Transcript Highlights:

• Section two increases the COLA from 1% to 1.5%. security cola is greater than 2% in security cola is
• coordinated uh with social security coordinated uh with social security relying<00:09:45.519>
• 12:38.399> not<00:12:38.639> a security was a promise, not a security was a promise, not
• ,<00:17:46.400> is security, is security, is plummeting.<00:17:48.480> We<00:17:48.799>
• years before there was social security years before there was social security and<00:37:35.760><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the fund strengthens US energy security, the fund strengthens US energy security, improves<00:23
• <01:20:44.320> Chairman, management. And finally, Mr. Chairman, management.
• Uh, folks, docket management system.
• <01:54:32.960> personnel for the capital security personnel for the capital security personnel
• , ranch and rain range land management, ranch and rain range land management, aronomy,<02:45:08.479

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• infrastructure involved and managing infrastructure involved and managing that<00:21:25.120>
• <00:45:07.760> the to secure the to secure the pricing<00:45:10.400> and<00:45:10.800
• its that program secure sec secured for its that program secure sec secured for its 275,000<00:59
• distributed management. distributed management.
• function as we are the folks who manage function as we are the folks who manage our<04:49:50.958

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just more than they can really manage.
• We have patients that had been in a managed care program and now they're in a different managed care
• care patients can be seen in managed care clinics.
• They put a security guard right on you.
• They put a security guard right on you.

Summary: The hearing focused on youth mental health and treatment access in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that youth distress, self-harm-related emergency visits, and difficulty obtaining care remain elevated, while workforce shortages and reliance on one-time funding continue to limit access. Assemblymember Lori Davies echoed concerns about unstable funding and said lawmakers need to hear directly from providers and families as they prepare for the budget and legislation. The chair framed the hearing as a chance to hear from county, school, provider, and student perspectives, especially in San Diego County, where needs are high and investments have not always matched demand. County and school officials described the current system and recent state initiatives, including the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, school-linked fee schedules, payment reform, and the Behavioral Health Services Act transition. San Diego County Behavioral Health said it serves Medi-Cal youth with specialty mental health needs through a broad continuum of care, including outpatient clinics, school-based services, crisis response, residential treatment, and new crisis and residential facilities. San Diego County Office of Education and San Marcos Unified School District described efforts to expand school-based services and reimbursement through CYBHI, but said implementation is slowed by complex billing rules, insurance-data collection concerns from families, administrative burden, and uncertainty about sustaining staff positions funded by grants or soft money. School counselor testimony highlighted reduced stigma through campus outreach and clubs, but also noted that counselor-to-student ratios remain well above national standards and that budget cuts threaten supports. Provider testimony stressed that the system remains fragmented and that youth often move between emergency rooms, inpatient care, outpatient therapy, schools, and county programs without smooth handoffs. A child psychiatrist described crisis cases in which the main choices are brief hospitalization or discharge with limited follow-up, and argued for stronger warm handoffs, more outpatient and intensive outpatient options, better school-clinic coordination, and broader use of mobile crisis and 988. Rady Children’s Hospital and Aurora Behavioral Health described large increases in behavioral health demand, expansion of integrated care, and major barriers tied to low reimbursement rates, delayed payments, and administrative complexity. Across the panel, witnesses called for more stable funding, clearer reimbursement rules, better parent education on warning signs, and stronger collaboration among schools, counties, hospitals, and community providers to reduce stigma and improve timely care for youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:59.679> it<00:17:59.840> harder<00:18:00.080> to<00:18:00.320> manage
• <00:18:00.559> the areas make it harder to manage the areas make it harder to manage the fraud
• , and cyber security.
• <00:57:25.760> Thank within the securities industry.
• Thank within the securities industry. Thank you. you. you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These officers also won't be in a managing role.
• We'll make sure that the supervisors and the managers will be from California.
• This will help water managers evaluate the impacts of hatcheries on their operations.
• This will help water managers evaluate the impacts of hatcheries on their operations.
• Like fire management, vegetation management, biodiversity conservation, recreation, research, and carbon

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's move on to James Baros from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Okay.
• from the Hawaii Emergency Management from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
• We provide cyber security um and branch.
• We provide cyber security um and networking<01:39:14.560> services.
• I serve as counsel to the State Privacy and Security Coalition.

Bills: HB1838, HB1870, HB2445, HB2540, HB1886, HB1839, HB2269, HB1939, HB2037, HB1635, HB1941, HB1576, HB2568, HB2267, HB2590, HB2266, HB2597, HB2499, HB2500, HB2502, HB2607, HB2137, HB2357, HB1782

Keywords: HB1838, Hawaii, Act 142, U visa, T visa, U nonimmigrant status, T nonimmigrant status, immigration certification, visa certification, Form I-918 Supplement B, Form I-914 Supplement B, noncitizen victims, crime victim, human trafficking, victim helpfulness, law enforcement certification, prosecutor certification, judicial review, circuit court, confidentiality

Summary: The committee opened testimony on House Bill 1838, relating to visas. Testifiers from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the legal clinic, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the ACLU, CARES, and immigrant-rights groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would bring Hawaii into compliance with federal law, standardize and speed up certification for U and T visa applicants, and better protect survivors of crime and trafficking. Supporters emphasized that delays in certification can leave eligible survivors waiting years for federal visa access and can undermine public safety by discouraging victims from reporting crimes. The chair announced there were 103 testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on the bill in the hearing. The committee next heard House Bill 1870, concerning protected locations and immigration enforcement. Testimony from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, ACLU of Hawaii, educators, students, and community advocates supported limiting immigration enforcement at schools and other essential-service sites, arguing that families should be able to access education, health care, shelters, libraries, and social services without fear. The Department of Education said it had already issued guidance in March 2025 for how staff should respond when law enforcement comes onto campus, and the Public Charter School Commission noted implementation would need to occur at the school level. Testifiers said the bill would create standardized protocols and protect students and families from fear and disruption; the chair reported 142 testimonies in support, one in opposition, and five comments. The committee then took up House Bill 2445, relating to student safety and law enforcement on campus. The Department of Education again said it had already rolled out statewide guidance and described its process for staff to notify administration, verify law enforcement identification and purpose, and route matters through the complex area superintendent and attorney general, while noting emergencies would be handled differently. A committee member questioned whether the procedures were sufficiently standardized and whether staff were trained for unusual situations. Student and community testifiers supported the bill, saying schools should remain safe havens and that clear procedures are needed if federal immigration enforcement appears on campus. The Department of Law Enforcement testified in opposition to parts of the measure, raising concerns about masking requirements, vehicle markings, officer safety, doxxing, retaliation, costs, and possible supremacy-clause conflicts, and suggested more exemptions and a compromise approach. The chair reported 106 testimonies in support, two comments, and no opposition for the bill before moving on to the next measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The DNR manages the fund’s real property assets, known as the school trust lands, and those revenues
• Uh, the task force evaluated the current law compared to current investment management best practices
• The DNR manages the fund’s real property assets, known as the school trust lands, and those revenues
• And number four, allow for adaptability in investment management.
• > right,<01:57:52.840> from Um any additional security, right, from Um any additional security

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During our work, we have identified a number of challenges in both securing a reintegration driver's
• <00:09:29.040> a time for those who have secured a time for those who have secured a reintegration
• So then you must have a driver's license and a social security card or a birth certificate or there's
• card or a birth certificate or security card or a birth certificate or there's<00:15:34.160> many
• ,<01:14:55.760> mode<01:14:56.000> shift, demand management, mode shift, demand management

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was explained that Louisville has an intense management contract with the East Kentucky Expo Center
• uh uh contract has an intense management uh uh contract with<00:07:38.720> the<00:07:38.840><
• that and so this would allow them manage that and so this would allow them to<00:07:43.960> have<
• Chairman. systems managed by sd1 do carry out systems managed by sd1 do carry out throughout<00:47:47.400
• by a local storm sewers are not managed by a local government<00:47:59.720> the<00:47:59.839>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:15 Roll Call 00:25 HB 403 Discussion 02:11 HB 403 Vote 03:08 HB 555 Discussion 04:55 HB 555 Vote 08:42 HB 321 Discussion 10:55 HB 321 Vote 13:22 HB 18 Discussion 15:21 HB 18 Vote 35:10 HB 85 Discussion 39:08 HB 85 Vote 46:40 HB 371 Discussion 49:22 HB 371 Vote 52:03 Adjournment 53:48, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up several bills, mostly focused on local planning, zoning, and municipal administration. House Bill 403, a simple measure giving coroners a six-month grace period to complete continuing education, was presented by Rep. Deanna Gordon with testimony from Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelson and received unanimous support. House Bill 555, a technical bill affecting audit deadlines and flexibility for small cities and certain expo center audit arrangements, was explained by JD Cheney of the Kentucky League of Cities; he said it would help about 97 cities comply with audit requirements and allow more flexibility when municipalities are making good-faith efforts. The committee approved HB 555 on a roll call vote, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee and others in favor, and reported it favorably to the House floor. House Bill 321, also presented with JD Cheney and Rep. DJ Johnson, would expand the time for planning commission and board of adjustment members to complete orientation and continuing education, with a focus on housing supply and accessibility. Supporters said it would help recruit more members and concentrate training on land-use impacts on housing; Rep. Roarx and others discussed Louisville Metro’s planning process, while Rep. Brown and Rep. Fleming raised concerns about infrastructure and long-range planning. The committee passed HB 321 favorably after roll call, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee. House Bill 18 drew the most extended debate. Sponsor Rep. John Hodgson said the committee substitute would create incentives for infill development in urban areas and extend a moratorium on zoning district classification changes for two more years, arguing that local elected officials should have more control over major density changes and that unelected boards were approving projects without adequate infrastructure review. Opponents, including Liam Gallagher of Americans for Prosperity Kentucky and several members, argued the bill would restrict housing development, interfere with property rights, and limit Louisville Metro’s ability to update its Land Development Code; supporters countered that the bill would not stop development but would require elected officials to weigh in and address traffic and infrastructure concerns. After discussion, the committee approved HB 18 as amended by the substitute and reported it favorably to the House floor, with several members explaining their votes and some opposing the moratorium on local zoning changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be the best written by an American general, and his editor was none other than Mark Twain, who secured
• to be the best written by an American general, and his editor was none other than Mark Twain, who secured
• this reference, but when they make a reference to the restrooms there and they take the time, the manager
• this reference, but when they make a reference to the restrooms there and they take the time, the manager
• Okay, you're not, I know we talk a lot about buses and the need to do various things and security on

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met in executive session and approved the Senate substitute for Senate Bill 1000 by an 11-0 vote. The bill concerns the tourism supplemental revenue fund, including how the money is collected and distributed. The chair noted prior favorable testimony and said the measure needed to move forward. In public hearing, the committee heard House Bill 2213, which would designate April 27 as U.S. Grant Day in Missouri. Representative Riggs described Grant’s Missouri ties, military career, presidency, and later rehabilitation as a historical figure. Members asked about the date and discussed Grant’s presidential number and legacy, and no opposition was presented. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1613, which would designate November 24 as Frankie Muse Freeman Day in Missouri. Senator Mosley and supporting witnesses emphasized Freeman’s civil rights work, housing discrimination litigation, and importance as a role model, especially for women and students. Witnesses shared personal reflections on segregation and Missouri’s civil rights history; there was no opposition. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3216, which would designate May 10 as Missouri River Runner Day to raise awareness of Amtrak service across Missouri. Representative Wilson highlighted the route’s usefulness for travel and tourism, including World Cup-related travel, and an informational witness spoke in support of rail awareness. No opposition was offered, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures parity between CERL and PERS, and also protects the retirement security of all public employees
• It ensures parity between serial and peril, and also protects the retirement security of all public employees
• unfortunate that in some jurisdictions, you have situations in which some employees have the benefit of a secure
• Carly Shelby on behalf of the city of La Verne and Jack Waco on behalf of Pajaro Regional Flood Management
• Jack, welcome, on behalf of the Pajaro River Flood Management Agency.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several retirement and school employment measures. SB 301 by Sen. Grayson would prevent CERL-covered cities and districts from amending retirement contracts to exclude certain employee groups, closing a loophole similar to one previously addressed for CalPERS. The bill was supported by California Professional Firefighters and received no opposition. SB 443 by Sen. Rubio would clarify that employees transferring into a joint powers authority can retain CalPERS classic status even when the JPA expands later; the city of La Verne, a flood management agency, and AFSCME supported the bill, and it also drew no opposition. Both bills were moved out of committee on unanimous votes and sent to Appropriations, with the consent calendar items SB 521, SB 581, and SB 853 also approved. The committee then heard SB 494 by Sen. Cortese, which would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge rather than by the school board. Supporters, including CSEA, AFSCME, and CFT, argued the bill would create parity with teachers and community college faculty and provide a fairer appeal process. Opponents, including the California School Boards Association, county superintendents, school business officials, and community college groups, argued it would remove local control, impose a one-size-fits-all process, and shift costs to districts. The bill was passed out of committee and referred to the Committee on Higher Education. The committee also considered SJR 2 by Sen. Cortese, a resolution urging Congress and the President to enact federal protections for classified school employees, including better wages, benefits, safety, and workplace rights. Support came from CFT, CSEA, and other labor groups, with no opposition. The resolution was adopted and moved forward. At the end of the hearing, the committee reopened the roll to add votes, and all listed measures ultimately passed unanimously or near-unanimously before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the composition of board of directors of the Texas School Safety Center, public school safety and security
• OK, we have a lot of examples of LLCs being created to secure contracts with other districts to promote
• do it on the job, maybe not, and then later go work for one of the client districts while they've secured
• Yeah, isn't the difference here that you're talking about management, Senator Hagenboo, sorry, your microphone
• officer that's a frontline worker, right, who's hourly paid, this seems like it's target to mean for management

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:19.520> director County of Honolulu managing director County of Honolulu managing director
• The city of Grand Rapids is a city manager structure, and so the city manager has complete control over
• <02:15:37.000> the but then also with the city manager the but then also with the city manager
• city of Grand Rapids is a city manager city of Grand Rapids is a city manager structure<02:15:40.000
• House Bill 596, relating to emergency management.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure. House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt. The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I got up this morning and a friend of mine, former Major League Baseball player and manager Clint
• <00:16:20.320> Clint Baseball player and manager Clint Baseball player and manager Clint Hurdle
• I commented to the manager, "Boy, this is February and you're full."
• We could work on our food security issues.
• We could work on our food security issues.

Bills: HCR1, HCR2, SB2001, SB2002, SB2003, SB2004, SB2005, SB2006, SB2007, SB2008, SB2009, SB2010, SB2011, SB2012, SB2013, SB2014, SB2015, SB2016, SB2017, SB2018, SB2019, SB2020, SB2021, SB2022, SB2023, SB2024, SB2025, SB2026, SB2027, SB2028, SB2029, SB2030, SB2031, SB2032, SB2033, SB2034, SB2035, SB2036, SB2037, SB2038, SB2039, SB2040, SB2041, SB2042, SB2043, SB2044, SB2045, SB2046, SB2047, SB2048, SB2049, SB2050, SB2051, SB2052, SB2053, SB2054, SB2055, SB2056, SB2057, SB2058, SB2059, SB2060, SB2061, SB2062, SB2063, SB2064, SB2065, SB2066, SB2067, SB2068, SB2069, SB2070, SB2071, SB2072, SB2073, SB2074, SB2075, SB2076, SB2077, SB2078, SB2079, SB2080, SB2081, SB2082, SB2083, SB2084, SB2085, SB2086, SB2087, SB2088, SB2089, SB2090, SB2091, SB2092, SB2093, SB2094, SB2095, SB2096, SB2097, SB2098, SB2099, SB2100

Keywords: recess, legislative session, Hawaii State Legislature, 2026, Governor address, joint session, legislature, Hawaii, state of the state, Banyan Drive, Waiakea peninsula, Makaokū, Hilo, Hawaii Island, HCDA, Hawaii Community Development Authority, community development district, redevelopment, urban renewal, blight

Transcript Highlights:

• That may at some point become more than you can manage. I really do believe, Mr.
• Medicare and Social Security are: today's worker pays for today's retiree.
• That trust fund in the Social Security actuary report that came out a week ago basically says a little
• But Social Security holds... Those T-bills, so they cash them in.
• Six years, three months, everyone over 65 getting a Social Security check under current law gets a 22

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The petition is referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
• grants to be able to help local Our food infrastructure security grants to be able to help local folks
• President, is so that the management system of SNAP can be modernized so that we can maximize our federal
• issue of stolen benefits, and we invested money so that the chip would be put in the card to make it secure
• The largest funder of food security measures is the SNAP program, which is a federal program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first adopted an emergency preamble for H. 4521, establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roder of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, by standing vote, with 8 in favor and none opposed. The chamber also suspended rules to refer several petitions to committee, including a resolution to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications and a petition on officer training related to stage suicides. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including legislation clarifying the duties of the Adjutant General and enhancing access and support for military-connected families, both with new drafts, and a bill designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which was ordered to a third reading. A major portion of the session focused on the House’s nonconcurrence in the Senate’s amendment to the fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget and the appointment of a conference committee. Senators from both parties debated how to respond to the federal government shutdown and the threatened lapse in SNAP benefits, with repeated calls for the Commonwealth to use available state resources to prevent hunger, protect vulnerable residents, and seek federal reimbursement. Several members criticized the governor’s use of taxpayer-funded communications on the issue, while others defended the administration’s limited initial response and emphasized fiscal constraints. The Senate ultimately insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee consisting of Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. The chamber also passed several local and special bills, including measures exempting Natick’s assistant fire chief from civil service, authorizing sewer service in Sharon, changing the term of the elected moderator in Holden, updating Medford’s linkage exaction program, and establishing sick leave banks for Candy J. Pike and Kathleen Roder. The Senate later adopted amended resolutions calling on the President of the United States to release contingency funds for SNAP during the shutdown, adopted an order to adjourn to the following Monday, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• provided state information technology and related services, acknowledging compliance with state cyber security
• Conerly: Chair, Vice Chair, Ranking Members, HB 7023 is a bill that expands the current cyber security
• Existing general cyber security exemptions will repeal October 2nd, 2026, if this bill does not become
• The Senate bill sponsor said that this is about Aminah Spike: these security frameworks and narratives
• Yesterday the Attorney General increased security on people just because they're Muslim.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the report of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, pursuant to Section 5 of Chapter
• never got the opportunity to ...live out the rest of his years in peace, proud of his efforts to secure
• Now, of course, we need an orderly process for managing immigration to this country.
• And so we are called once again to defend what generations before us fought to secure.
• The freedom that that revolution secured for all of us. And so I rise today, Mr.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened with routine opening business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and the filing of several reports, such as the Parole Board’s 2023 annual report and a fiscal year 2025 prior-year deficiency report from the Comptroller. Those reports were ordered placed on file. The remainder of the session was devoted almost entirely to a series of brief statements by the Senate President and many senators responding to what they described as federal actions under the Trump administration, especially immigration enforcement without due process, court defiance, and broader threats to democratic norms. Senators repeatedly condemned the detention and deportation of immigrants, students, researchers, and even some U.S. citizens, citing specific Massachusetts cases including Ramesa Ozturk of Tufts, Juan Francisco Mendez, Sunua Petrova, and others. Members also raised concerns about cuts to federal funding affecting Massachusetts, including NIH and university research, asthma prevention, education, climate resilience, and veterans’ services. Several senators tied these issues to the state’s economy, higher education, health care, and immigrant communities, and many invoked Massachusetts and American history to argue for due process, the rule of law, and resistance to authoritarianism. A few policy responses were mentioned, including support for increasing funding for the Attorney General to handle lawsuits, and references to bills or proposals such as the Immigrant Legal Defense Act, the Dignity Not Deportation Act, the Safe Communities Act, and the Location Shield Act. The Senate President also referenced the chamber’s broader “Response 2025” initiative. No substantive legislation was debated or voted on during the statements themselves, aside from the adoption of an order to adjourn and the setting of the next meeting for Thursday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• proven model through EOLWD and Comp Corp to reduce these barriers, provide valuable training, and secure
• Nearly 50% of respondents in a recent Massachusetts study indicated that they had not secured full-time
• We work with folks all the time on liquor license liability insurance and help them manage their rates
• But if you have a restaurant owner who isn't a member, or even is a member, and needs help managing these
• Because you get your loyal, hard-working managers, line staff, full staff, it's important to keep them

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held an informational hearing focused on the conditions facing small and micro businesses in Massachusetts and the state programs intended to support them. Chairs Andy Vargas and Adam Gomez opened by emphasizing equitable economic development, the importance of CDFIs, and the need to help underserved entrepreneurs, especially women, minorities, veterans, immigrants, and other groups facing barriers. Committee members noted the hearing would not take up bills, and testimony was limited to 10 minutes per organization. State and quasi-public agency witnesses described current programs and funding. Dico Gibral of the Executive Office of Economic Development highlighted the Business Front Door, multilingual access, small business office hours in Gateway Cities, and funding in the Mass Leads Act, including support for CDFIs, small business technology, and capital grants. Tom Hooper of Commonwealth Corporation described workforce training programs such as the Workforce Training Fund, Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and Career Technical Initiative, saying they help small businesses train workers, fill labor shortages, and support returning citizens and people with disabilities. Committee members asked about federal funding uncertainty, workforce migration, training schedules, and program uptake. Business and advocacy groups focused on cost pressures and regulatory burdens. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association urged continuation of outdoor dining and takeout alcohol sales, and pressed for relief from high credit card swipe fees, support for surcharging, and streamlining municipal licensing. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts cited survey results showing inflation, utility costs, payroll taxes, health insurance, and interchange fees as major concerns, and said many members might sell or close within five years; it also backed ending the state prohibition on surcharging and creating an Office of Main Streets Massachusetts. MACDC, BECKMA, and the Coalition for an Equitable Economy emphasized the need for more technical assistance, CDFI and small business funding, and protections against rising costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and immigration enforcement impacts on immigrant-heavy business districts. No votes were taken.