Transcript Highlights:

• grid innovation, strengthens tools for business expansion, and provides economic development utility rates
• This not only cleans up our books, but sends a strong message to the bond rating agencies that we are
• This not only cleans up our books, but sends a strong message to the bond rating agencies that we are
• We've invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Massachusetts-based suppliers and vendors.
• We're building market-rate housing at $100 above Section 8 prices.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H.5386, the Mass Winds Act, with the governor and administration officials describing it as a follow-on to the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They said the bill is intended to help Massachusetts compete globally for capital, talent, and companies by creating a Global Mass initiative, including a proposed $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for site development to help international firms locate or expand here. The administration also highlighted about $305 million in new bond authorizations, plus operating proposals such as lowering the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, funding internship incentives, and supporting downtown revitalization and the creative economy. Committee members and witnesses focused on several policy areas within the bill. On talent, Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, and the Latino Empowerment Advisory Council backed a provision waiving redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses who have already demonstrated proficiency in practice. On labor mobility, the governor defended changes to the non-compete law as closing a loophole, while attorney Russell Beck opposed the revisions, arguing they would upset the 2018 compromise and could reduce employer-provided compensation. Municipal and housing witnesses supported codifying site plan review and broader zoning reforms, while others urged attention to affordable housing, tiny homes, and commercial-to-residential conversions. Local officials and municipal groups generally supported the bill’s downtown, arts, and planning provisions but asked for more detail on implementation and infrastructure, especially around energy, water, and data centers. The Massachusetts Municipal Association said the bill’s standardized site plan review and downtown investments could help communities, but stressed the need for close state-municipal partnership. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor rights if federal protections weaken. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, warning of significant revenue loss and possible fraud concerns. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with the committee accepting written testimony afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• This not only cleans up our books, but sends a strong message to the bond rating agencies that we are
• This not only cleans up our books, but sends a strong message to the bond rating agencies that we are
• and I talked to Secretary Matias about some of the investments and the ways to incent more market-rate
• We've invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Massachusetts-based suppliers and vendors.
• We're building market-rate housing at $100 above Section 8 prices.

Bills: H5386

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Keywords: economic development, innovation, investment, housing, small business, global trade, infrastructure, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Get a higher rate.
• And so I'm looking for... ...in space, that technology slows with it at a higher rate.
• On occasion, I'll hear from a vendor, but it's very rare anymore. We're really happy about that.
• from GSD, and the do-it rate of $4 million.
• When we did the pay study and you brought your employees up to the rate, did you go above?

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• stated in the bill, which is at this point 100% of the Medicaid rate, Medicare rate.
• the lesser of the rate paid to outpatient hospitals or 100% of the Medicaid rate.
• In Arkansas, the Medicaid rate is 601.31; in Mississippi, In Arkansas, the Medicaid rate is 601.31; in
• Our rate is 48%, less than 50% of the cost.
• My rates are going up 15% this year without this bill.

Bills: HB62 , HB124 , HB182 , HB193 , HB198 , HB203 , HB223 , HB237 , HB469 , HB486 , HB574 , HB779 , HB796 , HB919 , SCR2 , SB4 , SB36 , SB38 , SB109 , SB152 , SB168 , SB195 , SB216 , SB221 , SB236 , SB404

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: Louisiana Women's Policy, gender equality, policy research, commission membership, women's representation, Domestic Violence, judicial experience, legislation, criminal law, family law, HB182, sexual assault, rape kit, forensic examination, forensic medical exam, sexual assault survivor, sexual assault nurse examiner, SANE, emergency department, hospital staffing

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, Cal/OSHA vacancy rate is at 12 percent.
• We have been working very diligently with our vacancy rates.
• Rates in May of this year were higher than 40%.
• Nine district offices had vacancy rates higher than 50%.
• As stated, the vacancy rate is 39%.

Summary: The hearing focused on a state audit of Cal/OSHA titled “The Division of Occupational Safety and Health: Process Deficiencies and Staffing Shortages Limit Its Ability to Protect Workers.” Committee leaders and the audit team described serious workplace tragedies, argued that California’s worker protections are not being adequately enforced, and said the audit was prompted by concerns that Cal/OSHA was too often relying on letters instead of inspections, delaying investigations, and closing cases without enough documentation. Members repeatedly emphasized that the issue was not just staffing, but also outdated policies, weak oversight, and inconsistent enforcement. State Auditor Grant Parks said the audit found a 32% vacancy rate in 2023-24, heavy reliance on hard-copy files, outdated or unclear policies, and inconsistent decision-making in complaints, accidents, citations, and fine reductions. He said Cal/OSHA conducted on-site inspections in only about 20% of complaints, used letter investigations more than 80% of the time, often lacked evidence that hazards were corrected, and sometimes failed to inspect serious injury cases on time. The audit also found weak documentation for fine calculations and settlement reductions, with some penalties reduced substantially without clear explanations. Parks said the agency had accepted the findings and would provide progress updates later in the year. Committee members pressed the auditor on vacancy rates, the use of letter investigations, the low rate of criminal referrals, and whether fines were being reduced too often. Cal/OSHA and DIR officials responded that the vacancy rate had fallen to 12% partly because 66 vacant positions were eliminated in a statewide budget reduction and partly because of hiring; they said 126 people had been hired in the first half of the year. They also said they had hired a policy writer, were updating several policies, were planning periodic internal audits, and were developing a new data management system expected to go live in late 2026 or early 2027. On fines, officials said Title 8 sets base penalties and allows adjustments based on factors like employer size, history, and good faith, with appeals and informal conferences also affecting final amounts. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would point out that page 35 describes the training barracks at a rate of $42 million.
• to create a committee that's going to manage how this money will be awarded out to the different vendors
• that will uh be providing the uh vendors that will uh be providing the services<02:17:56.719><c> to<
• 01.600><c> And</c><02:22:01.760><c> that</c><02:22:02.000><c> is</c><02:22:02.080><c> where</c> a vendor
• And that is where a vendor out there.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> at an alarming rate. at an alarming rate.
• </c> how is this not a vendor bill for you? how is this not a vendor bill for you?
• For that, we ask for a yes vote. market rate. So even though uh the ideas market rate.
• </c> success rate with a a second treatment. success rate with a a second treatment.
• We have no control rate in this country.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, one vendor that I'm aware of does provide computers with the program so that the program could be
• Um</c><00:12:50.240><c> um</c><00:12:51.200><c> uh</c><00:12:51.440><c> one</c><00:12:51.680><c> vendor
• Um um uh one vendor various locations.
• Um um uh one vendor that<00:12:52.160><c> I'm</c><00:12:52.399><c> aware</c><00:12:52.639><c> of</c><
• Christopher Lavell: Um, the commissioner appointed an EFA vendor to the HEAK council.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> impacts of uh a decreased credit rating? impacts of uh a decreased credit rating?
• at a negative rate to offset it.
• at a negative rate to offset it.
• at a negative rate to offset it.
• at a negative rate to offset it.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sons and daughters serve at a rate sons and daughters serve at a rate higher<00:26:22.480><c> than
• </c> an early stage have survival rates an early stage have survival rates exceeding<03:54:34.319><c>
• The Bring cancer rates in young women.
• </c> And what's worse is the mortality rates And what's worse is the mortality rates for<04:11:34.960
• </c><04:11:44.960><c> at</c> pregnancy related causes at rates at pregnancy related causes at rates at

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:49.520><c> sometimes</c> rate sometimes rate sometimes uh<00:41:51.080><c> in</c><00:41:51.280
• ,</c> prescription products at a reduced rate, prescription products at a reduced rate, uh<00:45:42.160
• Like shopping at Costco, rate.
• </c> beverage container redemption rates. beverage container redemption rates.
• </c> ANR will report redemption rates ANR will report redemption rates annually<03:29:18.400><c> to</

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's the normal reason we bring in outside vendors is when we cannot handle our own workload due
• So that's the normal reason we bring in outside vendors is when we cannot handle our own workload due
• They can look to, if pay is not comparable to market rate in the private sector or the federal government
• 00:59:20.480><c> to</c><00:59:20.640><c> the</c><00:59:20.799><c> private</c> comparable to market rate
• to the private comparable to market rate to the private sector<00:59:21.359><c> to</c><00:59:21.480>

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. On SB 26, SD 2, relating to affordable housing, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development explained a prior transit-oriented development study that identified roughly 59,000 possible units and about 25,000 affordable units from known projects, and said the bill would help fill gaps by evaluating additional public lands for housing suitability and possible co-use with existing facilities. Members asked about the need for resources and staffing to do that work, and OPSD said it would need time and consultant support to carry it out. Testimony on the bill included support from state and county housing agencies and comments from planning and land use entities. On SB 66, SD 2, relating to housing and historic preservation review, SHPD and OHA both testified. SHPD said the bill would not override existing burial-site protections and that county staff with proper qualifications could make historic-property determinations locally, while OHA asked for clearer language requiring consultation when Native Hawaiian historic sites are involved and clearer procedures if an adverse effect is found. Committee members and SHPD discussed whether the bill should explicitly preserve existing Chapter 6E processes, whether counties have qualified staff, and how quickly a county would have to decide if it cannot complete the review itself and must use a third-party reviewer. Supporters said the measure could speed permitting and keep decisions local; one opponent argued it could rush approvals and strain infrastructure. The committee also heard support from housing, construction, business, and food-industry groups, and opposition from some preservation and community advocates. The committee then heard SB 332, SD 1, on foreclosure-related protections, with testimony focused on Lānaʻi and concerns about speculative real estate after the foreclosure moratorium ended. SB 414, SD 2, on restoring access to disaster-affected areas, drew support from HHFDC, DHS, and the Maui Chamber; HHFDC noted DOH plans for a temporary paved access road to the Kayola temporary housing site and said agencies were discussing which parcels would be needed. On SB 102, SD 2, relating to affordable housing and third-party historic review, SHPD said it would need to do more upfront screening and that the bill’s timelines and third-party provisions should be clearer; OHA said the measure should include a sunset and better staffing, and asked that the department fill positions to meet review demand. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've taken action to protect this resource by implementing practices such as a tiered water rate structure
• implementing practices such as a tiered implementing practices such as a tiered water<00:03:36.680><c> rate
• structure</c><00:03:37.599><c> where</c><00:03:37.799><c> people</c><00:03:38.080><c> pay</c> water rate
• structure where people pay water rate structure where people pay more<00:03:38.640><c> as</c><00:03:
• Senate File 44, the vendor allowance, and Senator Gustafson's 172, which is a small business allowance

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stated in the bill, which is, at this point, 100% of the Medicaid rate, Medicare rate.
• paid to outpatient hospitals or 100% of the Medicaid rate.
• The reimbursement rate right now from Medicaid is $182.30.
• Our rate is 48%, less than 50% of the cost.
• My rates are going up 15% this year without this bill.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from several prior 2025 meetings, then took up HB 574 by Rep. Spell, which updates the names of two organizations on the Mental Health Advocacy Service Board of Trustees. Rep. Spell explained it as a technical cleanup bill to correct the names of the Louisiana Mental Health Association and the Louisiana State Medical Society so the board’s membership records match current organization names. With no objections, HB 574 was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 486, also by Rep. Spell, to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact) and allow Louisiana psychologists to provide telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state lines. Rep. Spell and PsyPact representatives said the compact would expand access to mental health care, especially in rural areas, while maintaining standards and disciplinary oversight. The committee adopted amendments on fees and the effective date, and HB 486 was reported favorably with amendments. HB 198 by Rep. Eccles proposed a Medicaid reimbursement methodology for ambulatory surgical centers, using a Medicare-based rate to improve access for Medicaid patients needing specialty procedures. Amendments were adopted to add ophthalmology-related services and to cap reimbursement at the lesser of the outpatient hospital rate or 100% of the Medicaid rate, along with a technical amendment to address the fiscal note. Supporters from GI and ASC groups said the bill would improve access and lower long-term costs, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee spent the most time on HB 182 by Rep. Travis Johnson, which would require hospitals to ensure access to sexual assault forensic exams and related training. Johnson, law enforcement witnesses, and the Attorney General’s office emphasized the need for timely evidence collection, especially in rural areas, and said the current system leaves victims traveling long distances or losing evidence. Hospital and coroner witnesses supported the goal but opposed the bill as written, arguing it could impose duties on hospitals without enough trained personnel, funding, or a workable statewide training and coordination system; they urged a statewide coordinator, mobile SANE units, and clearer implementation. The bill was not finally disposed of in the portion of the meeting provided, and members discussed continuing to work on amendments and timing before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just in Shakopee, we have seen gains in our overall graduation rate over the course of the last five
• 35:31.599><c> our</c><00:35:31.839><c> overall</c><00:35:32.480><c> graduation</c><00:35:33.119><c> rate
• With rates of STI and STDs remaining high in Minnesota, it's important that the statute defines clear
• Um even the vendors John's requests.
• Um even the vendors John's talking<01:26:47.040><c> about</c><01:26:47.679><c> uh</c><01:26:47.760><c

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of using the old-style cards, you could use a key fob that was delayed by a vendor.
• We were able to seek and find other vendors to complete it.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we've had kind of those $10,000 to $50,000 pilots where we learn with our departments and with our vendor
• We're working with a couple vendors to test that.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on technology in government, AI, broadband, and digital equity. Seattle CTO Rob Lloyd described the city’s AI strategy, emphasizing responsible use, privacy, security, community input, and data strategy. He said Seattle is using small pilots and partnerships to test AI for tasks such as public records processing, infrastructure inspection, and permitting, while keeping humans as the final decision-makers. Members asked about bias, liability, training on best practices, labor involvement, and public records; Lloyd said AI should remain an assistant tool, not a replacement for human judgment, and that Seattle is still testing solutions for records requests and permitting. WATech CTO Nick Stow and Deputy Director Mark Quimby discussed the state’s broader AI policy, the generative AI executive order, a sandbox with more than 15 agencies, and use cases including a resident portal, cybersecurity, and wildfire detection. They stressed consent, closed systems, human-centered design, and the need to govern all forms of AI, not just generative AI. Committee members raised concerns about federal data access, labor issues, and wildfire detection effectiveness. Spokane County IT staff described a more restrictive approach to AI, citing privacy, bias, and cyber risks. The county standardized on Microsoft Copilot as its only approved chat-style AI tool, blocked other AI chat platforms, and requires human review of all AI-generated content. They said AI is also being used by criminals for phishing and deepfakes, underscoring the need for strong policy and security controls. The committee also received an update from the Attorney General’s AI Task Force. Yuki Ishizuka said the task force has 19 members and eight subcommittees covering ethics, consumer protection, labor, health care, public safety, education, government efficiency, cybersecurity, and industry/energy. The task force is working toward an interim report due December 1, 2025 and a final report due July 1, 2026, and is reviewing recommendations through public forums and advisory committees. Ishizuka warned that a federal budget reconciliation provision could bar states from enforcing AI regulations for 10 years, and several members voiced support for state authority and asked about possible 2026 legislation. The committee then heard updates on broadband and digital equity. Commerce’s Dave Pringle said the BEAD broadband program is being reshaped by new NTIA guidance, which removed or reduced emphasis on several prior priorities, and Washington is now working under an expedited process to submit its state application by September 4. He noted that no projects have been built yet, that four counties did not receive applications in round two, and that the state is trying to keep applicants engaged through office hours and a shortened review window. The Office of Equity and the Digital Equity Forum reported increased participation, new members, and ongoing outreach to tribal, rural, and underserved communities, while previewing recommendations such as creating an interdepartmental digital equity team and improving data use. Finally, Lumen’s Robert Thoms described private-sector broadband deployment challenges, including permitting, regulation, and the economics of extending fiber, while noting continued investment in overbuild projects, a $30 low-cost service option tied to the former ACP, and work with the state, tribes, and libraries. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It insures the courts, not private investors. vendors decide when the government can access your information
• And then that purchaser, that vendor, would then sell it to someone else.

Bills: HB166 , HB2000 , HB3248 , HB3513 , SB155 , SB1659 , SB1730 , SB1778 , SB1790 , SB1848 , SB2017 , SB2105 , SB2794 , SB2917 , HB2756 , HB353 , HB166

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: child endangerment, controlled substances, penalty group, elderly protection, disabled individual rights, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, defense, peace officers, local government, security, juvenile board, Moore County, appointments, juvenile justice, county legislation, dangerous dogs

Transcript Highlights:

• , which include the IMD rate and the quality assurance fee rate.
• These rates both support the program's licensure.
• rate in order to agree to serve our population.
• at fiscal year, and also to be able to meet answer rates at target rate that is expected from SAMHSA
• a 40% answer rate on chat and text.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vaping rates have gone down from our very high high in 2019, but at the same time, we're seeing a lot
• Vaping rates have gone down good news.
• They start vaping and continue vaping at higher rates than boys.
• They start vaping and continue vaping at higher rates than boys.
• Rates of abuse are aggressively trend.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all