Transcript Highlights:

• </p> <p>Often begins around the age of three.
• </p> <p>These are not just numbers; these are children, these are families.
• </p> <p>So essentially, the alert will come on.
• </p> <p>The alert will go to residents in St. Tammany Parish.
• </p> <p>And we have the training. I see we have the training. Rep.

Bills: HB302 , HB371 , HB597 , HB1097 , HB1190 , SB34 , SB164 , SB208 , SB232 , SB317 , SB357 , SB421 , SB510

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: legal representation, attorney general, elected officials, defense, legislative acts, judicial review, judiciary, election, judges, 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge, precincts, coroner, retention, body, mortuary, investigation, missing persons, Amber Alert, Endangered Missing Child Advisory

Transcript Highlights:

• IDENTIFIED A FUND THAT HAD OCCURRED AGAINST THEM PERPETRATED BY AN EMPLOYEE AND IT RELATED TO THEIR P
• I THINK THE FRAUD WAS APPROXIMATELY A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ON THEIR P CARD.
• OF FIRE TRUCKS REALLY WE IDENTIFIED CONTROL DEFICIENCIES RELATING TO SUBCONTRACTOR MONITORING AND PAUL
• HAD ISSUES RELATED TO THEIR P-CARD PROGRAM.
• WHAT I'VE HEARD TODAY IS A $6 MILLION P-CARD AND WHAT THE SENATOR JUST POINTED OUT WITH THE CONTRACT,

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul.
• Paul is not, in fact, west of St. Paul, so they always mix up west and south and all of that.
• Paul pays St.
• Paul pays St.
• Paul and city of West St. Paul. Thank you. Representative Bakeberg, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Bills: HF984 , HF921 , HF922

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education funding, nonpublic schools, counseling services, guidance services, transportation for students, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

Transcript Highlights:

• My presentation will be mostly from columns M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, and U.
• > columns</c><00:04:16.880><c> M</c><00:04:17.479><c> N</c><00:04:18.000><c> O</c><00:04:18.440><c> P<
• QR s t and u mostly from columns M N O P QR s t and u those<00:04:21.000><c> are</c><00:04:21.120><c>
• Clause P is the governor's request for an operating increase.
• Paul.

Bills: HF1704

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Brendan P. Crighton, yes. John J. Cronin. Julian Cyr. Sal DiDomenico. Kelly A. Dooner. William J.
• Paul R. Feeney. Dylan A. Fernandes, yes. Barry R. Finegold. Cindy F. Friedman, yes.
• Paul Arfini. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Paul Arfini. Yes. Yes. Jason M. Lewis. Yes. Yes. Paul W. Mark.
• Paul Arfini yes yes. Jason M. Lewis yes. Paul W. Mark yes. Thank you. Yes. Yes. Paul W. Mark. Yes.
• And the Senate stands in recess in memory of Paul P.J.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul McKenner? Have they given... Have they given Pitchie? Yes, thank you. Thank you.
• Torres, my witness, for being here today on such short notice while Assessor Prang is mending and healing

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax-related bills, beginning with AB 760, which would exempt settlement payments tied to the Garden Grove chemical incident from California income tax. The author and a school district trustee described evacuations, school closures, and losses to residents, businesses, students, and staff, arguing the payments should make victims whole rather than be taxed. There was support from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations, with committee amendments accepted. Members then heard AB 2319, creating a California post-production tax credit for film and television work done in-state, even when principal photography occurred elsewhere or the project did not receive the existing film credit. The author and supporters from the Motion Picture Editors Guild, California Post Alliance, and others said post-production jobs and facilities are leaving California and that the bill would help retain high-wage work; opponents were not present. The committee members generally supported the measure, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2186 followed, excluding future reparations benefits for descendants of formerly enslaved people from state income tax. The author and NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference said taxing such benefits would undermine reparative justice; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0. The committee also heard AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes and add enforcement tools. Supporters, including waste, recycling, local government, and public health groups, said disposable vapes create fire hazards, waste problems, and costs for local agencies; opponents argued the bill would mainly eliminate the legal market while leaving illicit products untouched and urged stronger enforcement instead. The author accepted committee amendments adding CDTFA enforcement, but the bill was not voted on because a motion was pending and members were absent. Later, AB 1519, AB 2172, AB 2222, AB 1793, AB 2089, and AB 1265 were heard and each received support from committee members and passed 2-0 or 3-0 to Appropriations, with amendments accepted where noted. AB 1519 clarified that the 20-year tax collection statute of limitations should not be reset by later fees or penalties; AB 2172 would let large counties use a single assessment appeals commissioner for complex property tax appeals; AB 2222 would create a temporary tax credit for local news organizations to retain and hire journalists; AB 1793 would authorize symmetrical cash rounding to the nearest nickel after the federal penny phaseout; AB 2089 would streamline the welfare exemption filing process for affordable housing; and AB 1265 would extend and revise the historic building tax credit to encourage adaptive reuse for housing and mixed-use projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Chibois and then Representative Rita Mendes as well.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The committee opened by explaining new attendance and public-testimony procedures, including that testimony would be recorded, livestreamed, and generally made public, with possible redactions for sensitive material. The chairs also noted that no committee rules were being formally adopted yet and that no votes would be taken during the hearing. Senator Collins briefly emphasized the committee’s oversight role on land takings and Article 97 issues, including concerns about proposed regulatory changes and the legislature’s constitutional role. The first major bill discussed was H. 3324, concerning the former Christos site on Crescent Street in Brockton and a proposed transfer of state-owned land from DCAM. Representative Michelle DuBois, Representative Rita Mendes, Mayor Sullivan, the Metro South Chamber’s Chris Cooney, Catholic Charities’ Larry Mayne, and Brockton planning director Rob May all supported the bill, describing the parcel as long vacant and arguing it should be reused for a mixed-use project with Catholic Charities, including affordable/workforce housing, an early education center, food pantry, workforce development, and language classes. Several speakers said the project would help retain Catholic Charities in Brockton and bring tax revenue and community services. DuBois outlined expected amendments, including moving one parcel into a municipal sale partnership and changing a “shall” to “may” regarding a right-turn lane. Some members raised questions about whether a deed transfer to a nonprofit was preferable to a long-term lease and about affordability definitions, but the bill was generally supported. Representative Connolly then testified on two Cambridge bills: H. 3308, relating to the Riverside Boat Club and a reconfigured DCR parcel boundary to support a lease with no loss of public space, and H. 3309, which would facilitate access to justice by preserving consideration of a vacant former probate court site for future court use. Senator DiDomenico supported the Riverside Boat Club measure and the broader goal of restoring court access in Cambridge. Members discussed accessibility, possible future court configurations, and the site’s prior use as an emergency shelter. The committee then heard testimony on S. 2217/H. 2108 concerning Columbia Point and access around the UMass/Bayside area. Harbor Point residents, including Orlando Perrella, Michael Corcoran, Richard Fulham, and Miles Byrne, described severe traffic congestion, emergency-access concerns, and frustration with the UMass Building Authority’s handling of the site and prior community commitments. Senator Collins said the committee should consider seeking an SJC opinion, and possibly an Attorney General opinion, on Article 97 and public-access rights. After the in-person testimony concluded, the committee attempted to reach remaining virtual witnesses on S. 2217 but did not receive testimony. With no further witnesses, the committee adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Rita Mendes. Representative David Vieira. Present. Thank you. Manuel Lopes. Present.

Summary: The Cape Verdean Cultural Center Commission met with quorum and began by introducing new commissioners and staff, with Chair Miranda and others emphasizing the long effort to establish the commission and the goal of creating a Cape Verdean cultural center in Boston that would serve the broader Commonwealth. Several commissioners introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in community organizing, education, history, cultural programming, municipal service, and advocacy, with members representing communities including Roxbury, Dorchester, Brockton, New Bedford, Taunton, Scituate, and Cape Cod. The meeting focused on the commission’s mandate: to study the organizational structure, feasibility, and potential location and scope of a Cape Verdean cultural center, and to gather public input through listening sessions and site visits. Members discussed possible approaches, including visits to existing cultural institutions and museums, traditional listening sessions in Cape Verdean communities, and collecting feedback at major Cape Verdean events. Several commissioners stressed the importance of including elders, youth, artists, historians, and existing Cape Verdean organizations, as well as correcting historical myths and increasing visibility of Cape Verdean contributions in local historical societies and public narratives. Funding and logistics were also discussed. Chair Miranda said short-term support might come from earmarks, but the larger funding goal would be a bond bill to seed the project, with private and organizational fundraising to follow later. Commissioners asked about resources for community events and whether a shared repository for ideas could be created; staff said they would explore a platform and send follow-up emails. The commission agreed to continue gathering ideas by email and chat, to consider combining listening sessions across regions, and to hold the next meeting in early April. The meeting minutes from the prior meeting were approved, and the commission adjourned by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. uh... there was one adopted technical adjustment uh... mending

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:04:04.519><c> like</c><00:04:04.680><c> in</c><00:04:05.040><c> O2</c><00:04:06.040><c> uh</c> in P
• past elections like in O2 uh in P past elections like in O2 uh someone<00:04:06.560><c> took</c><00:04
• I'm Major Rick P. of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, and I oversee the investigations bureau.
• P of the<00:16:14.959><c> henip</c><00:16:15.240><c> County</c><00:16:15.480><c> Sheriff's</c><00:16
• Paul in the packet for review.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Tolson, District 15B. My pleasure to be here supporting this effort.
• 07.719><c> everyone</c> words sure well good morning everyone words sure well good morning everyone Paul
• Tolson District 15b my pleasure to Paul Tolson District 15b my pleasure to be<00:02:11.720><c> here<
• Paul Orchard swiftly and successfully.
• Lund and Dr Paul Orchard swiftly and Lund and Dr Paul Orchard swiftly and successfully<00:14:12.519><

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul. Here. Spiller. Here. Wharton. Here. Quorum is present.
• Paul? Aye. Spiller? Aye. There being 8 ayes, 0 nays, the motion prevails.
• Paul? Yes. Spiller? Aye. Wharton? Aye. There being six ayes, zero noes.
• Representative Paul, my name is Heather DeLaGarza-Barone.
• A-V-P, was that all right? Okay, so we show you Craig Kovacevic, A-V-P Strategic Initiatives Unit.

Bills: HB345 , HB721 , HB2580 , SB815 , HB3057 , HB4603 , HB3233 , SB495 , HB3863 , HB3914 , HB4570 , HB5099 , HB5173 , SB458

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• resolutions filed by Representatives Roy and Franklin and Soder of Bellingham, congratulating Jeffrey P.
• House Bill 4301, relative to councils on aging; House Bill 4426, establishing a sick leave bank for Paul
• The House bill, establishing a sick leave bank for Paul Stavarsky, House number 4426.
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for Paul Stavarski, House No. 4426.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted a resolution congratulating Jeffrey P. Lynch on his retirement from the Medway Fire Department, and it also adopted two orders extending until March 18, 2026, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on current House documents. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a group of bills for House consideration, including measures on subprime loans, Registry of Motor Vehicles procedures for surviving spouses and next of kin, motor vehicle distributors, banning tinted license plate covers, councils on aging, and two sick leave banks. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills through second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House then considered House No. 3952, authorizing Dartmouth Fire District Number One to appoint the position of treasurer, and passed the bill to be engrossed. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned to meet then in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've worked hard to mend families broken by bad relationships, by illness, ...to mend families broken

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes. The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further. Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so we have Senator P, Senator Farnsworth, and then Senator McEwen.
• Okay, so we have Senator P, Senator Farnsworth, and then Senator McEwen.
• Thank you, Senator P. Would you respond, Mr. Chair?
• Paul, Minnesota. Thanks for the opportunity to talk to this committee.
• Paul. I am also chair of Scenic St. Paul.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• P-tabs are calculated at 1.15 per, with a cap of 16,000 annually.
• Paul, West St. Paul Days.
• Paul or here in St. Paul.
• days in South St Paul uh explore West<00:36:09.119><c> St</c><00:36:09.359><c> Paul</c><00:36:09.800
• Paul is a post that has struggled with its property tax burden.

Bills: HF169 , HF195 , HF194 , HF1756 , HF2133

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• have been heard and incorporated<00:51:39.280><c> in</c><00:51:39.520><c> the</c><00:51:39.680><c> mended
• </c><00:51:40.079><c> version</c><00:51:40.559><c> that</c> incorporated in the mended version that incorporated
• in the mended version that you<00:51:41.119><c> have</c><00:51:41.359><c> before</c><00:51:41.760><c

Transcript Highlights:

• Brendan P. Crighton. John J. Cronin? Yes. Julian Cyr. Sal N. DiDomenico. Kelly A. Dooner. No.
• Paul R. Feeney? Yes. Dylan A. Fernandes. Barry R. Finegold. Barry R. Finegold. Cindy F. Friedman.
• Paul W. Mark. Liz Miranda. Mark C. Montigny. Michael O. Moore. Patrick M. O'Connor. Jacob R.
• Paul W. Mark. Yes. Yes. Mark C. Montigny. Yes. Yes. Yes. Green. Yes. Yes. Brendan P. Creighton.

Summary: The Senate first took up and passed several House bills establishing sick leave banks, including House 4182 for a Massachusetts Department of Transportation employee and House 1590 for Eric J. Awaniak. It also advanced and then enacted House 4237, a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill providing interim funding before final action on the general appropriations act. During the session, Senator Collins also recognized Chaplain Clementina Cherry of the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute as a distinguished guest, with remarks entered into the record. The main business was the conference committee report on the fiscal year 2026 state budget, House 4001/House 4240. Senate Ways and Means leadership described the budget as balanced, on time, and fiscally responsible, with $61.01 billion in spending, no new taxes or fees, and a $33 million deposit to the stabilization fund. They highlighted major investments in Chapter 70 school aid, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, unrestricted local aid, MassEducate, universal free school meals, MBTA and regional transit funding, MassHealth, food security, and mental health services. The report also included policy items such as broker fee responsibility, fare-free regional transit, housing studies, a gold star family annuity provision, and a crumbling concrete commission. Minority leader Senator Tarr and others questioned the spending reductions, use of one-time funds, and the treatment of excess capital gains, arguing for greater fiscal caution and concern about future federal actions and long-term spending growth. Supporters responded that the reductions reflected revenue uncertainty, federal policy risks, and the need to preserve budget stability, while using some one-time sources to balance the plan. The conference report was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-2, the emergency preamble for House 4240 was approved by standing vote, and the FY26 general appropriations bill was then enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to dispense with printing a calendar for the next session and adjourned until Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul. I was born on the east side of St.
• Paul. I was born on the east side of St.
• Paul. I was born on the east side of St.
• Paul.
• /c> regions uh Cas PA or CA patient care P regions uh Cas PA or CA patient care P but<00:43:06.640><c

Bills: HF110 , HF111 , HF263 , HF105

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF110, Adrian Independent School District, Independent School District No. 511, school construction, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, refundable exemption, construction materials, capital improvements, school roofing, playground remodel, retaining walls, plumbing, bathroom remodel, locker room remodel, window replacements, local tax relief, general fund appropriation, Minnesota chapter 297A, retroactive tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• team members Mai, Maddox, Colin, Tyler, Skyler, Restston, Max, Ninoa, Kaichi, Dylan, Noah, Joseph, Paul
• ><c> Joseph,</c> Max, Ninoa, Kaichi, Dylan, Noah, Joseph, Max, Ninoa, Kaichi, Dylan, Noah, Joseph, Paul
• </c> Paul, Sebastian, and Pat. Paul, Sebastian, and Pat.
• clerk's<00:45:34.640><c> office</c><00:45:35.119><c> by</c><00:45:35.520><c> 6:00</c><00:45:35.839><c> p.
• </c><00:45:36.560><c> this</c> clerk's office by 6:00 p. p.m. this clerk's office by 6:00 p. p.m. this