Video & Transcript Research : 'task force'

Page 197 of 500
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/17/2026 - House Education

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • superintendent that they hired, and unfortunately in some of these cases the school districts are forced
  • I think this is going to force cooperation and accountability. You don't get some extra guards.
  • I think this is going to force cooperation and accountability. But thank you for the question.
  • I don't... ...think this is kind of going beyond what the board has typically been tasked with.
  • No educator can be forced to join a union.
Keywords: 1182, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • We haven't been given that task.
  • We haven't been given that task.
  • We haven't been given that task.
  • We haven't been given that task.
  • Well, force uh and then go to finance.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 10 meeting, and then approved a large agenda of contracts and related items, with the total agenda amount stated as $359,638,393.88. Most items were approved without objection, but two contracts were pulled for discussion: attorney general panel counsel contingency fee contracts and a Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission personal services contract. For the attorney general’s office, Chris Lewis explained that the contracts were panel counsel contingency fee agreements, with 14 qualified awards from 16 applicants. He said the contracts were contingency-based, so no money would be paid unless cases were successful, and that the fee structure worked out to roughly 5% under the statutory waterfall. Senators asked about the size of the contracts, whether the terms were uniform, why no Kentucky firms were among the awardees, and how the public should understand the large dollar figures. Lewis said one Kentucky firm applied but was disqualified for a late submission, other Kentucky firms had inquired but did not apply, and local firms could still work with national firms on cases. The committee then approved the contracts. The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission contract drew more extensive questioning. Commission representatives said they had previously had a contract disapproved because the proper process was not followed, so they used an RFI process posted on the state and commission websites for at least three weeks. They received one applicant, a Kentucky firm, and set the rate at $125 per hour. Members questioned whether the commission was acting beyond its ethics mission, whether staff were helping draft complaints against legislators, and whether the commission was taking on a prosecutorial or human-resources role. The commission said its role is limited to enforcing the legislative code of ethics, providing advisory guidance, and following the formal complaint process; it does not pursue matters outside that code. Members also raised concerns about the earlier procurement misstep and the commission’s credibility, and the commission apologized, said it had corrected the process, and pledged to comply going forward. The committee then approved the contract.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-05-20 - 10:00AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This change was a request from the victim notification task force group and will allow DOC to offer a
  • notification a request from the victim notification a request from the victim notification task
  • <00:26:20.920> force<00:26:21.160> group<00:26:21.800> and<00:26:21.920> will
  • <00:26:22.040> allow<00:26:22.320> DOC<00:26:22.760> to task force group and
  • will allow DOC to task force group and will allow DOC to offer<00:26:23.160> a<00:26:23.240><
Keywords: 927, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • GreenLatinos, Kids Climate Action Network, Living Desert Alliance, My Family Vota, Moms Clean Air Force
  • GreenLatinos, Kids Climate Action Network, Living Desert Alliance, My Family Vota, Moms Clean Air Force
  • requires an effort from the unemployed to provide... ...requires the unemployed to perform certain tasks
  • whereas Arizona is home to nationally and globally significant air and space assets, including Luke Air Force
  • Goldwater Range, the United States Army Yuma Proving Ground, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and the United
Keywords: 1182, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Judiciary Jan 20th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • He said the bill would not force agents to participate and would not force ministries to engage with
  • Senator Yarborough said the bill would give the option without forcing agents or ministries to engage
  • may have not paid when they should have paid or said they would, or others who have been taken to task
  • Through the chair to the senator, what I found is the driving force is usually consumer choice.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part; supporters said it would expand provider options amid a shortage of certified programs, while opponents raised concerns about government speech and mixing religion with court-ordered programming. After debate, the bill was reported favorably 7-2. The committee also considered CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction preventing licensed insurance agents from marketing or selling health care sharing ministries; supporters framed it as restoring choice and free speech, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, commissions, and lack of insurance protections. It was reported favorably 8-2. The committee next approved CS/SB 502, via a strike-all amendment, to give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in state juvenile court rather than federal court; the amendment and bill both passed unanimously. CS/SB 52 also passed unanimously after testimony from church leaders and security personnel supporting an exemption from Class D/G licensing for unpaid armed security volunteers at places of worship. Supporters said the bill would clarify legal gray areas and help churches afford security, while members noted the broader concern that houses of worship need armed protection at all. Finally, the committee reported favorably SB 840, which revises last year’s emergency/local planning law by narrowing its application after storms from 100 miles to 50 miles of the storm track and exempting certain water, flood, and state/federal planning matters; local government representatives supported the clarification, and the bill passed 9-0. CS/SB 758, as amended, updated the membership of the Justice Administration Commission to better reflect the entities it oversees, and it also passed 9-0. The meeting ended with a recorded affirmative vote from Senator DeSigley on SB 624.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education May 20th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • He was liberated by American forces.
  • Marshal's Task Force and served in the capacity of a captain and a sheriff. ...office in rural East Texas
  • Yet, too often, parents are kept in the dark, dismissed by bureaucracies, or forced to navigate opaqueness
  • The Future of Sex Education Initiative, the driving force behind these National Sex Education Standards
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Apr 10th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • The executive director will be tasked with helping to carry out the powers and duties of the commission
  • It counts the forced outages and planned outages that they have.
  • have taken out credit cards in victims' names without their knowledge, or they've used threats of force
  • to compel people to take out car loans or student loans, forcing them to borrow the maximum on their
  • administration of the TEF loan program, ensuring that qualified applicants adversely affected by market forces
Summary: The meeting of the committee commenced with the establishment of a quorum, where members discussed and voted on five significant bills related to energy efficiency, insurance regulation, and public utility governance. Notably, Senate Bill 2717 was presented, incorporating feedback to foster collaboration among various state agencies for improved energy efficiency performance. This was followed by a detailed discussion on Senate Bill 1642, which proposed changes to the Texas Department of Insurance's executive structure to optimize management and consumer focus. Each bill saw active participation from senators who moved to adopt committee substitutes for clarity and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, indicating a proactive approach to legislative issues.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Public Safety Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a use of deadly force statute, and we're changing in the amendment on page one, line after 2.
  • engage in these jobs where they have virtually unlimited access to facilities and personnel and are tasked
  • In the worst-case scenario, we would be forced to implement lockdowns across our facilities to drastically
  • Are you guys trained on any kind of force, restraints, or anything like that?
  • We are not trained on use of force because the whole purpose of violence...
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Criminal Justice Mar 18th, 2025

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • This amendment allows for reasonable use of force to prohibit a drone from conducting surveillance within
  • Just recently, last month, in Clay County, there was a step-parent that forced their children to Recently
  • , last month in Clay County, there was a step-parent that forced their children to kill their family
  • Also, when I look at other cases, you know, where adults are forcing them to recruit folks for human
  • the years and seen before I ever got elected in the office that deals with those who work or are tasked
Summary: The committee first considered the appointment of Michelle Whitworth to the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Whitworth described her 30 years of criminal justice experience, and the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably. The committee then took up SB 1692 on material harmful to minors, adopting a delete-all amendment that shifted the focus to K-12 instructional materials and objections by parents or residents. Supporters argued it would create clearer standards and protect children from pornographic content, while opponents warned it would worsen book bans and remove consideration of literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. After extensive debate and public testimony, the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on several criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1422 increased penalties for certain drone-related offenses near critical infrastructure and for weaponized drones; SB 1360 clarified xylazine’s veterinary use while creating stronger trafficking penalties; and SB 1732 increased penalties for animal cruelty involving minors and for contributing to a minor’s delinquency. SB 776 added an aggravating factor for the assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, and SB 984 added aggravating factors for capital felonies committed where people are gathered for religious, school, or government activities. SB 1640 made domestic violence lethality assessment forms confidential, and SB 1268 updated FDLE operations and increased reimbursement for retired police dogs. All of these bills were reported favorably after brief debate and mostly supportive testimony. Later, the committee approved SB 1084 on sexual cyber harassment, with a strike-all amendment addressing digitally forged intimate images and extending prosecution time limits. SB 1654 updated sexual offender and predator registration rules, including definitions of residence and online reporting for in-state travel, though one witness raised concerns about vague language and employer privacy. SB 1774 created a rebuttable presumption in certain second-degree murder cases when the victim had a controlled substance in their system, drawing criticism that it could devalue victims who used drugs. Finally, SB 1838 strengthened protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, with an amendment adding magistrates, hearing officers, and related staff; defense attorneys warned the tampering language could inadvertently reach zealous advocacy. Each of these measures was ultimately reported favorably, and the meeting ended with adjournment.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Community Affairs Mar 25th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Vice Chair Fine, in line 43, you give active and retired members of the United States Armed Forces or
  • I quote, reasonable force to prevent the desecration, destruction, or removal of the American flag.
  • My daddy led a NATO Joint Expeditionary Task Force during Korea, and my ex-husband began 26 years of
  • can use any reasonable force. suppressing their symbols before persecuting them.
  • force.
Summary: The committee took up several claims bills first and reported both favorably without debate. SB 20, relating to relief of J.N., a minor, would pay the remaining $400,000 of a $600,000 settlement after an 11-year-old was injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk with a known defect; SB 14, relating to the estate of Pineal Januier, would authorize payment of the remaining $1.7 million of a $2 million settlement after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. Both bills were supported by the sponsors and the Senate Special Master’s favorable recommendations, and both passed on roll call votes. The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, both by Senator Avila, which would create a new property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead residential property for more than six months in order to encourage more affordable rental housing. Local governments, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, impacts on public safety and services, and uncertainty for local budgets; several senators also questioned whether landlords would pass savings on to renters and whether the measure would worsen density and parking issues. Despite the opposition, both measures were reported favorably after the sponsor said the bills would be refined and revised. SB 674, by Senator Wright, was reported favorably with support from property appraisers who said it would let them budget and pay hiring or retention bonuses, similar to authority already given to tax collectors, to help compete for specialized staff. CS for CS SB 268, by Senator Jones, also passed after an amendment adding congressional members; the bill would create a public-records exemption for certain home-address information for elected officials, and debate centered on balancing transparency with safety after members described death threats and harassment. The committee then approved SB 100, by Senator Fine, which would bar government buildings from displaying flags representing political viewpoints and allow active or retired military or National Guard members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag; the bill drew extensive opposition from transparency, civil rights, and LGBTQ advocates who argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride flags, while supporters said government should not endorse political messages. Finally, CS for SB 1664, by Senator Trumbull, was reported favorably after a strike-all amendment. The bill would require voter reapproval every eight years for certain local discretionary taxes, including tourist development taxes and some local option taxes, unless pledged to revenue bonds. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the lodging industry opposed it, saying the measure would create uncertainty, threaten tourism marketing and beach restoration funding, and make long-term infrastructure and debt planning difficult. Senator Trumbull argued the proposal simply gives voters a recurring chance to decide whether they still support the taxes and the projects they fund.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, I have been tasked with trying to find Black revolutionary soldiers from Quincy that served in
  • much, if not more than celebration, because there's so much more to learn if we are unafraid and not forced
  • And it's hard when we're forced to kind of separate them, actually, because the work is actually together
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The State Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution DEIA Subcommittee met to share updates on 250th-related projects and to discuss how to ensure the commemoration is inclusive, statewide, and reflective of Black, Indigenous, and other underrepresented histories. Members described ongoing research and programming, including work in Quincy, Lexington, Bridgewater/Brockton, Mashpee, and other communities to identify Black revolutionary soldiers, Indigenous connections, and lesser-known local stories. Several members emphasized that the 250th should be framed as both commemoration and celebration, with attention to difficult histories as well as resilience, joy, and cultural contributions. Dr. Noel Trent reported on the Museum of African American History’s exhibition Black Voices of the Revolution, funded by Mass 250, which opened June 30 and will run through 2026 or into 2027. He described the exhibit’s use of AI tools, archaeological finds from Nantucket and Boston, and related programming. Other members highlighted Mass Humanities’ Expand Massachusetts Stories funding round, including support for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and likely additional Indigenous-led projects, as well as a statewide equity playbook being drafted for Mass 250 fundraising and engagement. Sheila Green of Massachusetts 250 then presented an overview of the statewide campaign, including advertising, social media, a website with events and blogs, 96 grants totaling $3 million, partnerships with sports teams and cultural organizations, and major upcoming events such as Evacuation Day, the Henry Knox reenactment, Sail Boston 250, and World Cup-related activity. During discussion, members suggested practical ways to improve inclusion and outreach, including sharing stories through blogs, podcasts, and a centralized project tracker, and highlighting museums and community programs that offer joy, rest, and cultural activities alongside historical interpretation. Dr. Trent raised concern that some Massachusetts 250 merchandise, such as T-shirts, did not adequately reflect the diversity of the state, and Green said the team was considering a redesign. The subcommittee agreed to compile a summary of stories, names, and examples for the full commission, and to continue sharing photos and materials by email for possible presentation at a future commission meeting. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was approved unanimously.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • How long has that higher interest income been the driving force?
  • My name is Scott Rodman, and I'm a member of the EV Task Force in Newton and the Green Energy Committee
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 17 late-file and miscellaneous bills, with testimony focused on several local tax and fee proposals. The first major item was H. 4687 for Watertown, which would permanently continue a special property tax classification allowing the city to maintain a 50% residential minimum factor and a 175% commercial shift. Watertown officials and local legislators said the measure is needed to prevent an estimated 18% residential tax increase when the current temporary authority expires, arguing that the city’s commercial growth and 1988 tax rules have created an unintended burden on homeowners, especially seniors. Committee members asked about the regional business impact, whether major taxpayers might leave, and why a permanent change was sought instead of another short extension; Watertown officials said the policy had not deterred commercial growth and that the city’s fiscal planning and stabilization funds were being used for schools, infrastructure, and bond rating support. The committee also heard H. 4435 from Charlemont, which would authorize a local tax on commercial recreation services. Town officials described Charlemont as a small rural community with a large visitor burden from skiing, rafting, and other recreation, saying police, fire, and EMS costs rise sharply during peak seasons and that the tax would help shift some of those costs to visitors rather than local residents. A committee member questioned the legal structure of taxing recreation services versus goods, but the town said the proposal was modeled on the meals and rooms tax and had local business support. Finally, testimony was taken on H. 4722, promoting fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles, especially electric school buses and Class 3-8 trucks. Supporters, including EV advocates, a school transportation company, and Rep. Gentile, said the bill would cap sales and excise taxes on EV vehicles at the level of comparable diesel vehicles to remove an unintended tax penalty, keep revenue neutral, and support the state’s climate goals while helping school districts and private bus operators manage higher upfront costs. Rep. Gentile also spoke in support of H. 4755, which would amend Sudbury’s means-tested senior property tax exemption so the town would not need new special legislation if the program is renewed again in the future. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after public testimony and committee questions.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • ABOD population, there have been multiple studies done on when these work requirements are put into force
  • This bill forces transparency and correction while preserving the legislature’s full authority to step
  • At the same time, they are being tasked with managing workforce shortages, rising supply costs, and increasing
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • technology, the students can benefit from its effectiveness, and everyone can focus much more on the task
  • Forcing students to navigate that transition on their own without access to these resources is a disservice
  • I'm sure that all of us here today have been forced to confront that ugly truth.
Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard two bills. AB 1159 by Assemblymember Addis would update California student data privacy law to extend protections to college students, limit how ed tech companies can collect and use student information, and add restrictions around sensitive data and generative AI use. Supporters, including Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, CFT, labor, civil rights, and education groups, said students and educators need stronger safeguards against invasive data collection and misuse. Opponents, including College Board, TechNet, CalChamber, and ACT Education, argued the bill was overly broad, could interfere with legitimate educational services and AI development, and raised concerns about a private right of action and impacts on adult students and recruitment opportunities. AB 883 by Assemblymember Lowenthal would expedite deletion of personal information for elected and appointed officials under California’s data broker deletion system by having state agencies provide official lists to the privacy agency and requiring brokers to delete the information within five days. Supporters said the measure responds to rising threats, harassment, and violence against public officials and would help reduce exposure of their personal data. TechNet and TechC.A. opposed unless amended, citing concerns about exemptions for lawful data sharing, the five-day timeline, and litigation risk, while the author emphasized the bill does not create a new right but streamlines access to an existing deletion process. Both bills were advanced after committee discussion and roll calls. AB 1159 passed 11-2 and was sent to the Judiciary Committee. AB 883 passed 14-0 and was sent to the Appropriations Committee.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part I) May 22nd, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • I just, when I try to think about how to vote, I try to think about, I force myself to think about pros
  • And I don't see how it would in any way, shape, or form harm this task force.
Bills: HB4, HB20
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Elections May 8th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it makes this task impossible to do, uh, where you can write them a letter because like, you don't
  • When we finally forced random machine selection, the first, very first randomly selected DS-200 tabulator
  • The Chair offers a committee substitute that removes the definition of force majeure from Section 2 of
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Elections May 8th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it makes this task impossible to do, as you can't write them a letter because you don't even know
  • When we finally forced random machine selection, the first—very first—randomly selected DS-200 tabulator
  • The chair offers a committee substitute that moves the definition of force majeure from section two of
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 4th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • A force of goodness and sharing for our families, our neighbors, and society at large.
  • HB 634 relating to the creation of a task force to evaluate the housing needs. transgender, bisexual,
Keywords: 1184, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Education Feb 3rd, 2025

Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Bill 82 is a bill that is endorsed by both the LESC and the Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task
  • Force.
  • hundreds of high-tech companies throughout the state, and of course, we have our national labs, the Air Force
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries

Transcript Highlights:
  • This common-sense legislation would set up a framework that the Department of Public Health would be tasked
  • status, which would allow them to access the state's unemployment system during those months they're forced
  • About something during the time of force that in order. Great.
  • And now those that did not would be gifted a market and a pathway, while we would be forced out of it
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held its second hearing and heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including food security, cottage food entrepreneurship, hemp regulation, lobster industry support, pesticide restrictions, pollinator protections, pet cemeteries, and municipal land rights. Committee chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted that 19 bills were on the docket, and took testimony both in person and remotely, with several legislators testifying out of turn because of scheduling conflicts. Several speakers supported food access and local economic opportunity bills. Representative Howard and Senator Oliveira backed the Food Justice Frontline Program and a cottage food/food entrepreneur bill, arguing they would fund nonprofit food security organizations, create jobs, improve SNAP/HIP outreach, and reduce barriers for home-based food businesses. Eastie Farm representatives and a student testified in favor of the food justice bill, describing food insecurity in East Boston and the need for grants, youth involvement, and multilingual outreach. Sidney Travis of the Institute for Justice also supported cottage food reforms, saying current municipal permitting rules create unequal access and that cottage foods are generally safe. The committee also heard sharply divided testimony on hemp legislation. Senator Comerford supported S. 54 as a public health measure to ban synthetic THC products, restrict intoxicating hemp sales to licensed dispensaries, and fund local enforcement, while Laura Beiner, John Nathan, and Elizabeth Wendorf opposed the bill or parts of it, warning it would harm compliant hemp businesses and small farmers. Representative Arena-DeRosa testified in support of a related pollinator bill, and Adam Karachi opposed pesticide restrictions for schools while Deborah Smith supported them, arguing existing protections should be expanded to other child-centered locations. The committee also heard support for a bill to aid lobstermen affected by right whale protections, a bill to preserve private pet cemeteries, and a municipal right-of-first-refusal bill for agricultural and recreational land. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.