Transcript Highlights:

• Our suicide prevention program has been augmented pretty heavily.
• , as well as traditional degrees. or other work programs, as well as traditional degrees.
• staff these programs and make sure that we're out there.
• But we'd be happy to see this program reside elsewhere.
• insurance program.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's the federal subventions program.
• And then finally, DWR's deferred maintenance programs.
• And then finally, DWR's deferred maintenance programs.
• Our final panel: Flood Control Subventions Program.
• For us, the most important program at the state level is the subventions program.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on flood risk and flood management in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that flooding is a statewide and growing threat due to climate change, including the possibility of extreme losses in a worst-case event. Members noted recent flooding in places such as San Diego, the Tulare Basin, and Pajaro, and framed the hearing as a way to better understand prevention, response, and how to capture excess water for later use. Jeffrey Mount of PPIC gave the main overview, describing California’s high flood exposure, the different flood types the state faces, and the mix of structural and non-structural tools used to manage them. He stressed that levees, dams, bypasses, land-use planning, flood insurance, and emergency response all matter, but that risk is rising because current standards are based on past hydrology rather than future climate conditions. He also warned that flood management is underfunded, that the National Flood Insurance Program is weak, and that federal support is increasingly uncertain. Members asked about groundwater recharge, permitting, NOAA and federal cuts, and which communities are most at risk; Mount said recharge can help but does not eliminate flood risk, and that small Central Valley communities and heavily developed floodplains are especially concerning. State officials Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources and Jane Dolan of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board described the state’s role in forecasting, emergency response, grants, planning, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. They highlighted aging infrastructure, the need for better coordination, and the state’s special liability in the Central Valley after the Paterno decision. Dolan reviewed the history of major floods and said the plan calls for about $1 billion per year over 30 years to meet current needs, while Hollander said the state works with local and federal partners on preparedness, response, and subventions projects. Both emphasized that floodplain planning, regional coordination, and faster permitting are important, but that more consistent funding is needed. A later panel from local flood agencies and districts reinforced those points, arguing that the state’s annual flood funding is below identified needs and that a proposed statewide flood and dam safety bond was reduced substantially in the broader climate bond package. Witnesses urged more routine maintenance funding, support for regional flood planning, and continued federal-state-local partnerships to reduce risk and maintain eligibility for federal assistance. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would have been the first program created in the state of Massachusetts.
• That would have been the first program created in the state of Massachusetts.
• When the program first started, it was a Chapter 70 program, which explains the problem for me purchasing
• but all other programs are allowed to buy that creditable service back.
• I think it needs to be addressed because many of the programs, if there's going to be any new programs

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing on a wide range of credible service and retirement-related bills, with testimony largely focused on allowing public employees to buy back prior service time or receive more appropriate retirement classifications. Bills discussed included retirement buyback for Joint Base Cape Cod firefighters (H. 4317), clarification of call firefighter buyback rights (H. 2883/S. 1915), veterans’ buyback (H. 2957), a Bridgewater State University police death-benefit/heart-law issue (filed by Rep. Gallagher), unpaid parental leave buyback for municipal employees (H. 2946), school nurse creditable service (H. 2887/S. 1787), former private/parochial school teacher buyback (S. 1900/H. 2873), Massport police retirement classification (S. 1888), contract employee buyback (H. 2795), Retirement Plus late entry (H. 2792), CVTE/teacher-related buyback issues (H. 2762), Peace Corps/AmeriCorps creditable service (H. 2927), and institutional school teacher retirement fairness (H. 2757). Several speakers also referenced related bills for teachers and nurses that had been heard previously or were filed in parallel in the other branch. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the bills. Speakers argued that the measures would correct inequities, recognize prior public service, and help recruit and retain workers in hard-to-fill public jobs. Firefighters described the unique federal-to-state transition at Joint Base Cape Cod and said some members were left out of earlier buyback opportunities. Veterans, teachers, school nurses, correctional educators, and Massport police all described service requirements, administrative gaps, or outdated statutory language that they said unfairly limited retirement credit or placed them in the wrong retirement group. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals were fiscally responsible because employees would pay the cost of the buybacks, and some noted that similar bills had been filed repeatedly in prior sessions. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions, mostly about why certain employees had been excluded under current law or how the retirement provisions would work. No opposition testimony was presented. The hearing concluded after all scheduled witnesses testified, with the chairs thanking participants for their service and the committee voting to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• , degree, degree, classifies<01:03:05.360> the<01:03:05.480> falsification<01:03:06.160
• loyalty programs, and restaurants. loyalty programs, and restaurants.
• Um so we see food food benefit programs.
• asked that all loyalty program asked that all loyalty program exemptions<01:12:23.840> be
• loyalty loyalty programs to begin with. loyalty loyalty programs to begin with.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing either support or comments rather than opposition. HB 2395, relating to taking marine deposits for research, education, management, or propagation, received support from the University of Hawaii and DLNR. HB 2585, relating to agricultural tourism, drew broad support for its intent to keep agritourism secondary to farming, but agencies and farm groups raised concerns about enforcement, county authority, and the rebuttable presumption language. Testifiers included OPSD, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, a small farm operator, and others, with some urging clearer definitions, simpler registration, and protections for bona fide farms and hosted farm stays. HB 1728, on rainwater catchment systems, was supported in principle by DLNR, which cited drought conditions and said it deferred to counties and the Department of Health on safety and regulation. HB 1881, which would prohibit passenger ropeways on mountain lands, drew strong support from community testifiers who said it would help prevent development disguised as agritourism and protect forests and country lands. HB 1990, establishing penalties and possible foreclosure for unresolved zoning violations, received comments from the Attorney General recommending removal of AG references and more county-centered enforcement, while the Hawaii Association of Realtors warned the 30-day timeline could create problems for absent or unaware homeowners. The committee also heard HB 1712, which would expand and make permanent certain seats on the State Building Code Council. The Plumbers and Fitters union supported the bill, but BIA Hawaii requested amendments to add “licensed contractor” language, and architects and other professionals opposed the measure, arguing that increasing the council from 12 to 15 voting members would make it less efficient and harder to reach quorum. Finally, HB 2151, relating to hempcrete, was supported by a Kauai workforce development advocate and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, who said hempcrete could support agriculture, manufacturing, and affordable housing while reducing carbon and reliance on imported materials. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• become candidates, and also there are many potential candidates who have earned criminal justice degrees
• Some of them require a master's degree. Some of them require a bachelor's degree.
• The only thing I was asking for in the original one was an associate's degree, but that was fine.

Bills: SB287

Keywords: Sheriff, Barbour County, law enforcement, qualifications, training, executive education, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Senate by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, and all such amendments shall be second-degree
• March 25, 2026, and all such amendments shall be second-degree amendments to the proposed Ways and Means
• Further amendments in the third degree to such amendments shall be in order.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first took up final passage of two bills: one directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for Jason Villian, and another authorizing DCAMM to convey certain parcels of land in Brockton. Both bills passed to be enacted and were sent to the Governor. The chamber also adopted a resolution celebrating the commissioning of the U.S.S. Massachusetts. The Senate then considered several committee reports and procedural orders. Ways and Means reported a new draft for Senate Bill 2801, fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts, and the Senate ordered the bill to a second reading with amendment deadlines and later-stage procedures set. The Rules Committee also recommended suspending the joint rule for a petition on animal telehealth, which the Senate approved, along with additional Joint Rule 12 suspensions to refer House petitions to the appropriate committees. Later, the Senate took up Senate Bill 1646 on violations of regulations regarding hot work processes. After suspending the rules to proceed forthwith, the Senate rejected an amendment to establish a Board of Hoisting Machinery Regulations, adopted the Ways and Means amendment, and ordered the bill to a third reading. Following remarks from Senator Collins about the Walsh-Kennedy Commission and fire safety reforms, the bill passed to be engrossed. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Dan McColl, a South Boston artist and newspaper man, and then adjourned to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Enforcement Foundation Program Fund. Enforcement Foundation Program Fund.
• The purpose of foundation program fund.
• She helped develop an ocular disease residency program.
• <00:51:38.440> House opportunity program in Kentucky.
• House opportunity program in Kentucky.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:49 Calendar/2nd Readings 06:27 Report of Committees 08:12 Orders of the Day/HB 485 09:40 HB 43 23:13 HB 139 25:09 HB 414 31:49 HB 297 36:16 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 41:08 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 51:25 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 53:41 ConC/Rules Report 56:40 Floor Amendments 57:54 Adjournment 58:17, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation, quorum call, and routine motions to excuse absent members, suspend rules for co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and approve the journal. The Senate clerk then announced Senate Bills 47, 85, and 159 had passed the Senate and requested House concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports on a number of bills, including measures on on-farm animal health, type 1 diabetes, employment, addictive online platforms, real property appraisers, educators, crimes and punishments, artificial intelligence, stalking, insurance, school food/funds, protective orders, public adjusters, and insurance regulation. Several committees reported bills favorably, including HB 534 on elections, HB 510 on organ donation safety, HB 220 on pension spiking, HB 467 on real property, HB 516 on retirement benefits for probationary employment, HB 589 on retired emergency personnel, and HB 168 on boating under the influence, which was sent to the Rules Committee after its second reading. The House then passed HB 485, a major mental health/civil commitment bill, after adopting House Committee Substitute 1 and two floor amendments. Supporters said the bill modernizes Kentucky’s 202A and 202C mental health commitment processes by adding intermediate treatment options, guardrails for outpatient/community-based care, clearer definitions, longer review intervals in some cases, and data/reporting requirements; they emphasized collaboration with mental health advocates, courts, and stakeholders. The bill passed unanimously, 95-0. HB 43, allowing a 180-day grace period for deputy coroners to complete required training, also passed unanimously, 96-0. HB 139, an elections “continuous improvement” bill, passed 92-1 after adoption of a committee substitute and a floor amendment that bars disclosure/reporting of votes cast for candidates who withdraw, die, or are disqualified and requires notices at precincts; the sponsor described the bill as the product of ongoing consultation with election officials and clerks. HB 414, on booking procedures in local jails, passed 73-18 after supporters explained it would allow DNA collection upon felony arrest, with destruction provisions if the person is not convicted or the charge is reduced or dismissed. HB 297, concerning Kentucky State Fair Board peace officers, passed unanimously, 96-0, to explicitly make those officers eligible for law enforcement fund benefits and related certification/training provisions. After the bills were completed, the House moved into motions, petitions, communications, and announcements. House Resolution 69 was brought from committee to the floor, and members were invited to a Kentucky State Police breakfast and a Louisville night event at the Foundry. The chamber also adopted Citation 32 honoring Dr. Hannah Huffman, who was recognized for her optometry career and leadership in the Kentucky Optometric Association, and Citation 31 honoring Valerie Greenhill, the new president of the Southern Regional Education Board. The House then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• bringing the number from 32 to 50, which is the recommended number by the people at CMS who audit programs
• We're asking for state appropriation of about 25% of the total cost of the program.
• And we're asking for state appropriation of about 25% of the total cost of the program.
• a variety of different types of fraud and the ways that fraudsters try to steal from the Medicaid program
• ,<01:10:11.080> certification degree, certification degree, certification that<01:10:13.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our associate teacher program is specifically designed as a pipeline to attract and develop these young
• My three children were talented and gifted program scholars whose development and academic habits of
• My three children were talented and gifted program scholars whose development and academic habits of
• It was so inspiring that I sought my own certificate program in education by enrolling at University
• This forces families into private programs, deepening the equity divide.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held its 13th hearing, chaired by Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Gordon, and heard testimony on a large slate of bills covering personnel and miscellaneous education issues. The first major topic was House Bill 711 and Senate Bill 327, the “So All Students Thrive” proposal, which would change reduction-in-force rules so districts could consider teacher effectiveness, student impact, staffing needs, and diversity-related factors alongside seniority. Supporters from Educators for Excellence, including teachers and a former school committee chair, argued that current seniority-based layoff rules can push out effective early-career educators and harm efforts to build a more diverse workforce. Committee members raised questions about tenure, union involvement, and how the bill would interact with the Educator Diversity Act and local contract negotiations; members generally said they shared the goal of diversifying the educator workforce and encouraged continued collaboration and feedback. The committee then heard testimony on House Bill 658, which would require educator training on gifted and advanced learners. Parents, teachers, researchers, and advocates said Massachusetts lacks required preservice or professional development on gifted education, leaving many advanced students unchallenged and underserved. Witnesses described students who are bored, under-identified, or even discouraged in school, and argued that training would help teachers recognize and support gifted students, including students of color, multilingual learners, low-income students, and students with disabilities. Testimony also supported related prior bills on advanced learners and emphasized that the state should act on a 2019 DESE report recommending such training. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 736 and Senate Bill 435, which would establish de-escalation training for school transportation. The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council said the measure would improve safety for students and bus operators, fill a gap in current school bus driver certification requirements, and better support students with disabilities. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4720, concerning the Athol-Royalston Regional School District’s state bailout-related reserve requirements; the superintendent said the district has long maintained fiscal stability but is still forced to leave over half a million dollars unspent each year, limiting resources for a high-poverty student population. After testimony concluded, the chairs read the full list of bills on the agenda, thanked the committee and staff, and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this provision sets the mandatory minimum sentences for first-degree sex trafficking and aggravated
• This is from House File 764, which is on first-degree arson and the statute of limitations.
• 00:09:21.680> which<00:09:21.920> is<00:09:22.080> on<00:09:22.320> first-degree
• <00:09:22.880> arson<00:09:23.440> and 764, which is on first-degree arson and 764,
• which is on first-degree arson and the<00:09:23.760> statute<00:09:24.080> of<00:09:24.360

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had our first airline captain uh come through our program.
• We have kids in in through our program.
• <00:15:40.320> at in the college aviation programs at in the college aviation programs at
• And to a child, they never knew degrees.
• seen success with the alignment program seen success with the alignment program because<00:20:14.559

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association on the importance of general aviation airports in Kentucky and their economic and public-safety role. Witnesses said the state has more than 50 general aviation airports that support jobs, agriculture, tourism, medical transport, disaster response, and law enforcement, and they urged continued support for aviation infrastructure and workforce development. They asked the legislature to again provide $200,000 per general aviation airport for operating and basic infrastructure costs, to route the money through the Kentucky Department of Aviation for accountability, to revisit a special-purpose governmental entity audit requirement they said is too costly for small airports, to create a long-term appropriations process for the roughly $100 million in unmet capital needs, and to fund the Arrow Act for aviation education and scholarships. Members asked about a dedicated aviation fuel tax and about local training partnerships, simulators, and school or community college programs; the witnesses said they preferred an appropriations-based solution and offered to help connect interested communities with aviation education resources. The committee then took up “Troy’s Law,” sponsored by Representatives White and Flannery, which would allow tow trucks to use blue lights while stationary and actively removing vehicles or debris from highways. Sponsors and tow operators said the bill is intended to improve worker safety after the deaths of tow operators Troy Cwell and Hubert Mosley in highway hit-and-run incidents, and they emphasized that tow operators often work in dangerous conditions at night, in bad weather, and near fast-moving traffic. They said the proposal would not apply while driving or towing and noted that other states have adopted similar measures. Witnesses from the towing industry, including Bubba Johnson and Barbara Maguire, supported the bill as an added layer of protection and described tow operators as first responders who help motorists in emergencies. Representative Flannery and other members expressed support for the safety goal and invited further discussion, but no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you all are truly committed to providing Minnesota students with high-quality education, then programs
• If you all are truly committed to providing Minnesota students with high-quality education, then programs
• , then programs like ethnic studies<00:47:56.200> should<00:47:56.360> not<00:47:56.640
• My PhD is in American literature, and I have a comparative studies degree as well.
• <00:56:35.080> as have a comparative studies degree as have a comparative studies degree as

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 29 was heard in committee as a proposal to suspend adoption of the revised social studies standards, push implementation to 2030-31, repeal the requirement to embed ethnic studies across all standards, and cancel related appropriations. The bill sponsor argued Minnesota schools should focus on basic academic achievement and that ethnic studies requirements add burdens and distract from reading, math, and science. The chair moved the bill to the Committee on Education Finance after opening the hearing and then took extensive public testimony. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters of HF 29, including Katherine Kersten, Deanna Moose, Kendall Qualls, Hillary Swanson, and Diane Smith, argued the ethnic studies framework is ideological, overly focused on race, insufficiently transparent, and costly in professional development time; several said it would divide students or burden teachers. Some supporters also claimed the standards or framework promote activism, critical race theory, or racial stratification. Opponents, including Mark Westfall, Crystal Johnson, Jim Grathwol, Marcus Penny, Claude Sigman, and Courtney Major, said the standards are inclusive, research-based, and designed to help students understand multiple perspectives, civic life, and the contributions of diverse Minnesotans. They emphasized that ethnic studies can improve engagement, critical thinking, and representation, and that teachers should be trusted to implement the standards. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal action noted was the chair’s motion to re-refer House File 29 to the Committee on Education Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of this money, $300,000 was directed to the DNR to assist in implementing the program.
• I'm the wildlife program manager for the Fond du Lac Band. Go ahead. Um, anybody have a question?
• <00:07:37.759> Uh<00:07:38.479> then and consider habitat program.
• Uh then and consider habitat program.
• Legacy Grant Program, and that's administered by the DNR.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To say the Texas War Development Board's loan program, and you do it non-voted, it would be the lower
• There's also a 9% program, just 4%, 9%. We mostly do 4% deals.
• I've been involved in the low-income housing tax credit program since its enactment in 1986 under the
• Our focus is the private activity bond and 4% tax credit program.
• Uh, guardrails to ensure that that the bad actors are at least being controlled to some degree.

Transcript Highlights:

• widespread energy efficiency programs widespread energy efficiency programs like<00:17:46.960>
• <00:17:51.120> like backbone of many Minnesota programs like backbone of many Minnesota programs
• Energy Star was actually signed program.
• 29.000> million,<00:18:30.000> but the program costs $32 million, but the program costs
• <00:19:18.559> because the continuation of this program because the continuation of this program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, today I'm honored to welcome the 2026 class of the Doty London Excellence in Public Service Program
• The Doty London Program is a premier leadership initiative that prepares Republican women from across
• Members, first we have Kim Owens, the executive director of the program.
• And whereas comprehensive school counseling programs are an integral part of the educational process,
• At just 16, she moved by herself to New York City to attend college and graduated in 1933 with a degree

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• means eligible for funding, um, particularly looking at the broadband equity access and deployment programs
• , the federal program that Texas has allocated about $3.3 billion to close the divide here in Texas.
• The BDO is poised to begin accepting applications for the BE program come May 15th.
• Yeah, I would say the most apparent example to me is, is in our bond programs we typically have an arterials
• You may have some degree of delay, um, projects get let quicker later, um, so I get that I totally understand

Transcript Highlights:

• , they were blessed with master's degree, they were blessed with the<02:13:22.719> MLAC.
• And so that's why even with those master's degrees, an M is required. to treat co-occurring disorders
• without any supervised getting a degree without any supervised experience<02:14:22.880> to<02
• mental health counselor master's degrees mental health counselor master's degrees and<02:15:39.360
• The same thing for if someone has a master's degree in mental health and they're an M.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the CDL programs, I'll call it, you know, we nationalized essentially the CDL program several years
• It is a volunteer opt-in program. I want everyone to understand that.
• As you may or may not know, re-entry programs from prisons are very successful programs that offer eligible
• And I know the program intimately.
• My name is Jenny Guzman, and I'm the program director for Common Cause Arizona.

Bills: HB2076, HB2135, HB2175, HB2186, HB2223, HB2345, HB2364, HB2417, HB2440, HB2666, HB2763, HCR2043

Keywords: school safety, employee training, firearm certification, crisis response, school policies, reimbursement fund, local law enforcement, HB2135, Arizona, civil liability, private right of action, DEI, diversity equity and inclusion, critical race theory, anti-racism, race stereotyping, sex stereotyping, race scapegoating, sex scapegoating, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• , including 50 million dollars for a new grant program to create or expand food.
• . 75 million for the agriculture and aquaculture natural disaster loan program and 119 million dollars
• Although Brownsville program has been successful, there are some updating that needs to be done.
• and the Silk Coat Culture Disaster Recovery Grant program.
• and someone are all of one degree, I think maybe they can do that additional questions.

Keywords: 999, senate, all