Transcript Highlights:

• Also, we have one other bill on the docket today. Okay.
• We have one other bill on the docket today, and that is House 4691.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing with House Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Co-Chair Brendan Crighton presiding. The committee heard testimony on two bills. The first, House Bill 4723, would designate a bridge in honor of the Ferreira Brothers. Christopher Pereira gave extensive family testimony describing the brothers’ World War II service, their postwar community work, and the family’s immigrant background. He said the bridge naming would be a fitting tribute, and noted support from the Chumsford Board of Selectmen. Representative Rodney Elliott also spoke in support as a co-sponsor, praising the family’s military and civic service. Representative Vanaugh Howard was called but did not testify due to technical issues. The second bill, House 4691, was described by Representative Steven Hawkins as a bipartisan effort with Representative Pease to address and commemorate the harms suffered by veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Hawkins said the measure recognizes the sacrifices of affected veterans and should be straightforward. No other testimony was offered on the bill, and no questions were raised by committee members. After hearing testimony on both bills, the committee took no recorded votes during the transcript. The hearing concluded with a motion to adjourn, a second, and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, I want to, I guess, what we have left on our docket is House Bill 1318.
• Committee, I want to, I guess, what we have left on our docket is House Bill 1318.

Bills: HB1318

Keywords: HB 1318, pesticide labeling, pesticide warning, duty to warn, failure to warn, labeling defense, EPA-approved label, Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, FIFRA, North Dakota agriculture commissioner, product liability, tort reform, preemption, carcinogenicity classification, human health assessment, pesticide regulation, agricultural chemicals, herbicide, insecticide, rodenticide

Summary: The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee met on April 10 and took up House Bill 1318, a bill dealing with pesticide-related liability and warning-label issues. The chair explained that the bill had drawn strong interest from both agriculture and public health sides, and that the committee was trying to craft language that would protect consumers without unduly harming agricultural production. He said the committee had worked through multiple draft amendments and was now considering Amendment 1006, which was described as a compromise combining earlier proposals and narrowing the bill’s scope to pesticides registered with the state commissioner. Members discussed whether the amendment would weaken the original intent of the bill. Senator Myrdal said the revised language added needed guardrails and addressed concerns about overly broad preemption language and warning-label standards, while also preserving agriculture’s ability to operate. After a motion to rescind the earlier action on the bill passed, Amendment 1006 was adopted unanimously by the members present. A motion to move the bill without committee recommendation failed for lack of a second. The committee then voted on House Bill 1318 as amended. The do-pass motion passed on a roll call vote, with Senators Weber, Luick, Myrdal, and Lemm voting yes, and Senators Marcellais and Weston voting no. The chair said he would carry the bill. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff for their work during the session, and the chair noted he might call the committee back if a conference committee report required further input.

Transcript Highlights:

• open an investigatory docket open an investigatory docket >> including<05:09:12.958> all
• would expand to include in the docket would expand to include other<05:13:12.400> type<05:13:
• questions, but it might be something brought up during the docket.
• So the reports from the commission, once the commission has a docket and is starting to work on this
• docket, would come in June of each odd-numbered year.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say these returning or cleanup.
• Section 26 is also a cleanup from the similar bill.
• Sections 2, 3, 4, and 7 are changes related to our peer recovery support services cleanup.
• is also a cleanup from the similar bill. is also a cleanup from the similar bill.
• This proposal cleans services cleanup.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm not personally working on the lawsuit, but as I understand it, last I checked the docket, there
• last I lawsuit, but as I understand it, last I checked<00:18:46.880> the<00:18:46.960> docket
• ,<00:18:47.679> there<00:18:47.880> were checked the docket, there were checked the
• docket, there were I<00:18:49.200> think<00:18:49.320> the<00:18:49.400> court<

Bills: SCR118, SCR173

Keywords: climate change, insurance affordability, working group, disaster recovery, fossil fuel companies, insurance stability, Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, ticket scalping, task force, consumer protection, event accessibility, local economy, 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection heard two resolutions. SCR 118 SD1 would urge the Insurance Division and the Attorney General to convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division deferred to written testimony, while the Attorney General opposed the measure because of an ongoing lawsuit, asking that references to legal recovery and the AG’s role in convening the group be removed. Members questioned how the resolution might relate to the state’s climate damages litigation and whether it could inform damages calculations. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including removing the Attorney General as co-convener and changing certain membership references to board chairs; the motion passed unanimously with one excused member. The committee also heard SCR 173 SD1, which would create a task force on event ticket scalping. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the concept but asked to be added as a task force member and said the draft left its role unclear. Supporters, including the National Independent Venue Association and D-BAT, described high resale prices, fraudulent or speculative tickets, and harm to consumers and local businesses. StubHub and the Ticket Policy Forum supported the task force but urged broader scope to include the primary ticket market and ticket sellers, and StubHub also sought inclusion on the task force. Members discussed whether the task force should focus on the secondary market or the broader ticketing ecosystem, and whether the Office of Consumer Protection should be part of the task force or only consulted. The vice chair recommended passage with amendments adding the Office of Consumer Protection as a member and clarifying the consultation language, and the committee adopted that recommendation unanimously with one excused member.

Transcript Highlights:

• First bill on the docket is Senate Bill 2 from Senator Boyce. I believe... Yes, Mr. Chairman.
• First bill on the docket is Senate Bill 2 from Senator Boyce. I believe, Mr.

Keywords: House Committee Room 1200, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• given bill will generally be taken together, and we will progress the hearing in the order of the docket
• from those testifying in person and remotely for each bill before moving on to the next bill in the docket
• So we're going to move on to the next bill on the docket.
• So we're going to move on to the next bill on the docket.
• Looking at the other bills on the docket, no one has signed up to testify for H-130, S-52.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture opened its first hearing by outlining procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony options, and the plan to hear 27 bills in docket order. The committee then took testimony on H.11/S.53, a resolve promoting equity in agriculture, with advocates from the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, Southeastern Mass Agricultural Partnership, and urban farming organizations describing racial and economic disparities in farming, lack of data on BIPOC farmers, barriers to land and capital, and the need for a commission to collect information and recommend policy changes. Committee members asked questions about the importance of data collection and future policy development, and the bill was repeatedly urged to be reported favorably out of committee. Testimony also supported H.118, which would create a special commission to examine the strengths and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s emergency food network. The Amherst Survival Center described serving 1.6 million meals last year and explained that food pantries are now functioning as essential parts of the state’s food system while relying heavily on donations, volunteers, and unstable funding. Members discussed the need for a more holistic look at food security infrastructure. The committee then heard H.119/S.60 on climate change impacts on farms and fisheries, with regional planners and farm advocates describing flood damage, rising costs, canceled federal climate-smart funding, and the need for direct state support for adaptation, resilience, and infrastructure improvements. The committee also heard testimony on H.125/H.142/S.65, a healthy soils bill, from landscape professionals who said construction sites often leave poor or stripped soil and that the bill would require better post-construction soil standards to support healthier landscapes and reduce long-term maintenance and environmental problems. Finally, the committee took extensive testimony on H.127, which would prohibit aquaculture of octopus for human consumption. Supporters, including legislators, scientists, veterinarians, students, and animal welfare advocates, argued octopus are highly intelligent and sentient, cannot be farmed humanely, and that octopus aquaculture would create environmental harms such as waste runoff, pressure on wild fish stocks, and ecosystem disruption. No votes were taken during the hearing; the bills were heard and testimony was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a rulemaking docket and a boundary adjustment docket.
• <01:26:04.679> and<01:26:04.800> a also have a rule making docket and a also have a
• uh boundary adjustment uh docket<01:26:08.000> and<01:26:08.159> our<01:26:08.440>
• I think that's a really good statistic, and it's also showing that OAH is Minnesota's rocket docket.
• we're we're getting these rocket docket we're we're getting these complaints<01:30:36.080> uh

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met to begin its session with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview from Secretary of State Steve Simon and elections director Paul Linnell on the state’s elections administration and budget needs. Simon said the office’s committee-jurisdiction budget request was for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) election security grant match: Minnesota received about $1 million in federal funds in 2024 and needs a $200,000 state match to unlock the money for election security navigator work. He also previewed the office’s broader presentation on the 2024 election, outreach efforts, and election security. Simon described the 2024 election cycle as successful, saying his administrative goals were high turnout and low drama. He reported that Minnesota had very high turnout in the November election, with more than 3.27 million ballots cast and about 76.4% turnout, and noted that more than 1.3 million voters cast ballots before Election Day. He also highlighted outreach and accessibility efforts, including the Students Voting Program, Youth Day at the Capitol, National Voter Registration Day activities, expanded online voter tools in additional languages, and work to inform eligible Minnesotans about the Restore the Vote law for people leaving prison. He emphasized that elections are a team effort carried out largely by counties, cities, townships, and election judges. Linnell then explained the state’s election administration structure and responsibilities, including the Statewide Voter Registration System, candidate filing and election reporting systems, voting equipment certification, and post-election performance reviews. He said counties are central to voter registration updates and ballot preparation, and noted that in 2024 there were a handful of counties with ballot errors that required court action, with a vendor process change identified as a contributing factor. Committee members asked for more detail on the number and identity of the affected counties. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:56:09.839> on Commission they have an open docket on Commission they have an open docket
• that involve Wheeling issues and dockets that involve Wheeling issues and the<00:56:16.520> Pu
• ><00:56:17.079> has<00:56:17.200> an<00:56:17.400> open<00:56:17.720> docket<
• /c><00:56:18.160> looking<00:56:18.400> at the Pu has an open docket looking at the Pu
• I think we've issued the order in opening the docket, right?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Yeah, we have a sign that's not even on the docket for today. Um, it says 1482.
• today relative to the in on the docket today relative to the Claremont<00:25:12.720> situation
• Um, but it's, um, you have some solutions here that you're going to be looking at in your docket that
• In a few minutes, we'll start up on the next bill on the docket. Thank you.
• The next bill on the docket is for >> Okay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the commissioner's answer was that it would be part of a PUC docket.
• I just fear that we went through a similar docket not too long ago, and at the end of the day, who's
• going to pay for that docket?
• would be to have the Pu open a docket would be to have the Pu open a docket and<00:38:23.000>
• you know that that's just money docket you know that that's just money what<00:39:10.920> all

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I assume that we'll tell Chairman Viges that it's ready, and I would think that it may be on the docket
• Maybe on the docket as soon as tomorrow, possibly.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee discussed a draft amendment to consolidate two proposed studies into one Legislative Management study on sentencing, corrections, and parole oversight. Representative O’Brien explained that the revised language would cover the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s inmate classification, housing, placement authority, and transitional services, including work or educational release, while avoiding confusion over separate study proposals. Members also discussed whether issues such as earning good time, meritorious time, parole eligibility, and release decisions would be included; the chair and members concluded those topics would be covered under the parole board and related study language. Several members raised concerns about recidivism data, including the difficulty of counting people who are incarcerated in other states or in the federal system after release from North Dakota custody. Representative Murphy noted that DOCR appears to be using the best available national-study-based method, but that the data limitations remain a problem. The chair and others said the study should focus on what can be measured and that interagency communication is important, while Representative Burke noted that incorporating federal data would be difficult because comparable state-level data would be lacking. The committee then moved and approved the amended study language, with a technical correction changing “early release” to “placement authority.” The motion passed 8-0. The committee later took up further amendments to engrossed Senate Bill 2015, approved those amendments 8-0, and then passed engrossed Senate Bill 2015 as amended on an 8-0 roll call. Members briefly discussed a minimum security facility planning number, confirming the pad/landing number at 20, and the chair said the bill would be sent to Legislative Council for final drafting and could be ready as soon as the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will call the docket. We have several matters that have been resolved after I called the docket.
• Right, if we could move on to the second contested cause on the docket today, Hansen versus Puguh, and

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• think you all know this very well, Chair Frentz, you know this very well, that there are several dockets
• <00:48:38.640> open<00:48:39.440> um<00:48:39.920> regarding several dockets
• open um regarding several dockets open um regarding implementation<00:48:41.079> of<00:48:41.200
• We'll figure out what that standard looks like through this implementation docket.
• case from, I mean, sorry, the most recent IRP from Xcel Energy, and my first and only Xcel Energy docket

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• some of the other utility stuff and things that are just probably going to be eating up a lot of the docket
• So if there's anything pending, like a docket application or even motor carrier fees being collected
• lot<00:50:10.040> of<00:50:10.240> the<00:50:10.520> the<00:50:10.680> docket
• <00:50:11.440> uh be eating up a lot of the the docket uh be eating up a lot of the the docket
• anything pending like a docket anything pending like a docket application<00:50:46.319> or

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of transportation-related bills. SB 21 on water carriers would create an inflationary cost index mechanism; DOT, Agriculture, DCCA, the PUC, and several harbor and logistics interests supported it, while Pacific Transfer opposed. SB 1478 would require vessel masters to follow harbor master evacuation orders during emergencies; DOT clarified it applies only to commercial ports, with support from Hima and the Harbor Users Group and opposition from the Hailongm Association. SB 108 would authorize DOT to regulate vessel noise near commercial harbors; the White Harbor Users Group opposed, while DOT said it supported the intent but warned the bill may be preempted by federal law. SB 1475 would raise the bond ceiling for harbor improvement projects from $100 million to $600 million, and SB 1473 would cap central services assessments on DOT funds at $5 million and tie them to CPI; DOT supported both, and Budget and Finance explained the central services fee is generally a 5% deduction from special funds with some statutory exceptions. The committee also heard SB 1402 on securing mooring lines in state commercial harbors, which drew support from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Longline Association. SB 1522 on vehicle title transfers was supported by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. SB 599 would require DOT or counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips before disposal; DOT said it would provide scanners, the Hawaiian Humane Society and a private witness strongly supported the bill, and the committee discussed that the measure would not charge pet owners and that Oʻahu microchip rates are about 80% for dogs and 70% for cats. SB 1025 would allow service and non-service animals on mass transit under certain conditions; DHS offered comments, Maui and Honolulu opposed, while the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Environmental Caucus, and others supported it, and an opponent raised concerns about large pets, service animals, and the need for size and off-peak restrictions. Later, the committee heard SB 1096 on license plate-flipping devices, with DOT and Honolulu police supporting it. SB 384 would expand victim restitution in DUI-related negligent homicide cases to include child support for surviving minor children; DOT, MADD, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported it, while the Public Defender opposed, arguing the restitution amounts would be unverified and better handled through civil remedies. SB 597 would extend the deadline for the administrative driver license revocation office to issue decisions, and the Attorney General, police, and Maui prosecutors supported it because of drug-testing delays, especially on neighbor islands. Finally, SB 1285 would create a lower-level impaired driving offense and authorize administrative action; the Attorney General and Public Defender both raised concerns about charging discretion and resource impacts, while county, public health, alcohol policy, and victim advocates strongly supported the bill as a life-saving measure. The transcript ends partway through testimony on SB 1285, with no final committee votes or actions recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we'll do now is just jump right to the top of the docket here and go back to HB 137.
• The last bill on the docket.
• That way then I can funnel them and get them in the next calendar so they can be put on the docket.
• That way then I can funnel them and get them in the next calendar so they can be put on the docket.
• That way then I can funnel them and get them in the next calendar so they can be put on the docket.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met to consider eight bills, beginning with HB 443 on the terms of appointment for members of the Higher Education Commission. Department of Education Director Steve Applebee explained that the commission supported a language change to address a holdover issue, but members raised concerns that the bill did not solve the problem of inactive members and might not address the broader question of whether the commission should continue to exist. The committee agreed to retain HB 443 for further work and voted 18-0 to do so. The committee then voted on HB 137, which would allocate excess statewide education property tax funds for local school and municipal purposes. Supporters of ITL argued that using the statewide property tax to reduce the state’s school funding obligation could create a slippery slope and shift more burden to property taxpayers. The committee voted 15-3 to ITL the bill, with a minority report to be written. HB 237, which would prohibit the use of special education and differentiated aid funds on students not receiving special education services, was also ITL’d after members said federal law already governs how IDEA-related funds may be used and that the bill was unnecessary. That motion passed 16-0, with some members not voting because they were out for medical reasons. The committee next advanced HB 354, creating alternative certification pathways for career and technical education instructors. Members said the bill could help recruit qualified tradespeople and retirees to teach in CTE programs, and it was approved 18-0 and placed on the consent calendar. HB 491, establishing a committee to study alternative public education funding methods and reduce reliance on local property taxes, was retained for further study after members said the committee or a subcommittee could continue the work over the year; it passed 18-0. HB 656, concerning local school districts’ authority to accept federal grants, was also retained after discussion focused on transparency, grant conditions, and the need to avoid delays in services; it passed 18-0. The committee then moved on to HB 729, an appropriation for an attorney to recodify education laws, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• um we can weigh there's specific dockets um we can weigh in<01:48:45.040> there.
• I have no idea, you know, absent a docketed proceeding to actually pull apart all those things.
• I have no idea, you know, absent a docketed proceeding to actually pull apart all those things.
• I have no idea, you know, absent a docketed proceeding to actually pull apart all those things.
• I have no idea, you know, absent a docketed proceeding to actually pull apart all those things.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to that, right now on the docket, we have NCAA wrestling, championships, a preliminary NCAA
• In addition to that, right now on the docket, we have NCAA wrestling, championships, a preliminary NCAA
• right now on the docket, we have um NCAA right now on the docket, we have um NCAA wrestling,<00:17:56.240

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 107, a proposal by Representatives Norris and Witty to provide a $5 million grant through Explore Minnesota to help cover costs of hosting the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis. The authors and supporters described Minnesota’s hockey culture, the tournament’s international profile, and expected benefits, including about 250,000 spectators, a projected $75 million economic impact, and broader tourism and exposure for communities across the state. Testimony in support came from hockey legend Lou Nanne, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and Wendy Blackshaw of Minnesota Sports and Events. Nanne called the tournament a major opportunity to showcase Minnesota and said it should be viewed as an income generator. Carter emphasized the event’s prestige and the chance to boost St. Paul’s economy and reputation as a hockey destination. Blackshaw said the funding would cover actual event expenses such as public safety, operations, venue costs, and transportation, and explained that without the grant, Minnesota Sports and Events would have to slow or pause bidding on future events such as gymnastics trials, NCAA wrestling, men’s basketball, the NFL draft, FIFA Women’s World Cup, and WWE events. Members asked questions about how much of the economic benefit would come from out-of-state visitors, how the $5 million figure was chosen, and what would happen if the grant were not approved. Blackshaw said the organization uses University of Minnesota economic studies and ticket-sales analysis to estimate visitor spending, and said the $5 million would pay for World Juniors expenses while ticket revenue would support future events. The chair noted the bill would be held over for further consideration, and no vote was taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But on a normal docket sounding, we have four criminal divisions here in Leon County.
• Sometimes it's that docket sounding, which is kind of the last chance to enter a plea before you're picking
• Sometimes it's that docket sounding, which is kind of the last chance to enter a plea before. management
• Sometimes it's that docket sounding, which is kind of the last chance to enter a plea before you're picking

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee held its first meeting of 2025, took roll, confirmed a quorum, and heard member introductions before turning to an informational panel on how a criminal case moves through Florida’s system. The chair emphasized respectful committee process and introduced staff, then invited the panel to explain the path from arrest through prosecution, first appearance, arraignment, discovery, trial, plea negotiations, and sentencing. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri described law enforcement discretion, probable cause, misdemeanor and felony arrest rules, pre-arrest diversion, jail operations, and the statewide uniform bond schedule. He also discussed jail overcrowding, supervised release, mental health and substance abuse issues in jails, and the need for better case management and diversion resources. Judge Frank Allman explained first appearance, bond setting, arraignment, trial procedures, plea colloquies, and sentencing under Florida’s punishment code, including downward departures and victim impact statements. State Attorney Jack Campbell outlined charging decisions, the higher proof burden prosecutors must meet, coordination with law enforcement, Baker Act proceedings, victim notification, informations versus grand jury indictments, and the role of diversion and treatment courts. Public Defender Matthew Mets described indigency screening, discovery, the growing volume and technical complexity of evidence, mitigation work, and the importance of treatment-based resolutions. Members asked about time-served credit for supervised release, mental health recidivism, homelessness enforcement, ICE holds, and sentencing discretion; no votes were taken and the meeting ended after the informational presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• If that information is not in the initial filing, DPU cannot docket the petition.
• If that information is not in the initial filing, DPU cannot docket the petition.
• If that information is not in the initial filing, DPU cannot docket the petition.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters, including adopting a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a number of petitions. The chamber also scheduled several bills for later consideration, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating work schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection namings, handicapped parking fines, public-way safety, excavation restoration, motor vehicle safety, and a Newton police age requirement. Two engrossed local bills were passed to be enacted: one authorizing retired police officers as special police in Plainville and another allowing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership. The main policy debate centered on House No. 5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. Supporters described it as a broad affordability and clean-energy package that would cut costs for ratepayers, reform Mass Save, speed clean-energy procurement and interconnection, return a portion of alternative compliance payments to customers, and address biomass and other energy issues. Opponents argued the bill relied too heavily on long-term programs and new administrative structures while offering little immediate relief, and raised concerns about costs being shifted to consumers, impacts on natural gas, and the pace of implementation. Several amendments were debated and rejected, including proposals to shift public benefit charges away from peak hours, pause public benefit charges for a year, require greater utility disclosure before rate increases, and add a forest-clearing penalty for solar development. One amendment to the energy bill was adopted: a consolidated amendment that included budget-billing consumer protections for gas customers, requiring notice and conservation recommendations when usage rises significantly. The House also adopted an amendment to a separate conservation-restriction bill for Hanson, changing a figure in the underlying law, and passed that bill to be engrossed as amended. The energy bill’s consolidated amendment passed by roll call, while several other amendments failed by roll call votes. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring Jaden Booker, Thomas Skip Karam, former Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former Representative and Senator William Q. “Biff” McLean, Jr.