Transcript Highlights:

• This regards physician assistants and nurse practitioners and we changed our scope of practice last year
• , modifies multiple aspects of the CLO to modernize and update the way that they implement their practices
• Lo, I Called World Trade. Tedford, I Representatives can vote.
• It promotes practical life-saving education.

Bills: HB2059 , HB3920 , HB2992 , HB3267 , HB4457 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB4425 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4333 , HB4340 , HB4343 , HB4344 , HB4363 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB4236 , HB4246 , HB1979 , HB3431 , HB3052 , HB3047 , HB3048 , HB4092 , HB4302 , HB3261 , HB3704 , HB3312 , HB3546 , HB3849 , HCR1021 , HB4105 , HB4159 , HB4304 , HB3835 , HB3619 , HB4490 , HB3710 , HB4201 , HB3907 , HB3748

Keywords: health care, medication, inmates, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, reimbursement, county jails, medical expenses, sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, procurement, transplant research, Oklahoma Tax Code, HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers

Transcript Highlights:

• We changed their scope of practice last year.
• 4333 modifies multiple aspects of the CLO to modernize and update the way that they implement their practices
• It promotes practical life-saving education.

Bills: HB2059 , HB3920 , HB2992 , HB3267 , HB4457 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB4425 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4333 , HB4340 , HB4343 , HB4344 , HB4363 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB4236 , HB4246 , HB1979 , HB3431 , HB3052 , HB3047 , HB3048 , HB4092 , HB4302 , HB3261 , HB3704 , HB3312 , HB3546 , HB3849 , HCR1021 , HB4105 , HB4159 , HB4304 , HB3835 , HB3619 , HB4490 , HB3710 , HB4201 , HB3907 , HB3748

Keywords: health care, medication, inmates, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, reimbursement, county jails, medical expenses, sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, procurement, transplant research, Oklahoma Tax Code, HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers

Summary: The House met in session with prayer, the Pledge, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Jake Searock, Doctor of the Day Dr. Nicole Bowden, Psychologist of the Day Dr. Amy Cherry, Nurse of the Day Eileen Cooper Grubbs, and a presentation for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day. Members also welcomed student and community guests in the galleries. The chamber then moved through a long calendar of House bills, with most measures advancing on unanimous consent or broad bipartisan votes. Among the major bills discussed, lawmakers passed measures on county jail medication reimbursement (HB 2059), a sales tax exemption for LifeShare (HB 3920), ratepayer protections for large data centers and crypto mining facilities (HB 2992), a felony offense for breaking and entering an occupied dwelling without intent to commit another crime (HB 3267), PBM access protections for specialty pharmacy patients (HB 4457), adjunct teacher guardrails in K-4 tested subjects (HB 4427), malpractice coverage for state-employed nurse practitioners and physician assistants (HB 4430), and several higher education, water, and state government cleanup bills. The House also approved bills addressing the 988 mental health lifeline, juvenile oversight disclosures, school support employee tracking, a federal education tax credit opt-in, firearms education curriculum development, AI personhood restrictions, child safety reviews related to fentanyl, and expungement relief for trafficking victims. Debate centered most heavily on HB 2992, where supporters argued data centers should pay their share of infrastructure costs so residential and other ratepayers are not burdened, while some members questioned why the bill singled out data centers instead of all large-load users. HB 3267 drew questions about how the new offense would affect people with cognitive impairments, and HB 3312, the firearms education bill, prompted concerns about who would teach the curriculum. HB 3546 on artificial intelligence personhood also generated discussion about accountability and future regulation. Several bills were amended on the floor, including HB 492, HB 4302, and HB 4105. The House recorded numerous final passage votes, with many bills passing overwhelmingly and some by narrower margins, including HB 3800, HB 4333, HB 3704, HB 4159, and HB 3619. Emergency clauses were adopted on some measures, including HB 4427 and HB 3312, while others were passed without emergency action. The chamber also reconsidered and then passed HB 1979 after a motion to reconsider a prior failure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a lawyer by trade, but I studied economics in college.
• It's a trade-off.
• So on the next slide, we have identified our trade port.
• It will be the hub of our foreign trade zone.
• If I have a law practice in the back of my house and I have a permit to practice law, my property taxes

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The key to this bill is to prevent these expected predatory trade practices.
• And this World Trade Organization and U.S.
• They like free trade and not fair trade because they will use their means to... used dealers are the
• They like free trade and not fair trade because they will use their means to, They like free trade, not
• The federal government controls all regulation of foreign trade, which this is trade. Follow up?

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee began with routine business, approving the March 12 and March 17, 2026 minutes. It then heard House Bill 927, which would restore consequences for unpaid moving violations by requiring the DMV to notify drivers with delinquent traffic fines and giving them 60 days to pay, while preserving limited driving privileges for work and medical emergencies and excluding parking, cycling, and jaywalking violations. The sponsor and supporters, including the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police and AAA, argued the bill would improve public safety and accountability and help address more than $23 million in unpaid traffic debt; opponents said collection agencies and existing tools were preferable and raised concerns about license-related penalties. After debate, a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee passed, so HB 927 was not advanced. The committee next considered House Bill 508, a follow-up to prior bicycle/pedestrian facility legislation. The bill would clarify that federal grants or funds may be used for highway projects involving bike or pedestrian improvements and would limit a violation provision to elected officials rather than consultants. After questions about how the underlying law works, the committee rejected a motion to hold the bill and instead voted to send HB 508 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1424 followed, a measure to close Idaho’s direct-to-consumer vehicle sales model to new manufacturers while grandfathering existing manufacturer-owned dealerships. Supporters framed it as a response to Chinese economic and national security threats and argued it would protect Idaho’s franchise dealer system; opponents, including Scout Motors and the Electrification Coalition, said it would harm American startups and consumer choice. Despite concerns about federal preemption and impacts on future direct-sales companies, the committee voted to send SB 1424 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up House Bills 666 and 717, both aimed at requiring new Idaho residents to register vehicles and obtain Idaho licenses within a set time. HB 666 would have imposed a 30-day deadline, but members raised enforcement and fairness concerns and moved it to the 14th order for possible amendment. HB 717, an amended version, was also sent to the 14th order for possible amendment, but the roll call failed, leaving the bill held in committee. The meeting ended with thanks to members and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I think we've been unfair enough with you, so thank you.
• Under state law, various practices are deemed unfair and prohibited, including that a State law, various
• practices are deemed unfair and prohibited, including that a manufacturer may not compete with a dealer
• It is a special authorization under the unfair practices code in Title 46 that the dealers can assess
• Requirements then to handle the used car that they're going to take on trade. So, Mr.

Summary: The committee heard briefings and public testimony on three transportation bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6170 would raise WSDOT monetary thresholds for doing repairs in-house and for contracting work intended to support small, veteran-, minority-, and women-owned businesses, increasing the regular repair limit from $60,000 to $100,000, the emergency repair limit from $100,000 to $160,000 with annual inflation adjustment, and the contracting threshold from $100,000 to $160,000. The sponsor and WSDOT supported the bill as an efficiency measure; the fiscal note indicated no fiscal impact. Washington Federation of State Employees also supported it, saying the higher limits would let highway maintenance crews do more work in-house while preserving the existing work split with contractors. Substitute Senate Bill 6225 would authorize new and expanded transportation general obligation bonds, including $1.1 billion for highway projects in the Move Ahead Washington account, $400 million for listed highway projects with cost increases, and a $500 million increase to the SR 520 bond authorization, while also ending issuance of certain older unissued bond authorizations after June 30, 2026. Committee members asked about debt service, bond capacity, and how the money would be allocated; staff said the projects would be handled through the budget process and that the bill was intended to provide flexibility. Labor and business groups supported the bill as a way to fund preservation and maintenance and provide predictability, while Transportation Choices Coalition said any bonding should be limited and paired with broader transportation funding reforms and protection for multimodal programs. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would allow certain qualifying U.S.-based battery electric vehicle manufacturers that have Washington service facilities and no prior franchise agreements to own and operate dealer licenses and sell directly, while also raising the dealer documentary service fee from $200 to $250 until the end of 2026 and directing part of the increase to an EV rebate program and the multimodal transportation account. Rivian and Lucid supported the bill as a compromise that would expand EV access and direct-sale options; Climate Solutions and the Port of Seattle also supported it, citing emissions reduction and affordability goals. Washington State Auto Dealers Association supported the compromise, saying it strengthens franchise protections while allowing limited direct sales. Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed the bill, arguing it creates special treatment and weakens the franchise system, and some urged added consumer protections, service requirements, or bonding. The committee took no final action and closed the public hearings after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• or commerce to engage in what are defined as unfair and deceptive acts or practices.
• or commerce to engage in what are defined as unfair and deceptive acts or practices.
• or commerce to engage in what are defined as unfair and deceptive acts or practices.
• or commerce is specifically defined as an unfair deceptive act or practice.
• or commerce is specifically defined as an unfair deceptive act or practice.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• But he told a story where he said MV really began using these unfair service practices by having 40-year
• </c> unfair service excuse me these unfair unfair service excuse me these unfair practices<01:35:46.080
• and harmful practices preventing unfair and harmful practices that<01:59:36.960><c> take</c><01:59:37.199
• I urge you to support Senate Bill 164 that outlaws this unfair practice. Thank you very much.
• I urge you to support Senate Bill 164 that outlaws this unfair practice. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on Senate Bill 25, which would allow state-chartered credit unions to compensate board members if the membership approves it. Prime sponsor Senator Dan Innis said the bill is enabling only, intended to help credit unions recruit and retain qualified directors and align New Hampshire with other states that already allow such compensation. Credit union representatives from the Cooperative Credit Union Association and St. Mary’s Bank supported the bill, saying board service has become more complex because of cybersecurity, asset-liability management, and other regulatory demands, and that compensation could be modest and take forms such as meeting fees or educational reimbursement. In response to committee questions, they said compensation would be set by the membership, disclosed in advance, and subject to bylaws and internal policies; they also noted that board members must be credit union members and that voting procedures vary by institution, with some using mailed ballots rather than proxy voting. Members raised questions about why credit union boards were historically excluded, what kinds of compensation were contemplated, whether there would be a cap, and how voting and confidentiality would work. Testimony explained that the historical rationale was the nonprofit, volunteer mission of credit unions, but witnesses argued that the modern environment and competition for talent justify a change. They also said the bill would not mandate compensation and would not create a salary structure comparable to banks, but would allow members to approve modest compensation or reimbursements. After no further testimony, the chair closed the public hearing on Senate Bill 25. The committee then opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Senator Howard Pearl, concerning the definition of deposits in land sales and escrowed accounts. Pearl said the bill would clarify that buyer funds for upgrades and luxury items in new-home construction are not treated as refundable deposits that must be held in escrow, arguing that the current Attorney General interpretation raises builder costs, increases home prices, and can limit buyer choices. He said the proposal would allow those upgrade funds to be paid directly to builders for construction, with signed disclosures making clear that the buyer requested the items and bears the risk if financing falls through. The hearing on Senate Bill 26 had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
• It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
• a It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
• So would you please reiterate the trade-offs?
• And it is, as I understand it, practice for these big corporate And it is, as I understand it, practice

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined California’s taxation of multinational corporations, especially the state’s water’s-edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. The LAO and Franchise Tax Board explained the basic mechanics of unitary taxation, apportionment, and how water’s-edge generally excludes most foreign subsidiaries while worldwide reporting includes the full unitary group. FTB officials said water’s-edge filers are a small share of corporate filers but account for a large share of tax liability, and they described filing trends, industry mix, and the administrative steps needed to administer either system. Members and witnesses debated the policy trade-offs. Supporters of moving away from water’s-edge argued that it enables profit shifting, especially for large multinational and IP-heavy firms, and that eliminating it could raise significant revenue and improve fairness for smaller domestic businesses. They cited estimates of billions in potential revenue and said California already has the audit and reporting infrastructure to handle worldwide reporting, though some transition time would be needed. Opponents argued that worldwide reporting would tax foreign activity unrelated to California, create double taxation, increase compliance burdens and litigation, and could be difficult for foreign-based multinationals to document. They also warned that some of the revenue estimates are highly uncertain because foreign affiliate income is not directly observable. Committee members asked about foreign government pushback, the risk of companies leaving California, the effect on intellectual property shifting, and whether federal or Supreme Court action could block a change. Witnesses generally said major firms would be unlikely to leave because California taxes sales rather than physical presence, but some costs could be passed on to consumers. The panel also discussed alternatives such as conforming to federal international tax rules like NCTI/GILTI and adding anti-abuse rules. No vote or bill action was taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, does this bill change the current practice of equal access?
• does is it clarifies that the board of regents may continue to use an accreditor that has used DEI practices
• if the accreditor formally repeals those practices.
• Through the process, it's not just running a scan looking for DEI; it's those practices that could be
• So, our private Christian universities are able to utilize DEI in their accreditation practices.

Bills: HB3407 , HB1242 , HJR1081 , HB3443 , HB3781 , HB1939 , HB4237 , HB3430 , HB3321 , HB3905 , HB3329 , HB4253 , HB4421 , HB4311 , HJR1046 , HB2015 , HB3244 , HB4265 , HB3941 , HB4203 , HB2941 , HB3695 , HB3380 , HB3132 , HB3673 , HB3134 , HB3383 , HB4490 , HB4058

Keywords: property rights, abandoned homes, manufactured homes, notification, salvage, real estate, Oklahoma Tax Commission, landowner liability, redemption, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, does this bill change the current practice of equal access? Yes.
• . ...continue to use an accreditor that has used DEI practices if the accreditor formally repeals those
• practices.
• It's those practices that could be embedded that we're asking the institutions to look into and then
• So our private Christian universities are able to utilize DEI in their accreditation practices, but our

Bills: HB3407 , HB1242 , HJR1081 , HB3443 , HB3781 , HB1939 , HB4237 , HB3430 , HB3321 , HB3905 , HB3329 , HB4253 , HB4421 , HB4311 , HJR1046 , HB2015 , HB3244 , HB4265 , HB3941 , HB4203 , HB2941 , HB3695 , HB3380 , HB3132 , HB3673 , HB3134 , HB3383 , HB4490 , HB4058

Keywords: property rights, abandoned homes, manufactured homes, notification, salvage, real estate, Oklahoma Tax Commission, landowner liability, redemption, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, agriculture

Summary: The House convened, heard an invocation from Rep. Kendrix, and recognized Dr. Jason Reagan as doctor of the day. Members then took up a long series of bills, with most moving through amendment, third reading, and final passage. Early measures included HB 3407 on abandoned personal property/manufactured homes, HB 1242 expanding agricultural sales tax exemptions to deer and elk, and HJR 1081 proposing a constitutional property-tax freeze for certain seniors; the senior tax resolution drew extended debate over valuation thresholds, renters, and county fiscal effects before passing. HB 3443 redirected funding for the Way Station Revolving Fund, HB 3781 changed insurance rate filing timing, and HB 1939 addressed Turnpike Authority notice procedures and landowner notification, including certified mail and a one-mile notification area. All three passed. The chamber also approved several criminal justice and public safety measures. HB 4237 and HB 3430, both part of a negotiated criminal-justice package, passed after title-only amendments; HB 3321 shifted to reporting on cost arrest warrants and passed with an emergency clause; HB 3905 clarified GPS monitoring for certain domestic-violence and stalking defendants; HB 2941 required first responders to notify law enforcement about suspected overdoses and created immunity for good-faith reporting; and HB 3695 refined the definition of great bodily injury in DUI cases. HB 3329 repealed the long-term care facility advisory board, and HB 4421, “Leo’s Law,” aimed at protecting children from fentanyl exposure in homes, was amended to address residue cleanup and reporting concerns before passage. Other notable actions included HB 4253, which would give teachers access to professional educator groups; it passed the House but the emergency clause failed. The bill prompted substantial debate over teacher choice, bargaining units, and whether the measure would create multiple representation arrangements. The House also passed HB 4311 increasing the Treasurer’s share of the unclaimed property administration fee, HJR 1046 providing a one-year ad valorem tax break for homes destroyed by disaster, HB 2015 on landlord-tenant issues, HB 3244 strengthening fraud and identity-theft laws, HB 4265 naming memorial roads and bridges, HB 3941 raising secretary/bailiff pay, HB 4203 allowing single-stair small multifamily units, HB 3380 on foster care transparency and outcomes, HB 3132 and HB 3134 on higher-education accreditation and DEI-related standards, and HB 3673 allowing certain expired electrical licenses to be reinstated. Most measures passed with broad support, while a few drew opposition over fiscal impact, legal concerns, or policy implications.

Bills: SB667 , SB904 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1484 , SB1500 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1555 , SB1561 , SB1562 , SB1565 , SB1572 , SB1644 , SB1749 , SB1833 , SB2007 , SB2044 , SB2074

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: chiropractic, licensure, animal chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, licensing requirements, gender transition, gender-affirming care, transgender, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, hormone therapy, sex reassignment, transition surgery, Medicaid, public funds, state facilities, state hospital, Oklahoma, intersex, DSD

Bills: SB667 , SB904 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1484 , SB1500 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1555 , SB1561 , SB1562 , SB1565 , SB1572 , SB1644 , SB1749 , SB1833 , SB2007 , SB2044 , SB2074

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: chiropractic, licensure, animal chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, licensing requirements, gender transition, gender-affirming care, transgender, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, hormone therapy, sex reassignment, transition surgery, Medicaid, public funds, state facilities, state hospital, Oklahoma, intersex, DSD

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a large number of health-related bills, with much of the agenda focused on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulation, Medicaid administration, and health-system cleanup measures. Bills passed included HB 1344 on insulin affordability and state support for low-cost biosimilar insulin manufacturing; HB 1380 requiring the Health Care Authority to check death records to disenroll deceased Medicaid recipients; SB 2007 and SB 2074, both PBM-related measures addressing pharmacist reimbursement, dispensing fees, appeals, and penalties; SB 1572 creating a feasibility study on reorganizing the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and temporarily allowing the Health Commissioner to serve in a dual role; and SB 1555 updating the definition of intellectual disability to match the federal definition. Members also approved several bills eliminating or repealing outdated councils and programs, including SB 1423 ending the Hospital Advisory Council, SB 1425 repealing the Health Care Workers and Educators’ Assistance Program and Health Care Workforce Resources Center, and SB 1502 eliminating the Alzheimer Dementia Disclosure Act Advisory Council. Other measures passed included SB 1561 changing EMS discipline to a progressive system, SB 244 and SB 667 making chiropractic language and training cleanup changes, SB 1749 on LP gas inspections for food trailers, SB 1484 requiring more detailed medical information for infant and child death investigations, SB 1562 clarifying hospice patient protections, and SB 1644 creating reporting related to alpha-gal to support possible research funding. The most debated bill was SB 1503, which would expand the Choosing Childbirth Act so nonprofits without an Oklahoma physical address could receive grants to connect women seeking abortions with pregnancy resources. Members questioned whether grant dollars and salaries would stay in Oklahoma, whether reporting and accountability would be sufficient, and whether Oklahoma-based providers could do the work instead. The bill passed 5-2 after the sponsor said he was open to amendments and oversight. SB 1833, codifying a SNAP waiver restricting candy and soft drink purchases, and SB 904, modifying the use of certain state funds and facilities for medical procedures, also drew questions and passed on divided votes. The meeting ended after all listed bills were heard and voted on, with most measures passing unanimously or by wide margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was unfair. That's another question. I think it's a fair question.
• My concern is to challenge that decision if it may be unfair. Yeah.
• and deceptive trade practice under Chapter 93A and our general laws.
• Next on the list, Rich Marlin, Mass Building Trades. Rich? ...backyard.
• Next on the list, Rich Marlin, Mass Building Trades. Rich?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The House Bonding Committee met to hear testimony on H. 5527, the Mass Wins Act, with Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley opening by describing the bill as a follow-on to Mass Leads. He said the proposal includes $305 million in bond authorizations, with $180 million for new programs and $125 million to expand existing ones, plus $140 million in deauthorizations of unused or redundant authorizations. He highlighted investments in applied AI and quantum, robotics, business expansion capital, defense innovation, global business attraction, ag tech and food science, downtowns, and the creative economy, and said the bill is intended to support geographic equity and small business growth across the Commonwealth. Committee members questioned the administration on several policy sections, including the MassCEC climate-tech certification language, housing-related provisions tied to 40B compliance and site plan review, the removal of the LCSW exam, AI transparency and federal preemption concerns, and the effect of lower LLC filing fees. Paley generally said some contested sections were added by the Economic Development Committee rather than the administration, defended the MassCEC discretion language as necessary for climate certification, and said the administration would follow up on committee-added provisions. He also said the bill’s housing provisions were meant to help address the state’s need for more homes and that the deauthorizations were housekeeping measures that did not affect current capital plan projects. Public testimony covered a wide range of topics. AARP and local advocates urged a statewide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs, arguing they are heavily used in scams, impose high fees, and drain money from seniors and local economies. Housing groups supported codifying site plan review and adding parking reform and YIGBY-style housing on faith-owned land. Building trades asked to include off-site fabrication in prevailing wage law. The Massachusetts Public Banking Campaign backed the bill and urged inclusion of a public bank concept. Several witnesses supported Section 106, the Transparency and Frontier AI Act, as a way to require safety plans, audits, incident reporting, and whistleblower protections for the largest AI companies, while an AI startup group argued the section would overregulate smaller firms and should be separated from the bond bill. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• or deceptive trade practices.
• House Bill 580 by Representative Mandie Landry, Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices; disclosures, fees
• House Bill 617 by Representative Mandie Landry, unfair and deceptive trade practices; definitions; required
• House Bill by Representative Hermit: unfair trade practices; business of insurance; private certain practices
• Unfair trade practices, business of insurance, private certain practices, relative to motor vehicle glass

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• next phase of our economic development strategy, combining high-impact capital investments with practical
• That was unfair. That's another question. I think it's a fair question.
• and deceptive trade practice under Chapter 93A and our general laws.
• Next on the list, Rich Marlin, Mass Building Trades. Rich? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Chairman Cronin, Chairman Finn, for the record, Rich Marlin, Mass Building Trades Unions.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Keith Dunn here on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades Council.
• It standardizes building practices across the community colleges, UCs, and CSUs.
• AB 1331 is not practical.
• AB 1331 is not practical.
• If they break that contract, how does that play out in practicality?

Summary: The committee heard a series of labor-related bills, with most measures focused on worker training, privacy, wages, and safety. AB 296 would require schools or districts to host apprenticeship fairs at least once a year, with flexibility on how they are run and whether programs outside the county can participate. Supporters said it would help connect students to skilled trades and address workforce shortages; school administrators opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate that could be impractical for elementary schools. The bill was later moved on call, with the committee noting it could not vote until quorum was established. AB 1221 and AB 1331 both addressed workplace surveillance. AB 1221 would restrict invasive monitoring tools, require notice to workers, limit the use and sharing of worker data, and require human review before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor groups supported the bill as a response to AI-driven monitoring, while business groups raised concerns about broad definitions, security cameras, investigations, and data-access provisions. AB 1331 focused more narrowly on privacy in off-duty and private spaces, limiting surveillance in places like restrooms, break areas, vehicles, and homes; hospitals and business groups opposed it as too broad and potentially disruptive to safety, cybersecurity, and facility monitoring. Both bills were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard AB 1181, which would require firefighter turnout gear to be free of cancer-causing chemicals such as PFAS by 2027, and AB 1198, which would require prevailing wage rates on public works to reflect the wage in effect when the work is performed rather than when the project was first advertised. Firefighter representatives strongly supported AB 1181, while the chemical industry asked to continue working on scope and timelines. AB 1198 drew support from labor and contractor groups but opposition from local governments and housing groups concerned about mid-project cost increases; it was passed to Appropriations after a roll-call vote. Other measures approved included AB 1235 on skilled-and-trained workers for CSU construction, AB 1251 on ghost job postings, AB 552 on locating the Agricultural Labor Relations Board office outside Sacramento, AB 1110 on updating Cal/OSHA workplace posters, AB 1136 on expanding high road training partnerships, and AB 1234 on wage claim enforcement. AB 692, which would ban employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave a job, drew strong support from nurses and labor advocates and opposition from business and health care groups; it was also passed on a roll-call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• a trade association that works on behalf of the baking industry.
• And so, we've been practicing this over the last four years.
• It's not that we're against regulation; we're just against unfair regulation.
• Well, first, I don't think that this bill gives an unfair advantage to this bill gives an unfair advantage
• As you know, I've had practically 32 years of relations in this area.

Bills: SB210 , SB225 , HB280 , HB287 , HB94 , HB88 , SB157 , HB7 , HB8 , HB42

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• If they... can practice in another state at the standard that we ask them to practice, I don't know why
• I mean, if it's an unfair trade practice? Mr.
• trade practice.
• It's a bill that's been written over unfair trade practices claims and has concurrent jurisdiction under
• But no, it's not just an unfair trade practice. It goes beyond our Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked for the district attorney's office and had a private practice for 10 years.
• I worked for the district attorney's office and had a private practice for 10 years.
• time at private practice.
• , and because of my time at private practice.
• And I know in the way the world is now, there are so many trades coming up.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its third hearing of the 194th General Court session, taking testimony on several individual bills and home rule petitions, mostly involving retirement and pension-related relief. The committee chair outlined hearing procedures, including three-minute limits for individuals, ten-minute limits for panels, livestreaming, and the deadline for written testimony. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted that House matters heard that day must be reported by Friday, July 11, 2025, subject to extensions, and the committee adjourned after testimony concluded. Several witnesses supported bills seeking retirement credit or pension adjustments for public employees. These included H. 2917 for Dedham-Westwood Water District employees seeking pension buy-in credit; H. 2976 for Eileen Mullen to purchase creditable service for teaching in a criminal justice pilot program; H. 2996 for Virginia Cummings, a retired Department of Correction lieutenant seeking greater pension parity; H. 2977 for Wendy Lopieri to buy back part-time community college service; and H. 2989 for Wayne Taylor, who said he was mistakenly credited for fewer years of select board service than he expected. Testimony emphasized long public service, injuries, and what witnesses described as unfair denials or flawed interpretations of retirement law. The committee also heard testimony on bills involving post-retirement earnings and disability-related relief. Kevin Blanchett testified in opposition to H. 2931, arguing it would improperly reduce money owed to a regional retirement system and its members, while the bill’s sponsor argued the retirement board was seeking an excessive recovery based on law firm gross earnings rather than the individual’s earnings. Jamie Magarian described severe injuries from a 2018 crash and urged favorable action on his bill, with support from the State Police Association. Michael Palmer testified in favor of S. 1841, seeking to extend prior violent-crime retirement income-cap relief to his case after being shot on duty and later finding that even part-time private-sector work exceeded his retirement earnings limit.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes PERB, among other things, to decide unfair labor practices pursuant to a specified
• We estimate that this new jurisdiction will result in about an average of 10 to 15 new unfair practice
• Thank you. ...unfair practice are justified and to grant specific remedies.
• We estimate that this new jurisdiction will result in about an average of 10 to 15 new unfair practice
• So this is with regards to the unfair labor practices adjustment.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department described funding for EDD Next document management work, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, UI and school employee benefit changes, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to an EDD Next reversion. PERB discussed reduced funding requests for AB 288 due to litigation and a proposal to implement AB 1 covering legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and removing a salary cap for the DWC administrative director. CalHR proposed consolidating employee assistance services into a statewide contract with enhanced support for first responders, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs, state contributions, and benefit overpayments. Members focused heavily on the unemployment insurance debt and interest payments, asking why the administration had no concrete plan to pay down principal. Finance and LAO explained that the state’s UI tax structure has long been insufficient and that any long-term solution would need to address both the outstanding federal loan and the structural imbalance in employer taxes. Questions also centered on EDD Next costs and timelines, with the chair asking for clearer long-term project cost estimates and Finance noting that future maintenance and operations costs will continue after implementation. On DIR’s emerging technologies unit, members asked whether it would address AI-driven workplace harms; DIR said the unit would focus on physical workplace safety issues involving AI, robotics, autonomous equipment, and related guardrails, while LAO noted broader labor-practice questions would likely fall outside Cal/OSHA’s scope. In the CalPERS discussion, members raised concerns about transparency in private equity and external management fees, while CalPERS said higher fees reflect a strategy of greater private-market and active-management exposure and are offset by higher net returns. Members urged more information on specific investments and future reporting. For CalSTRS, Finance presented routine contribution and overpayment adjustments, but members also raised broader transparency concerns that CalSTRS staff said they would follow up on separately. Public comment in Part A was dominated by strong support for an immigrant worker emergency relief fund, along with support for apprenticeship and workforce proposals and PERB staffing. The chair and members said they would follow up on where the immigrant relief proposal should be considered, noting it may belong in another policy area. The hearing then moved into Part B with an overview of Judicial Branch-related May Revision items, including court interpreter funding, appellate court security, workload cap changes, lactation room implementation delays, and a reduction to the state court facility construction backfill.