Transcript Highlights:

• We've been monitoring this legislation for some time, so this is the first time you're hearing from us
• We've been monitoring this growth.
• We've been monitoring this legislation<03:33:19.640> for<03:33:19.800> some<03:33:20.040
• And I think when we've been monitoring this legislation, we were monitoring it last year, we're, you
• know, been monitoring it this year.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have to monitor him all the time, and yet I'm going to be reimbursed now $10.59. from our houses, so
• I have to<00:37:55.240> monitor<00:37:55.720> him<00:37:55.880> all<00:37:56.040
• Who's going to monitor it?
• Who's going to monitor it?
• Who's going to monitor it?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our judges and our court administrators throughout the state so they can have the same kind of monitoring
• our judges and our court administrators throughout the state so they can have the same kind of monitoring
• our judges and our court administrators throughout the state so they can have the same kind of monitoring
• our judges and our court administrators throughout the state so they can have the same kind of monitoring
• and protection that many of monitoring and protection that many of you<00:05:11.039> have.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 49:40.320> required least annually accounting required least annually accounting required monitoring
• especially<01:49:42.239> for<01:49:42.560> SSI<01:49:43.119> funds monitoring
• especially for SSI funds monitoring especially for SSI funds supplemental<01:49:44.080> security<
• 20.320> the types of considerations related to the types of considerations related to the monitoring
• of these funds and not being monitoring of these funds and not being the<01:50:22.560> rep<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division 3 met in work session and opened with procedural remarks from the chair about the committee’s schedule, deadlines, and recommendation options, noting the meeting was advisory and no votes were expected. The first bill discussed, House Bill 1569, concerned repealing the directive to sell the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord. Testimony from DHHS and New Hampshire Hospital focused on whether the property could be subdivided, the relationship to Senate Bill 572, the status of the city of Concord’s first right of refusal, and the practical effects of a sale. Witnesses said the $5 million sale estimate was a budget assumption, that moving staff and equipment would create some relocation costs, and that the center had required significant recent maintenance and renovation spending. Members also discussed the number of transitional housing beds at the site, the temporary nature of those beds, and whether the property should remain available given hospital workforce and service needs. The committee then turned to House Bill 661, which had been recommitted for further review after new information emerged. The chair summarized federal developments, including a December 2025 ACF letter and a related executive order, as well as a federal HHS press release about states diverting foster youths’ Social Security survivor benefits. Representative Walner explained that amendment 3055H had been drafted to move the bill forward in smaller steps, with a fiscal note requested on the amendment because the original bill was viewed as too large and expensive. Members discussed whether the committee had received copies of the amendment and whether federal guidance or funding had changed the policy landscape. The discussion also included broader questions about foster youth benefits and whether federal action would support state implementation. One member cited ACF language stating that only 11 states had enacted policies to stop interception of survivor benefits and that technical assistance would be available to the remaining states. The meeting remained in work-session mode throughout, with no votes taken and no final recommendations made during the portion provided. The chair indicated the committee could return to the bills later in the month.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another cost that goes along with this that's not in this chart is the security monitoring that has to
• We estimated after going through all of our facilities that the cost of just the monitoring on the sheriff's
• It's listening to personal telephone calls; it's monitoring the text messages and the communications.
• thoughts could be that the state could own the contract with the sheriffs, and DOC being part of the monitoring
• No, the $6,400,000 is what it costs collectively the sheriff's offices to monitor the phone calls.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there is not staff out there that is monitoring whether or not your vehicle to what level of motorized
• tear up a state trust parcel, and we're seeing new tracks being made, but there is not day-to-day monitoring
• motorized, but we don't do any specific analysis on those vehicles because we're not out there monitoring
• While we're on this subject, wanted to ask you, you mentioned five staff people to monitor the rules
• jealous when I listened to the director commenting on the fact that she only has five field staff to monitor

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The quality monitoring, I think, you know, that's something that would come over to the Department of
• The quality monitoring, I think, you know, that's something that would come over to the Department of
• The quality monitoring, I think, you know, that's something that would come over to the Department of
• The quality monitoring, I think, you know, that's something that would come over to the Department of
• by the Commissioner of Commerce in order to satisfy specified statutory duties with respect to monitoring

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• health, tribal health, health, tribal health, funds<00:21:38.080> to<00:21:38.200> monitor
• HIV<00:21:39.600> and<00:21:39.720> STD<00:21:40.160> infections, Funds to monitor
• So, this is something that we are monitoring.
• So, finally, I'd like to touch on another significant risk that we are monitoring.
• Our programs are monitored by the counties, and we have relationships with our county licensors.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This work is ongoing, whether it means monitoring accurate payment from the tobacco companies for the
• 10.960> means This work is ongoing whether it means This work is ongoing whether it means monitoring
• c> accurate<00:31:12.320> payment<00:31:12.640> from<00:31:12.880> the monitoring
• accurate payment from the monitoring accurate payment from the tobacco<00:31:13.520> companies
• <00:43:31.599> there's<00:43:31.839> ongoing Especially where there's ongoing monitoring

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• supervision division that will impair my members' abilities to balance their caseloads as well as monitor
• supervision division that will impair my members' abilities to balance their caseloads as well as monitor
• 51:06.240> as uh balance their case loads as well as uh balance their case loads as well as monitor
• <00:51:08.800> We monitor uh higher risk offenders. We monitor uh higher risk offenders.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will also say that when we do settle settlements and restitution, the OA monitors us and does a thorough
• I will also say that when we do settle settlements and restitution, the OA monitors us and does a thorough
• set settlements and restitution,<00:31:05.039> the<00:31:05.279> OA<00:31:05.919> monitors
• ><00:31:06.320> us<00:31:06.480> and<00:31:06.720> does restitution, the OA monitors
• us and does restitution, the OA monitors us and does a<00:31:07.039> thorough<00:31:07.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement for the purchase of unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor
• , the counselors at schools, they get report cards, they speak to the children’s therapists, they monitor
• /c><01:16:32.880> they to the children's therapists they to the children's therapists they monitor
• 34.239> if<01:16:34.360> they're<01:16:34.520> seeing<01:16:34.840> a monitor
• the child if they're seeing a monitor the child if they're seeing a medical<01:16:35.600> doctor<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several fireworks-related bills. On HB 550, which would allow law enforcement to use drone recordings to establish probable cause for fireworks arrests in public areas and appropriate funds for drones, the Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure. The Public Defender and some public testifiers opposed it, arguing that a statute cannot mandate probable cause and that the bill raises constitutional concerns. A prosecutor later explained that the bill is intended to address Hawaiʻi case law, especially State v. Kit, which limits aerial surveillance over homes under the state constitution, and suggested that changing “shall” to “may” could reduce constitutional problems. Members also questioned whether current law already allows video evidence of fireworks violations and whether the bill was necessary. Testimony included both support and opposition from individuals and organizations, and no vote was taken during the hearing. The committees then heard HB 806, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The department and police supported the bill, while the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed it, arguing that fireworks are already illegal and that the measure adds unnecessary enforcement powers and constitutional risk. Committee members asked what “sting operation” means and whether the term should be defined more clearly; the department said it refers to police or criminal investigations involving deception and agreed a definition would help guide use of the funds. The department also said the funding would support training, storage, and other operational costs for undercover investigations. Finally, the committees heard HB 1483, a broader fireworks enforcement bill that would create an adjudication system for fireworks infractions, revise definitions and penalties, establish new offenses, and increase penalties when fireworks offenses cause injury or death. The Attorney General’s office strongly supported the bill, saying it would improve enforcement by clarifying definitions and allowing cases to be proven without particle testing or expert witnesses when fireworks leave no physical evidence. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported it. The Public Defender opposed the bill, focusing on the bill’s penalty enhancements for offenses that are rarely enforced and its concurrent trial provision, which it said raises problems because of the differences between civil and criminal proceedings. No final committee action or vote was reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to develop and monitor that ITP.
• We want to develop and monitor that ITP.
• So we want to develop and monitor that ITP.
• of the community thinking and all of these discussions around the guidelines for regulation and monitoring
• of the community thinking and all of these discussions around the guidelines for regulation and monitoring

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the tutors, the special education aides, and the hall monitors.
• We are the tutors, the special education aides, and the hall monitors.
• our Office of Inspector General investigations on aid and grants, as well as MDE oversight and monitoring
• our Office of Inspector General investigations on aid and grants, as well as MDE oversight and monitoring
• our Office of Inspector General investigations on aid and grants, as well as MDE oversight and monitoring

Bills: HF6, HF52, HF53

Keywords: education, literacy, science of reading, school performance, funding flexibility, innovation zones, equity and inclusion, HF52, New Germany, wastewater treatment, wastewater facility, sewer infrastructure, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, municipal infrastructure, water quality, sanitation, sewage treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• first one establishes some parameters to reduce waiver growth, particularly in rate exceptions, and monitoring
• The second component of this proposal includes input rate monitoring and oversight, so the idea is additional
• first one establishes some parameters to reduce waiver growth, particularly in rate exceptions, and monitoring
• The second component of this proposal includes input rate monitoring and oversight, so the idea is additional
• The second component of this proposal includes input rate monitoring and oversight, so the idea is additional

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• providers enrolled, but we are kind of operating from a backlog, so we need to stay very vigilant and monitor
• to go and we'll remain Vigilant<00:35:40.160> uh<00:35:40.240> in<00:35:40.359> monitoring
• <00:35:40.839> the<00:35:41.000> data<00:35:41.359> and Vigilant uh in monitoring
• the data and Vigilant uh in monitoring the data and metrics<00:35:42.079> and<00:35:42.200>
• We do have a road to go, and we'll remain vigilant in monitoring the data and metrics and meeting with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you is the Legislative Council's staff draft for SCR 1004 of 2005, titled “Prohibit Tax Monitoring
• , Monitoring.” 1004 of 2005, titled “Prohibit Tax Monitoring Vehicle Mileage.”

Summary: The committee met to review and adopt Legislative Council ballot measure analyses, with members repeatedly reminded that the hearing was limited to the accuracy, clarity, and impartiality of the summaries and not the merits of the underlying proposals. Steve Premack explained the statutory role of the analyses in the publicity pamphlet, and staff presented draft language for several measures. The committee considered and voted on multiple amendments, often debating whether proposed wording was clearer or instead crossed into advocacy or added unnecessary legal detail. For SCR 1004, members debated amendments to more closely mirror the measure’s text and to add language about electric vehicles and mileage, but several proposed changes were rejected. The analysis was ultimately adopted by an 8-6 roll call. HCR 2021 was then adopted without amendment by the same 8-6 margin. For HCR 2055, members debated whether the summary should say the Department of Homeland Security must “do everything” or “use all lawful means available,” and whether to add language about cartels acting “individually or collectively”; both amendments were rejected and the analysis was adopted 8-6. The committee next took up SCR 1004 on photo enforcement systems, where members proposed amendments to clarify that the measure would apply to red light cameras, to add “thereafter” regarding recurring voter approval, and to specify that approval would occur at the general election; those amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. On SCR 1032, dealing with instructional expenses and classroom site fund reductions, members debated adding a definition of the Classroom Site Fund and spelling out the waiver process in more detail; both amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. Finally, on HCR 2001 regarding citizenship identification and early voting, members rejected amendments that would have added background on current law, clarified that mail voting would be affected, added severability and revenue-source language, and struck the measure’s short title; the discussion was lengthy and at times contentious, but the transcript ends before a final roll-call vote on that measure is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you is the Legislative Council's staff draft for SCR 1004 of 2005, titled Prohibit Tax Monitoring
• , monitoring. 1004 of 2005, titled Prohibit Tax Monitoring Vehicle Mileage.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• UNESCO's 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report recommends against technology in classrooms, including
• about the Denmark just recently in February announced a phone ban UNESCO's 2023 Global Education Monitoring
• The use of technology in schools cannot be solved and monitored by educators alone.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• my concerns today, both about the Massachusetts Anti-Semitism Commission's too narrow focus on monitoring
• But Gerard Steinberg, the founder of the right-wing NGO Monitor, actually acknowledged that one of the
• We need policies or other mechanisms to monitor daylight and counter this.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting focused on the commission’s work addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, including security, education, victim services, and legal responses. A major presentation came from former federal prosecutor Eric O’Sham, who described the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the attack’s planning and execution, the 11 victims killed, the defendant’s white supremacist and antisemitic online activity, the federal prosecution, and the long aftermath for the victim community. Commissioners asked about prevention, radicalization online, security for houses of worship, and how to support victims; O’Sham emphasized the limits of law enforcement when speech is protected, the importance of public education, security grants, and victim-witness support. The commission also heard from Ariel Holman of Agudath Israel, who described a wide range of antisemitic incidents affecting Orthodox Jews, including assaults, threats, vandalism, school harassment, and zoning barriers, and urged expanded security personnel grants, mental health resources, kosher food access, and support for synagogue development. Other speakers included advocates and local officials who supported Holocaust education, the planned Boston Holocaust Museum, cemetery protection, and broader public education efforts, while some public commenters criticized the commission’s focus or raised concerns about definitions of antisemitism and free speech. The meeting concluded with approval of prior meeting minutes and the start of public comment, which was limited to three minutes per speaker due to time constraints.