Transcript Highlights:

• transit accommodation tax the GT tax F transit accommodation tax the GT tax F tax<00:02:55.239> you
• We implemented our first tiered tax rates in fiscal year 2025, adding more progressivity to our tax code
• We implemented our first tiered tax rates in fiscal year 2025, adding more progressivity to our tax code
• tax code we tiered progressivity to our tax code we tiered our<00:18:51.240> non-owner<00:18:
• this<01:11:16.679> paper<01:11:16.920> is<01:11:17.480> incomplete<01:11:18.480

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• under the income tax component of contributions and advances to cover the tax liabilities owed by the
• This tax effectively adds an extra $1 million on top of the projected cost.
• It does not require Public Utilities Code Section 851.
• .is because of taxes.
• Wahab, aye. 11-1. Okay, we next go to item 8, SB 1215, Cortese.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're the guy that's number 11, or if they set the number at 10 and you're number 11, you have to
• If you're the guy that's number 11, or if they set the number at 10 and you're number 11, you have to
• If you're the guy that's number 11 or if they set the number at 10, if you're the guy that's number 11
• You know, Chapter 163 is the Community Planning Act.
• Chapter 163 is the Community Planning Act.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1134, which would extend and clarify the use of qualified private providers and computer-based tools in the building permit and inspection process for residential solar energy systems. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long delays in solar permitting and make the process faster and cheaper; Senator Pizzo questioned whether the problem was limited to specific local governments, and a late-filed amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted. After brief testimony from an industry representative supporting the measure, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. Next, the committee considered SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats and new development. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would bar fee collection if the local government fails to act within five business days. County representatives said they wanted to keep working on the bill and raised concerns about the private-provider language and the short deadlines, while several senators discussed whether the process should be handled earlier on the front end. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1738 on transportation concurrency, which would let counties that previously opted out of concurrency opt back in by maintaining current levels of service. SB 1080, a local government land regulation bill, was described as a measure to speed development approvals by setting stricter timelines, limiting repeated information requests, and imposing penalties for noncompliance; local-government testimony opposed it as a loss of local control, while builders supported it. After debate, SB 1080 was reported favorably. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members discussed possible adjustments to avoid burdening county budget negotiations. Finally, the committee took up SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, policies, programs, offices, or contracts, and would expose officials to misfeasance/malfeasance claims and local governments to lawsuits. The sponsor said the amendment removed retroactive language, delayed the effective date, and added definitions and contract-certification requirements, but many senators and public speakers argued the bill was overbroad, vague, and would chill local efforts such as Black History Month, women-owned business programs, minority contracting, and community outreach. Supporters said it would ensure merit-based government action and consistency with state standards. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition testimony and debate over its scope and potential conflict with federal and state law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Row 11, which is the motor vehicle excise tax. We did two things, Mr.
• When we put dollars and cents in the tax code, it does not go with inflation.
• , which is A tax on the weight and distance traveled of freight and then the special fuels tax or diesel
• Without the tax credit.
• Actually, special fuel is basically diesel tax, a tax on diesel fuel that is paid either by the distributor

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:48.320> a<00:11:48.480> study<00:11:48.800> commission<00:11:49.200><
• Uh and<00:11:51.360> with<00:11:51.839> some<00:11:52.160> hesitation<00:11:52.959
• already did<00:11:58.480> a<00:11:58.720> study<00:11:58.959> on<00:11:59.120><
• c> this<00:11:59.279> a<00:11:59.519> few<00:11:59.600> years<00:11:59.760><
• So<01:11:06.800> totally<01:11:07.520> this<01:11:07.760> bill<01:11:08.000>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services. Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice. DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's 11 years old. Mr. President, I'm honored to introduce Cruz Romero.
• We have $11 billion worth of investments.
• For Sunday, jeans will be permitted for a relaxed dress code.
• But for tomorrow, the dress code still remains as usual.
• Dress code, but for tomorrow, the dress code still remains as usual.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• piecemeal in Chapter 12.
• When workers are paid fairly, the state has paid their fair share of taxes.
• Thirty years, 11 months and 3 days — 30 years, 11 months and 3 days — to no longer be a convicted murderer
• My name is Larry Maynardt, and I am here in support of Senate Bill 11.
• This worsens labor shortages, reduces consumer spending, and shrinks tax revenue.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on several Judiciary bills, with the largest portion focused on S. 1178/H. 2052 to reduce mass incarceration and end life without parole. People incarcerated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, and NCCI Gardner described personal growth, rehabilitation, restorative justice work, family separation, and the belief that parole eligibility after long sentences would better reflect public safety and human development. Speakers emphasized that life without parole removes hope and can undermine rehabilitation, while supporters argued that many lifers are older, less likely to reoffend, and could contribute positively if given a chance at parole review. Committee members did not take votes during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1139 to restore the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving tobacco use, with Sen. Keenan explaining that a recent SJC decision had cut off claims where the injured person did not sue within three years before death. He said the bill would restore families’ ability to seek redress in cases involving long-latency tobacco harms like COPD. Another major topic was S. 1205, which would add abusive litigation to the definition of coercive control in domestic violence law; Sen. Michael Moore said the bill would stop abusers from using repeated court filings to harass and financially burden survivors. The committee also took up S. 1114 on automatic record sealing, with Sen. Friedman and others arguing that the current petition-based process is slow, burdensome, and disproportionately harms people with criminal records, especially Black and Latino residents. Testimony also supported H. 1965/S. 1132 on compensation for wrongful conviction, with advocates and sponsors describing a faster administrative claims process, transitional support, and higher compensation without the current cap. Sen. Payano testified for S. 1241 to expand educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults, saying education reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on S. 2522, an update to Massachusetts’ shield law for reproductive and gender-affirming care. Sen. Friedman, the Attorney General’s office, and DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said the bill is needed to strengthen protections against out-of-state legal attacks, protect patient and provider data, clarify enforcement authority, and add a state-level EMTALA-style emergency care requirement. Committee members asked detailed questions about prescription labeling, the prescription monitoring program, attorney discipline, custody and full faith and credit issues, and whether the bill’s enforcement language could create unintended limits or conflicts. The Attorney General’s office said it would provide follow-up written testimony on several technical questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> right<00:11:27.560> and<00:11:27.720> we<00:11:27.839> are<00:11:27.959><
• 00:11:35.279> Mr<00:11:35.519> chairman<00:11:36.079> yes<00:11:36.240> sir
• :08.480> codes<02:11:09.280> so<02:11:09.440> at<02:11:09.559> a<02:11:09.679
• > bare<02:11:09.880> minimum<02:11:10.320> we building codes so at a bare minimum
• we building codes so at a bare minimum we would<02:11:10.679> request<02:11:11.040> that

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The tax and tip interchange proposal is not a simple spreadsheet adjustment.
• And there's a new standard of pay codes, QR pay codes, that was introduced very late last year that would
• In this case, I'm just mentioning sales tax from the equation.
• due, up to $1,000 for a tax filing period.
• Can Massachusetts, you know, you mentioned a state that does a tax credit.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate met at 11:15 a.m. Senator Smith, Mr. President and the chair.
• This bill creates two new sections of code.
• longer allow the tiered structure and cap the tax.
• the tiered structure and caps the tax.
• The strike-and-insert amendment removes a code section that created a code conflict and was substantially

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and spent much of the day recognizing pages, guests, school groups, and civic organizations visiting the chamber. Several communications from the House and committee reports were received, and a petition on support for new electric transmission lines was referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining. Senate Resolution 61, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Obergefell, was referred to the Committee on Rules, while other resolutions and bills were held over or referred as required. The chamber then acted on a large number of measures, including concurrence in House amendments to Senate Bill 137 on parole eligibility for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and a conference committee was appointed on House Bill 4026 regarding integrated resource plans. Numerous House bills were advanced or passed after committee reports, covering topics such as industrial access roads, local airport hangar financing, college campus safety, youth and handicapped hunting, missing persons records, driver’s licenses, adjudicatory alternative dispositions, chronic absenteeism, party-switching deadlines for candidates, teacher/school personnel/state police pay raises, election official trainees, political committee filing notices, security personnel for the State Treasurer, post-secondary financial aid, legal practice rules, overseas voting, public officials’ residential information, homestead exemption, military juvenile jurisdiction, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, statewide prevention planning, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment taxation, microgrid and data center certification, transcript acceptance for students, emeritus medical licenses, higher education rule authorizations, board and commission reforms, managed care organization taxes, and deputy sheriff vacation carryover. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, and several received title amendments. The Senate also passed a series of supplemental appropriations, many with immediate-effect motions adopted by the required two-thirds vote. These included funding for the Department of Commerce, Workforce West Virginia, Homeland Security divisions, Health Facilities, Administration, Human Services, the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Senior Services. Votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with only a few measures drawing one or more dissenting votes. One bill on tourism appropriations was referred to the Committee on Rules, and several second-reading bills were advanced, including measures on the West Virginia Collaboratory, business-ready sites, volunteer fire companies, religious organization eminent domain restrictions, electric load forecasting, and funeral service licensure.

Transcript Highlights:

• > that<00:11:05.360> study<00:11:05.920> and<00:11:06.160> he<00:11:06.399
• So it's not 100%.<00:11:10.880> But<00:11:11.040> when<00:11:11.360> women<00:11
• >> I<00:11:35.760> know<00:11:35.920> that<00:11:36.079> we<00:11:36.320><
• :11:43.200> of<00:11:43.600> a<00:11:43.839> doctor,<00:11:44.240> an are
• 11:41.600> of<04:11:41.760> a<04:11:42.000> field<04:11:42.160> that<04:11

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm specific to tax statutes statewide and on the border.
• And this is shown on slide. 11 of your packet.
• Ashley, he's the Associate Deputy Controller for Tax. Good morning.
• This biennium is a saving to the state of $11 billion.
• Cyrus Reid, Lunstar Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :55.320> be<00:11:55.480> left<00:11:55.720> to<00:11:55.880> the<00:11:56.040
• > so<01:11:41.840> you<01:11:41.960> know<01:11:42.159> and<01:11:42.239>
• workers<01:11:44.600> that<01:11:44.760> have<01:11:44.880> been<01:11:45.080><
• 11:46.760> want<01:11:46.920> to<01:11:47.080> know<01:11:47.400> that<01
• We recommend repealing HRS chapter 560, Article 5, section 208B-5 of the Uniform Probate Code because

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Health and Labor heard testimony on HB 1244, a measure relating to labor standards at health care facilities and nursing staff ratios. Committee members opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a suggested two-minute testimony limit and Zoom rules. The bill drew extensive testimony from hospitals, nursing organizations, unions, and individual nurses, with the central debate focusing on whether staffing ratios should be set by statute or left to collective bargaining and unit-level staffing decisions. Opponents included the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Straub Benioff Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kapiolani Medical Center, and Queen’s Health Systems. They argued that fixed ratios are too rigid for the changing conditions of hospital care, could worsen workforce shortages, and should be handled through labor negotiations, staffing committees, and existing agreements. Several also pointed to investments in nursing education, loan repayment, and workforce development as better solutions. Queen’s said it had recently reached an agreement with nurses after more than 40 meetings that included a staffing framework, and Kapiolani and others emphasized the need for flexibility in emergencies and specialty care. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Pride at Work Hawaii, the Hawaii Nurses Association/American Nurses Association chapter, Hawaii Nurses Association Local 50, UNAC/UHCP, and individual nurses, said unsafe staffing levels contribute to burnout, turnover, errors, and patient harm. Testifiers described chronic short staffing, emotionally and physically exhausting workloads, and situations in which nurses were responsible for too many patients at once. Supporters argued that safe ratios are necessary to protect both patients and nurses, and that collective bargaining has not been enough to ensure safe conditions statewide, especially in facilities without unions. No vote or final committee action was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill is Bill S265 by Senator Harcum: an act in relation to directing the State Board of Real Property Tax
• Services to conduct a study on real property tax saturation and providing for the repeal of certain
• An act to amend the real property tax law in relation to providing a real property tax exemption for
• An action amend the real property tax law in relation to certain base of dusted proportions.
• Thank you. tax law in relation to certain base of adjusted proportions. Question, comments?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The local government committee met for its fifth meeting of the year and considered 15 bills, with the chair noting there may be one more meeting to finish the agenda. Members present included Senators Baskin, Fahy, and Rolison, and the committee moved through the bills with brief motions and seconding throughout. The committee reported several measures, including bills on making housing a state policy, directing a study on real property tax saturation, requiring notice to adjacent municipalities for certain zoning changes, authorizing the Town of Huntington to alienate park land for the Huntington African American Museum, requiring CPR training for 911 dispatchers and call takers, allowing the Johnson City School District to create an insurance reserve fund, incorporating the New Hartford Volunteer, Exempt Firefighters, Benevolent Association, creating a Suffolk County real property tax exemption for certain volunteer auxiliary police officers, and extending various local finance and public authorities provisions. One bill, S4504 by Senator Griffo, which would prohibit unfunded state mandates on municipalities and school districts and create a Mandate Review Council, was reported to the Education Committee, with the chair noting opposition. Several bills extending the effectiveness of local finance-related laws were reported to the Finance Committee, including measures on statutory installment bonds, installment loans, refunding bonds, and Environmental Facilities Corporation powers. The committee also reported a bill on county tribal detention agreements and another on base adjusted proportions in the Real Property Tax Law. During discussion of the 911 CPR training bill, members noted an amendment was being worked on to require the training every four years. Most bills were reported unanimously or with no recorded opposition, and the meeting concluded after the final bill was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• public schools; SB 1787, exactions individualized SCM; SCR 1004, Clean Air Act; SCR 1003, property tax
• public schools; SB 1787, exactions individualized SCM; SCR 1004, Clean Air Act; SCR 1003, property tax
• Members, by your votes, 48 ayes, zero nays, 11 not voting, and one vacant.
• Members, by your votes, 48 ayes, zero nays, 11 not voting, and one vacant.
• House Bill 4070, amending Title 10, Chapter 25, A.R.S., Section 10-3203.01, amending Section 22...

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an adjunct professor, has been affiliated with Texas ASCE since 1984 and an ASC as an ASCE student chapter
• I'll discuss specific chapter findings and grades from the report.
• It costs a value, it cost us a valuable resource in addition to wasting tax dollars.
• Keep in mind that each chapter has its own unique series of recommendations to improve the grades.
• QR code here as well. 1. So next question. So, Last call. OK.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know,<02:11:00.000> there<02:11:00.320> a<02:11:00.480> lot<02:11:00.560>
• > the<02:11:03.760> highway<02:11:04.079> fund<02:11:04.320> except<02:11
• <02:11:05.920> The<02:11:06.159> other<02:11:06.320> piece<02:11:06.639>
• So,<02:11:10.400> so<02:11:11.040> the<02:11:11.199> the<02:11:11.719> the
• ,<02:11:17.199> the<02:11:17.440> one<02:11:17.599> that<02:11:17.840> is

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review the House budget provision that would impose a 5% administrative charge on a broad list of dedicated funds, with some exemptions. Members discussed the House approach versus the Senate’s more general approach of leaving the governor discretion over which funds could be charged. The chair explained the committee was hearing from agencies about any legal, contractual, or practical reasons their funds should be exempt, and the agenda was expanded to include several departments and written submissions from others. The Department of Education testified first, identifying several funds it said should be exempt: a printing revolving fund that is funded by transfers rather than fees; teacher certification, which is self-funded by educator licensing fees and would require an immediate fee increase if charged; a vending stand set-aside tied to the federal Randolph-Sheppard program and subject to federal approval and vendor committee procedures; and a public school infrastructure/safety account, where most revenue is transferred from the education trust fund or general fund rather than generated by fees. Members questioned the department about the effect on school safety projects and whether the fee would simply reduce the number of projects completed each year. The Veterans Home asked for exemptions for three funds: a donation benefit account used for recreational activities and quality-of-life expenses for residents, a small memorial trust fund whose interest supports veteran activities, and a resident member account that holds veterans’ personal income such as Social Security and pensions. The department argued the charge would reduce donations, cut services, and effectively function like an income tax on vulnerable veterans. The Banking Department also requested exemption for its consumer credit administration license fund, saying it is used to keep exam fees low and is expressly intended by statute to reduce costs on regulated businesses; it said the 5% charge would undermine that framework and could eventually force higher fees. The Department of Justice began testimony on its dedicated funds, starting with the medical legal investigative fund, which pays for death investigations and related services under statute and without general fund support. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and asked questions about the practical and legal effects of applying the administrative charge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alice M., Deputy Code Revisor of the Code Reviser's Office. Jen?
• I know it wasn't easy for the code reviser.
• used for sections, not entire chapters.
• But it gets a bit more difficult when there are multiple chapters that were consolidated into one chapter
• See Chapter 7.105 RCW.'

Summary: The Statute Law Committee met on December 10, 2025, approved the June 10, 2025 minutes, and received a publications update noting that the 2025 RCW volumes and session laws are available, with sales continuing a gradual decline but generally tracking prior years. The committee also heard that the office remains fully staffed and financially stable, with projected year-end funds remaining and a healthy publications fund balance. A major discussion centered on a proposal from retired Judge Ann Levinson to make the code more reader-friendly when chapters are repealed and recodified, especially after the civil protection orders reform in E2 SHB 1320, which consolidated multiple protection order laws into new chapter 7.105 RCW. Levinson argued that current disposition-table language such as “repealed by” can be confusing to the public and may appear to signal legislative disapproval, and suggested adding a simple pointer to the new chapter. Code revisers explained their current practice, the limits of their editorial discretion, and the technical and policy concerns involved, while expressing support for some form of “see also” guidance and noting that hyperlinking session-law citations in disposition tables may also help readers find the new law. The committee also discussed office operations, including a planned move from the modular offices back into the rebuilt Pritchard building, expected in late 2026, with improved space, storage, and enclosed offices. Staff proposed changing regular Monday-through-Thursday office hours from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. to 8 a.m.–7 p.m., with exceptions for active work, client requests, and floor action; the proposal was supported by a chart showing that many evenings have no work after 7 p.m., though late nights would still occur during busy periods. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of retiring staff, including editor Barb Sage after 37 years of service, and a farewell to Vice Chair Sam Thompson, whose successor had just been selected.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even with this historic investment in Chapter 90, our annual allotment of Chapter 90 is $450,000, and
• Also, in this Chapter 90 authorization are some additional authorizations that would In this Chapter
• Chapter 90 empowers these communities to address those things that Chapter 90 does for them.
• This, again, was all recommended by the Chapter 90 Advisory Group. Chapter 90.
• The Chapter 90 Advisory Group.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held its first hearing of the session on H. 53, Governor Healey’s Chapter 90 proposal to increase state funding for municipal roads, bridges, sidewalks, and culverts. Committee chairs outlined the hybrid hearing process and invited testimony from municipal officials, labor groups, regional planning organizations, contractors, and administration officials. Across the hearing, speakers consistently supported the bill, emphasizing long-deferred maintenance, inflation in construction costs, climate-related flooding, and the need for more predictable, multi-year funding so cities and towns can plan projects and take advantage of the construction season. The administration described H. 53 as part of a broader $8 billion transportation package, proposing to raise annual Chapter 90 funding from $200 million to $300 million for five years, with the additional $100 million distributed by road mileage to better support rural and small communities. They also highlighted $200 million for culverts and small bridges, plus other transportation investments, and said the five-year authorization would provide certainty for municipal capital planning. Municipal witnesses from places including Carlisle, Beverly, Granby, Hatfield, Newton, Nahant, Gardner, Beckett, and Yarmouth described local road and culvert backlogs, rising asphalt costs, and the difficulty of maintaining infrastructure on limited local budgets. Labor and industry witnesses from the AFL-CIO and MAPA said the bill would support good-paying jobs and provide stability for contractors and producers. The MBTA Advisory Board and regional planning representatives also backed the proposal, noting the connection between local roads and the broader transportation system. Committee members asked questions about the road-mile formula, culvert needs, asphalt costs, and the rationale for a five-year authorization. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• What normally check pay taxes, correct. They're getting land in our city tax free.
• The stadium pays Miami gardens taxes.
• So it's just the property taxes that they're not paying. Yes, thank you very much.
• There's an Amendment bar code 1, 6, 4, 72. Thank you, Mister Chair.
• Amendment bar code 9, 4, 8, 9, 0, 4, We will take that up.

Keywords: 999, senate, all