Transcript Highlights:

• I was a four-H kid and I spent my summer working on ranches. I went to work with our farmers.
• I want to work with our farmers and food producers.
• I look forward to working with you, Dr. Kennedy.
• Well, Medicaid is not working for Americans.
• and get back to work?

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• No, so that term is the average expected working lifetime.
• And that gives us an expected working lifetime.
• This is how long are people working for?
• How did that work out?
• I remember when I came in to work for government, we worked for 30 years.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> people, win work, and deliver their work people, win work, and deliver their work ethically<01:14
• </c> to do work. to do work.
• </c> uh it didn't work. uh it didn't work.
• </c><02:40:48.319><c> So,</c> worked for 10 hours. So, worked for 10 hours.
• </c> worked at Gunstock. worked some of these worked at Gunstock. worked some of these events<03:36:17.120

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Summary: The committee opened its labor hearing on SB 655 and outlined the day’s schedule, including a later working session on SB 416 and an executive session planned for 2:30 p.m. Senator Dan Innis introduced SB 655, describing it as a technical bill affecting employee leasing companies/professional employer organizations (PEOs), workers’ compensation coverage, and a Senate-added minimum wage exemption for minor league baseball players covered by a collective bargaining agreement. He said the PEO change would let either the PEO or the client business hold workers’ comp coverage, while still requiring coverage, and argued it would align New Hampshire with most other states and reduce barriers for small businesses and multi-state employers. He also said the baseball provision would clarify wage treatment for minor league players and support the Manchester team. Justin Warell of Insperity testified in support of the PEO portion, explaining that PEOs provide HR, payroll, benefits administration, and workers’ compensation administration through a co-employment model. He said the bill would preserve mandatory coverage while allowing flexibility for the client or PEO to maintain the policy, which could help clients who already have preferred coverage or who face cost or administrative issues in multiple states. He noted that most clients would still remain under the PEO’s policy and said Insperity would submit written comments. Committee members asked about how the arrangement would work, whether the client or PEO would pay, and whether the bill would affect liability insurance packaging; Warell said the employer still bears the cost and that the bill mainly gives larger clients an option. One member asked him to remain available for possible follow-up after hearing from the labor department. Stephen Gonzalez of Major League Baseball testified in support of the minor league baseball exemption. He said MLB and the MLB Players Association negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that already provides players with salary, housing, meals, per diems, health and retirement benefits, disability continuation, tuition assistance, and signing bonuses. He argued that treating players as hourly workers creates impractical time-tracking problems because players do work-related activities on their own time, and said the bill would recognize them as salaried workers and avoid litigation over what counts as hours worked. Committee members questioned why the exemption was needed if players are already salaried and whether MLB could simply amend its CBA; Gonzalez said the bill would help prevent wage-and-hour lawsuits and noted that similar exemptions have been enacted in other states. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair indicated the bill would be considered for executive action later that afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:08.600><c> at</c> you madam chair so I used to work at you madam chair so I used to work at
• </c><00:28:23.200><c> in</c> the balance of when you're working in the balance of when you're working
• </c> move into my role supporting the work move into my role supporting the work work<00:41:57.400><c
• </c><01:07:11.720><c> to</c> working on so we are always working to working on so we are always working
• It's been kind of one-offs as the work that they need to do, that particular work that we assist them

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to go to work. to go to work. &gt;&gt; I<00:01:51.840><c> know</c><00:01:52.079><c> Alma.
• I work for the St. Paul public school I work for the St.
• So, thank you for your work. work that you do. Um work that you do.
• </c> think we need to do the work here. think we need to do the work here.
• So her mom took off work after 20 years of working to take care of her daughter.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you work off of a definition of high road jobs?
• And when a person has an opportunity to start working, you know this better... ...to work with the California
• only continuing to work at Caltrans, but potentially to work for other companies as well.
• work.
• “I don't know exactly how that process works.” “Okay.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee heard several Caltrans, CHP, and DMV budget and trailer bill items. On Caltrans fleet replacement, the department requested a one-time $225 million augmentation to replace aging medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. LAO said the request was consistent with state policy, but senators criticized the high cost of electric fleet purchases and Caltrans’ delayed zero-emission fleet report; the chair said the report must be delivered within 30 days before the request could be fully considered. Caltrans also presented trailer bill language to replace an originally intended $50 million federal transfer for the High Road Construction Careers Program with $30 million in state Highway Account funds after federal eligibility problems prevented use of the federal dollars. Members questioned the reduction, the delay in implementation, where the remaining funds would go, and whether the program would keep jobs in California and meet labor standards; Caltrans and the Workforce Development Board said the program had prior success and that the state-funds transfer was intended to preserve the original policy goal. The committee then reviewed CHP’s request for a $60 million augmentation for equipment and operating costs, which CHP said was needed because vacancy savings no longer covered rising fuel, vehicle, and other operating costs. CHP argued that recruitment success had reduced vacancies and that costs had risen sharply since 2006, while LAO recommended rejection, citing that the expenses were ongoing, CHP still had vacancies above pre-pandemic levels, and the Motor Vehicle Account faces structural insolvency by 2028-29. Members discussed whether the account can sustain these costs and whether the Legislature should consider broader funding changes. CHP also sought a permanent $885,000 augmentation for seven analyst positions for the Highway Violence Task Force; CHP said freeway shootings had fallen sharply since 2021 and that analysts were essential to solving cases, while LAO noted the request was smaller than prior years but would create an ongoing commitment. Senators generally supported the task force but asked for clearer metrics and reporting, especially because the data categories had changed over time. Finally, the DMV presented the State-to-State verification system and related modernization work under DXP. DMV said State-to-State is required for Real ID compliance and that California must join the system by February 2027, with live testing planned for the summer. Senators focused heavily on privacy and data security, especially the inclusion of Social Security number digits in the system, the role of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and whether Californians understood their information would be shared in a nationwide database. DMV said the system only shares federally required data, uses encryption, and is designed to de-duplicate records across states, but members pressed for more information on governance, audit authority, and whether the Legislature had explicitly approved the data-sharing approach. The chair asked DMV to follow up with the Attorney General and indicated the committee would continue reviewing the issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does that work?
• How does that work?
• Again, working document, we're going to be working on this bill some more.
• Again, we've worked on legislation in the past and always willing to work with her.
• Again, we've worked on legislation in the past and always willing to work with her.

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The committee met with 13 members present and first went into executive session on House Bill 1730, which was voted due pass by a 10-3 roll call. It then considered House Bill 2504, where a committee amendment was adopted to let school districts optionally require a mental-health professional letter for school protection officers, the amendment was rolled into a committee substitute, and the substitute was voted due pass 11-0 with two present. After that, the committee moved to public hearing on House Bills 2481, 2468, and 1974. The three public bills focused on restrictions and verification for public assistance programs. HB 1974 would restrict TANF cash assistance use, including prohibiting ATM cash withdrawals and certain purchases, with a three-strikes style penalty structure; sponsors said it was intended to prevent misuse of taxpayer funds, while opponents argued TANF is a small cash-assistance program for very poor families and that cash access is necessary for rent, laundry, childcare, and other basic needs. HB 2468 would tighten SNAP and Medicaid eligibility verification by requiring documentary proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status, using federal verification systems, and counting ineligible household members’ income; sponsors said it aligns Missouri with federal law and new federal accountability rules, while opponents warned it would add red tape, delay benefits, and increase error rates and costs. HB 2481, along with related SNAP language discussed in HB 174, would implement the governor’s SNAP waiver to restrict purchases of soda and junk food and place those restrictions into statute. Sponsors said the goal was to steer benefits toward healthier foods and reduce waste, while witnesses from industry and advocacy groups said the waiver process was already underway, the definitions were too broad, and the bills could be hard for retailers to implement and could burden eligible recipients, especially in rural areas and among children and vulnerable adults. No final committee action was taken on the three public hearing bills during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The work that you do.
• That's how the process will work.
• How does that work?
• Seeing none, we've approved the work plans. OK.
• and your staff's work on, uh, tracking this.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's something that's a work in process out there.
• They are also working to be good stewards of the environment.
• They are also working to be good stewards of the environment.
• They are also working to be good stewards of the environment.
• </c> the DNR we've got a little bit more work the DNR we've got a little bit more work that<00:23:31.200

Transcript Highlights:

• the work that we were able to do together, working with others across this great state.
• And in that work together, I'm proud to have been a part of working to complete one of the most productive
• We got to work here in Massachusetts because we know our working parents are counting on us.
• We had unions and management working together. We had our great... ...worked as a team.
• We still have much work to do.

Summary: The House and Senate met in joint convention for the Governor’s annual State of the Commonwealth address. Before the address, the chamber handled routine organizational motions, including recesses, the appointment of committees to escort the Lieutenant Governor, constitutional officers, and the Governor into the chamber, the posting of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, and an invocation and benediction. The joint convention then heard Governor Maura Healey’s address, followed by remarks from legislative leaders and a closing benediction. In her speech, Governor Healey said the state is strong and highlighted accomplishments from the past session, including tax cuts, expanded child care support, the Affordable Homes Act, transportation improvements, federal funding gains, veterans’ services, and health care measures. She also emphasized ongoing priorities such as reducing housing costs, improving transit and infrastructure, expanding primary care and mental health services, supporting education and career pathways, strengthening clean energy and AI investment, and protecting reproductive health care. She called for abolishing tenant broker’s fees, creating a statewide graduation standards council after the MCAS requirement change, and continuing efforts to address the emergency shelter system and other cost pressures. No roll call votes were taken on legislation during the address itself, but the convention adopted the various ceremonial orders and motions by voice vote. After the Governor’s remarks and the benediction, the joint convention adjourned, and the House later adjourned to meet the following Tuesday in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, when you start a bill and you work on it, I don't think I've worked so hard on a bill.
• I have some, but one of them I'll describe is we work with... We work with— what was the entity?
• , disaster response work.
• to do the work of ICE.
• Thank you for your work on this.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:

• They currently already operate off of a grant, and they work at the intersection of immigration and work
• I work two jobs. We are working families that make up 13% of the workforce.
• Working people are working people. Thank you.
• In the same way, the state works ...and investments needed for environmental recovery work.
• They’re going to work with the districts to create a template that’s easier to use. ...working with the

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be there to work. We are fully invested in the work that needs to happen. We will do that.
• Again, the governor is the only work.
• And to legislature actually works.
• </c> work done in a bipartisan way. work done in a bipartisan way.
• </c> we will be there ready to work. we will be there ready to work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to get to work.
• Um, what has worked in other states, what has not worked in other states.
• Edwards for the, the work plan.
• Uh, they all work together.
• What works, what doesn't work?

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And so really look forward to working with all of you and Chair Franson.
• And so really look forward to working with all of you and Chair Franson.
• I look forward to continuing this work together. Thank you.
• I look forward to continuing this work together. Thank you.
• works for the public.

Bills: HF719 , HF2484 , HF2486

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: safety, school transportation, infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, library construction, education funding, early childhood, child protection, funding, bonds, education facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to working with you all.
• Yeah, we'd love to sit down and talk to you how that works. Yeah, I know how it works.
• So it all works together.
• So it all works together.
• We appreciate their work. We will also want to insert. We appreciate their work.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your work.
• And so they are supposed to be working on a working group that says, what does this look like across
• Thank you for your work. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you for your work.
• And we know this model works.
• Or work related.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of public health bills, with much of the testimony focused on two major themes: expanding access to care and stabilizing health-related workforces and services. On House 2364, an act relative to medical health and fitness facilities, representatives from Dedham Health and Athletic Club argued for a pilot program recognizing supervised exercise as medicine, saying it could improve outcomes for chronic disease, fall prevention, and mental health while reducing costs. On House/Senate bills concerning community health workers (H. 359/S. 251), multiple witnesses from MACHW, Health Care for All, MHA, Cambridge Health Alliance, Mass General Brigham, Boston Children’s Hospital, Asian Women for Health, and the City of Somerville described CHWs as essential for navigation, trust-building, language access, and addressing social needs, and urged reimbursement by MassHealth, the GIC, and private insurers, along with workforce development measures. One pediatric neurologist also told the committee that losing grant-funded CHW support led to more avoidable ER visits and threatened clinic operations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hospital closures and essential services. Witnesses including Dr. Alan Sager, MNA President Katie Murphy, nurses from Brockton Hospital and Providence Behavioral Health, and local officials and legislators from Norwood described the loss of hospitals and service lines, especially maternity, pediatric, and behavioral health care, and argued current closure processes are too weak to protect communities. They supported bills such as H. 2460/S. 1503 and H. 2534/S. 1574, which would require earlier notice, community input, stronger state oversight, possible receivership, and limits on reopening or expanding after closures. Testimony emphasized the impact of Steward’s bankruptcy, the closures of Carney and Neshoba Valley, and the need to preserve access to essential services in underserved areas. Several end-of-life and professional regulation bills were also discussed. On H. 2436, Representative Omar Gomez and funeral industry witnesses supported eliminating Office of the Chief Medical Examiner fees for the removal of a child’s body in cases involving children five and under, describing the bill as a small but important relief for grieving families. On H. 2444 and related Senate bills, cemetery and consumer advocates supported legalizing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction as environmentally friendly after-death options, while cemetery representatives opposed H. 2360, which would allow funeral establishments to operate crematories, arguing cemeteries should retain that role. The committee also heard support for H. 2382, which would exempt dentists and oral surgeons from a new office-based surgical center framework, and for H. 2461, which would create hospital efficiency standards; employers and retailers backed that bill as a way to address rising health care costs. Finally, the committee heard testimony on autism services and hospital governance. On S. 1414, behavior analysts and school representatives said Massachusetts already licenses assistant-level ABA providers but MassHealth does not reimburse them, causing long waitlists and limiting school and family access; an actuary testified that a three-tier ABA reimbursement model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% per child served. Senator Lovely also testified in support of S. 1572, which would require at least one registered nurse on each acute care hospital governing board, arguing nurses’ frontline perspective would improve quality and retention. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpt, but many witnesses urged favorable reports on their respective bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, UCLA works, right?
• So everything there works.
• And I worked in the central Los Angeles area for three years. and I know and I worked in the central
• We're working with Caltrans, Los Angeles, Mr.
• We're working with our local partners. We're working with our federal partners.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> work here in this beautiful chamber. work here in this beautiful chamber.
• ,</c><00:10:47.360><c> we</c> She knew if we didn't do our work, we She knew if we didn't do our work
• </c> and got to work. Classic Hortman. and got to work. Classic Hortman.
• </c> at big law firms to work at legal aid. at big law firms to work at legal aid.
• </c> loved working with you. loved working with you.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, what they too have worked out for that is that...
• We'll work that in.
• So I’ll kind of work through that process here.
• RAFT's not working. Section 8's not working. Home Base isn't working. We're living on couches.
• So, and through our Housing Works program and technical assistance, working with our quasi-partners,

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census, chaired by Senator Will Brownsberger with Senator Liz Miranda and other members participating, held a hearing on mid-decade population estimates and projections for Massachusetts. Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute presented the latest Census Bureau estimates and explained the main components of population change: births, deaths, domestic migration, and international migration. She said Massachusetts has continued to grow, but much more slowly than in the immediate post-2020 period, largely because net international migration has fallen sharply after a pandemic-era surge. She also reviewed fertility and aging trends, noting that births are concentrated among women in their 30s, that the state’s population is aging, and that the share of residents 65 and older is projected to rise substantially, increasing the dependency ratio. Strait and committee members discussed the role of immigration in Massachusetts’ population growth, the concentration of immigrants in Greater Boston and other regions, and the effect of immigration on births and the labor force. They also discussed domestic out-migration, especially among young adults, and the possibility that housing affordability is a major driver. Senators raised questions about how the Census counts people in group quarters such as prisons and dormitories, and Strait explained that the Census counts incarcerated people where they are housed and generally does not treat dormitory residents as migrants in the same way as household residents. She said the Census Bureau is still working on methodological issues such as extending a “college fix” to more areas. Jesse Partridge Guerrero of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council described how MAPC uses Donahue Institute population projections, household headship rates, and UrbanSim to allocate projected households down to regional, municipal, and sub-municipal levels. He said the projections used for MassDOT’s long-range transportation plan anticipated slower statewide growth and regional decline in the Cape and parts of western and central Massachusetts. Tim Reardon of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities then explained how those projections feed into the statewide housing plan, including three population scenarios and associated housing needs. He said the plan estimates a need for about 115,000 homes to address existing shortages and another 73,000 households even under a low-growth scenario, with total housing needs rising to roughly 222,000 units under the middle scenario and 262,000 under the high scenario. Members pressed him on whether the scenarios may understate future need given the recent drop in immigration and ongoing affordability problems, and he said the state is also pursuing housing production, rental assistance, shelter response, seasonal conversion prevention, and infrastructure support for communities. No votes were taken.