Transcript Highlights:

• But the money's just the first part of the equation.
• That's the first thing. The second thing that D.A.
• Because first I'm going to tell you is my first seven or eight years of sheriff, I was begging for an
• First of all, thank you to the members.
• First of all, thank you to the members.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the first one in the state of California.
• School is where children learn first where they belong.
• Is it Soria first? Yes. Assembly Member Soria, you will go up first. Stephanie? Stephanie. Okay.
• First, before... Family Physicians. Thank you.
• First, before my comments, I do want to first say that we live in a democracy where people can go out

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, beginning with AB 387 on youth sports safety and AED access. The author and supporters, including youth sports and cardiac safety advocates, said the bill would improve coordination between youth sports organizations and facilities to ensure AEDs are available and emergency response is better prepared. School administrators, county groups, and school business officials opposed unless amended, citing liability, cost, staffing, maintenance, and school security concerns. Members asked about AED portability, CPR training, and liability; the author said committee amendments were accepted, but the bill was held due to lack of quorum while negotiations continued. AB 467 would codify the California Center for Climate Change Education at West Los Angeles College, allowing it to seek multi-year grants and other outside funding after an initial state appropriation sunsets. Supporters said the center has already trained faculty, supported paid internships and fellowships, and reached thousands of Californians, while opponents were absent. Members questioned whether codification was premature before the required report is due in 2027; the author said the measure was needed now to stabilize fundraising. The bill was also placed on hold for lack of quorum. A major portion of the hearing focused on AB 664 and AB 2694, both dealing with community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 664 would authorize Southwestern College to seek up to four targeted bachelor’s programs to address local workforce shortages in South San Diego County; students, local officials, and community college advocates supported it, while CSU and UC opposed, arguing for a statewide solution and concern about the master plan. AB 2694 proposed a broader statewide framework for community college bachelor’s degrees with stronger workforce and partnership requirements, reduced program caps, and limits on duplication; it drew support from community college groups and students, but CSU and UC again opposed or opposed unless amended. Members discussed place-bound students, workforce needs, transfer pathways, and the need for a master-plan-level approach, but no votes were taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 917, which would require certificated employees in very small school districts and certain county-run programs to receive permanent status under the same rules as larger districts. CTA and many educators supported the bill as a fairness and retention measure, while small school district and ROP representatives opposed, saying the current flexibility is necessary to manage enrollment swings, staffing, and specialized regional programs. Testimony emphasized the tension between job security for educators and operational flexibility for small LEAs; the hearing continued with more opposition testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, our first bill will be Senate File 1894. That's me.
• </c><00:47:39.599><c> Amendment</c> preemption problems First Amendment preemption problems First Amendment
• </c> about it's about accountability first about it's about accountability first and<01:09:15.159><c>
• </c><01:13:28.360><c> we</c> thank you a couple things uh first we thank you a couple things uh first
• </c> make a couple of comments too uh first make a couple of comments too uh first to<01:24:01.800><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State Representative Todd Smola, First Hampden District.
• But the money's just the first part of the equation.
• First, let me express my gratitude to the legislature.
• Because first I'm going to tell you is my first seven or eight years as sheriff, I was begging for an
• First of all, thank you to the members.

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:

• He is going into seventh grade at Rilkechula.
• He likes He is going into seventh grade at Rilkechula.
• So if we pass this today, all this is is the first step.
• First, I would like to recognize that today is my 21st anniversary with my wife.
• First it was Alaska, then it was Anchorage. Now it's U.S.

Keywords: 905, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I cannot begin to tell you how honored we are to have the first bill before the first committee meeting
• We look at them in the first county, but then we don't go from county to county to make sure that every
• First of all, for every eight loads you put on the road, you were removing one semi off the road.
• First of all, for every eight loads you put on the road, you were removing one semi off the road.
• First of all, for every eight loads you put on the road, you were removing one semi off the road.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01 Legislator Comments 00:42 HB 56 Discussion 02:27 HB 56 Roll Call Vote 12:52 HB 258 Discussion 14:03 HB 258 Roll Call Vote 26:15 HB 281 Discussion 27:41 HB 281 Roll Call Vote 30:14, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, first I want to thank New Mexico. I almost said UNM, whew, for hosting us.
• The gaps between some of these disciplines may seem daunting at first.
• The first large grant that we obtained was a HRSA grant.
• It said first, the language did say in the General Appropriation Act, up to 50%.
• First, I listed these out based on what the Healthcare Authority reported to you in Gallup.

Transcript Highlights:

• So kindergarten, first, second grade.
• We started my first year.
• If a student is to have qualified for an ESA, unless they were in kindergarten or first grade, I think
• And obviously the people in the first bucket would get awarded first. Second bucket would be next.
• So this past year, when you distributed them, was it first come, first serve?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:24.200><c> run</c> post-secondary credential the first run post-secondary credential the first
• </c> other loan repayment programs uh first other loan repayment programs uh first being<00:48:17.680
• means that it is the First that means that it is the First Financial<00:59:28.119><c> Aid</c><00:59:
• The North Star Promise program, our first year, this is our first year of enacting this program, we're
• </c> program our first year this is our first program our first year this is our first year<01:25:56.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; We need to do this first. &gt;&gt; We need to do this first.
• The first order of second reading.
• The first order of second reading.
• and</c><04:20:25.279><c> my</c> child will be in third grade and my child will be in third grade and
• ><c> to</c><05:35:59.840><c> Okay,</c> &gt;&gt; Okay, first we have to Okay, &gt;&gt; Okay, first we

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:11:23.839><c> have</c> Uh so, first up, we have Uh so, first up, we have &gt;&gt; [snorts] &gt;
• ,</c><00:12:25.200><c> who</c> tricky, you know, who signs first, who tricky, you know, who signs first
• Appreciate you being here. immigration first. Cuz this related to immigration first.
• </c> rights in intimate images and First rights in intimate images and First Amendment<01:11:27.560><
• </c> invalidation on First Amendment grounds. invalidation on First Amendment grounds.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills. On SB 2530, relating to campaign contributions, the State Procurement Office suggested clarifying that contractor disclosure information be submitted within 30 days of a fully executed contract, while the Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill but asked that the restriction on contributions by officers be expanded beyond compensated officers. Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action supported the measure and urged keeping the Senate language, arguing it better addresses contractor influence, while no other testifiers appeared. On SB 2970, relating to standards of conduct, the State Ethics Commission supported the bill and proposed amendments to consolidate the new language into existing Chapter 84 contract provisions and use “department head” instead of “director.” The State Procurement Office supported the measure but recommended closing a perceived loophole by limiting the covered contracts to those under $10,000. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee then heard SB 2919, which would fund one full-time Deputy Public Defender position focused on immigration-related advice under Padilla v. Kentucky. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrants’ Rights, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, explaining that the position would help public defenders advise clients about immigration consequences of criminal cases, not provide immigration representation. Members asked several questions about the scope of the position and whether it could assist with citizenship; testimony clarified that it would not handle civil immigration matters. The bill was also described as creating a statewide consistent resource for the public defender system. Finally, on SB 2446, relating to the judiciary, the Intermediate Court of Appeals supported adding a seventh associate judge position but noted the court has only recently been fully staffed at six judges and has improved output through internal changes. The chair emphasized that the bill authorizes the position without funding and encouraged the judiciary to return later if appropriations are needed. The committee also began hearing SB 2730, a criminal justice reform bill on warrantless arrests and citations. OHA supported reducing unnecessary arrests but objected to making citations visible on criminal records; the Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, citing law enforcement flexibility, identification concerns, and possible litigation costs; and the Judiciary requested a later implementation date and suggested changes to citation-resolution language. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 2730 was still underway.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; Okay, let's do the B first. &gt;&gt; Okay, let's do the B first. &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• </c> we're not the first state to do it. we're not the first state to do it.
• come, first serve.
• </c> &gt;&gt; So this is not a first come first serve.
• &gt;&gt; So this is not a first come first serve.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First Amendment rights and our traditional values.
• So the answer to the first is: why are we doing this?
• Would you mind reading the first example?
• Holt on her first bill to explain. Ms.
• McQueenie on his very first bill.

Bills: HB1500, HJR7, HJR112, HB34, HB133, HB 112, HB 119, HB 128, HB 130, HB132, HB2756, HB166, HB406, HB186, HB271, HB331, HB380, HB1583, HB1584, HB1819, HB621, HB303, HB552, HB366, HB463, HB 1211, HB1327, HB1461, HB923, HB1760, HB2043, HB2467, HB5333, HB5265, HB1592, HB1576, HB1552, HB2018, HB3511, HB1781, HB2013, HB2340, HB2349, HB2508, HB2970, HB2520, HB865, HB2851, HB3385, HB3336, HB3529, HB3309, HB 1127, HB 1232, HB1397, HB4236, HB1804, HB1926, HB4041, HB1965, HB1964, HB2679, HB2730, HB3698, HB3699, HCR77, HB3354, HB163, HB201, HB272, HB333, HB405, HB519, HB569, HB654, HB694, HB791, HB 1006, HB 1136, HB 1240, HB 1266, HB 1275, HB1437, HB1532, HB1675, HB1842, HB1868, HB1888, HB1894, HB1943, HB1990, HB2029, HB2061, HB2286, HB2523, HB2622, HB2626, HB2652, HB2692, HB2842, HB2885, HB2914, HB3016, HB3096, HB3129, HB3248, HB3251, HB3255, HB3479, HB3611, HB3623, HB3701, HB3724, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3810, HB3816, HB3832, HB3887, HB4127, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131, HB4163, HB4187, HB4229, HB4238, HB4454, HB4588, HB4643, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HB5616, SB767, SB1619, SB1738, HJR5, HJR2, HB1399, HB388, HB 114, HB205, HB2789, HB2791, HB499, HB2960, HB3163, HB3135, HB2427, HB1672, HB1722, HB2618, HB879, HB 1126, HB4134, HB3513, HB1445, HB1893, HB1734, HB3229, HB3306, HB 1276, HB3516, HB4145, HB1585, HB4810, HB2558, HB2742, HB1695, HB33, HB144, HB 109, HB 103, HB148, HB3809, HB2217, HB220, HB2421, HB2363, HB421, HB2455, HB3711, HB2559, HB2775, HB3126, HB3666, HB3595, HB3260, HB3376, HB3826, HB3770, HB1831, HB2614, HB3113, HB322, HB431, HB869, HB 1203, HB 1244, HB1875, HB1950, HB2152, HB2341, HB2809, HB2856, HB3012, SB1415, SB1058, SB487, SB1499, SB513, SB1697, SB1197, SB1437, SB1809, SB836, SB1879, SB1145, SB963, SB1038, SB1147, SB914, SB711, SB1409, HB3707, HB589, HB1360, HB2337, HB2391, HB718, HB23, HB2436, HB1500, HJR7, HJR112, HB34, HB133, HB 112, HB 119, HB 128, HB 130, HB132, HB2756, HB166, HB406, HB186, HB271, HB331, HB380, HB1583, HB1584, HB1819, HB621, HB303, HB552, HB366, HB463, HB 1211, HB1327, HB1461, HB923, HB1760, HB2043, HB2467, HB5333, HB5265, HB1592, HB1576, HB1552, HB2018, HB3511, HB1781, HB2013, HB2340, HB2349, HB2508, HB2970, HB2520, HB865, HB2851, HB3385, HB3336, HB3529, HB3309, HB 1127, HB 1232, HB1397, HB4236, HB1804, HB1926, HB4041, HB1965, HB1964, HB2679, HB2730, HB3698, HB3699, HB3354, HB163, HB201, HB272, HB333, HB405, HB519, HB569, HB654, HB694, HB791, HB 1006, HB 1136, HB 1240, HB 1266, HB 1275, HB1437, HB1532, HB1675, HB1842, HB1868, HB1888, HB1894, HB1943, HB1990, HB2029, HB2061, HB2286, HB2523, HB2622, HB2626, HB2652, HB2692, HB2842, HB2885, HB2914, HB3016, HB3096, HB3129, HB3248, HB3251, HB3255, HB3479, HB3611, HB3623, HB3701, HB3724, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3810, HB3816, HB3832, HB3887, HB4127, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131, HB4163, HB4187, HB4229, HB4238, HB4454, HB4588, HB4643, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HB5616, SB767, SB1619, SB1738, HCR77

Keywords: Information Resources, Department governance, cybersecurity, state assistance, procurement training, technology resources, advisory committees, water fund, Texas water supply, constitutional amendment, state revenue, infrastructure, parental rights, child upbringing, government interference, Texas legislation, science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration

Transcript Highlights:

• . grade. grade.
• Clerk, call first bill.
• </c> to a bill form first to a bill form first before<01:40:02.480><c> we</c><01:40:02.680><c> actually
• </c> military is the first one in the room. military is the first one in the room.
• ><c> thank</c><03:05:30.320><c> you</c> First of all, Representative, thank you First of all, Representative

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HAVING DREAMT OF SECURING THIS TIGHT SINCE GRADE 5.
• SINCE ITS FIRST BROADCAST ON From being the first station to air a basketball game to becoming the conservative
• First, that the bill protects consumers from financial harm.
• The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote.
• I stand here as the first Black woman elected to Congress from Virginia.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 31, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:50.400><c> came</c> it um and I know that when I first came it um and I know that when I first
• there</c><00:20:02.200><c> if</c><00:20:02.320><c> on</c><00:20:02.480><c> the</c><00:20:02.640><c> first
• </c><00:20:02.880><c> day</c> principles out there if on the first day principles out there if on the
• first day of<00:20:03.200><c> school</c><00:20:03.840><c> you</c><00:20:04.120><c> you</c><00:20:04.360
• What kind of message does that send to an 11th grade girl or a sixth grade boy?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is hotel stays. The first is hotel stays.
• </c> The first because story stories matter. The first because story stories matter.
• The first is limit on their testimony. The first is Ash<00:23:25.679><c> Littles.
• So, that would be my first thing.
• And then a my first thing.

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> students of color and 20% are first students of color and 20% are first gener<00:02:29.879><c> generation
• </c> years our average net tuition for first years our average net tuition for first year<00:03:22.640
• </c> request of the bishop who is the First request of the bishop who is the First bishop<00:07:43.479
• </c><00:08:55.959><c> uh</c> management uh started the first uh management uh started the first uh medical
• </c><00:10:18.040><c> names</c> and they're known by their first names and they're known by their first

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When I first started this bill back when I was a freshman in the House in 2017 or 18, when I first brought
• </c> bringing this bill so when I first bringing this bill so when I first started<00:06:27.000><c> this
• This is my first time sitting in a transportation hearing, so first time with this bill.
• so first time transportation hearing so first time with<00:10:15.880><c> this</c><00:10:16.000><c> bill
• </c> the same way that you do um when I first the same way that you do um when I first heard<01:09:23.759

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, our trials are always shown us. First, our trials are never<00:16:51.120><c> wasted.
• This is their first the blue and gold.
• </c> less offense on on the first time. less offense on on the first time.
• </c> &gt;&gt; A class A misdemeanor your first time.
• &gt;&gt; A class A misdemeanor your first time.

Keywords: 1136, house, all