Transcript Highlights:

• All of the BCPs related to chaptered legislation are consistent with the fiscal analysis during the legislative
• care coordinators who answer the phone call, connect people to community-based resources based on the needs
• Okay, yeah, you could hold it up if you need to. My name is... my name is... my name is...

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration met to hear the Civil Rights Department’s budget items, with the chair opening by emphasizing that agency directors should appear in person if they want their items heard. Go-Biz was not heard because its director was absent. The department outlined four chaptered-legislation implementation items: SB 464 on updated pay data reporting categories, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 935 expanding data collection and reporting, and SB 518 creating the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery. The Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst’s Office had no concerns with these proposals. Members then asked about the department’s broader workload and role in responding to discrimination, hate incidents, and immigration-related fears in communities. CRD explained that it handles complaints in areas such as housing, employment, public accommodations, hate crimes, and human trafficking, but does not have jurisdiction over the federal government or landlord-tenant law generally. Officials said filings and open matters have risen sharply, with the department nearing 12,000 open matters, and described outreach in multiple languages, immigrant-serving work, and support for victims through T and U visa-related assistance. They also discussed the Commission on the State of Hate, the California vs. Hate hotline, and coordination with Stop the Hate grantees and community organizations. The committee also heard items on ongoing workload for AB 2188, AB 1041, and AB 1949, which would convert limited-term resources to permanent positions because workload has met or exceeded initial estimates. The LAO had no concerns. A final item requested $502,000 for ongoing security guard services at CRD public counters after more than a dozen threats to staff since July 2024; the LAO again had no concerns. Members expressed support for the security request and discussed the need for safe public-facing offices. No votes were taken, and each item was closed after discussion and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:12.080> to health professionals is needed to health professionals is needed to improve
• I need your I<00:39:20.880> need<00:39:21.040> your<00:39:21.280> advice.
• Line item are four related social needs.
• Coordinating data meet local needs.
• Ballot analysis.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's the message that we need to deliver here today: there are needs, and we've got to fix
• the needs in this special session.
• Why do we need that point in there? Mr.
• We need more providers. Okay, I guess I'm just curious. Thank you, Mr.
• I'm wondering why we couldn't come up with our own analysis of what rural health care need is.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas, according to the Arizona Board of Regents analysis, Arizona needs an additional 14,291 registered
• We need to address the immediate issue, and I pledge to my constituents that I will address the full
• It provides an option to the cities and towns to exercise local control and respond to community needs
• I just find that very offensive, and I think that needs to be said.
• What we really need to do if we want all of our children to be protected from sexual abuse, as much as

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we may need to take out the 'in order' for it to make sense.
• Further, a licensee in charge is only required to have a pre-need license if the establishment offers
• or sells pre-need contracts.
• or sells pre-need contracts.
• I just wanted to make sure folks understood that's why this legislation is needed.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Government Organization met with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then considered a series of House bills, most of them related to licensing, local government administration, and agency operations. House Bill 5063 would let county commissions appoint a county commissioner as a voting member of a convention and visitors bureau board, including for multi-county CVBs; it was reported to the full Senate. House Bill 5087 would join the interstate cosmetology licensure compact, allowing licensed cosmetologists to obtain multi-state practice privileges in compact states, and it was also reported. The committee then took up a strike-and-insert amendment for House Bill 4793, which combined provisions affecting barbering/cosmetology apprenticeships and lowered certain age and education requirements; after adopting a Jefferson amendment clarifying the salon training language, the bill was reported as amended. Members next approved a strike-and-insert for House Bill 5638, which clarifies the State Chief Information Security Officer’s duties, changes cyber risk review procedures, and updates references to the Office of Technology head as the chief information officer; it was reported as amended. House Bill 4483, dealing with the Board of Funeral Examiners, was amended to change the effective date for licensee-in-charge requirements and make technical corrections, then reported as amended. House Bill 5653, requested by the Department of Revenue, would expand confidentiality protections to cover audit manuals, guidelines, procedures, algorithms, and related materials to prevent taxpayers from gaming audit selection, and it was reported. House Bill 4452 repeals acreage limits on church property ownership, and House Bill 4801 expands permissible uses of hotel occupancy tax funds to include demolition of unsafe structures and planning or improvement of public property; both were reported. The committee also advanced House Bill 5622, which creates an expedited process for municipalities to conform local election terms and procedures to the state requirement that municipal elections be held with statewide primaries or general elections, and recognizes the Secretary of State as keeper of municipal charter rolls. House Bill 4546 would allow business entities to file reports biennially instead of annually, with higher biennial fees and updated enforcement provisions; its strike-and-insert amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 5613 would define and regulate telematics for state fleet vehicles, require reporting on unsafe driving and corrective actions, and include cost-benefit information in annual reports; it was reported. House Bill 5323 would let the Division of Natural Resources adjust license and stamp fees for inflation by removing a prior CPI-based restriction, and House Bill 4819 would revise criminal-record standards for certain non-Chapter 30 occupational licenses, shifting to a direct-relationship standard while preserving existing exclusions for violent sexual offenses; both were reported. The committee then adjourned after closing remarks from the chair and vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• week prior to the hearing in order for your organizational position to be reflected in the bill analysis
• We need only look to the recent Los Angeles fires to see the importance of a robust mutual aid system
• We do need help.
• The poor folks in California do need help with their medical costs, so I appreciate this bill.
• The high cost of rent means less money for food, basic needs, health care, and gasoline.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met and announced that, under its suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense because each had a fiscal impact. The chair also reminded attendees to submit position letters in advance for inclusion in the bill analysis. A quorum was established and the committee then heard six bills, all of which drew support testimony and no opposition testimony in the room. AB 814 would exempt law enforcement pensions from state income tax to encourage retired peace officers to remain in California and support recruitment and retention. AB 918 would create a targeted income tax exemption for pay earned by local first responders deployed under mutual aid during declared emergencies, with supporters saying it would help sustain disaster response and reward extraordinary service. Both bills were backed by police and public safety organizations and were referred to suspense. AB 976 would create a nonrefundable tax credit for small retailers in disadvantaged communities to help pay for security equipment in response to retail theft and violence; members discussed whether the bill should be broader and how it related to Proposition 36 and crime policy. AB 984 would allow state tax deductions for contributions to CalABLE accounts, with testimony from CalABLE representatives and families describing the program as an essential savings tool for people with disabilities. AB 1282 would create a deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses up to $5,000 through 2030, and AB 838 would raise California’s renter’s tax credit from $60/$120 to $2,000 for eligible filers. Each of these bills was also referred to the suspense file, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does anyone know if this needs to go to Judiciary? Mr. Smith.
• Some didn't need any; some needed a few; some were just not ready to be able to do that.
• Clarification if we need to.
• Our House Research Analysis. Thank you, Chair and members.
• All those in favor, we need to. I want to offer.

Bills: HF2601, HF2607, HF2027, HF2608

Keywords: financial institutions, insurance regulation, insurance holding company, group capital calculation, liquidity stress test, NAIC, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, insurer solvency, affiliate transactions, groupwide supervision, internationally active insurance group, lead state commissioner, policyholder protection, hazardous financial condition, deposit or bond, contract for deed, conventional loan, cooperative apartment loan, mortgage interest rate cap, average prime offer rate

Transcript Highlights:

• I will give you an approximate figure of about 30,000, but I would need to go pull specific data.
• I will give you an approximate figure of about 30,000, but I would need to go pull specific data.
• out how we can balance growth against need for the program.
• If it's called, we need to do a roll call and vote on the minutes. Yes. Hi, everyone.
• That would be something we would need to discuss.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee met with MassHealth LTSS Chief Leslie Darcy to review the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program and the legislative work group focused on its long-term sustainability and cost containment. Darcy and Charlie described the work group’s five meetings and three consensus recommendations: enforce the 66-hour overtime cap, address fraudulent activity in the PCA program, and eliminate MassHealth handling of PCA paperwork/administrative work for members without a live-in exemption because those members are subject to EVV. They explained EVV as an electronic visit verification system replacing paper timesheets, and noted the rollout is expected to be completed this fall. The group estimated about $7 million in savings from the consensus recommendations and agreed to continue meeting through June to consider additional ideas. Darcy presented data showing the PCA program served about 56,000 members in state fiscal year 2024 and has grown from $1.2 billion in FY20 to $1.6 billion in FY24, with projections near $2 billion by 2027. She said much of the growth is driven by wage increases and older adults using more services, and compared PCA costs with other LTSS programs. The discussion also covered overtime spending, the role of federal financial participation, and how Massachusetts’ PCA program differs from other states because it has no hard caps on hours or activities. Several members emphasized the program’s value for independent living and community participation, while also acknowledging the need to control growth without undermining services. Members asked about undocumented immigrants and MassHealth funding, and Darcy explained that some eligibility categories are state-funded only and do not receive federal matching funds. Another member asked about workforce recruitment and wage pressures; Darcy said recent collective bargaining agreements raised PCA wages, with some workers eventually reaching $25 per hour and the entry wage reaching $20. The group also discussed whether IADL hours are disproportionately high compared with ADL needs, and reviewed data suggesting potential savings if IADL hours were limited relative to ADL hours, though no consensus recommendation was made on that point. The meeting ended with approval of the prior minutes by roll call vote, an update that the next health equity informational hearing is scheduled for May 19, and a motion to adjourn carried unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• TO LEAVE FOR WORK EARLY WOULD NEED TO MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
• LET'S MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THE KIDS ASLEEP THEY NEED.
• SO EVERY COUNTY HAS DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC NEEDS, DIFFERENT PATTERNS.
• SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEED FLEXIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE PHYSICAL LOCATIONS.
• SENATOR GAETZ YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I need a motion on AB 770 by Assembly Member Markers-Gonzalez.
• So I need a motion on AB 770 by Assembly Member Markers-Gonzalez.
• I need a motion and a second. Thank you. And then moving on to item 3, SB 451.
• This important and much-needed bill closes a loophole in sweepstakes law.
• We need to open the roll for absent members on the previous measures.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee before quorum was established, then heard three measures. AB 770 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez would authorize the City of Los Angeles to create a flexible signage framework at the Los Angeles Convention Center to generate revenue for renovation and modernization tied to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Support came from labor, business, and SEIU representatives, who cited jobs, tourism, and financing benefits; there was no opposition testimony. Members asked about the job estimates and the connection between signage revenue and convention center expansion. SB 451, presented by Senator Archuleta, would clarify that a 50-50 charitable raffle may be conducted at a championship game held at a designated venue where an affiliated sports team plays home games, addressing a Super Bowl-related ambiguity. Supporters from the NFL and the 49ers said the change would preserve charitable fundraising for Super Bowls 60 and 61 and would not alter other raffle rules. CalNonprofits raised concerns about fairness, gambling expansion, and the special treatment of pro sports raffles, while members discussed how charities receive funds and the program’s audit process. AB 831 by Assemblymember Valencia would prohibit online sweepstakes using dual-currency models that allow cash payouts, while leaving non-cash social sweepstakes untouched. Supporters, including several tribes, the Sports Betting Alliance, the California Chamber of Commerce, and other stakeholders, argued the bill closes a loophole, protects consumers, and preserves tribal gaming sovereignty; opponents, including the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance and numerous tribal members and representatives, argued it would eliminate a legal industry, harm smaller and less advantaged tribes, and was advanced without sufficient consultation. After extensive debate about consumer protection, tribal equity, and online gaming regulation, all three bills were approved, and the committee adjourned at 9:55 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• No need to respond to that right now, but I want you to note that concern.
• That's one point I want to speak strongly about: we need funding.
• But we need to make sure we don't have a train to nowhere; instead, we need an actual, credible plan
• We need to complete big things. Things, but we've said no, not fast-track.
• We need to be putting more into wildfire prevention.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a resource witness from General Justice if you need it, um, should, um, and I reserve the right
• the recommendations contained within the US Department of Justice's report that addresses the urgent need
• Bill 2947 ensures students stay on track, parents remain engaged, and schools have the tools they need
• Um, it's the poor kids who have the most need and have the most problems.
• So services that Children need and that schools can provide aren't able to be.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the premise that we needed with the premise that we needed twothirds<01:14:25.520> to
• > whereas I think we need uh we do need whereas I think we need uh we do need twothirds<01:14:30.800>
• We needed to raise taxes for that.
• They don't need our permission.
• giving us way more money than we need. giving us way more money than we need.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This helps not only the men and women in uniform, but it provides much-needed services to communities
• And what this will do is just simplify that analysis.
• Uh, young seals have needs, uh, that maybe they can and can't afford.
• He would help out anybody that needed it. And, you know, we lost a good one.
• Question number two, any anticipated costs or upgrades, offline counties will need to occur.

Transcript Highlights:

• They may need help if they they suffer a cardiac emergency.
• And later, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and a plethora of other legislation is evidence of the need
• Are there questions on the bill as amended in an appearance forms we have can need and that's a CA need
• Senator Simon, I need Senator Yarborough vice chair pizzo. Yes.
• So that school readiness program providers have minimum who need minimum program assessment.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to attract good people. We need to retain good people.
• We need to attract good people.
• I know we put some of what you needed in the base bill, but we'll make sure you get what you need.
• We need to ensure that the data reflects the performance of individual justices for a comprehensive analysis
• need.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• more money needed because we really need more money needed because we really need to<00:23:05.360
• Thank you. for re-entry to be successful there need for re-entry to be successful there need needs<00
• We would need to bring back—we would need to build a new prison facility.
• We need a new facility.
• We need a new facility.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• will take for us to serve their needs. will take for us to serve their needs.
• <00:19:59.200> to<00:19:59.360> be, don't need to have we don't need to be, don't need
• <00:37:24.560> to we need or that product that we need to we need or that product that we
• chain improvements are needed.
• They need access through transmission, and they need access to markets.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Approval of Minutes 00:01:19 Helping Power Kentucky's Growth (LG&E/KU) 00:01:39 Update from Kentucky's Electric Cooperatives 00:47:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the previous meeting, and then heard a presentation from LG&E and KU representatives Caroline Clark and John Bevington on economic development, energy demand, and the utility’s role in supporting Kentucky’s growth. Bevington described the company’s service territory, generation fleet, and recent economic development activity, including 76 projects supported in 2024, more than $2.8 billion in private investment, and over 3,000 new jobs. He emphasized that data centers are now the dominant driver in the pipeline, with 22 data center projects representing about 8.7 of the 9.7 gigawatts of potential demand, alongside other manufacturing and commercial projects. A major focus was how data centers choose sites and how utilities respond. Bevington explained that hyperscale data centers typically approach utilities first because they need transmission-level access, and that utilities then conduct internal analyses, estimate infrastructure needs, and require financial security before proceeding. He said the company is working through formal transmission studies and long-lead infrastructure planning, and noted that Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers helped attract interest. He also outlined the economic benefits of data centers, citing an announced Louisville project of 525 megawatts and about $11 billion in investment, with an estimated $500 million in new tax revenue over 10 years, plus broader job and GDP impacts. Members asked about whether data centers could generate their own power, the reliability of the pipeline numbers given confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and cybersecurity concerns. Bevington said the company does not assume all pipeline projects will materialize in Kentucky and instead assigns probabilities to avoid overbuilding. He also said he was not the right person to address cybersecurity in detail but offered to return to a committee focused on IT or security. In response to questions about future supply, he said LG&E and KU are adding generation through a 120-megawatt solar facility in Mercer County, a 120-megawatt solar purchase in Marion County, and a 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle plant in Louisville, with PSC approval recently granted for additional generation and related system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• quality needs.
• And you've heard from a lot of participants today, we need money, and we need market signals.
• We need fuel diversity and we need energy diversity, and this is where to go.
• But they just need money for buses. They need money for fueling infrastructure.
• It meets the needs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They need both.
• Information that we need.
• Your needs are different. I get that, right? All the needs are different.
• We need to find a fix.
• So here's what I need for core services, and then here's what I need for a la carte.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.