Transcript Highlights:

• all public school kids have the Trevor Project on their student IDs so that they can access these sexual
• If the goal is truly suicide prevention, then 998 suffices and does so without incorporating sexual or
• teachers supporting gender non-conforming youth, and a believer in the human right of puberty and sexual
• least a part of this bill that would be different than the ACA in terms of how we define sex and sexual
• orientation than maybe other states. ...sex and sexual orientation than maybe other states, and maybe

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on March 17 and first approved a consent calendar of several bills, then heard AB 1540 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, which would restore the 988 “Press 3” LGBTQ youth crisis line. Supporters, including suicide prevention advocates, behavioral health groups, and local governments, argued the service is a vital, identity-affirming suicide prevention tool for LGBTQ youth. Opponents, including detransitioners and conservative advocacy groups, argued it would steer vulnerable youth toward organizations they viewed as harmful. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Communications and Conveyance Committee, with several no votes; the bill was later held on call and then advanced. The committee next heard AB 1671 by Assemblymember Tangipa, creating a Rural Medical Provider Grant Program to help providers serving rural communities with operational costs, equipment, workforce needs, and related expenses. Supporters said the bill would help retain providers and improve access in areas where patients travel long distances for care; committee members also discussed telehealth as an important rural access tool. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 1876 by Assemblymember Addis, the Fair Care for All Act, which would codify federal health care nondiscrimination protections into California law, including protections related to race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, and gender identity. Supporters said the bill is needed because federal protections are vulnerable to rollback and because patients, especially transgender and intersex Californians, face coverage denials and care disruptions. Opponents argued the bill would force coverage of gender-affirming care and raised concerns about detransitioning. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass motion to Judiciary, with some no votes, and later held it on call before it advanced. Finally, the committee heard AB 1629 by Assemblymember Haney, which would require dental plans to honor assignment-of-benefits requests and improve reporting on network adequacy. Supporters said the bill would reduce upfront costs for patients and improve transparency, while opponents, including Delta Dental and dental plan groups, warned it could weaken networks and increase out-of-pocket costs. After discussion about network participation and patient access, the committee passed the bill on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The committee then completed the remaining votes, including the consent items, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• service, including the transportation of minors, driver's background check requirements, prevention of sexual
• issues, such as trip requests that are not accepted by drivers, adherence to zero-tolerance policies, sexual
• addressed two important safety issues, the transportation of unaccompanied minors and prevention of sexual
• The commission has also implemented additional requirements to support prevention of sexual assault.
• We have selected a contractor who will help us implement the developing a taxonomy for sexual assault

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Although Florida and other states have enacted protections against associate sexual explicit images
• instances in which a person may be a victim of non-consensual pornography in the form of altered sexual
• This legislation addresses the reality that there's no current avenue by which an altered sexual depiction
• This bill prescribes a timeline for cover platforms to create a process for the removal of all for sexual
• A real problem using AI using someone's likeness to create depictions of sexually explicit images and

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to public schools, providing that health education courses shall include comprehensive human sexuality
• Requiring school districts and charter schools to submit an implementation plan for comprehensive human sexuality
• Education Department to develop academic content and performance standards for comprehensive human sexuality
• Defining terms and providing minimum requirements for academic content for comprehensive human sexuality
• Department to establish a process to approve school districts' curricula for comprehensive human sexuality

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2018, claimant Groves was convicted of one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and three
• counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
• and three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
• Groves, was falsely accused of criminal sexual conduct. I had this case as a state public defender.
• I had this case as a sexual conduct.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Joint House and Senate Subcommittee on Claims convened on April 30, first without quorum and then with quorum, at which point the committee corrected and approved the prior minutes. Members then reviewed several claims held over for informational purposes, including injury claims for Fraser, Larson, Schmidt, Stuart, and Washington, and property claims for Lidberg, Robecky, and Young, with no action taken on those items. The committee dismissed a claim by Ms. Prevally seeking reimbursement for funds liquidated from irrevocable trusts after hearing that the matter had already been litigated in court and that subcommittee rules bar claims for public assistance compensation. The panel then approved two exoneration claims: James Jovan Davis, whose murder conviction was vacated after postconviction proceedings and who settled for $250,000, and Clayton Douglas Groves, whose sexual-conduct convictions were vacated after evidence of prior false accusations was admitted and who settled for $350,000. Testimony from counsel for both claimants emphasized wrongful conviction, the length of incarceration, and negotiated settlement amounts, with members asking about the basis for the compensation and attorney-fee allocations. The final exoneration claim, Marvin Haynes, was also approved. The committee heard that Haynes was convicted as a teenager, later exonerated after new evidence showed false evidence and suggestive eyewitness identification, and that the state and claimant had reached a $4.5 million settlement. The committee then turned to Department of Corrections injury claims, denying Arnold Baker’s claim for lack of evidence of a compensable permanent injury, and approving Mark Carroll’s claim for a $4,570.40 award after he suffered a compensable ankle fracture while working. In property claims, the committee discussed Anthony Edwards’s claim for food, a JPay tablet, and shoes. After testimony from Department of Corrections counsel about property inventory procedures and the lack of a current replacement tablet program, members agreed to compensate Edwards $70 for the missing shoes, deny the food claim, and deny the tablet claim because the tablet had been returned and any malfunction was reported outside the department’s reporting window.

Transcript Highlights:

• conduct or that sexually objectify a minor account holder.
• It restricts sexually explicit content.
• It restricts sexually explicit content.
• Technology should not put sexual references in front of minors. Technology should not do that.
• It can't produce sexual content or sexual suggestions for minors.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from March 10, 2026, and then heard several House bills, mostly on appropriations, fees, water, food assistance, technology, and licensing. HB 2056, which would appropriate $100,000 for an Arizona Department of Water Resources feasibility study on brackish groundwater desalination, passed 6-3 despite concerns raised in opposition about increased groundwater pumping, subsidence, and impacts to tribal lands and conservation efforts. HB 2057, reducing the Arizona Centennial Special Plate renewal fee from $25 to $20, also passed 7-2 after one senator objected that the plate’s purpose and discount were not well justified. HB 2224, appropriating $1 million annually to DES for the produce incentive program, drew supportive testimony from food access groups who said the program helps families, farmers, and local markets; members noted the amount was below the prior $2 million funding level and could force site closures, but the bill passed 9-0. The committee also advanced HB 2257, which changes the distribution of watercraft registration and fee revenue, shifting more money to lake improvement and boating safety funds and less to the watercraft licensing fund. It passed 6-3 amid criticism that the bill moved money away from Game and Fish and concern that the boating safety fund increase could support immigration enforcement. HB 2265, which bars courts from charging criminal defendants for public defender services and certain other criminal-case fees and assessments, passed 7-1 after extensive testimony from advocates who argued the fees burden indigent defendants and cost more to collect than they raise; opponents called it a cost shift to counties and other local governments and said more fiscal data was needed. HB 2311, regulating publicly available conversational AI services with disclosure, anti-gamification, sexual-content restrictions, parental tools, and self-harm protocols, passed 7-2 after the sponsor and supporters framed it as child protection, while opponents warned about privacy, surveillance, and overbroad definitions; an Epstein amendment broadening the bill was rejected. The committee then considered HB 2752, which would subject Arizona Commerce Authority trade offices to legislative appropriation and require annual reporting. The ACA said it was neutral but supported the concept of data-driven decisions; the sponsor said the Legislature should approve trade offices and that the bill reflected his prior trade-office initiatives. An Epstein amendment requiring objective research for trade-office appropriations was rejected, and the bill passed 6-3. Finally, the committee heard HB 2957, which would preserve non-Real ID driver’s licenses, prohibit mandatory participation in enhanced ID programs, restrict biometric collection and document retention, and bar government entities from requiring digital or mobile IDs. The sponsor and several supporters argued it protects privacy, state sovereignty, and informed consent, while opponents from ADOT and the trucking industry warned it could conflict with federal Real ID and CDL requirements and jeopardize federal compliance and funding. The discussion was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, with witnesses and members debating whether the bill would change current practice or create federal conflicts.

Transcript Highlights:

• holders to prevent the conversational AI service from producing or generating statements or images of sexual
• It restricts sexual as... It restricts sexually explicit content.
• It restricts sexually explicit content.
• Technology should not put sexual references in front of minors. Technology should not do that.
• It can't produce sexual content or sexual suggestions for minors.

Bills: HB2056 , HB2057 , HB2224 , HB2257 , HB2265 , HB2311 , HB2352 , HB2367 , HB2369 , HB2446 , HB2532 , HB2592 , HB2752 , HB2809 , HB2957

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding, Arizona, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• There is nothing that can change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.
• 39:52.560><c> can</c><00:39:52.720><c> change</c><00:39:52.960><c> someone's</c><00:39:53.359><c> sexual
• </c> that can change someone's sexual that can change someone's sexual orientation<00:39:54.000><c> or
• The UN independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity called conversion therapy a form
• ,</c><00:41:19.200><c> gender</c> expert on sexual orientation, gender expert on sexual orientation,

Bills: HB1849 , HB2000 , HB1753 , HB1511 , HB276 , HB1513 , HB2188 , HB1876

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: licensing, professional license, individual taxpayer identification number, immigration, state residency, right to repair, wheelchairs, consumer protection, repair providers, device documentation, HB1753, Hawaii Social Media Data Deletion Act, social media, account deletion, data deletion, privacy, consumer privacy, personal information, sensitive personal information, data retention

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 10, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills. HB 1849 relating to licensing drew comments from DCCA’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division and the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, both of which stood on written testimony. The Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights testified in strong support, emphasizing that some immigrants, including DACA recipients, are already contributing in Hawaii and that the state should help create pathways for them to remain and advance professionally. No vote or final action was taken on HB 1849 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2000, the wheelchair right-to-repair bill. Encart opposed the measure, arguing that repair delays are largely driven by insurance prior authorization and that wheelchair repairs involve FDA-regulated medical devices where improper repairs could create health risks. Peter Fritz testified in support, saying the bill was modeled on similar laws in other states and that he had personal experience through his sister’s use of a wheelchair. Members questioned whether repairs done outside insurer networks might not be reimbursed, and Fritz said that was a concern but that the need for timely repair outweighed it. The committee also discussed HB 1753 on social media, where DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but suggested an amendment to the definition of personal information. On HB 1511 relating to consumer protection, DCCA’s Insurance Division supported the bill, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association offered comments seeking to preserve legitimate manufacturer and dealer communications about vehicles, warranties, recalls, and related services. The committee also took up HB 276 HD1 and HB 1513 on condominiums. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission offered comments on HB 276 HD1. For HB 1513, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority supported the bill, but DCCA’s Insurance Division opposed it, warning that diverting HHRF funds could weaken reinsurance arrangements and raise premiums for consumers who rely on the fund. Members questioned whether the proposed condo loan program would need HHRF money and whether the amounts in the bill were necessary, and the division said it opposed using HHRF for that purpose. The committee also heard HB 2188 on housing, where OCP supported the measure and the Hawaii Association of Realtors raised concerns about conflicts with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the use of tenant screening reports, noting that a working group is already addressing landlord-tenant issues. Members asked OCP to research how other states handle similar laws and whether additional language is needed to avoid federal conflict. Finally, on HB 1876 relating to mental health, the Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division supported the bill but said it remains opposed to harmful, non-evidence-based treatment modalities; Pride at Work Hawaii also testified in strong support. No final votes or committee decisions were reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gender identity or sexual orientation. One more follow-up for you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• It included training about sexual orientation, color, and sex—all the words that are included in here
• LGBT community or the Black community, is that preferential treatment or special benefit based on sexual
• Benefit based on sexual orientation or gender identity? You recognize. Thank you, Chair.
• they are now making decisions that explicitly favor or exclude people based solely on race, sex, sexual

Summary: The subcommittee first took up HB 387 on ADS-B airport billing. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would stop airports and third-party vendors from using federally required automatic dependent surveillance broadcast data to calculate landing or touch-and-go fees, arguing the technology was intended for safety and collision avoidance, not invoicing. An amendment clarifying touch-and-go landings and other fee calculations was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably 15-0. Members then heard several local and policy bills. CS/HB 803 on private-provider building permits and inspections drew broad support from industry groups and was reported favorably 14-1. HB 451 and HB 4053, local fire-district assessment bills, were presented as relief for homeowners and churches facing higher non-ad valorem assessments; both were reported favorably after amendments, with testimony emphasizing impacts on houses of worship and local communities. PCS/HB 1329 on local government spending transparency prompted extensive debate over searchable budget formats, posting requirements, and possible unfunded mandates; supporters framed it as taxpayer access and accountability, while opponents argued many local governments already provide this information and that the bill could impose costs. It was reported favorably 8-4. The committee also advanced PCS/HB 927 on local land planning and development, which would allow qualified professionals to assist with pre-application reviews; local government representatives raised concerns about preemption and environmental restrictions, but the bill was reported favorably 13-2. HB 929 on chickee huts, PCS/HB 4081 on expanding a local water and sewer district by referendum, and HB 489 conveying the Trenton Train Depot to the city and county all passed unanimously or near-unanimously. HB 1211, a Department of Military Affairs bill updating leave and assistance-program provisions, was amended and reported favorably. HB 1041, creating business incentives for veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses, also passed 13-0 after amendment and supportive testimony from members and veterans. The final item shown was HB 1001, a bill restricting county and municipal DEI-related actions and contracting; the sponsor described it as a response to division and waste, and members began questioning its definitions, scope, and potential effects on training and civil actions, but the transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 392 will tackle the non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media and sexually explicit content
• In our hyper-technological age, it is extremely easy for individuals to upload non-consensual sexually
• One in 12 people is a victim of image-based sexual abuse, and anyone can become the next victim.
• Once sexually explicit media is uploaded online, it is almost impossible to remove it.
• a number of worthwhile measures to provide protections for minors and victims who have had their sexually

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> For educational predator?
• of a screening screening screening &gt;&gt; for<02:04:23.360><c> educational</c><02:04:23.679><c> predator
• 04:24.320><c> just</c><02:04:24.480><c> have</c><02:04:24.639><c> a</c> &gt;&gt; for educational predator
• I just have a &gt;&gt; for educational predator?

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:00 Workforce Pell Grant Update – 0:03:30 Extension Office Update – 0:33:25 Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies – 1:07:08 Early Literacy Outcomes – 1:32:20 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 1:58:30 Adjournment 2:13:13, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Wiklund, you know, your bill probably predates Senator Utke's.
• :37:45.960><c> your</c><00:37:46.120><c> bill</c><00:37:46.359><c> probably</c><00:37:46.640><c> predates
• </c> you've your bill probably predates you've your bill probably predates Senator<00:37:47.680><c> Utke's

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It predates our Constitution.
• It<02:24:49.280><c> predates</c><02:24:49.760><c> our</c><02:24:50.080><c> Constitution.
• </c> It predates our Constitution. It predates our Constitution.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The emergency hire permit predates the establishment of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.
• The emergency<01:37:52.480><c> hire</c><01:37:52.880><c> permit</c><01:37:53.360><c> predates</c><01:
• 37:53.920><c> the</c> emergency hire permit predates the emergency hire permit predates the establishment

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• personal student interventions and learning opportunities, we feel that the language included here that predated
• included here we feel that the language included here uh<00:46:28.920><c> that</c><00:46:29.079><c> predated
• > the</c><00:46:29.640><c> react</c><00:46:30.119><c> around</c><00:46:30.559><c> um</c> uh that predated
• the react around um uh that predated the react around um personal<00:46:31.079><c> learning</c><00:46

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A significant portion of that time was working in juvenile crimes, also separate from sexual crimes,
• when California wanted to lower these ages for these types of crimes against children, as well as sexual
• crimes, and so I'm happy to hear... ...as well as sexual crimes.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved a motion to print several RSs, then took up Senate Bill 1260, which was presented by Sen. Lakey as a clarification and strengthening of Idaho’s 2023 immigration-enforcement law. He said the bill, drafted with the Attorney General’s office, broadens and clarifies references to federal immigration law and adds an affirmative defense for people lawfully authorized to be present in the United States. Senators asked about DACA, asylum, and federal preemption; Lakey said the bill was intended to align with federal law and address litigation concerns. The committee then voted to send SB 1260 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senators Wintrow and Rukti recorded as opposed. The committee next heard House Bill 520, which standardizes the contents of hearing notices under the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act for most state administrative agencies. Sen. Ruttey explained that the bill is meant to create consistent minimum notice requirements because agencies have not been uniform in what they provide. Chief Administrative Law Judge Brian Nichols said the bill does not address timing, only the required contents of notices. With no testimony in opposition, the committee passed HB 520 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 541, presented by Sen. Nichols, would expand the definition of “child” for electronic enticement of a minor cases to include 16- and 17-year-olds when the offender is at least five years older. She said the change was prompted by anti-trafficking concerns and supported by Idaho Children Are Primary and the Fraternal Order of Police. A Boise resident and former LAPD officer testified in support. The committee unanimously sent HB 541 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also considered House Bill 581, which would require the Legislature, by House or Senate resolution, to formally notify the Idaho Supreme Court when it finds a court rule conflicts with statute or alters substantive rights. Sen. Nichols said the courts had no objection, but several senators raised separation-of-powers concerns and said they were uncomfortable with the Legislature commenting on court rules. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to send HB 581 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with at least one senator requesting to be recorded as opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• A significant portion of that time was working in juvenile crimes, also separate from that sexual crimes
• when California wanted to lower these ages for these types of crimes against children as well as sexual
• crimes, and so I'm happy to hear As well as sexual crimes.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is the bill we heard the other night. with the very heavy testimony around students who had been sexually
• relating clause relating to the liability of public schools and professional school employees for sexual
• I obviously, sexual misconduct is very Simple to understand: Line 19 addresses the failure to report

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another recent study by the Journal of Sexual Medicine on over a hundred thousand patients showed that
• Another recent study by the Journal of Sexual Medicine on over a hundred thousand patients showed that
• Another recent study by the Journal of Sexual Medicine on over a hundred thousand patients showed that
• Another recent study by the Journal of Sexual Medicine on over a hundred thousand patients showed that
• Another recent study by the Journal of Sexual Medicine on over a hundred thousand patients showed that

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• am the Policy and Systems Advocacy Manager at Jane Doe, Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual
• Nithia Badrenov, and I'm the Policy Director at Jane Doe, Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual
• For example, this summer in the FY26 state budget, the sexual and domestic violence services line item
• state, afford to continue to lose life-saving funding that goes to support survivors of domestic and sexual

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills related to advertising, economic development, tourism, digital advertising, delivery taxes, and alcohol taxation. The first panel supported H. 3249, which would create a high school trade partnership program linking public schools with private employers, especially in manufacturing, and would offer employers a tax credit for participation. Representative Soder, Uxbridge High School leaders, and others argued the bill would strengthen career pathways, build a skilled workforce, and keep students and jobs in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on H. 3031 and S. 2003 to modernize the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by dedicating an additional share of hotel occupancy tax revenue to tourism promotion. Tourism and hospitality representatives from Cape Cod, Southwick Zoo, and Indian Ranch said the proposal would not raise taxes but would reinvest existing visitor-generated revenue into marketing that supports jobs, local businesses, and municipal tax receipts. A tech-industry coalition opposed several digital advertising tax bills and a delivery tax bill, warning they would raise costs, create uncertainty, and burden consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers. The largest portion of the hearing focused on S. 2029, which would raise the alcohol excise tax by 10 cents per drink and dedicate the revenue to public health programs. Public health experts, advocates, a student prevention leader, and representatives from Jane Doe, Inc. argued the tax would reduce alcohol-related harms, address decades of inflation-driven erosion in the tax, and generate substantial new funding for prevention, treatment, domestic violence services, and community schools. Committee members asked questions about the current tax structure, inflation, and how the proposal compares with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.