Transcript Highlights:

• said, “If you’re working security at a strip club, are we going to start limiting that?
• We’ve had police officers offering security off duty for high-profile persons.
• When parents first arrive to visit, we are searched by security and a dog.
• In Santa Cruz, families pass through standard security screenings before they visit.
• State authorities are blocked from accessing the crime scene by Homeland Security officials.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Trump's Department of Homeland Security has refused to...
• Trump's Department of Homeland Security has refused to rule out the possibility of sending agents to
• guard, or any person wearing the uniform of a peace officer, guard, or security personnel...
• Guard or security personnel, and I'm just looking at the Legislative Digest.
• It's not going to provide any security to the exact people that you're trying to provide security to.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that Seabrook, much larger, has a lot of security expense to have that.
• If any customer were to purchase this reactor, are they going to have the same concerns with security
• The security concerns are much lower due to the much lower amount of nuclear material on site.
• We do have to maintain security.
• So can't go into control room, security.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have access to the Department of Economic Security wage data there, and so where we can verify it
• Um we have access to wage data security.
• Now, the agency is not coming up with their own interpretation of the Social Security Act, what have
• <00:44:49.040> act consistent with the social security act consistent with the social security
• we might work with employment security we might work with employment security and<01:47:35.920><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's secure assets, which is government-backed assets, and there's non-government-backed assets.
• Uh, they have the ability to purchase and sell securities when they see that appropriate.
• There's<00:19:05.880> u<00:19:06.880> secure<00:19:07.280> assets<00:19:07.600><
• c> which<00:19:07.840> is There's u secure assets which is There's u secure assets which is
• So, if it's and security provisions.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on HB 302, which would add precious metals and digital assets as potential investment options. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli said she took no position on the bill and did not see an immediate fiscal impact or operational problem, but explained that the state’s operating funds and rainy day fund require liquidity and stability, so they would not be suitable for volatile assets like precious metals or digital assets. She said the only funds that might potentially use such investments would be certain trust funds held in perpetuity, which are managed by an outside investment advisor under a contract and investment policy. Members asked about the treasurer’s current investment practices, including the types of funds managed, the role and discretion of the investment advisor, the state’s risk profile, and whether the bill would affect existing authority. Misipelli said the office follows RSA 11 and related statutes, with different objectives ranging from conservative to aggressive depending on the fund, and that the advisor meets with the office regularly, with formal performance reviews on a quarterly basis. She also said the office recently centralized management of about 40 trust accounts totaling roughly $60 million into five combined portfolios under a five-year contract with an RFP-selected vendor. When asked whether precious metals or digital assets are already indirectly available through mutual funds, she said that was possible for some mutual funds, but she was not certain about digital assets. Representative Ammon, the bill’s sponsor, said similar legislation had passed the Oklahoma House, the Texas House and Senate, and had advanced in Arizona. He argued the bill was intended to give the treasurer more tools to help balance portfolios and hedge inflation, noting concerns about federal debt and inflation. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair ended the questioning after thanking the treasurer and asking her to remain available in case further questions arose.

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as are you going to upgrade security and have more staff on hand to control full spirited fans
• We will have a prescribed level of security that will be elevated in light of alcohol provision.
• um that will be elevated in security um that will be elevated in light<00:30:00.559> of<00:30
• a temporary liquor license and secure a temporary liquor license from<01:14:54.800> the<01:14
• facility um there's no outdoor secure facility um there's no outdoor space<01:15:21.760> so<01

Bills: HF1262, HF1741, HF472, HF1668, HF2055, HF1786, HF1876, HF1089, HF1121, HF509, HF1545, HF2027, HF642

Keywords: food truck, liquor license, temporary license, community events, catering, municipal regulations, food hall, St. Louis Park, on-sale, intoxicating beverages, food vendors, common seating area, HF472, Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato, MSU Mankato, Taylor Center, special liquor license, on-sale wine license, malt liquor license

Transcript Highlights:

• number you had to put a social security number you had to provide<01:04:25.880> all<01:04:26.039
• Fortunately, I was able to eventually secure documents, and here I am with you building this society.
• to have you know a social security to have you know a social security number<01:06:22.119> and
• numbers we have to put all that security numbers we have to put all that in<01:18:55.639> in<
• employment and returning jobs securing employment and returning jobs at<01:40:34.080> higher<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the MSA is supportive of any immediate efforts that increase the capacity for immediate secure
• treatment options for those who secure treatment options for those who have<00:52:46.000> been
• I was listening to a White House press briefing, and they said Social Security, Medicare, and the other
• Medicare Medicaid Social Security Medicare Medicaid Social Security recipients<01:08:08.640>
• Chair, in response to Senator Latz about the Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security issues and freezes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• when they hit that rough patch so that they could keep that stability and grow and have economic security
• that stability and grow and have keep that stability and grow and have economic<01:07:43.359> security
• in in relation to a home that he secured in in relation to a home that he secured through<01:10:
• that foundation of housing security. that foundation of housing security. young<01:11:47.440>
• have that security that we all need. have that security that we all need.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:27.079> financing developers struggle to secure financing developers struggle to secure
• might be penalized if they then went to secure resources for the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing
• might be penalized if they then went to secure resources for the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing
• <01:13:33.679> a were concerned that if they secured a were concerned that if they secured
• then went to secure resources for the<01:13:39.480> Greater<01:13:39.719> Minnesota<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:51:53.520> they suspect of too much security, they suspect of too much security, they
• political science and homeland security political science and homeland security double<02:34:52.000
• I also am aware of security for people.
• What about the increase of security measures?
• Are the increase of security measures?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• talent for scouting out the lunch spread, carefully evaluating the options and making sure that he secured
• , Senator Pinkney, and others, an act to amend Title 6 of the Delaware Code relating to computer security
• Under current law, companies are required to disclose any computer security breaches that may contain
• Under current law, companies are required to disclose any computer security breaches that may contain
• electronic or other means as soon as possible, but no later than 60 days after the determination of a security

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reuniting people with their money by returning over $196 million in cash and almost $18 million in securities
• In securities on 131,000 claims.
• over a two-year period, we have accomplished this by performing a series of stock liquidations for securities
• So your federal income taxes then that doesn't include your Social Security, doesn't include what you
• FY26 collections feel secure, or relatively secure, on this front.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate and House Ways and Means chairs opened the FY 2027 consensus revenue hearing by emphasizing the need for a balanced, fiscally responsible budget amid federal funding cuts, health care cost pressures, and uncertainty around the federal tax law changes referred to as OB3. They also noted the state’s current revenue performance is slightly above benchmark and paid tribute to the late Representative Anne Margaret Ferranti. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorkowitz echoed the call for caution, saying Massachusetts has protected core services while building reserves and that the FY27 budget process begins with a careful revenue estimate. Department of Revenue Commissioner Jeff Snyder, along with DOR staff, presented FY26 and FY27 tax forecasts and identified major drivers and risks: OB3’s negative impact on state revenue, surtax collections, labor market conditions, capital gains, and corporate/business excise taxes. DOR estimated OB3 would reduce FY26 revenue by about $664 million and FY27 by about $282 million, while surtax and capital gains were expected to remain strong in FY26 but soften in FY27. Members questioned the outlook for surtax, capital gains, and the potential fiscal effect of a ballot question reducing the income tax rate from 5% to 4%; DOR said that proposal could cost roughly $4.2 billion to $4.8 billion annually, with a smaller but still significant impact in FY27 because of phase-in timing. Treasurer Deb Goldberg testified next on the stabilization fund, lottery, PRIM, unclaimed property, and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. She reported the rainy day fund at about $8.1 billion, said the lottery was on track for $1.5 billion in FY26 net profit and projected $1.25 billion in FY27, and highlighted that iLottery is expected to launch in summer 2026 with revenue beginning in FY27 and dedicated to child care initiatives. She also described strong PRIM performance and record unclaimed property returns, while members asked about the child care use of iLottery revenue, multilingual outreach, and the economic impact of expanded liquor licensing. Mass Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate and Tufts’ Evan Horowitz then offered differing revenue outlooks and policy warnings. Howgate projected modest growth, cautioned against overusing reserves for ongoing obligations, and urged caution on federal tax conformity changes and health care spending pressures. Horowitz projected higher FY26 and FY27 revenues than other witnesses, warned that the surtax and capital gains make the tax system more volatile, and said a 4% income tax ballot question could reduce FY27 revenues by roughly $800 million to $1 billion. He also flagged the rent control ballot question as a potential risk to municipal finance and suggested the state consider giving a permanent home to the independent revenue model used by Alan Clayton-Matthews.

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, we've watched costs rise, and for many young adults the path to financial security feels
• These funds will play a substantial role in creating economic security and opportunity for all Connecticut
• These funds provide a pathway toward assets and long-term financial security for children who historically
• Baby bonds is a step forward towards economic security, towards wealth-building opportunities for our
• because again, with the climate in the federal government, we want to make sure that we get this secured

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on a proposed Massachusetts baby bonds program, including H. 3429, S. 2146, and the Treasurer’s related bill H. 48. Treasurer Goldberg and a broad coalition of advocates, researchers, health professionals, and people with lived experience said the program would create trust accounts for children born into low-income families or in DCF custody, with funds available at age 18 for education, homeownership, business startup, or other long-term asset-building uses. Supporters argued the program would help close the racial wealth gap, improve economic mobility, and not affect eligibility for financial aid or public benefits. Committee members asked about administration, investment returns, eligibility, and withdrawal rules; the Treasurer said the accounts would be held in trust and managed by her office with an advisory board, with funds accessible at 18 and usable through age 35 if the beneficiary remains a Massachusetts resident. No vote was taken during the testimony shown. The committee also heard testimony on legislation establishing Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, including S. 2666 and H. 4625. Senator Ross, Representative Badger, physicians, survivors, and advocates described invasive lobular carcinoma as difficult to detect because it often grows in lines rather than forming a lump, can be missed on mammography, and is underfunded and underrepresented in research and clinical trials. Witnesses said the bill would codify an annual October 15 proclamation to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and encourage more targeted research and treatment. Committee members asked why the disease is so hard to detect, and medical witnesses explained the imaging challenges and the lack of lobular-specific protocols. The witnesses urged favorable reports. The committee then took testimony on H. 4648, a bill concerning the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge by the Stockbridge-Munsee community. Representative Davis, the Stockbridge Land Trust president, and the tribal president testified that the bill would remove a conservation restriction tied to a state MVP grant so the tribe could manage the land without a restriction that they said would conflict with tribal sovereignty and Indigenous stewardship practices. They said the parcel is a sacred site connected to Monument Mountain and that the restriction is unnecessary because the land is already surrounded by conserved property. The witnesses asked for favorable action on the bill. Finally, the committee heard testimony on H. 3416, a resolution urging Congress to create a national infrastructure bank. Representative Senna and several advocates argued that an off-budget infrastructure bank could finance major repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, rail, water systems, broadband, and housing without adding to the state budget, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Witnesses cited historical precedents for national infrastructure banks and said Massachusetts could benefit substantially from such a program. The transcript shown does not include a committee vote or final action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Social Security is, you know, very uncertain.
• And it's also my mom the other day—she gets $200 of Social Security. She's 98 years old.
• Vincent, because social security is the other piece of this equation.
• Social security is, you know, very uncertain.
• And it's also my mom the other day, she gets $200 of Social Security. She's 98 years old.

Bills: HB40, HB100, HJR1, SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• Our work has been in a constant state of metamorphosis, and most recently, we secured an external audit
• The most recent Basic Needs Security among Washington College Students report, which has been cited by
• Finally, the third major area that we had to focus on was about cyber security, ethics of AI use, privacy
• If we can figure out ways to work past some of the data security concerns with federal access to free
• The opportunity here with a statewide approach is to put much more privacy and security in place for

Summary: The committee spent much of the meeting hearing presentations on student mental health supports at Central Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. CWU described high levels of student distress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and basic-needs insecurity, along with a campus-wide holistic well-being model that includes behavioral intervention teams, emergency aid, peer outreach, community partnerships, and a collegiate recovery community. WSU emphasized loneliness, common presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship distress, and the role of housing and residence life, resident advisors, living-learning communities, and coordinated crisis response in identifying and supporting students. UW highlighted prevention and support programs through LiveWell, including alcohol and other drug consultations, confidential advocacy, suicide intervention, student needs navigation, peer health educators, and peer wellness coaches. The community and technical college system reported persistent access barriers, especially for students ages 18 to 24 and those facing housing or food insecurity, and said the legislature-funded mental health pilot at four colleges expanded counseling access, telehealth, and referral pathways, while broader system efforts focus on awareness, telehealth, basic-needs supports, and workforce training in behavioral health fields. Members asked each panel how they gather student feedback, and the institutions said they use surveys, evaluations, and ongoing outreach to students in services. Questions also focused on substance-use and recovery resources, Greek life outreach, and whether colleges have enough licensed mental health staff versus academic advisors; the community college board said not all colleges have licensed mental health providers on staff, and some rely on community contracts or telehealth. The committee also discussed whether counseling services are increasing because of post-pandemic effects or because students are more willing to seek help, with presenters saying both factors likely play a role. The committee then shifted to artificial intelligence in higher education. Washington State University, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and the community and technical college system described campus AI task forces, governance structures, and efforts to set policies for students, faculty, and staff. Presenters said institutions are requiring course-level AI use statements, promoting ethical and transparent use, expanding access to approved tools such as Microsoft Copilot, and using AI for teaching, research, advising, and administrative support while guarding privacy, equity, and academic integrity. Members raised concerns about deepfakes, bias, student monitoring, and whether AI should be used to screen applications or evaluate student work; presenters said human review remains essential and that some institutions prohibit AI use in hiring or admissions screening. The final presentation, from OSPI, described the statewide rollout of the School Links high school and beyond plan platform under 2023 legislation, saying it will standardize career and college planning across K-12, provide better data and student guidance, and connect students to postsecondary pathways and employers; OSPI said the rollout is underway but current funding only extends through June 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Security and compliance.
• I don't want to leave out or underemphasize or forget the security aspect for what this does.
• So there's a lot of efficiencies to be gained by doing this, as well as security. Thank you.
• We discussed risk reduction and security, which I think is very important.
• We aim to establish enterprise-wide security standards and governance to reduce vulnerabilities while

Transcript Highlights:

• So specifically talking about a transit safety and security grant program, the language written, and
• These are all examples of what could be funded in support of a transit safety and security grant moving
• Safety and security grant moving forward.
• Other public safety and security concerns, I promise the Department of Revenue.
• Under 5814, expanded sales tax to include investigation, security, and safety.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on October 16, 2025, for a budget and revenue overview, a traffic safety presentation, and a discussion of potential transit and active transportation grant programs. Committee staff reviewed the adopted 2025-27 transportation budget, noting $15.5 billion in expenditures, the large share for WSDOT, and the mix of revenue sources including fuel tax, vehicle-related fees, federal funds, Climate Commitment Act revenue, and new 2025 revenues from SB 5801 and SB 5802. Staff said the 2025 session produced a balanced four-year plan, preserved major project schedules, maintained highway preservation funding, and added money for culverts, local preservation, and other priorities. They also described a September forecast showing lower motor fuel consumption than previously expected, but still enough revenue growth to keep the transportation plan balanced. For the 2026 supplemental, staff said agency requests were relatively modest overall, with most capital requests reflecting reappropriations and timing shifts rather than new projects, while WSDOT’s addendum identified much larger future needs for maintenance, preservation, paving, culverts, and safety work. Senators asked for more detail on how revenues are distributed by fund type and geography, how much of the maintenance and preservation request is actual maintenance versus equipment, whether paving needs could be supported through bonding, and how electric vehicle sales trends might affect forecasts. The committee then heard a remote presentation from Dr. Jessica Chikino of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on traffic safety trends and countermeasures. She said U.S. traffic fatalities have risen sharply over the past decade, with especially large increases for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and argued that the U.S. lags other high-income countries in roadway safety. Her presentation highlighted IIHS’s “30 by 30” goal to reduce fatalities 30% by 2030 through safer speeds, stronger impaired-driving countermeasures, better pedestrian protection, and safer commercial vehicles. She discussed research linking higher speed limits to higher fatality risk, the benefits of lower urban speed limits, speed safety cameras, traffic calming, lighting, pedestrian beacons, and safer intersection design. She also described ongoing work with Bellevue on smart signal technology and pedestrian safety pilots. Committee members thanked her for the presentation and said they would share the materials with others. In the final work session, the committee revisited transit and active transportation grant concepts that had been included in the Senate budget proposal but did not advance in 2025. Barb Chamberlain of WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division explained how grant programs need runway, staff capacity, applicant readiness, and clear criteria, and compared program design to getting a plane off the ground. She discussed the proposed Senior Transportation Emphasis Program and regional trails/cycle highways concepts, noting that some projects could be structured as funding-first programs while others would work better as project-line or project-first models. She said regional trail projects are already eligible under existing programs but often score lower because current criteria emphasize safety and population served. Justin Leighton of the Washington State Transit Association then reviewed transit grant programs and argued that transit safety and security needs remain underfunded, including operator barriers, lighting, shelters, behavioral health coordination, and non-uniformed security staff. He said many transit capital programs are oversubscribed, that operator barrier retrofits alone could cost $20 million to $30 million, and that agencies face uncertainty about how recent sales tax changes apply to security-related contracts. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order for them to... secure that.
• we have had some land grants that have had to utilize short-term real estate contracts in order to secure
• Monsanto, it involved a large amount of land. property, and due to the price, they weren't able to secure
• The sale price was $800,000, and they have been able to secure about $350,000. and I think in capital
• to speak to one of the challenges or one of the items that land grants must go through in order to secure

Transcript Highlights:

• administrative funding programs to assist state counties and universities in grant applications for securing
• 16.320> for universities in grant applications for universities in grant applications for securing
• c> funds<00:05:17.360> for<00:05:17.840> invasive<00:05:18.400> species securing
• funds for invasive species securing funds for invasive species management.<00:05:19.680> Um<00
• money for bio security. money for bio security.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint AEN-HRE hearing focused on HCR 130, HD1, which urges increased and sustained funding for the island invasive species committees and the Hawaii Ant Lab within the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. The Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent and noted that ISC funding flows through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council budget item via DLNR, while also describing ongoing collaboration with DLNR and efforts to support ant control work. Testifiers from CAPS, the University of Hawaii, the Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and CARES all supported the resolution, emphasizing that invasive species work is underfunded, that the island committees and Hawaii Ant Lab do critical control, research, outreach, and eradication work, and that sustained resources are needed to plan effectively and respond to priority pests such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog. A lengthy exchange followed over whether the resolution was meaningful, since it would be urging the state to fund work the Legislature itself controls. Several members argued that a resolution alone has no legal effect and that funding should come through bills and appropriations instead. In response, the Department of Agriculture said its top biosecurity needs are personnel and chemicals, and noted it is building up its plant quarantine and plant pest control divisions with prior funding and HB 427. Oahu Invasive Species Committee representatives said they rely heavily on Hawaii Invasive Species Council grants, have limited soft funding, and need more stable resources; they also pointed to annual reports and prior testimony as documentation of their work. After a brief recess, the chairs announced they would pass the resolution with amendments to make it more relevant. The amendments changed the title and text to urge the counties, Congress, and other relevant agencies—not the state alone—to provide increased and sustained funding, and added language urging all of those bodies to seek federal grants. The AEN committee then voted to pass HCR 130, HD1, as amended, and the HRE committee also voted to pass it with amendments. The motion was adopted in both committees.