Transcript Highlights:

• We are nonprofit non regulatory Professional association. We are not a government agency.
• Our active members consist of water and wastewater systems were public private nonprofit.
• The structure established as a nonprofit is a functioning mechanism that does work.
• But with our nonprofit, the intent of that nonprofit was to be governed by their members.
• If that nonprofit does not follow their proper procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide any earmarks to nonprofits.
• Uh we have made earmarks for nonprofits.
• </c><00:29:29.200><c> that</c> government functions to nonprofits that government functions to nonprofits
• </c> direct appropriations to nonprofit direct appropriations to nonprofit entities<00:30:12.080><c>
• </c> is a direct appropriation to a nonprofit is a direct appropriation to a nonprofit there's<00:37:

Bills: HF2446 , HF2563 , HF2444

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Putting this $50 million aside to serve our nonprofit community was important for us during this session
• Putting this $50 million aside to serve our nonprofit community was important for us during this session
• Putting this $50 million aside to serve our nonprofit community was important for us during this session
• If not, any objections or reservations to the list of nonprofits and awards as read being adopted?
• awarded among of nonprofits and awarded among in<00:21:12.400><c> the</c><00:21:12.559><c> list</c><

Summary: The hearing was an informational briefing on Act 310, which set aside $50 million to support Hawaii nonprofits facing uncertainty, including organizations affected by federal funding disruptions. The chair and Senate co-chair thanked Aloha United Way for handling applications, as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, legislative leadership, and House and Senate members for helping craft the measure and review the needs statewide. They noted the process drew more than 200 applications totaling over $150 million, showing demand far exceeded available funds, and encouraged unsuccessful applicants to apply again through the regular grant-and-aid process in January. The Senate co-chair explained that the committee prioritized organizations serving healthcare, human services, education, the arts, food distribution, and at-risk populations, especially amid concerns about SNAP, WIC, federal employees, and possible future disruptions. The co-chair then read a long list of recommended awardees and funding amounts, including major allocations to groups such as Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, Child and Family Service, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Hawaii Food Bank, The Food Basket, West Hawaii Community Health Center, and several YWCA and YMCA organizations, among many others. After the awards list was read, the chair asked for discussion or objections. Hearing none, the list of nonprofit awards was adopted, and the informational briefing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that part of the data is probably being collected by the nonprofits and by IHFA.
• On top of that, nonprofits are audited every year by professional accountants. You know that.
• and subjects where different nonprofits receive funding from the federal government.
• Nonprofits are really sensitive to this audit because it takes hours of time.
• But nonprofits are really sensitive to this audit because it takes hours of time.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• It is limited to nonprofits. Now they're 100-some years old and needing to come down.
• It is limited to nonprofits. 50,000 and under. It is limited to nonprofits.
• It's a nonprofit corporation that—should have emphasized that—it’s a nonprofit.
• If the goal is to create housing options in rural areas, why would we keep it to nonprofits?
• Yeah, by the nonprofit. I believe so.

Committee: House Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the capability of nonprofits, which were mentioned several times, their ability, Of course
• You've had such tremendous successes over the years, bringing so many nonprofits up, and really want
• Understand that there is an opportunity to support those nonprofits, those trusted nonprofits, those.
• Understand that there is an opportunity to support those nonprofits, those trusted nonprofits, those
• nonprofits that are on the ground doing the work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill further creates a process for a nonprofit utility that does not meet the requirements to be
• We are a nonprofit, non-regulatory professional association. We are not a government agency.
• It creates language in the statute to govern that description of a non-qualifying nonprofit status.
• The structure established as a nonprofit is a functioning mechanism that does work.
• , the intent of that nonprofit was to be governed by their members, and there are procedures in place

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The committee took up several bills and reported each favorably after brief debate and roll call votes. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it had support from Americans for Prosperity. SB 606 clarified when nonpaying guests may be removed from public lodging establishments, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from Florida Realtors, the Asian American Hotel Association, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. SB 202 addressed a long-running dispute between Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach over a water utility surcharge, requiring the utility to charge residents in the city where the plant sits the same rate as its own residents; supporters argued it was a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach opposed it as a burden on its residents. All three bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 570, which updates and clarifies the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and CS/SB 928, which targets non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display visible to minors, increasing inspections and penalties, and adopting an amendment to clarify the bill does not cover fully unlawful products and to add a 500-foot school buffer for smoke shops. SB 346, dealing with state preemption of local regulation of hoisting equipment, was reported favorably after testimony about the St. Petersburg crane collapse during Hurricane Milton; supporters said local governments need authority to address hurricane-related crane safety, while builders and contractors warned against patchwork regulation and urged a more targeted approach. The committee then considered SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks under veterinarian supervision, including limited surgical procedures after an amendment clarified those procedures are limited to spay/neuter and non-cavity surgeries. Supporters said the bill would expand access to veterinary care and help shelters, while some veterinarians expressed concern about training and safety; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up SB 354 on the Public Service Commission, adopting a substitute amendment that would expand the commission, require stronger financial expertise and more detailed rate justifications, set rate-filing schedules, tighten storm-hardening review, and add transparency rules for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the bill drew support from consumer advocates and AARP, while Florida Rural Water warned of unintended consequences for nonprofit systems. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 354 is still underway, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• um came up with a for nonprofits um came up with a language<00:31:58.360><c> to</c><00:31:58.480><c>
• </c><00:32:26.120><c> and</c> Revenue Service as a 501c3 nonprofit and Revenue Service as a 501c3 nonprofit
• </c> clear that it's a for a nonprofit clear that it's a for a nonprofit corporation<00:37:02.079><c>
• </c> New Hampshire Center for nonprofits New Hampshire Center for nonprofits around<00:43:41.559><c>
• </c><00:43:46.880><c> Child</c> of the experiences that nonprofit Child of the experiences that nonprofit

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Kristen Goodell and I serve as executive director of LifeKY, a nonprofit life sciences lab, an innovation
• So with LifeKY, what we're doing, this is structured as a nonprofit innovation facility with our systems
• innovation facility with our nonprofit innovation facility with our systems<00:07:53.120><c> and</c>
• The nonprofit 501c3 approach operations.
• different nonprofit missions, but you<00:19:38.000><c> can</c><00:19:38.160><c> just</c><00:19:38.559

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, so it began with an informational presentation from Dr. Kristen Goodell, executive director of LifeKY, about innovation infrastructure and a proposed grant program to support life sciences and other startup facilities. She argued that Kentucky’s research investments only translate into jobs and companies if startups have access to physical lab and equipment space, and said shared facilities can serve many companies over time. Goodell described LifeKY’s Northern Kentucky facility as a proof of concept, noting it has attracted companies from other states and Japan, secured a Thermo Fisher Scientific partnership, and could be replicated elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Members asked about university pipelines, local talent development, sustainability, and how the grant program would measure return on investment; Goodell emphasized public-private partnerships, earned revenue, philanthropy, internships, and STEM programming as part of the model. The committee then took up Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would limit school board occupational license tax increases by raising the population threshold for such increases from 300,000 to 500,000. Bledsoe said the bill was intended to respond to Fayette County’s recent tax controversy, restore public trust, and provide stability for employees, employers, and the school system. He argued that occupational taxes affect many commuters who work in Fayette County but live elsewhere, and said the measure would give time for community buy-in before any future increase. Supportive comments came from Senator Nunn and others, while Senator Boswell asked about the tax rate and cautioned against local tax increases offsetting state income tax reductions. After discussion, the committee called the roll on SB 76. The bill advanced on a roll-call vote, with Senator Armstrong explaining a no vote because he did not want to take tools away from local government and preferred local control. The transcript indicates the measure moved forward from committee after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• RS-33609 is about a district hospital that, in my opinion, was accidentally conveyed to a nonprofit.
• This hospital was able to, using the code, change form and transform to a nonprofit.
• trying to do now is just gain a little bit of transparency on a public asset that has now become a nonprofit
• So now we've got some idea about who's running the nonprofit.
• line 32... ...or as you can see on page two, starting in line 32, they would cease to have been a nonprofit

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• And other nonprofits that are organizations that deal in the advocacy world also?
• I think we would include super PACs, 501(c)(5)s, corporations, and other nonprofits, yes.
• And I do not... ...unions, as are nonprofit organizations that advocate.
• In 2024 alone, dark money groups, nonprofits, and shell companies spent more than $1.9 billion in federal
• In 2024 alone, dark money groups, nonprofits, and shell companies spent more than $1.9 billion in federal

Transcript Highlights:

• And we support over 16,000 varied nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.
• I respectfully... ...nonprofits. It also impacts people like me.
• So it has an impact in our city and also multiple nonprofits that our city supports.
• I'm CEO of Thrive, the Alliance of Nonprofits for all of San Mateo County.
• Nonprofits are already stretched thin.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an item on the vehicle license fee backfill for counties, focused largely on San Mateo County and the related excess ERAF calculation. Department of Finance staff said the administration does not propose the requested $119 million backfill, arguing the payment is discretionary and that the existing statutory formula should continue to operate as written. Senators and public witnesses, including Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier, argued the state has a longstanding obligation to local governments and that San Mateo County faces severe service cuts without the funds; they also discussed whether the issue could be solved through local school district boundary changes or other structural fixes. The chair held the item open after testimony. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department presented SB 851 implementation funding of $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software to track election-related litigation, update voting system standards, and expand vendor notice requirements. Members asked about election security, the impact of recent federal court decisions, the end of federal HAVA funds in 2027-28, and the staffing and timeline needed to implement the law. The committee also heard a $11.8 million General Fund request for the Cal Access Replacement System, intended to replace the outdated campaign finance and lobbying disclosure platform; staff said the project is on track for a November 2026 go-live with a stabilization period afterward. A separate item sought $9.795 million Business Fees Fund for the Notary Automation Program replacement, with the department explaining delays were due to more planning, a 2025 special election, and the need to secure a contractor, with go-live now projected for 2029. All three items were held open. The Department of Veterans Affairs presented its overall status and then its Yountville skilled nursing facility project. CalVet described progress on veterans homes, home loans, housing programs, and mental health initiatives, while noting higher-acuity needs among older veterans and continued support for underserved groups. For Yountville, the department said the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building, though some functions will remain in the old building and other campus projects, including roof and steam system work, are still underway. Members also raised concerns about retroactive tax liabilities for employees whose housing fringe benefits had not been reported, and CalVet said it has corrected the reporting, retrained staff, and is working with employees on repayment and lease adjustments. The committee also discussed a proposal to eliminate vacant positions under Control Section 4.12; CalVet said the positions were long vacant and could be given back without harming operations, while the LAO noted the Legislature had not concurred and keeping them would increase General Fund costs. The item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an informational update on its work and the cultural districts program. The director described the council’s grantmaking, technical assistance, and support for 24 cultural districts statewide, while members emphasized the economic and preservation value of arts funding and urged more investment, including a proposed $50 million General Fund augmentation and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts. Staff explained that the original cultural district funding was reduced and that the program is currently unfunded and lacks dedicated staff, limiting its ability to expand beyond a small share of applications. Members from different regions noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural district designations and pressed the council to broaden access beyond major urban areas. The item was informational only, with no vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• economy, supporting more than 385,000 jobs, with 4,200 nonprofits requiring annual audits.
• economy, supporting more than 385,000 jobs, with 4,200 nonprofits requiring annual audits.
• sector our largest practice nonprofit sector our largest practice area<00:31:40.960><c> in</c><00:31
• requiring annual audits 4,200 nonprofits requiring annual audits the<00:31:52.440><c> CPA</c><00:31:
• across the state who are nonprofits across the state who are looking<00:36:23.720><c> for</c><00:36:

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say my amazing staff, who always keep me on track, reminded me that you are a nonprofit.
• I will say my amazing staff, who always keep me on track, reminded me that you are a nonprofit.
• I didn't realize they were nonprofit.
• I will say my amazing staff, who always keep me on track, reminded me that you are a nonprofit.
• I didn't realize they were nonprofit.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard two bills. AB 1159 by Assemblymember Addis would update California student data privacy law to extend protections to college students, limit how ed tech companies can collect and use student information, and add restrictions around sensitive data and generative AI use. Supporters, including Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, CFT, labor, civil rights, and education groups, said students and educators need stronger safeguards against invasive data collection and misuse. Opponents, including College Board, TechNet, CalChamber, and ACT Education, argued the bill was overly broad, could interfere with legitimate educational services and AI development, and raised concerns about a private right of action and impacts on adult students and recruitment opportunities. AB 883 by Assemblymember Lowenthal would expedite deletion of personal information for elected and appointed officials under California’s data broker deletion system by having state agencies provide official lists to the privacy agency and requiring brokers to delete the information within five days. Supporters said the measure responds to rising threats, harassment, and violence against public officials and would help reduce exposure of their personal data. TechNet and TechC.A. opposed unless amended, citing concerns about exemptions for lawful data sharing, the five-day timeline, and litigation risk, while the author emphasized the bill does not create a new right but streamlines access to an existing deletion process. Both bills were advanced after committee discussion and roll calls. AB 1159 passed 11-2 and was sent to the Judiciary Committee. AB 883 passed 14-0 and was sent to the Appropriations Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• What if you do... is a nonprofit.
• As we move forward, bear in mind if you are a nonprofit with a felony charge, you are not a nonprofit
• Regarding nonprofits, Representative Gottlieb.
• Representative Trabulsy: If we do a blanket exemption on all nonprofits, how many more nonprofits are
• What's to say if we made a nonprofit exempt in the...

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't believe that my community is represented by the nonprofit organizations.
• to deliver funds to other nonprofits.
• This new nonprofit can just exist on its...
• It would place nonprofits in the position of...
• I've never a nonprofit organization.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was in the nonprofit world, and I know why the three on the nonprofit side.
• nonprofit.
• I just want to clarify, this is limited to nonprofit institutions, correct? Yes.
• What they chose to do is they chose to create a nonprofit foundation that would Assemblymember?
• And it's done by a nonprofit, our Jewish Family Services.

Summary: The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee. The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is nonprofit. is nonprofit.
• So, my question is, why are nonprofits part of the board? Why are nonprofits?
• </c> So, my question is why are nonprofits So, my question is why are nonprofits part<01:37:14.200><c
• </c> Why are nonprofits? Yes. Why are nonprofits?
• It can be rip off and duplicate. and nonprofits are not the ones that are and nonprofits are not the

Transcript Highlights:

• nonprofit capacity is really what allowed us to do such good regional justice.
• Nonprofits will be eligible for MVP, as you've heard from others.
• that has served Massachusetts public and nonprofit institutions for over 25 years.
• CDCs are nonprofit developers.
• I'm a youth organizer, part of the nonprofit organization ACE under the branch of REAP.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools. Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration. Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.

Transcript Highlights:

• AICUM represents 58 private nonprofit colleges and universities in Massachusetts, which collectively
• communities by providing a mechanism for cities and towns to impose mandatory PILOT payments on nonprofit
• It would be irresponsible to impose significant new financial burdens on Massachusetts' key nonprofit
• to leverage their mission-driven expertise to address critical community. for nonprofits to leverage
• It would be irresponsible to impose significant new financial burdens on Massachusetts key nonprofit

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on 25 tax and administrative bills, with opening remarks explaining the hearing process and noting that House-filed matters must be reported by December 6. The first major topic was funding for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial and related support for families of fallen officers. Police representatives, memorial fund advocates, and family members gave emotional testimony urging favorable action on S. 1934 and related bills, emphasizing the need for a permanent revenue stream to maintain the memorial and honor officers killed in the line of duty. Committee members and legislators responded with personal remarks of support and appreciation for law enforcement families. The committee then heard testimony on a proposed Commonwealth Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, including S. 1967 and related bills. Senator Peter Durant and later Dennis Porter argued that the state should be allowed to invest a limited share of stabilization or other funds in Bitcoin or other regulated digital assets as a hedge against inflation and fiscal risk, with strict caps, custody rules, and audits. They described the proposal as a forward-looking, non-mandatory framework for diversifying state reserves. No vote was taken during the hearing. Another major topic was disaster resilience funding. Dr. Paul Biddinger of Mass General Brigham supported S. 1936/H. 3030, saying climate-driven flooding, drought, and wildfire risks are increasing and that the State Disaster Relief and Resiliency Trust Fund needs a dedicated revenue source. Senator Comerford also testified in favor, explaining that the fund was created in the prior session, that recent floods showed the need for quick state response, and that the bill would dedicate a portion of capital gains revenue to the fund. Committee members asked about how the fund would accrue and be used. The committee also heard testimony on PILOT and endowment-related bills: AICUM opposed H. 3122/S. 2013 and H. 3264/S. 2016, arguing that an endowment tax and mandatory PILOTs would harm private nonprofit colleges, students, and research; and a representative from Peru supported reform of PILOT formulas for state-owned land, saying rural towns need higher reimbursements and hold-harmless protections. The hearing concluded after testimony on the digital asset bills, with no recorded votes or final actions.