Transcript Highlights:

• this work, working really closely with ODI and with other agencies, has really been: how do we remove
• And there's a lot of work to go.
• And there's a lot of work to go.
• own Working Disabled Program, which supposedly encourages part-time work, requires that a person still
• But I worked at CARES for 15 years, so I know how their system works.

Summary: The committee held an inaugural hearing on the health care and support needs of older LGBTQ Californians, with members and witnesses emphasizing that this population has made major gains in rights and longevity but still faces discrimination, isolation, economic insecurity, and gaps in services. Opening remarks highlighted concerns about older LGBTQ people entering nursing homes and feeling forced back into the closet, as well as the growing number of Californians aging with HIV. The hearing was structured into three panels, with public testimony considered if time allowed. The first panel focused on the overall health and support landscape. Justice in Aging described survey findings showing discrimination, poor health, difficulty with errands, and economic insecurity among older LGBTQ Californians, and warned that federal Medicaid cuts and broader federal actions could worsen access to home- and community-based services and culturally competent care. CalHHS and the Department of Aging described the Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide LGBTQIA older adult survey, and efforts to support gender-affirming care, PACE, care management, and community supports. Witnesses stressed the need for better outreach, data collection, and a “no wrong door” approach so people can more easily find and access services. The chair and senators pressed the departments on how survey findings are being translated into concrete action and how state agencies are coordinating across silos. The second panel addressed health care for seniors living with HIV. A longtime survivor described severe financial and benefits consequences from a federal clawback and argued that California needs stronger legal, navigation, and housing supports, including HIV-specific housing funding. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, saying it has educated area agencies on aging, added HIV data to planning tools, and found that 20 of 33 area agencies identified HIV as a target population, with 16 including specific strategies. The Office of AIDS outlined Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, a Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and that local case managers are expected to coordinate whole-person care. Case managers and advocates said housing, food, transportation, mental health, and premium assistance remain major needs, and senators asked whether future ADAP rebate funds could support navigation, housing, and other gap-filling services. The final panel turned to transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex seniors. The Department of Social Services described protections under SB 219, including nondiscrimination notices, resident rights postings, required records for preferred names and pronouns, and annual inspections of licensed facilities. The Department of Public Health and a TransLatin Coalition leader were introduced to discuss additional supports for TGI seniors. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the themes of visibility, coordination, and implementation, asking departments to follow up on how they will better connect services, improve outreach, and ensure that existing laws and programs are actually reaching the people they are meant to serve.

Transcript Highlights:

• God, we pray for those who are working God, we pray for those who are working behind<00:01:15.360
• work.
• work.
• work.
• We still have a lot work not ourselves. We still have a lot work to<00:49:12.720> do.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That'll work. Would you be? Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. That'll work. Okay.
• So, of course, this is work that the, So, of course, this is work that the task force has been working
• Okay, so going back to, as I stated before, this is the work that we've been working on for the past
• I mean, it is the greatest work. It is the most important work we do in the state.
• I'm working with the secretary.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 135, which would redirect a portion of wagering dedications from the sports fund to the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund and remove a cap affecting that funding stream. The author and staff explained the amendment was designed to avoid any impact on the State General Fund while increasing support for early childhood education. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. Senate Bill 202, from the Secretary of State’s office, would increase the number of compensated days for parish board of election supervisors to cover additional election-related duties. Secretary Landry and election officials testified that the change was needed because supervisors now perform more work, including ballot tabulation, machine sealing, and verification tasks. The committee adopted technical and appropriation-related amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then took up several health and human services bills. Senate Bill 155 would require insurance coverage for medically necessary dental procedures needed before cancer treatment; testimony from medical and dental professionals emphasized that untreated dental problems can delay chemotherapy or radiation and worsen outcomes. After adopting amendments to narrow the fiscal impact, the bill was reported favorably as amended, with discussion of a possible subject-to-appropriation amendment to be worked out later. Senate Bill 237, a major DCFS reform bill, drew extensive testimony and debate over child welfare oversight, mandatory reporter training, law enforcement coordination, and the bill’s large fiscal note. The committee adopted amendments, including a subject-to-appropriation provision, and reported the bill favorably as amended after emotional testimony from supporters and former DCFS employees. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 465 on prompt-pay insurance reform after an amendment reduced the fiscal note to zero; Senate Bill 261 on unclaimed property after a substitute bill was adopted; Senate Bill 295 on expanded coverage for traumatic brain injury rehabilitation after amendments narrowed the mandate and added subject-to-appropriation language; Senate Bill 157 providing six weeks of paid parental leave for K-12 educators and staff, also subject to appropriation; Senate Bill 276 requiring bail bond producers to certify outstanding obligations before new appointments; Senate Bill 83 on human trafficking services after removing the age-expansion cost; Senate Bill 143 on bulletproof vests after shifting funding away from a direct state appropriation; and Senate Bill 450 on school safety assessments after an amendment limited implementation to available funds and resources. In each case, the committee’s actions focused on reducing or eliminating fiscal notes while keeping the bills moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• to public works, requiring contributions to apprentice and training programs or to the Public Works
• A lot of this work is rural. The work is all over the state in the rural areas.
• A lot of this work is rural.
• A lot of this work is rural. The work is all over the state in the rural areas.
• But we're working closely with Public Works Director Elias Archuleta on it. Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor offered and the committee adopted an amendment striking the section that would have imposed a 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales. After a recap of the bill’s remaining provisions, including a $400 million seed amount and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenue, the committee heard brief support from Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association and no opposition. The amended bill then passed on a roll-call vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for public works construction projects, while eliminating an exemption for certain road, highway, utility, and maintenance work. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, the building trades council, and apprenticeship advocates, argued the bill would expand training, help address labor shortages, and provide a return on public investment. Opponents from utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico said they already operate federally approved in-house training programs, warned the bill would raise project costs, and argued some trades have no accessible approved programs. Members questioned how the bill would interact with existing in-house programs, whether rural contractors and nonunion firms would be affected, and whether the state-approved fund and federal highway training requirements could conflict. A proposed amendment to exempt projects of $50 million or less was introduced but tabled. After extensive debate, the committee voted 6-5 to pass HB 270. The meeting also included discussion of a prior procedural error in which HB 270 had been heard before being properly assigned, which the chair said rendered that earlier action void. At the end of the meeting, the committee received a brief New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 presentation on district projects, budget, and construction status.

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs all work together.
• They're working.
• working group that will work cross-sector.
• work at night.
• It did not require parents to go to work. It did not prevent them from continuing to work.

Bills: SB2

Transcript Highlights:

• And you'll see more of our work on that, whether it is housing support, the work that Senator Boldon
• Um, more work in health care, more work in food support.
• <00:03:56.360> very keep our word and we are working very keep our word and we are working
• accomplish and we should do our work accomplish and we should do our work with<00:04:29.920>
• Attorney General has been working Attorney General has been working uh<00:10:18.160> to<00

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate leadership said members were working through a fast-paced, intense session before a break, with many committee hearings still scheduled and about 27 bills expected to be heard that day. The leader highlighted several priorities for when lawmakers return, including an independent Inspector General proposal, additional anti-fraud measures, and packages on gun violence prevention and the Metro Surge response. The Metro Surge package was described as roughly 11 bills dealing with masks in essential spaces, aid obligations for federal agents, civil-rights/Bivens issues, and BCA participation in investigations; the broader gun violence package includes school safety, mental health, an assault-weapons ban, and a ban on high-capacity magazines, though it still awaited Finance Committee action. The leader also said bonding remains a high priority and that the Senate plans to continue moving policy quickly after the break. On budget matters, the leader said supplemental funding is needed for Capitol and Senate building security, largely because of increased personnel and overtime costs. He also said HCMC needs a short-term financing step because it is under financial pressure, but that the issue points to broader instability in Minnesota’s hospital system, especially as other hospitals may face difficulties related to HR1. Other budget-related items mentioned included housing support, rental and heating assistance, energy assistance, small business aid, health care, and food support, with some governor-proposed tax and spending ideas possibly left out because they are not affordable. The leader said the Senate is still working on fraud legislation, including the Inspector General proposal and related enforcement and oversight measures, and expects House differences to be worked out in conference committee. He described the House as a question mark and said the two chambers are moving at different paces, but he hopes to resolve differences and send bills to the governor. He also noted a rough end to the Senate Jobs Committee, said Senator Champion is considering next steps, and said Senator Mohamed and other DFL members had sent the Attorney General’s anti-fraud bill through a different committee path. He added that legislator safety is a growing concern because members from both parties are receiving threats, and he is working with counsel on possible responses. On guns in the Capitol, he said the issue reflects broader divisions and that current law allows permitted carry after screening, though he is frustrated by those using the issue to provoke emotion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:11.160> was session is that a lot of the work was session is that a lot of the work
• That's the work that we do.
• That's the the work that along the way. That's the the work that we<00:08:36.320> do.
• of the summer's work. of the summer's work.
• work on and got that through at the end. work on and got that through at the end.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes. Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session. Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't say, well, if you can complete 60% of your work. No, we hire you to do the work.
• So, thank you very much for your work on this.
• That we've been working really hard to get the work requirements in place.
• Under SNAP, there have been work requirements for a while.
• Yes, we were working with them on a case-by-case basis.

Transcript Highlights:

• that work.
• that work.
• that work.
• that work.
• <00:58:50.160> working special session or having work working special session or having work

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The working group on the Omnibus Environment Bill opened with remarks from House and Senate co-chairs describing the agreement as a compromise with wins and tradeoffs for both sides, and thanking nonpartisan staff and administration agencies for helping negotiate the package. Staff then walked through the finance spreadsheet, explaining that the agreement met the group’s general fund target by combining new spending with cancellations and fund shifts across the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, BWSR, Metro Parks, the Zoo, the Science Museum, and other entities. Major fiscal items included PCA operating and permitting-efficiency funding, PFAS-related and mercury-related provisions, county feedlot reductions, closed landfill and remediation fund changes, groundwater and aquatic invasive species fee increases, DNR groundwater and AIS spending, ATV trail grants, watercraft enforcement, and several one-time appropriations and extensions for specific water quality and conservation projects. The policy walk-through covered Article 3’s community grants changes, including a requirement that grants benefit all regions of the state, permission to use some funds for trail maintenance and AIS management, prohibitions on awards to certain entities, and a DNR reporting requirement. Article 4 contained a range of natural resources and environmental policy provisions, including abandoned watercraft seizure and forfeiture authority, higher watercraft AIS surcharges, disabled veterans license fee reductions, a county-based replacement for the shotgun zone, a one-year crossbow extension, a continuous bass season, increased water use permit fees, PFAS sales exemptions for certain products, creation of the Sustainable Foraging Task Force, and a moratorium on DNR foraging rules shortened to July 1, 2026. Article 5 addressed state lands, including an additional Cass County land sale authority. Article 6 focused on PCA permitting reform, requiring more emphasis on complex Tier 2 permits in annual reporting, giving applicants five business days to fix deficiencies, allowing the PCA to decline expedited permitting when it lacks capacity, and letting the agency retain certain fees if expedited permits are completed early. It also included changes to environmental review procedures, feedlot permitting, and EQB rules. During member questions, Senator McEwen asked about the $952,000 ATV trail appropriation and whether projects must have permits before receiving funds; DNR Assistant Commissioner Bob Myers said no project list had been finalized and that grants would go through the existing process, with environmental review and readiness considered, but he said he would need to verify the exact permitting policy and follow up with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to working together with you to work toward this.
• <00:57:01.480> middle work are also working with middle work are also working with middle
• Thank you for your work.
• GSA to work in those networks uh work GSA to work in those networks uh work with<06:01:45.840>
• So, um, I appreciate your work.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Walk us through how that works.
• Walk us through how that works.
• Walk us through how that works.
• I look forward to working with you all and work both sides of the aisle on future issues.
• I look forward to working with you all and work both sides of the aisle on future issues.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And for those of you who are not aware, if you are working, if you are in a working capacity on top of
• And for those of you who are not aware if you are working, if you are in a working capacity on top of
• This is what this work is moving.
• So this is an example of the work that the MDVA is working with nongovernment agencies on already, as
• So this is an example of the work that the MDVA is working with nongovernment agencies on already, as

Bills: HF3727, HF3684, HF3467

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards

Transcript Highlights:

• one of the plans that has been working one of the plans that has been working very<00:02:46.640>
• and serving people through uh working and serving people through uh working with<00:03:38.319>
• during their working lifetime. during their working lifetime.
• but I I appreciate the work, Mr. Chair. but I I appreciate the work, Mr. Chair.
• the recommendations of the work group. the recommendations of the work group.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these individuals are expected to work these individuals are expected to work one<00:21:00.840><
• They also employ high school and college-age students working part-time, as well as adults working full-time
• to comment uh on anything regarding work to comment uh on anything regarding work Workforce<00:53
• We have our spouse doing the book work.
• representatives that have to work representatives that have to work together<01:36:02.480> to

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee’s first official meeting was framed as an informational session, with the chair saying no legislation would be acted on and that testimony would focus on what is working and not working for businesses and workers in Minnesota. The stated topics included earned sick and safe time, paid family and medical leave, labor shortages, and broader business climate concerns. The chair also noted the absence of DFL members and invited questions to be held until the end so testifiers could present fully. Lauren Shodor of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued that Minnesota’s business climate has worsened because of high taxes, rising costs, regulation, and new workplace mandates. She cited chamber survey and research findings saying more businesses are considering leaving the state, that Minnesota companies are investing more in other states than vice versa, and that the state lags national growth rates. She said employers are especially concerned about earned sick and safe time and the upcoming paid family and medical leave program, which the chamber believes add compliance burdens and costs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Matt Hilgart of the Association of Minnesota Counties said the new leave laws affect county budgets and operations because labor is the main county cost and services are often state-mandated. He said the programs were imposed outside the collective bargaining process and can duplicate existing county benefits, increase costs, and create staffing and service challenges. He asked for changes including clearer premium-sharing language, exclusion of elected officials and short-term election workers from paid leave requirements, better exemption and private-plan rules, coordination requirements for intermittent leave, and more clarity for essential employees during weather emergencies. Owen Worth of the League of Minnesota Cities said cities are facing similar implementation problems, with overlapping leave policies and concerns about stacking state and federal leave rules, and he indicated the league would support changes to reduce administrative and budget pressures on cities.

Transcript Highlights:

• These state employees work hard.
• That works. Thank you. Go for it. Mr.
• That works. Thank you. Go for it. Mr.
• We have more work. We have fewer people. We have more licensed entities. We have more work.
• What works, what doesn’t. Who is an effective director? Who isn’t? What style works? What doesn’t?

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote. Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations. Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• shift work, both parents are working shift work.
• > working<00:13:32.079> shift work, both parents are working shift work, both parents are
• > the also worked at a title I worked at the also worked at a title I worked at the largest<00
• And I worked with a variety of parents. And I worked with a variety of parents.
• I've ever worked with and I've worked I've ever worked with and I've worked with<00:19:46.559>

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have worked tirelessly in our community. We have worked tirelessly in our community.
• The numbers just don't work.
• I hope folks will consider moving this along and working with the City of Phoenix and working with other
• Let's work on that.
• We're doing a lot of work.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're working towards those goals.
• And I believe in the work, and I believe in the people that are here helping us do the work, particularly
• It seems to work; it is working well, keeping in mind that our staff have access to regional resources
• Our staff are working nights, they're working days.
• How do we work with that population?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Criminal Justice Reform 3.0 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Parole Board focused on consolidation, cooperation, and evidence-based supervision across the correctional system. Parole Board Chair Angela Gomez-June described the board’s mission, its coordination with the Department of Correction, houses of correction, courts, probation, law enforcement, victim services, and UMass partners, and outlined 2024 activity including 2,810 institutional release hearings, 18,238 victim notifications, 53 pardon petitions, 70 commutation petitions, 41 early termination applications, and supervision of 2,993 parolees. She emphasized the board’s shift toward individualized, data-driven decision-making, including revised GPS use, graduated sanctions, and more service-oriented community supervision. Members and sheriffs pressed for clearer breakdowns of the board’s data, including the difference between releases, hearings, and active supervision; average length of supervision; the share of lifers in the caseload; and how many people are placed in housing, employment, and treatment. The board said its active supervised population fluctuates around 1,600 to 1,800, with more than 400 lifers, and that about 30 to 36 percent of its population is housed through programs such as MASH, community justice resource centers, and sheriff-run residential programs like Rocky Hill and HOPE. Members also discussed parole refusals, noting that some individuals decline parole to avoid supervision or to serve time inside instead, and asked for a more detailed breakdown of those cases. The board and commission also discussed collaboration with DOC and UMass on risk assessment, reentry planning, and community pathways, including a tablet video explaining the parole process and pharmacist support for medication-related drug test issues. The board reported that after the SJC’s Matus decision, 210 individuals were identified as affected, 144 were immediately eligible for hearings, 100 hearings had been completed, and 10 more were scheduled; it also said clemency and commutation work had been slowed by staffing and Matus-related demands. The meeting ended with a request for follow-up data on outcomes, supervision lengths, housing and employment placements, and other consolidated statistics, and the commission announced its next public hearing for March 9 at 10 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mass Save works. It works for residential and commercial customers. It works for contractors.
• They have all of the learned experience, all of the history, all of what has worked, what hasn't worked
• All of the history, all of what has worked, what hasn't worked.
• I co-chair that working group.
• So how does it work? How does it work? Does Mass Save fund the buses and give them to communities?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the value of Mass Save, with opening remarks emphasizing that despite past criticisms the program has delivered major energy, cost, climate, and equity benefits. The chair cited large avoided system costs, strong benefit-cost ratios, and recent legislative changes that set emissions goals, restricted fossil-fuel equipment incentives, and increased focus on low- and moderate-income households. Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney testified that Mass Save has weatherized hundreds of thousands of homes, reduced bills, avoided emissions, and that the current plan includes budget controls after the DPU ordered $500 million removed from the approved budget. She said the governor’s proposal to have only electric utilities administer the program was intended to reduce administrative costs and align with current implementation trends. Members questioned Mahoney about what counts as marketing and administration, and she said the category includes traditional advertising as well as community-based outreach, customer resource centers, and other customer engagement work, much of it in low- and moderate-income communities. She said administrative and marketing costs are under 5% of the budget, while more than 80% goes to incentives and direct program delivery. Several witnesses then focused on workforce and contractor impacts. Dave Betcher of Abode Energy Management and Rick Taglienti of Rogers Insulation said Mass Save sustains small businesses, creates careers, and supports thousands of jobs; both warned that budget cuts would reduce hiring, training, and work in homes and businesses. They also described a broad ecosystem of suppliers, trainers, and service providers that depends on stable program funding. Other witnesses addressed cost-effectiveness, affordability, and emissions. Anna Johnson of ACEEE said Massachusetts remains a national leader, with Mass Save returning about $2.80 per dollar invested, reducing peak demand, and lowering bills for participants, especially through weatherization and heat pumps. Kyle Murray of Acadia Center said the program is statutorily required to be cost-effective and has avoided billions in supply and infrastructure costs for all ratepayers, including nonparticipants, by lowering overall demand and peak prices. Amy Boyd-Rabin of the Environmental League of Massachusetts argued that efficiency is the cheapest way to meet climate targets and that cutting the budget would force more expensive power generation. The hearing also featured testimony on equity and housing: Mary Wampo described historic under-service to renter-heavy and lower-income communities and said recent reforms, including designated equity communities and performance incentives tied to equity, are helping correct that imbalance; Brian Biot and James Collins of LEAN/ABCD described low-income delivery systems and wraparound services; Barney Heath and John Nannari said Mass Save incentives are essential to affordable housing, passive house construction, and keeping projects on time and on budget. The final witnesses highlighted Connected Solutions and electrification: Sunrun’s Bronte Payne said the virtual power plant program saved more than it cost and helps avoid peaker plants and grid upgrades, and Highland Electric Fleets’ Ben Sondaga said electric school buses can provide similar grid benefits while lowering transportation costs for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank your excellent staff's work for working with us on this bill.
• It gave me direction and something to work toward.
• So thank you for that work.
• I'm going to speak from my previous work that I did...
• I'm going to speak from my previous work that I did as a therapist and working in clinics and working

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused on school health, funding, expanded learning, special education, bilingual teacher pipelines, regional representation, and student mental health. AB 2651, by Assembly Member Bonta, would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd immunity thresholds; supporters said it would give families timely, school-specific information, while opponents raised privacy, stigma, and administrative burden concerns. The bill passed the committee on a 7-1 vote after amendments. AB 2509 would add a five-year rolling average option for calculating funded average daily attendance; the author said it would stabilize school funding amid attendance declines, and the bill passed 7-2. AB 2430 would expand after-school and expanded learning access, especially for high school students, and passed 9-0 after testimony about youth mentorship and program gaps. AB 2526 would expand the low-incidence special education funding category to include students eligible for the California alternate assessment; supporters said it would better align funding with student need, and it passed 9-0. The committee also approved AB 2325, a bilingual teacher pipeline bill creating competitive grants for local partnerships among school districts, community colleges, and universities to recruit and train bilingual teachers. Supporters emphasized the shortage of bilingual educators and the value of multilingual instruction; the bill passed 9-0 after a vote change. AB 2460, presented by Assembly Member Pellerin for Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez, would update school referral protocols to address student mental health needs related to immigration enforcement and family deportation trauma; the bill passed 9-0. The consent calendar, including AB 2324 and AB 2429, also passed unanimously. AB 2404, which would have required at least one Central Valley representative on several governor-appointed bodies including the State Board of Education, drew the most debate. Supporters argued the Central Valley is underrepresented on statewide boards and deserves a voice; opponents said the bill could create geographic quota problems and that board appointments should balance expertise and statewide representation. The committee did not advance the bill, and it failed on a 2-5 vote. Several bills were pulled or not heard, including AB 1644, AB 2362, and AB 2197.