Transcript Highlights:

• Our community colleges, our school.
• zones that abate our school roads.
• , school administration office, or school board.
• > or school, school administration office or school, school administration office or school<03
• regarding um, testing strips of drugs. regarding um, testing strips of drugs.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that if more schools, homes, businesses could have this technology, that will go a long way in
• Act 45 creates a buffer zone from schools, 100 feet. If this is an RUP, we no longer can use that.
• Act 45 creates a buffer zone from schools, 100 feet. If this is an RUP, we no longer can use that.
• Act 45 creates a buffer zone from schools, 100 feet. If this is an RUP, we no longer can use that.
• Zone from schools, 100 feet. If this is an RUP, we no longer can use that.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing began on SP 547, which would create incentives for graywater recycling systems and atmospheric water generators through an income tax credit, a Department of Health rebate program, and building code standards. The Department of Health and Department of Taxation offered written comments; Taxation said it had seven proposed amendments to improve administration. Testimony was largely supportive, with advocates and local users describing water-supply benefits, emergency use during the Maui fires, and potential help for drought conditions and Red Hill concerns. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii suggested only the rebate program should move forward for clearer cost transparency, and the Department of Health said it needed more time to study the bill. Members questioned the fiscal impact and whether combining a tax credit and rebate was typical, but staff did not have cost estimates. Decision-making on SP 547 was deferred to February 12, 2025. The committee then took up SP 242 on foreign ownership of agricultural lands. The chair recommended passage with amendments, including deleting a reference to the Attorney General in one section and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. Supporters argued the bill was a first step to limit foreign ownership of farmland, citing other states with similar restrictions, while several members said they supported the intent but had reservations about possible unintended harm to farmers and agriculture investment. After discussion, the measure passed with amendments on a 5-0 vote, with some members voting with reservations. The committee also discussed SP 1633, which would create a green building tax credit for structures using at least 30% Hawaii-grown hemp material. The chair said the bill was close but needed more work, and decision-making was deferred to February 12, 2025. Later, the committee heard several environmental measures: SB 683, which would ban intentionally added PFAS in certain products starting in 2028; SB 1109, which would replace the “finding of no significant impact” with a “finding of completion of environmental disclosure process”; SB 391, which would expand recycling requirements to certain lithium-ion batteries; and SB 12, which would classify neonic pesticides as restricted-use pesticides and limit certain seed treatments. Testimony on these bills included support from environmental and advocacy groups, comments from state agencies, and requests for amendments or further study, but no final votes were taken on those measures in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• school authority. We support. school authority. We support.
• written test. written test.
• . schools. schools.
• . schools. schools.
• and and there are no schools right. and and there are no schools right.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools. SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations. SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Great school, amazing school, amazing community. I'm glad you're here. And Ms.
• The second is electric school buses through the Public Schools Facilities Authority.
• How much of a gap is it between a regular diesel school bus and an EV school bus?
• and the school district.
• school bus only goes 150.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, how will they test? What will that look like?
• in elementary school.
• Who's going to test for this stuff?
• class, a graduate of Lake City High School and Presbyterian College.
• Representative Forrest, congratulating the Saluda High School girls' softball team.

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill doesn't take into account how hospital blood tests are always falsely elevated.
• Just because you took a Xanax, you're still testing positive the next day, even though it's not psychoactive
• Just because you took a hydrocodone this weekend for knee pain, you're still testing positive today,
• of what now we lawyers are going to advise people on, whether you should give a breath or a blood test
• It affects their ability to go to school, and for that reason, I oppose the bill.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in schools across New Hampshire they are in schools across New Hampshire they are in<00:28:34.679>
• after school after school programs<00:28:39.440> thank<00:28:39.600> you<00:28:39.960
• children can safely attend school.
• not about what to require in schools not about what to require in schools those<02:18:55.639>
• <02:53:14.800> and<02:53:14.960> schools School nurses and school um and schools School

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Perfect testing. My name is Charlotte Harding.
• <01:24:30.120> for<01:24:30.280> a school they've been out of school for a school they've
• placement the schools step back or when placement the schools step back or when bcbh<01:27:18.320>
• <01:30:39.080> work<01:30:39.400> with school and the school doesn't work with school
• right so the very first time a school right so the very first time a school can't<01:32:13.360><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from Charlotte Harding of the Conservation Land Stewardship Program, who explained that the office protects the state’s interests in conservation lands by monitoring conservation easements and related stewardship obligations. She described the program’s funding sources: a land conservation endowment held at the State Treasury and administered by the Council on Resources and Development, plus transfers from Fish and Game for easements not covered by the endowment. Members discussed how the endowment is funded when new easements are created, the program’s staffing, the loss of a state vehicle, and the need to increase in-state travel so staff can use personal vehicles for field monitoring. Harding said the office has two full-time positions and a seasonal employee, that the work is mostly monitoring rather than hands-on land management, and that enforcement issues are referred to the grantee agencies or, if needed, to the Council on Resources and Development. She also noted that the office works directly with landowners to resolve smaller issues and that stewardship has become a greater focus in the conservation community because ongoing oversight requires funding. Members asked about examples of properties under the program, including LCIP lands such as Musquash Headwaters, Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp, and Nash Stream, and the committee did not take a motion before moving on. The committee then heard from Paul Breen and Susie Anzelone of the Pease Development Authority regarding the Division of Ports and Harbors operating budget. They explained that the authority provides finance, legal, environmental, and engineering support to the division, which operates New Hampshire’s only deep-water berth at Market Street, as well as facilities in Hampton, Rye, the Portsmouth Fish Pier, and navigational waters in the Piscataqua and Great Bay. They described the authority’s history after the closure of Pease Air Force Base, the transfer of roughly 2,400 acres, and the creation of a self-sustaining enterprise fund tied to airport and port operations. They emphasized that the division does not draw on the general fund because revenues from wharfage, dockage, parking, registration, and mooring fees cover operating costs, with any surplus retained for capital improvements and replacement. Members questioned several budget lines, including a sharp increase in overtime and workers’ compensation. Breen said overtime is driven largely by security needs at the deep-water port and fluctuates with vessel traffic, such as salt shipments, while workers’ comp is a DAS-set cost and not something the division controls. He said the budget is conservative and that if revenues fall short, capital projects would be the first items scaled back. The discussion also covered fee-setting, with Breen saying rates are reviewed against the local market and infrastructure constraints, and that some smaller facility fees had recently been increased after being stagnant for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• > non-school<00:04:27.120> districts employers and also non-school districts employers
• I always thought it was only school systems that... school system sent them.
• Um and there's school system sent them.
• We have about 11 school<00:18:41.600> districts.
• So, it's been an eye school districts.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:07 Attendance Roll Call: 00:13 Approval of Minutes: 02:28 2025 RS SB 9: TRS Leave Audit Requirements & Process: 03:05 2025 RS SB 10: Overview of Enacted Legislation & Discussion: 28:38 Adjournment: 42:13, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call, a quorum was confirmed, and the minutes were approved. The committee then heard testimony on Senate Bill 9, which concerns TRS sick leave audit requirements and process. Auditor Allison Ball’s staff said the audit is an information-gathering review of how teacher sick leave is accumulated, current balances, how many employers use the sick leave function, and the policies and procedures governing sick leave. Members discussed how unused sick leave affects retirement calculations, the distinction between the state’s financial responsibility and school districts’ responsibility, and whether the audit would also examine related leave categories such as personal leave, annual leave, and leave of absence. Committee members emphasized that Senate Bill 9 was intended to add accountability and standardize reporting, including preventing annual leave from being rolled into sick leave. Several members asked for clarification on how sick leave is factored into retirement benefits. Witnesses and members explained that, under the system described, accumulated sick leave can be converted into retirement credit based on a teacher’s daily rate and then multiplied by a percentage, with the school district often bearing the cost. Members also noted nuances in the law, including different accumulation limits by hire date and tier, and that the audit may help the public better understand why some educators retire relatively young. The auditor’s office said it is still early in the process, has met with TRS leadership, and will report back once the audit progresses. The committee also asked whether maternity leave would be included; the auditor’s office said it was not specifically mandated but could be examined if the body requests it. The committee then received an overview of Senate Bill 10 from KPA representatives Ryan Barrow and Rebecca Atkins. They explained that the bill enhances retiree health insurance benefits for certain CRS members who are non-Medicare participants and meet specified career thresholds, with different rules for hazardous and non-hazardous service. They described the benefit as $40 per month per year of service for non-hazardous service and $50 per month per year for hazardous service, both inflated annually, and clarified that these amounts are not cumulative with prior benefit formulas. Members asked about the interaction between the new amounts and existing benefits, and the presenters explained that the bill also changes current employee health insurance contribution rates effective July 1, 2026, with different impacts by tier and hazardous status. The committee discussed the need for clear communication to affected employees and reviewed example calculations showing how the new contribution structure would work.

Transcript Highlights:

• This clarifies that stock albuterol is authorized in all public schools, which now includes preschool
• , that testing includes fentanyl.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 128 by Senator Perez, relative to high school voter education weeks.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 128 by Senator Perez, relative to high school voter education weeks.
• While high school institutions Feeling disconnected from political movements.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THERE IS A DIVERSITY OF PROGRAM OFFERINGS AT EACH OF THOSE 56 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
• MOST OF WHICH COMES FROM THE 34 MILLION SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM SECONDARY.
• THIS IS NOT A FUNCTION OF HOW THE APPROPRIATION IS ALLOCATED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
• WE ALSO INCLUDE A FACTOR FOR OPERATION OF GED TESTING.
• SO EVERYONE HAS A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED IF YOU WANT TO DO COLLEGE CREDIT IS GRANT ACCESS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Richard Lange, was established in 2013, has four... endowed schools, and enrolls approximately 1,000
• From South Texas, Gabriela Garza of Edinburgh North High School.
• Influences would inform Latin Express, which he formed as a student at Northside High School.
• The first day of school for students by school district for the committee on public education.
• HB 1662 by Cunningham, relating to the grant program for public school.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's my only concern, is that, you know, these tests... a lot of time and energy, and we really
• The reasonable assurance test is the test. But how we define...
• When I was in law school, teaching at the law school, I always say, I look at the 'ands' and the 'ors
• Well, I was an adjunct last semester; I'm not one this semester, but I was at the School of Law.
• If you've been teaching in a law school, it might be Dr. Curtis, or no? Okay, Mr. Curtis.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, more than 20 states have menstrual products in public schools and public facilities.
• Cabral's bill on school interpreters.
• DESE also monitors school districts directly to ensure they're complying with the law.
• Well, I think the whole issue of starting school—let's talk about children, starting school at the time
• So it doesn't make sense to go to permanent daylight and start school later.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several bills. Senator Mike Moore supported S. 2185, which would delay implementation of the heavy-duty omnibus/advanced clean truck requirements while requiring the Commonwealth to purchase or lease electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles starting in 2025; he argued the delay is needed because infrastructure, grid capacity, vehicle availability, and costs are not yet ready. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2156/H. 3318, which would require free menstrual products in public buildings, with advocates and students describing period poverty and the need to treat menstrual products like other basic restroom supplies. Senator John Keenan testified for S. 2158, a bill to let municipal light plants protect proprietary and competitively sensitive information from public disclosure while keeping board meetings and minutes open, saying it would help level the playing field against larger competitors. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2125/H. 3384, the language access and inclusion bill. Testimony from the AAPI Commission, Mass Speaks coalition members, Mass Appleseed, MLRI, ATASK, MAPC, the Boston Bar Association, Mass Advocates for Children, and others described barriers faced by limited-English-proficient residents in accessing MassHealth, DCF, courts, domestic violence services, schools, and other state services. Witnesses cited untranslated documents, inadequate interpretation, delays, and the burden placed on bilingual staff and children; several also pointed to recent federal moves toward English-only policy as making state action more urgent. Committee members asked questions about implementation, interpreter availability, and the role of technology and remote participation, and the chair noted the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and intended to be again. The committee also heard testimony on time-zone legislation. Dr. Karin Johnson, representing sleep medicine interests, supported H. 3405 for permanent standard time and opposed S. 2157 for permanent daylight saving time, arguing that standard time better aligns with circadian rhythms and health, while permanent daylight saving time would worsen morning darkness and sleep disruption. Members questioned the strength of the scientific evidence and discussed school start times, geography, and whether Massachusetts should align with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and testimony continued on additional bills as the session progressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:16.040> school beginning to develop a school school beginning to develop a school school
• . tests. tests.
• and high<00:21:33.120> school high school high school teachers.<00:21:35.520> Uh<00:21
• under-resourced schools. schools. schools.
• other school districts. other school districts.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page two of the bill, the section on secondary school instruction.
• On page two of the bill, the section on secondary school instruction.
• They can't miss school again, unfortunately.
• This is tested policy.
• This is tested policy.

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1135, Bentley and Mason’s Law, which would require a person convicted of killing a parent or parents while driving drunk or otherwise under the influence to pay ongoing child support-like maintenance to the victim’s children until age 18, or 21 if in college. The sponsor explained the bill is modeled on child support procedures, with the amount determined by the court based on the offender’s finances and the children’s needs, and with a one-year delay after release from prison before payments begin. He also said the bill was designed to avoid duplicate recovery if the family pursues a civil case against an insurance company, and members raised questions about penalties for nonpayment, whether health care or FAFSA would be affected, and whether the bill should be strengthened with more enforcement teeth. Public testimony was strongly supportive. A Tennessee mother, Brooke Stewart, described how her husband was killed by a drunk driver and how a court-awarded restitution order under Bentley’s Law is helping provide for her two daughters’ future education and needs. She said the offender had prior DUI-related arrests and that the law gave her family relief after a devastating loss. A representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving also supported the bill, said the measure is needed because Missouri families currently lack this protection, and urged the committee to pass it without amendment because the session was nearing its end. She noted the bill has been pursued for several years, has support from affected families, and is part of a broader effort to strengthen impaired-driving laws in Missouri. Committee members generally expressed sympathy and support, with several saying the bill was good policy and asking about implementation details rather than opposing the concept. The sponsor indicated he was open to offline discussions about possible strengthening amendments, but MADD asked that the bill not be changed at this stage. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing on Senate Bill 1135 was closed without any vote or other action taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:54:07.760> really these schools schools is is a really these schools schools is is a really
• , and my school was Fern Creek that I went to and Ballard High School.
• to and Ballard High School.
• stopped eating the school lunch program. stopped eating the school lunch program.
• <01:16:24.239> um schools uh mo most of the schools um schools uh mo most of the schools um

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is essential for emergency responders, for families and students getting to school, and for businesses
• Transportation impacts people on a daily basis, as they commute to work, go to school, visit the doctor
• ... ...or a bridge that is posted, emergency responders, fire trucks, school buses, even public vehicles
• The battery-electric obviously will electrify Providence, but we will look to test them in other routes
• 4 10 battery electric the battery electric obviously will electrify providence but we will look to test

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the administration’s transportation bond bill centered on Chapter 90 roadway funding and related capital programs. Administration officials described the bill as a roughly $5.5 billion package that would continue $300 million per year for Chapter 90 over four years, with part of the funding distributed by the traditional formula and an additional $100 million based solely on road miles to better support rural and smaller communities. They also highlighted authorizations for municipal pavement work, Shared Streets and Spaces grants, accelerated bridge and pavement repairs, MBTA rail modernization and reliability, housing-related transportation improvements, and a new DCR-focused PRISM program for parkways and related infrastructure. Officials emphasized that the bill is financed through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues, and said it would help municipalities plan more predictably, speed project delivery, and support housing, safety, and climate goals. Committee members and witnesses discussed the bill’s broader scope beyond traditional Chapter 90, especially the $200 million for transportation projects that support housing development and the $200 million for MBTA modernization and rail reliability. Members asked about the rationale for a four-year authorization amid fiscal uncertainty, federal funding volatility, and the status of commuter rail electrification. Administration officials responded that the capital authorization is backed by dedicated transportation revenues rather than the operating budget, and said multi-year certainty helps cities and towns make better long-term repair decisions. They also said the MBTA’s rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurements, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives, as part of a longer-term regional rail and electrification strategy. Municipal officials and regional advocates strongly supported the bill. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, along with town and city officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth, said the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile-based distribution are especially important for small and rural communities with limited local revenue capacity, and that multi-year funding would let them bundle projects, bid at better prices, and address backlogs more proactively. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to treat it like a traditional bond bill by adding policy provisions and considering new transportation revenue tools, such as TNC fee changes, road pricing, parking taxes, and other mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next change is, currently the election authority must have automatic tabulating equipment tested
• We need to expand the time frame to ensure that thorough and meaningful public testing is done.
• And meaningful public testing is done. It's a big catchword authority. It's advertised.
• They have to physically come into our office and give us their list of candidates for school board or
• Currently, the election authority does a test within 14 days. I go and attend almost all of those.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Adds to schooling to behavioral health grant allowable grant activities, accessing caregiver mental health
• This section codifies the intermediate school district behavioral health grant program.
• Memory screens are quick, simple tests that evaluate memory and other thinking skills.
• Additional resources, including referrals for those wanting more extensive testing, were available.
• is actually underestimated, as it only represents those two grade levels, only those who were in school

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator