Transcript Highlights:

• ocean monitoring data under a dashboard for EEA, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
• ocean monitoring data under a dashboard for EEA, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
• was a three-party committee made up of commissioners within the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
• faced with is oftentimes the Attorney General, who represents the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
• The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, EEA, is doing what it can within our existing

Summary: The Senate took up a major environmental bond bill with amendments covering climate resilience, housing health, plastics reduction, coastal protection, fisheries, and related regulatory issues. Early debate included Senator Keenan’s withdrawn amendment to fund the Massachusetts Healthy Homes Program with $50 million, followed by his adopted amendment banning hotels from providing plastic toiletry packages. Senator Tarr’s amendment to remove the paper bag charge was defeated after extended debate over whether the 10-cent bag assessment functioned as a tax; a related floor speech from Senator Duner argued the fee would burden working families. The chamber also adopted Senator Fernandez’s ocean acidification amendment, which would aggregate ocean monitoring data to support shellfish, water quality, and coastal management, with support from Senators Sear and Driscoll. Other adopted measures included Driscoll’s Houghton’s Pond multi-use trail, Montigny’s New Bedford State Pier redevelopment and harbor oil-recovery provisions, Collins’s Commonwealth Conservation Commission later withdrawn, and several coastal resilience and housing-related amendments. The Senate also approved a series of environmental and public health measures. Senator Moore’s rodenticide restriction amendment was adopted after testimony from animal welfare and conservation groups, with the sponsor describing harms to wildlife, pets, and livestock and noting local municipal support. Senator Lewis’s amendment directing DEP to study the feasibility of banning polystyrene was adopted, as was Senator Mark’s Massachusetts Climate Bank amendment and Senator Edwards’s carbon sequestration amendment expanding attention to salt marshes, seagrasses, and waterways. The chamber adopted amendments on equitable representation, improving indoor air quality, and a Douglas State Forest trust fund that would raise the entry fee from $1 to $2 for maintenance. Several amendments were withdrawn, including Collins’s urban coastal resilience commission and Tarr’s proposed Commonwealth Conservation Commission. Housing and permitting issues were another major theme. Senator Driscoll’s amendment requiring local confirmation before a project is designated a priority housing project was defeated, but his related amendments clarifying the process and requiring consultation with the Housing and Livable Communities Secretary were adopted. The Senate also adopted Crichton’s amendments streamlining permitting for coastal resiliency projects in urban areas and creating a five-year pilot for nature-based solutions, as well as Tarr’s amendment adding dredging and sand placement to general coastal permits. Tarr’s amendment to revise the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund was adopted, while his later constitutional challenge to a landform-migration provision was withdrawn after he argued it could amount to an uncompensated taking. The session ended with the Senate noting only two amendments remained and then adjourning in memory of Quincy’s former mayor James A. Sheets.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, your Committee on Military Affairs is HB 2165. Commerce is HB 2199.
• First reading of bills: SB 1018, Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections; Ways and Means.
• Education; SB 1501, Agency statutory; SB 1519, Off-highway vehicle; SB 1568, Early ballot; Military Affairs
• SB 1572, Public schools; Education; SB 1618, Military Affairs and Elections; SB 1634, Unlawful; Judiciary
• Government; SB 1808, Homeowners' associations; SB 1825, Precinct committees; Federalism, Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of Hawaiian Affairs in support.
• Kamali'i Pualoa Mitchell testify on behalf of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
• Office<00:18:02.480><c> of</c><00:18:02.640><c> Hawaiian</c><00:18:03.000><c> Affairs</c><00:18:03.680
• support. >> We stand on our testimony in support. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Office of Hawaiian Affairs
• &gt;&gt; Office<00:20:49.440><c> of</c><00:20:49.520><c> Hawaiian</c><00:20:49.800><c> Affairs</c><00

Bills: HB1743 , HB2122 , HB1756 , HB1837 , HB1729 , HB2559

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. HB 1743 would expand the owner-builder exemption by repealing a leasing restriction and requiring notice when a leased residential structure was built by an unlicensed contractor. Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and the Contractors Licensing Board opposed the bill, warning it could encourage unlicensed contracting and weaken consumer protections, while Hawaii Realtors, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, BIA Hawaii, and others supported it as a way to increase housing flexibility. After questions about whether licensed electrical and plumbing work would still be required, the committee voted to pass HB 1743 with amendments and a defective date. The committee also heard and advanced HB 2122 HD1 on teacher housing, which would create a teacher housing assistance program using vouchers from the teachers housing revolving fund. Testimony included support from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and individuals, with the Office of Collective Bargaining in opposition and the Department of Education offering comments. The bill was voted out as is. The committee then considered HB 1756 and HB 1837, both updating the individual housing account program to reflect current housing prices; supporters including Housing Hawaii’s Future and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said the limits were outdated and needed inflation adjustments, and HB 1756 was passed with amendments while HB 1837 was deferred as nearly identical. HB 1729 would disallow the state home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Hawaii Realtors opposed it, while Housing Hawaii’s Future supported it as a way to prioritize first-time homebuyers and reduce competition from second-home buyers. The chair noted a possible revenue savings estimate and the committee passed the bill with amendments, with several reservations. Finally, HB 2559 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited exclusive groups of buyers, which the Office of Consumer Protection said needed an enforcement clarification and the Realtors said could affect some legitimate private-listing situations. The chair proposed replacing the outright ban with a disclosure requirement for private listings, and the committee passed HB 2559 with amendments. The hearing then adjourned after the chair thanked members, staff, and the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Director of State Government Affairs for Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma
• I'm the Director of State Government Affairs for Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma
• As a prosecuting attorney, when I have to delve into somebody's private affairs, I need judicial safeguards
• issue a warrant to allow somebody to go into somebody's home, into their business, into their private affairs
• then go on fishing expeditions into separately elected offices, into businesses, and into private affairs

Bills: SB6011

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: court security, bailiffs, threat assessment, judicial safety, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• with DOIT and then the New Mexico Sentencing Commission, Office of Military Base Planning, Military Affairs
• Our next one is the Military Affairs Department Agency 705. It's in your Volume 2 on page 360.
• I'm the LFC analyst for the Department of Military Affairs.
• The Department of Military Affairs supports the New Mexico National Guard's dual state and federal missions
• I am the executive analyst for the Department of Military Affairs.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Affairs here today on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, SPUR and Abundant Housing Los Angeles.
• One, starting on the consumer protection side within the Department of Consumer Affairs alone.
• And it's all under the oversight of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
• Holly Fumina De Jesus with Lighthouse Public Affairs here today on behalf of SPUR, a think tank in the
• So 799 also added the secretary for the governor's office of tribal affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1050 is withdrawn from the Committee on Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs and additionally
• Senate Bill 1050 is withdrawn from the Committee on Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs and additionally
• Los Santos will temporarily replace Representative Garcia on the Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1168 is drawn from the Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections, and additionally
• Chairman Diaz, Speaker Pro Tem, the Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will meet right after
• First reading of bills: SB 1050, Veterans; Land, Ag, Cultural, and Rural Affairs. 165 appropriations.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day and numerous guest introductions, including advocates for children’s health, Jewish advocacy, housing affordability, environmental issues, and other community groups. Members also made several personal privilege remarks, including a resolution-style statement for Lobo Week supporting Mexican gray wolf conservation and a brief announcement about an upcoming CAP update. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and considered two Senate bills. SB 1415 was recommended do pass without amendment, and SB 1430 was amended in committee to remove a disputed provision so the measure remained limited to tax-code corrections; it was then recommended do pass as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, and both bills were deferred for engrossing. Earlier calendar actions also included the placement and referral of several Senate bills and resolutions. On third reading, the House passed HB 2680 on workers’ compensation by a vote of 55-1, and SB 1029 on campaign contributions and expenses by a vote of 57-0. The session included extended partisan debate during personal privilege remarks over the federal government shutdown, TSA pay, ICE presence at airports, and broader federal and state budget issues. The House later recessed briefly, received additional bill referrals and first readings, and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, Representative Tanner, welcome to House State Affairs.
• Representative McCann, welcome to House State Affairs. We're going to pick up RS 33699. Thank you.
• He is over in Senate State Affairs.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• probably know that between February and tax day in April is when most people are doing their financial affairs
• So if we do improvements to the financial affairs process in June, that's not terribly helpful for anybody
• One of the things that you've probably noticed if you've filled out your financial affairs statement

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• probably know that between February and tax day in April is when most people are doing their financial affairs
• So if we do improvements to the financial affairs process in June, that's not terribly helpful for anybody
• One of the things that you've probably noticed if you've filled out your financial affairs statement

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a work session with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) focused on campaign and candidate disclosure, customer support, training, and technology improvements. PDC staff described the agency’s mission, its citizen-initiative origins, and efforts to make filing and public access easier through a redesigned website, virtual trainings, recorded tutorials, newsletters, and outreach to filers, auditors, parties, and local jurisdictions. They reported heavy customer-service activity in fiscal year 2025, including thousands of email and phone inquiries, and emphasized same-day assistance, proactive reminders, and hands-on help for first-time and complex filers. The CIO outlined the agency’s technology approach, including guided filing workflows, accessibility features, mobile-friendly applications, built-in help prompts, and continuous improvement timed to filing cycles. He highlighted recent changes such as warnings when a contribution may affect reporting periods, improved mini-reporting guidance, and the transition from Secure Access Washington to login.gov/WA.gov, which the agency is working on early to avoid disrupting filers. He also noted that system changes go through controlled review and that the agency is beginning to use AI agents in code review. Members asked about whether the PDC’s requirements discourage candidates, accessibility issues, treasurer support, donation limits for entities, and the role of AI. PDC staff said candidate numbers have grown, especially in local election years, and that the agency tries to keep filing manageable through direct assistance, discontinuation options, and mini-reporting for small campaigns. They said treasurer training is an important and growing part of their work, with more online and lunch-and-learn offerings, and that they are considering a treasurer-specific class. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the meeting adjourned after questions due to floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're here to testify in our Military Affairs Committee today after a floor about some of the issues
• Federalism and Military Affairs will be meeting in House Hearing Room 4 at 2 p.m. Thank you.
• Speaker Pro Tem, Federalism and Military Affairs will be meeting in House Hearing Room 4 at 2 p.m.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Sarah Lee Davison of Tucson. Members also introduced numerous guests and advocacy groups in the gallery, including Aliento students for Education Day, gun violence prevention advocates, agricultural visitors, military veterans, and representatives of the Kino Border Initiative and Nucor Steel. The chamber then observed a moment of silence in honor of Andy Grosetta, a longtime Arizona rancher and cattle industry leader, after a proclamation was read memorializing his life and renaming a meat transparency bill the Andy Grosetta Act. The House entered Committee of the Whole and considered HB 2074 and HB 2148. HB 2074, described by supporters as a measure to strengthen mandatory reporting related to partial-birth abortion and verify compliance with existing law, drew sharp opposition from Democrats who argued it would criminalize medical workers and punish women seeking care; supporters said it targeted only those with direct knowledge of the procedure and protected unborn children. The committee adopted the Judiciary Committee amendment and then gave HB 2074 a do pass recommendation as amended. HB 2148, described briefly by its sponsor as a transparency bill, also received an Appropriations Committee amendment and a do pass recommendation as amended. The Committee of the Whole reported both bills back to the House, which adopted the report and referred HB 2074 and HB 2148 to engrossing. The House also announced committee meetings for later that day and the following morning, including Appropriations, Federalism and Military Affairs, Science and Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, and Rural Economic Development. The chamber then adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're here to testify in our Military Affairs Committee today after floor about some of the issues
• Speaker Pro Tem, Federalism and Military Affairs will be meeting in House Hearing Room 4 at 2 p.m.
• Speaker Pro Tem, Federalism and Military Affairs will be meeting in House Hearing Room 4 at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• and traffic regulations, professional registration and licensing, tourism and recreation, cultural affairs
• She has majored in economics at the University of Mississippi and is currently studying public affairs
• Public Affairs at Missouri. So if you see her around the halls, we'll welcome her.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on State Affairs will come to order.
• Our committee director's last State Affairs hearing on this side of the rail is with Katriona Corker,

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Kam Ferera, the lead compliance specialist with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
• we stand on our written uh Affairs we stand on our written uh testimony<00:28:56.240><c> provided</c
• Aloha, Jessica Puf with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs comments, thank you.
• Kamak Ferrera, lead compliance specialist with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
• Comments in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. On SB 26, SD 2, relating to affordable housing, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development explained a prior transit-oriented development study that identified roughly 59,000 possible units and about 25,000 affordable units from known projects, and said the bill would help fill gaps by evaluating additional public lands for housing suitability and possible co-use with existing facilities. Members asked about the need for resources and staffing to do that work, and OPSD said it would need time and consultant support to carry it out. Testimony on the bill included support from state and county housing agencies and comments from planning and land use entities. On SB 66, SD 2, relating to housing and historic preservation review, SHPD and OHA both testified. SHPD said the bill would not override existing burial-site protections and that county staff with proper qualifications could make historic-property determinations locally, while OHA asked for clearer language requiring consultation when Native Hawaiian historic sites are involved and clearer procedures if an adverse effect is found. Committee members and SHPD discussed whether the bill should explicitly preserve existing Chapter 6E processes, whether counties have qualified staff, and how quickly a county would have to decide if it cannot complete the review itself and must use a third-party reviewer. Supporters said the measure could speed permitting and keep decisions local; one opponent argued it could rush approvals and strain infrastructure. The committee also heard support from housing, construction, business, and food-industry groups, and opposition from some preservation and community advocates. The committee then heard SB 332, SD 1, on foreclosure-related protections, with testimony focused on Lānaʻi and concerns about speculative real estate after the foreclosure moratorium ended. SB 414, SD 2, on restoring access to disaster-affected areas, drew support from HHFDC, DHS, and the Maui Chamber; HHFDC noted DOH plans for a temporary paved access road to the Kayola temporary housing site and said agencies were discussing which parcels would be needed. On SB 102, SD 2, relating to affordable housing and third-party historic review, SHPD said it would need to do more upfront screening and that the bill’s timelines and third-party provisions should be clearer; OHA said the measure should include a sunset and better staffing, and asked that the department fill positions to meet review demand. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• As your chair of Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, I paid very careful attention to this bill.
• I would just like to thank the chair of the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee for taking on this
• ,</c><01:25:26.000><c> I</c> of judiciary and Hawaiian affairs, I of judiciary and Hawaiian affairs,
• Committee for taking on Hawaiian Affairs Committee for taking on this<01:27:38.400><c> incredible</c
• Representative Tarnas: And as your Chair of Judiciary in Hawaiian Affairs, I have a responsibility to

Bills: HB2246 , HB2119 , HB1929 , HB1953 , HB1572 , HB2549 , HB2594 , HB2551 , HB2595 , HB2548 , HB2459 , HB1931 , HB1604 , HB1616 , HB1736 , HB2233 , HB2241 , HB1891 , HB1803 , HB2567 , HB2534 , HB2399 , HB2172 , HB1595 , HB1811 , HB2168 , HB1780 , HB1781 , HB1785 , HB2122 , HB2012 , HB2398 , HB1779 , HB2296 , HB1894 , HB1925 , HB2019 , HB1896 , HB2294 , HB2298 , HB2300 , HB2344 , HB2345 , HB2391 , HB2037 , HB2201 , HB1941 , HB1635 , HB1943 , HB2325 , HB1926 , HB2490 , HB1710 , HB2545 , HB1976 , HB2173 , HB1804 , HB1563 , HB2015 , HB1619 , HB2475 , HB1889 , HB2367 , HB2187 , HB1765 , HB1452 , HB2231 , HB1700 , HB1705 , HB1626 , HB1897 , HB1642 , HB1523 , HB2593 , HB815 , HB1655 , HB1596 , HB1732 , HB1842 , HB2476 , HB2478 , HB2022 , HB1588 , HB2575 , HB1163 , HB2153 , HB772 , HB1519 , HB2050 , HB2309 , HB2147 , HB2329 , HB2274 , HB2280 , HB2547 , HB2275 , HB2452 , HB2306 , HB2148 , HB2088 , HB1764 , HB2438 , HB2117 , HB1860 , HB2604 , HB2118 , HB2017 , HB2155 , HB1832 , HB2216 , HB1601 , HB1934 , HB2297 , HB2397 , HB1893 , HB2533 , HB1890 , HB2454 , HB2004 , HB2427 , HB2207 , HB1810 , HB1840 , HB1644 , HB1645 , HB1946 , HB1648 , HB2324 , HB2323 , HB1509 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB2164 , HB2165 , HB2283 , HB1691 , HB2386 , HB2423 , HB2121 , HB1984 , HB1593 , HB1671 , HB2619 , HB1481 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB1643 , HB2558 , HB1864 , HB1898 , HB2214 , HB2167 , HB2488 , HB2009 , HB2007 , HB322 , HB1964 , HB2218 , HB2616 , HB1535 , HB1574 , HB1977 , HB2054 , HB2046 , HB146 , HB2094 , HB2181 , HB2250 , HB2515 , HB2444 , HB2385 , HB1740 , HB1724 , HB1733 , HB1799 , HB1725 , HB2049 , HB2161 , HB1970 , HB2519 , HB1790 , HB2416 , HB1873 , HB2001 , HB2151 , HB1603 , HB1880 , HB1753 , HB2198 , HB1511 , HB1991 , HB2546 , HB1615 , HB1939 , HB2140 , HB2429 , HB1870 , HB1850 , HB1782 , HB2137

Transcript Highlights:

• really matters in my day job. of our charitable Mission Veterans of our charitable Mission Veterans Affairs
• <00:21:33.880><c> and</c> Affairs and Affairs and Rehabilitation<00:21:35.600><c> National</c><00:21:
• If you do not know about the work of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on homelessness with
• of the Minnesota Department<00:53:04.079><c> of</c><00:53:04.240><c> Veterans</c><00:53:04.720><c> Affairs
• </c><00:53:05.680><c> on</c> Department of Veterans Affairs on Department of Veterans Affairs on homelessness

Summary: The committee took up House File 169, which would change the tax structure for charitable gambling. Representative Robbins offered and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, described as a technical correction to ensure sports-themed tip boards are not inadvertently taxed under the bill. Robbins then presented the bill as a way to replace the current tiered combined net receipts tax on charitable gambling with a flat 5% rate, arguing charities were being overtaxed and that prior promises of relief had not been fully delivered. Chair Stevenson pushed back on several of Robbins’ factual claims, correcting the record on the status of E-pull tabs, the share of charitable gambling revenue they represent, and the amount of tax relief already enacted in 2023 and 2024. He said E-tabs were not eliminated, that the revenue split between paper pull tabs and E-tabs is closer to 45/55, and that charities had already received a $15 million tax cut plus savings from reduced developer fees. Robbins responded that the changes still significantly reduced revenue and that the bill was intended as a middle-ground approach. Testimony largely came from charitable gambling and veterans groups in support of the bill. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities of Minnesota said nearly 1,000 charities depend on charitable gambling, cited high taxes and fees, and said many organizations were seeing revenue declines after the new E-pull tab rules took effect. Dr. Christy Jano of the American Legion Department of Minnesota said charitable gambling funds support veterans, youth, and community programs, and that a flat 5% tax would help posts continue those efforts. Members asked about the size of the revenue drops and how much gambling proceeds go to overhead and operating costs; Jenner said the losses varied by organization and that it was too early to know the long-term effect, while Jano said some expenses are used for property taxes and building upkeep. The committee then moved on to additional testimony, including Tim Angstrom, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House on the suspension of Joint Rule 12 and is referred to the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
• The petition will be referred to the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. Senator Behan.

Summary: The Senate first took up House No. 5375, an act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, and adopted the emergency preamble by standing vote. The chamber then recessed briefly before returning to consider several local bills. The Senate passed to be engrossed House No. 2800, authorizing Stoneham to waive the maximum age requirement for original appointment of police officers, and House No. 4718, a similar measure for Newton. It also considered House No. 4805, amending the Plainville town charter; an amendment offered by Ms. Rausch inserting “the select board” after “committee” in section 29 was adopted, and the bill was then passed to be engrossed. The Senate next ordered House No. 4843, concerning the exchange of certain parkland in Lexington, to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed. In addition, the Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 and referred a House petition by Joshua Toskey to establish a Veterans Suicide Mortality Review and Prevention Council within the Executive Office of Veterans Services to the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• House on the suspension of Joint Rule 12 and is referred to the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
• The petition will be referred to the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. Senator Behan.