relative to pharmacy benefit managers to provide for definitions.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides relative to the local health care provider participation program, to provide for the authorization
• It provides relative to food service establishments, to provide for an exemption to the definition of
• Senate Bill 221 by Senator Boudreau, relative to ambulance providers, to provide for definitions, to
• Relative to psychedelic assisted therapy, to establish psychedelic. by Senator McMath.
• It provides relative Members, this is Senate Bill 253 by Senator McMath.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 28 with a quorum and took up several Senate bills, beginning with SB 113 on the local health care provider participation program in Calcasieu Parish. The committee adopted a technical amendment and heard that the bill would shift the local sponsor from the parish to the city if needed by a June 1 deadline. After brief discussion and no opposition, SB 113 was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then approved SB 23, which exempts certain assisted living facilities licensed by LDH from the definition of food service establishment, and SB 150, which would allow LDH to scan and electronically store vital records supporting documents and return originals to citizens. SB 221 also advanced after testimony that it would allow EMS providers to be reimbursed by Medicaid for emergency responses where treatment is provided on scene but the patient is not transported. Members discussed that the bill could reduce unnecessary ER use and likely would require some rulemaking, but it was reported favorably. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 404, a broad vision benefit plan reform bill. Supporters, including optometrists, said the measure would improve transparency, patient choice, and access to eye care by limiting restrictive plan practices; opponents from the vision care plan industry argued it was an unprecedented, provider-driven overhaul that could raise costs and reduce flexibility. After extensive testimony and an agreed amendment clarifying network participation, the committee reported SB 404 favorably with amendments. The committee also reported SB 32 favorably with amendments after emotional testimony from parents and advocates about perinatal bereavement care, cooling devices, and training for hospitals to give grieving families more time and dignity after infant loss. Finally, the committee heard SB 43, which would create a psychedelic-assisted therapy initiative within LDH for clinical research and treatment involving ibogaine and psilocybin, with testimony from veterans, researchers, and advocates describing potential benefits for PTSD, substance use, and traumatic brain injury. The bill was reported favorably with amendments and set to pass a courtesy sheet. The committee then began SB 253, a bill regulating peptides and compounding pharmacies, adopted technical amendments clarifying provider liability, and continued discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• increase or granularity of that study we could be having a relative increase or stability statewide
• Tens of millions of dollars have been spent relative to habitat restoration and a lot of projects have
• But we are now seeing the tremendous significant loss relative to predation that has gone uncontrolled
• Tens of millions of dollars have been spent relative to habitat restoration and a lot of projects have
• They took off in these basins where they were relatively simple fish communities.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5838, which would add a federally recognized tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner and tribal leaders said the change would bring Indigenous knowledge and a voting voice to decisions on trust lands, while preserving existing tribal consultation. Some county and economic interests said they were not opposed to tribal participation but stressed the board’s fiduciary duty to trust beneficiaries and asked for more review of the board’s purpose; one witness questioned whether the beneficiaries had been consulted. The prime sponsor, Senator Claudia Kaufman, said the bill is about inclusion and equity and indicated openness to an amendment adding both eastside and westside tribal representation. The hearing closed with 142 written comments reported: 33 pro, 107 con, and 2 other. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5960, which would require Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and take predator mitigation actions when populations fall below specified benchmarks. Senator Shelley Short said the bill responds to declining deer and elk numbers and a lack of management, especially in northeast Washington. Supporters argued the bill would codify existing agency plans and restore balance in wildlife management, while opponents—including conservation groups, the Sierra Club, and several scientists and advocates—said the state’s predator-prey study found wolves were not the main driver of ungulate declines, pointing instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. Ranching and farm groups supported the overall goal but objected to the bill’s in-state wolf translocation provisions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it recognized the bill’s intent but opposed it because some directives were impractical, costly, or would require legislative approval. The hearing closed with 1,197 written comments reported: 843 pro, 352 con, and 2 other. The committee then held a work session on Lake Washington salmon predation. Larry Phillips and Muckleshoot Fisheries Director Jason Schaffler described a coalition effort to reduce predation on juvenile salmon in the Lake Washington system, saying invasive and predatory fish such as walleye, rock bass, American shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass are harming sockeye and Chinook recovery. They said sockeye returns have fallen from hundreds of thousands to about 18,000 in recent years, ending tribal and sport fisheries, and argued that targeted predator removal, supported by prior state and county funding, could help restore runs. Senators asked about the methods and funding, and the presenters said fishing and netting are being used to suppress larger predatory fish and that more sustained investment is needed. Finally, the committee began public hearing on Senate Bill 1697, which would make federally recognized tribes eligible recipients for county conservation futures funds. Testifiers from the Washington Farmland Trust and the Tulalip Tribe said the bill would expand voluntary conservation partnerships, help tribes steward farmland and habitat, and make it easier to leverage county funds with other grants. They described past projects where tribal participation improved conservation outcomes but said tribes could not directly access conservation futures dollars under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say we're seeing relatively slow growth from what we've seen in the past.
• And you'll note that we're relatively similar in our forecast.
• And you'll note that we're relatively similar in our forecast.
• You'll note that we're relatively similar in our forecast.
• The others were relatively small changes.

Committee: House Finance

Summary: The Finance Committee work session began with a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), explaining how the state’s revenue forecasts are built from economic models and how they are used to support the budget process. He described the main revenue sources for state operating funds, the ERFC’s membership and quarterly public process, and the factors affecting the latest forecast, including slow employment growth, weak taxable sales, higher inflation pressures, tariffs, federal spending uncertainty, and the federal shutdown. He said the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, with smaller changes to capital gains and other funds, though revenues were still roughly on track and the base case remained slow growth rather than recession. Committee members asked about whether Washington’s economy can lag national downturns, and Dr. Reich said the timing and severity of impacts can differ by recession and sector. Representative Chase asked what happens if revenues fall short of expenses, and Dr. Reich said that is a budgeting question for elected officials rather than the forecast council. Members also noted the importance of the forecast for policy decisions, especially given slowing employment and manufacturing. The committee then heard from the Department of Revenue on implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to certain services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained the existing sales and use tax framework, sourcing rules, reseller permits, and the multiple points of use exemption, then walked through the new taxable categories, including live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software changes. He described DOR’s implementation efforts, including listening sessions, a public landing page, notices to taxpayers, and interim guidance, and noted a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts but no general penalty or interest relief. Committee members raised concerns about taxpayer confusion, the burden on new taxpayers, sourcing and allocation issues, and the difficulty of determining liability in cases like speakers, nonprofits, and advertising services. DOR said it would continue outreach, answer ruling requests, and likely seek technical cleanup legislation in the 2026 session. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.