Transcript Highlights:

• the Mauricio Gaston Institute for Community Development and Public Policy, both at the University of
• We'd love to bring in Renee Landers, professor of law at Suffolk University Law School, to talk about
• I'm a professor of law at Suffolk University Law School, and I'm the faculty director for the health
• Painter in 1950, which required the University of Texas Law School to admit Black students.
• Have special financial aid programs for graduates of historically Black colleges and universities, which

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held a hearing on the impact of federal policy on the racial wealth gap in Massachusetts, with no bills heard. Chairs Bud Williams and Miranda opened by framing the issue as a structural, long-standing disparity affecting Black and brown communities, citing major gaps in wealth, income, housing, and opportunity. Members noted this was the fourth hearing in a series on federal impacts on racial equity, and public written testimony was invited by the posted deadline. Administration witnesses Secretary Lauren Jones, Secretary Kiami Mahania, and Assistant Secretary Juan Vega described how labor, health, and economic development policy intersect with wealth-building. Jones pointed to higher unemployment, wage gaps, and underemployment among Black and Latino workers, and highlighted ESOL, workforce training, MassHire, and skills-based hiring efforts. Mahania argued poverty drives poor health, linking medical debt, Medicaid instability, maternal health, and chronic disease to wealth loss, and said federal changes could worsen both health and wealth gaps. Vega focused on entrepreneurship and procurement, citing disparities in business ownership and revenue, and described state efforts such as small business technical assistance, founder pipelines, place-based grants, and the Business Front Door; members also pressed him on microbusiness definitions, supplier diversity, and whether state programs were reaching firms that had received prior grants. Nicole O’Bean of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts testified that Black-owned businesses face a hostile environment due to tariffs, DEI rollbacks, immigration enforcement, capital barriers, and federal funding cuts that reduce contracts from education, health care, and nonprofit sectors. She emphasized that certification alone is not enough and called for stronger inclusive procurement outcomes, better data, and more support for microbusinesses. Dr. Melissa Colon and Dr. Fabian Torres-Dal of the Mauricio Gaston Institute testified on Latino wealth gaps, especially low homeownership, high rent burden, limited access to credit, and occupational segregation; they said structural racism, wage gaps, and education inequities are central drivers and urged housing, labor, and education reforms. Committee members repeatedly linked the hearing’s themes to redlining, medical debt, single-parent households, financial literacy, and the need for legislation and state programs to close the gap, but no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the University of New Mexico, there are really only two audit firms that can audit them.
• Some of these flagship university accounting departments have these higher education endowments, and
• In terms of universities, we're going to do a statewide review of all university foundations.
• Foundations are component units of the universities, and we have a lot of foundations that are convinced
• of New Mexico. of New Mexico.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have City of Rocks. We have so many places that you can go here. We have a beautiful university.
• I think one of the great things about being in a small comprehensive university like ours is that we
• And I do want to just acknowledge the value of the partnership between the U.S. – University and the
• I came from a graduating class of 56, so going to the University of 2,500 was culture shock, and I can
• Western New Mexico University, and I was interim Department of Transportation Secretary Justin Reese

Transcript Highlights:

• Fabian is 17 and is graduating from Florida Atlantic University this summer with a Bachelor of Arts.
• It is the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning at the University of South Florida.
• of South Florida to create— work in conjunction with that institute at the University of South Florida
• of South Florida to create. work in conjunction with that institute at the University of South Florida
• Maybe just walk me through some of these changes as it comes to university presidents.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage. The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur. The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• data to outside of the university or anything like that.
• Madam Chair and members, Kathy Van Austin, on behalf of the American Association of University Women
• Good morning, Kathy Van Austin, on behalf of the American Association of University Women of California
• Jessica Dong, with the University of California, in support.
• I'm the Student Regent for the University of California, on behalf of the Board of Regents.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to do a confirmation of Senator Muñoz of Anna Silva, Secretary of GSD.
• She is currently an international studies major in the honors college at the University of New Mexico
• She is currently an international studies major and honors college at the University of New Mexico.
• That's a lot of money. That's a lot of money. Senator, that's a lot of money.
• One of those, that's one of those.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayers and pledges, and several procedural announcements, including permission for cameras, a relaxed dress code for guests, and excusing a few senators. Members also recognized numerous guests and honorary lieutenant governors, and discussed a planned bolo tie contest tied to New Mexico tradition and state history. The chamber then moved to business, including the confirmation of Anna Silva as Secretary of the General Services Department. The confirmation drew broad support from senators on both sides, who praised Silva’s long career in state government, her management experience, and her work on major projects such as the executive office building, procurement reforms, and facilities management. After debate, the Senate voted unanimously to confirm her appointment. Silva’s family and guests were recognized from the floor after the vote. The Senate then took up House Bill 2 and 3, the state budget. Senator Muñoz presented the Senate Finance version as a balanced budget with about $11.1 billion in spending, 27% reserves, recurring investments in health care, early childhood, public safety, education, roads, housing, and economic development, and targeted nonrecurring spending for items such as water, universities, and innovation sectors. Supporters emphasized affordability, teacher health insurance parity, medical residency funding, rural and community investments, and public safety funding. Critics raised concerns about the size of the budget, the late availability and complexity of the bill, the removal of a proposed 1% pay raise for state employees, and whether spending priorities and education dollars were being allocated effectively. No final vote on the budget was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• She holds a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Florida, and her master's of law
• from the University of Miami.
• I'm a proud graduate of the Florida State University.
• I'm a proud graduate of the Florida State University, and I know that we have designated a portion of
• You see, my mother integrated the University of South Florida. She was part of the USF8.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Katie Davis, and I'm a professor at the University of Washington, where I co-direct the UW
• at the University of Texas School of Law.
• Center for Digital Youth at the University of Washington, and a member of the APA advisory on social
• Should we be trusting the University of Washington when there's a bunch of tires floating in Puget Sound
• I've bought enough flubber and magic bean theories from the University of Washington.

Bills: SB5984 , SB6119 , SB6076

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: artificial intelligence, chatbots, regulation, technology, consumer protection, pollutants, tire regulation, 6PPD, environment, public safety, SB 6076, consumer-owned utilities, public utility districts, municipal procurement, competitive bidding, public works, clean energy, renewable energy, nonemitting generation, energy storage

Transcript Highlights:

• reverse osmosis cannot get rid of all of it.
• We're really failing the students who walk through the doors of our university campuses, and that's the
• AB 1732 is also supported by the University of California, the California School Employees Association
• AB 1732 would offer housing security to thousands of students by providing public universities access
• Tyler Aguilar here on behalf of the University of California.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1603, which would restrict new PFAS pesticides from being registered in California and add transparency requirements for pesticide use reporting. The author and supporters argued PFAS are persistent, harmful chemicals that contaminate water, soil, and food, and said the bill would reduce future contamination and public health costs. Supporters included environmental and public health groups, water agencies, nurses, teachers, and local governments. Agricultural and chemical industry groups opposed the bill’s registration ban, arguing California already has strong pesticide review, that the measure could limit future safer formulations, and that it could raise costs and reduce farmers’ access to pest-control tools. Committee members raised questions about affordability, water contamination, and the role of state versus federal regulators; the author said the bill was needed because existing regulation is too slow and incomplete. No vote was taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 2635, the Just Transition for Landscapers Act, which would create voucher programs and other support for landscapers transitioning from gas-powered to electric equipment, while limiting penalties and adding privacy protections. The author and supporters said many landscapers are low-wage immigrant workers who cannot afford the upfront cost of electric equipment and should not be punished for complying with local air-quality rules. Air district representatives and other opponents said the bill could be too prescriptive, could divert limited air district resources, and could create administrative and language-assistance burdens; one air district moved to neutral after amendments. Committee members discussed the health benefits of electric equipment and the need to avoid placing penalties on workers. The bill was held pending a quorum. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would extend CEQA streamlining to public university and community college housing projects. The author, UC student representatives, and the University of California said the bill would help address student housing insecurity and speed construction on already planned campus sites. There was no opposition. The committee then took up AB 1744, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as reef safe or reef friendly from containing certain chemicals that harm marine ecosystems. The author said the bill is a transparency measure, not a ban, and the committee expressed support; no opposition appeared. Additional bills discussed included AB 2152, which would streamline CEQA review for fire station projects and was supported by firefighters and local governments but opposed by contractors over a project labor agreement requirement; AB 2231, which would streamline two hospital projects in Santa Clara and Emeryville and drew broad support with no opposition; AB 2410, which would create temporary CEQA and Coastal Act exemptions for wildfire fuel-reduction projects and drew support from counties, cities, utilities, and fire officials but opposition from Sierra Club California over the breadth of the exemptions; and AB 2234, which would update geothermal exploratory project rules to reflect newer technologies, supported by clean power advocates and opposed or opposed-unless-amended by utility groups concerned about impacts on existing geothermal operations. Several of these measures were discussed with amendments, but votes were deferred where a quorum was not yet present.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1932, he began his collegiate career at the University of Tampa and went on to serve in the U.S.
• And his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Florida in 1960.
• Every one of those spots at the University of West Florida or Florida State, every one of those spots
• I'm sorry, every university to ask them the question: How many of the 6,500 are illegal?
• The dreamers that I worry about are the 2000 students we know not going to Florida university of their

Transcript Highlights:

• of St.
• So if we had an inflation rate of 2024 of 5%, So if we had an inflation rate of 2024 of 5%, that would
• university.
• Take those—they take a portion of that sales tax and apply it to the university for infrastructure development
• Just to try to clarify what's happening here, at my University of Louisiana at Monroe, we're already

Bills: HR286 , HR287 , HR288 , HR289 , HR290 , HR291 , HR292 , HR293 , HR294 , HCR114 , HR275 , HR276 , HR277 , HR278 , HR279 , HR280 , HR282 , HR283 , HR284 , HR285 , HCR112 , HCR113 , SCR62 , SCR64 , SB132 , SB135 , SB405 , HR179 , HR216 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , SB39 , SB99 , SB111 , SB112 , SB124 , SB134 , SB174 , SB189 , SB190 , SB201 , SB233 , SB236 , SB258 , SB270 , SB273 , SB288 , SB307 , SB313 , SB320 , SB321 , SB325 , SB326 , SB331 , SB339 , SB341 , SB345 , SB346 , SB347 , SB353 , SB357 , SB359 , SB387 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB419 , SB422 , SB426 , SB435 , SB437 , SB440 , SB451 , SB464 , SB470 , SB487 , SB488 , SB495 , SB504 , SB505 , SB518 , SB523 , SB228 , SB408 , HR168 , HR174 , HR194 , HCR54 , HCR74 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR97 , HCR98 , HCR102 , HCR104 , SCR23 , SCR38 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB75 , HB705 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , SB54 , SB56 , SB72 , SB79 , SB97 , SB105 , SB123 , SB125 , SB129 , SB163 , SB171 , SB252 , SB287 , SB375 , SB386 , SB461 , SB466 , HR84 , SCR3 , HB582 , HB625 , HB646 , HB998 , HB1191 , HB1255 , SB81 , SB100 , SB109 , SB197 , SB374 , SB479 , SB78 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Summary: The House met with a quorum, received a guest minister for prayer, approved the journal, and heard several announcements and recognitions, including NEC Awareness Day, a European Union delegation visit, and the Glenmore Wildcats baseball team’s state championship. Members also received Senate messages, including concurrence on some House measures, the filing of Senate bills, and several Senate resolutions and bills laid over for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long series of resolutions and bills. Among the resolutions adopted were measures on a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission, support for migratory waterfowl studies, hunting education in schools, SNAP delivery-fee studies, fraud prevention for seniors, subsurface data preservation, boating safety reporting, and visual acuity screening data. Some items were temporarily returned to the calendar, including a sales-tax uniform-base rule resolution and several Senate measures. The House also adopted a resolution creating an agricultural national security task force and another supporting a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On legislation, the House passed bills on missing-person alerts for people with disabilities (“Brian’s Call”), first responder status for public works employees, planning commission procedures, historic preservation district rules, judges’ supplemental compensation, the Baker Economic Development District, New Orleans downtown development district tax authority, a local crime prevention district, clerks of court records, hotel occupancy taxes in Shreveport-Bossier, firefighter cancer screenings, Shreveport police civil service rules, local ethics entity funding, hemp/alcohol age restrictions, OMV digital signatures, LED recreation, TOPS Tech eligibility for veterans, anatomical gift recordkeeping, crypto kiosk fraud protections, firefighting foam definitions, and consumer data privacy. Several bills failed, including HB 705 on legislative contempt penalties and HB 75 on gaming promotional play. One bill on vehicle insurance reinstatement fees was amended and passed, and a bill on judicial compensation fund adjustments was amended and passed after questions about CPI indexing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to speak as a community member of Minneapolis and as a public university employee.
• Those of us who are afforded the privilege of attending university may remember wearing many of these
• 47.200><c> of</c><00:20:47.400><c> attending</c><00:20:48.039><c> University</c> the privilege of attending
• University the privilege of attending University may<00:20:49.280><c> remember</c><00:20:49.760><c>
• My name is Danielle Huck, and I have been a professor of English at Minnesota State University, Mankato

Transcript Highlights:

• of the anacronym of speaking on behalf of the anacronym of all<00:03:27.599><c> the</c><00:03:27.760
• c> that</c> because of the abandonment of that because of the abandonment of that request<00:28:43.840
• about a fourth colleges and University about a fourth of<00:48:11.240><c> Minnesota</c><00:48:11.680
• Olaf College, is not on the list of private colleges and universities that participate in this program
• ><c> and</c> not on the list of private colleges and not on the list of private colleges and universities

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> university throughout the state of university throughout the state of Minnesota<00:35:07.839><c>
• That we were told, don't worry, Universal Meals is going to take care of that.
• That we were told, don't worry, Universal Meals is going to take care of that.
• </c> Universal Meals is going to take care of Universal Meals is going to take care of that.<00:48:49.359
• So, Universal Meals was one of those things that was finally like, "Aha, people get it."

Summary: The committee took up House File 4893, a school safety and gun violence prevention bill, and first adopted a DE1 amendment before hearing the bill. The author and supporters described the measure as a layered approach to school safety, combining increased funding for student support personnel, required school safety plans, and anonymous threat reporting systems. They cited research from the Violence Prevention Project and other sources arguing that many school shooters are insiders, often show warning signs, and frequently leak plans beforehand, making early intervention and trusted adults in schools important. Members and testifiers also discussed the bill’s firearm storage provisions. Representative Green explained that the bill would require firearms on school property and in vehicles to be unloaded and locked, and would limit or remove principals’ discretion to allow firearms in school buildings, while preserving access for trained school security personnel. Supporters said the bill would improve clarity and safety for schools, while a representative from private schools raised concerns that the language could limit flexibility and create staffing and accountability problems for non-public schools, prompting discussion of possible amendments. Several student and organizational testifiers supported the bill, including students from Edina High School, Education Minnesota, the Minnesota School Counselors Association, and the Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota. They emphasized the impact of gun violence on students’ mental health and learning, the value of anonymous reporting systems, and the need to invest in counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, but the committee did adopt the DE1 amendment and continued discussion of possible changes, including with the BCA and school safety center.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first group up... ...today, so the first group up is the University of Alabama Board of Trustees
• So, if you will, call our conferees from the University of Alabama Board of Trustees, please.
• ...confirmation process to the Board of Trustees at the University.
• Do any members have any questions for the University of Alabama Board of Trustees?
• The University of Alabama Board of Trustees confer are approved by the committee.

Committee: Senate Confirmations

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, if you please give a round of applause to our nurse of the day and give her privileges of the
• I aspire to pursue constitutional studies, psychology, or law, and hopefully the University of Oklahoma
• And I am planning to attend the University of Tulsa on a pre-law track to go into business law.
• My future plans are to obtain my bachelor's of science in nursing with a minor in leadership at the University
• of Central Oklahoma or Rogers State University.

Summary: The Senate convened, the roll was called, and a quorum was declared. The chamber opened with prayer, followed by introductions of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. James David Campbell, an emergency medicine physician from Tahlequah, and the Nurse of the Day, Courtney Caput of Tonkawa, who was recognized for her nursing career and leadership. Several pages were also introduced, each sharing their school, sponsoring senator, and future plans. The Senate also received a gallery introduction for students from Tahlequah Public Schools’ Heritage Elementary School, who were visiting with their self-elected house members and senators. Additional guests from the Sepulpa Chamber of Commerce were recognized in the North Gallery. Announcements included an invitation to the Diabetes Caucus on April 2, featuring insurance providers discussing diabetes care services, and an invitation to a devotional service the next day in the Senate Lounge. No legislation was debated or voted on during the meeting. The only formal action was adoption of a motion to adjourn once the clerk’s desk was clear, with the Senate set to reconvene on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• University system of New Hampshire, I'm sorry. The license by SP, uh, Mr.
• University system of New Hampshire, I'm sorry. The license by SP, uh, Mr.
• of New you University system of New Hampshire<03:19:39.279><c> I'm</c> Hampshire I'm Hampshire I'm sorry
• Moving on to the University System of New Hampshire, we have three items: Plymouth State University,
• </c><03:28:55.319><c> to</c> university system Board of Trustees to university system Board of Trustees

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25A, the capital improvements appropriations bill, which Representative David Mills said was based on Governor Ayotte’s budget and included appropriations for capital improvements and extensions of prior appropriation lapses. The hearing drew testimony on several requested additions to the bill, with the chair noting the unusually large turnout and moving quickly through speakers. No questions were taken on the initial bill presentation, and the public hearing on HB 25A was later closed. The Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million, including $800,000 for IT infrastructure, $1.3 million for critical maintenance, and $500,000 for energy management systems. The witness said the money would address cybersecurity and online learning needs, replace failing boilers and a roof at several campuses, and prevent costly damage such as frozen pipes. The New Hampshire Veterans Home requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements, including floor replacement and wider doors, citing an upcoming VA inspection and the importance of preserving federal funding. Testimony also focused on career and technical education and airport funding. Milford CTE sought to keep $9.9 million in the budget for renovations after a local vote fell short, explaining the project had been scaled down from an earlier $60 million concept and that the school board wanted another chance to seek voter approval. On aviation, Concord, the New Hampshire Municipal Association, and Department of Transportation representatives urged restoring state matching funds for FAA airport grants, saying roughly $3.6 million in state money would leverage about $62 million to $65 million in federal funds for safety and infrastructure projects at public airports. Committee members asked about project selection, matching requirements, and the airport priority process, and witnesses said the program is driven by FAA-approved capital improvement plans and safety needs rather than business-return rankings.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a first-generation, low-income Latina student, she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley
• Edna is a proud mother of three and a graduate of Hampton and Georgetown Universities.
• She holds a JD from the University of Michigan and lives in downtown San Jose with her husband and daughter
• She graduated from Brown University and the University of Michigan Law School. Thank you.
• From Brown University and the University of Michigan Law School. Please welcome Faisa Malik.

Transcript Highlights:

• Austin Daley on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno. Just want to ditto as well. Thank you.
• They've been piloting with the University of Nevada, Reno, which really works with MTSS, which we all
• They had a pilot; this program was piloted with the University of Nevada, Reno, so there isn't a specific
• They had a pilot; this program was piloted with the University of Nevada, Reno, so there isn't a specific
• Austin Daly, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno, for the record.

Committee: Assembly Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is our our little corner of the universe and that work for space.
• And so in the first several years, the FSU College of Social Work in collaboration with other unit university
• We have an ongoing learning community faculty representing a number of different universities.
• These groups include the Florida Department of veteran Affairs, Florida's colleges and Universities Careersource
• This slide provides a comprehensive view of the child welfare systems, front door that whole universe