Video & Transcript : 'MVP grant program' :
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NH
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- If there's a grant program, schools have an opportunity to choose or not choose to apply for grants.
- If there's a grant program, schools have an opportunity to choose or not choose to apply for grants.
- If there's a grant program, schools have an opportunity to choose or not choose to apply for grants.
- If there's a grant program, schools have an opportunity to choose or not choose to apply for grants.
- grant program schools have if there's a grant program schools have an<01:51:14.040><c> opportunity</
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Program.
- The bill before you creates a grant program to support aviation support units.
- The grant provides financial assistance... A grant program to support aviation support units.
- The military department is required to create a grant program to provide financial assistance to support
- So they were excluded from the benefit of this program. Excuse me.
Summary:
The committee heard six bills on January 27, 2026. Senate Bill 6084 would clarify the prohibition on voting more than once in an election, in response to a court ruling that interpreted “election” narrowly; the sponsor and Secretary of State’s office said the bill is meant to ensure a person votes only once in Washington or in one state and another on the same election date. Testimony was brief and supportive, and the hearing was closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying.
Senate Bill 6044 would recognize Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, and Senate Bill 5950 would add several non-legal holidays, including Sikh, Baha’i, Jewish, and Buddhist observances. Sponsors and supporters described the bills as a way to acknowledge minority faith traditions, promote inclusion, and help communities feel seen; testimony came from Jewish, Sikh, multi-faith, Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Buddhist representatives. The committee recorded substantial support for both measures, with no opposition testimony, and closed both hearings.
Senate Bill 6046 would establish the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department to better coordinate volunteer aviation support for disasters, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and other missions. The sponsor, Military Department, Civil Air Patrol, and veterans’ representatives said it would improve command and control and help the state use Civil Air Patrol more efficiently at no added cost. Senate Bill 5763 would create a grant program for local law enforcement aviation support units and expand wildfire-related aviation support to sheriff’s offices; sheriffs and police chiefs strongly supported it as a way to sustain helicopter-based search and rescue and disaster response, while DNR raised concerns about wildfire aviation standards, liability, and possible bill drafting issues. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5784, which would require agencies to collect and report more detailed demographic data under updated federal standards; the sponsor said better disaggregation is needed for accountability and to identify disparities, and the Office of Equity supported the policy while noting fiscal and privacy concerns and the need for possible amendments. The meeting ended after the final hearing, with no votes taken.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 10th, 2026 at 07:02 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- And we just want to note that out of our clients' programs, 90% of apprentices trained through our programs
- I just think this was a great program.
- I just think this was a great program.
- So when the fund was created in 2021, there were programs proposed that were affordability programs to
- But the programs that are authorized under... ...is where we would like to go, but the programs that
Keywords:
child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- :15:51.320><c> over</c> Delivering nature-based programs to over Delivering nature-based programs to
- </c> one-time spending, one-time grants. one-time spending, one-time grants.
- My question for you is grant O&M.
- grant.
- Um that seems grant a a grant oversight.
Keywords:
education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> effective and efficient program effective and efficient program integrity.<00:14:14.079><c> audit
- </c> processes across the agency's programs. processes across the agency's programs.
- </c> government programs? Mm-m. government programs? Mm-m.
- They're dealing with financial crimes; typically, that's the purpose of this program—financial program
- </c> purpose of this is financial program purpose of this is financial program crimes<01:14:25.760><c
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/24/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, Erin, so with the amendment, does this create a grant program, or how is the $1 million going
- So, the underlying bill had a grant program, and we thought it was important to keep the grant program
- Chair, Senator Epstein, we thought it was imperative to keep the underlying grant program to help schools
- program.
- Or should the grant programs be more available to the highest populations, because that's going to benefit
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, a stakeholder work group, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create a Medicaid-funded long-term care option for the most disabled SMI patients, reduce costly hospital and state-only care, and improve continuity of care. A committee amendment narrowed eligibility to individuals needing a long-term SMI level of care, changed reporting to semiannual, reduced the initial cap to 250 members with possible growth tied to savings, and required AHCCCS to keep pursuing approval if CMS denies it. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1630 as amended passed 10-0.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1131, which originally required every school district and charter school to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan and appropriated $1 million for implementation. A Warner amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether a plan exists, while shifting the appropriation toward AED grants and limiting school spending to purchasing and maintaining AEDs. The American Heart Association supported the amendment as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, while some members questioned the funding split and the rural-school priority. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1131 as amended passed 9-1.
Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 1582, dealing with the school safety interoperability fund. The amendment changed the appropriation from ADE to ADOA and allocated funds to specific county sheriff’s offices to continue existing interoperable communication systems linking schools and first responders; supporters said the systems had been used in drills and some real incidents, and were important for school safety. One member raised concerns about the auditor general’s report and whether the program should continue, but sheriffs and school officials described it as a useful communication tool. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1582 as amended passed 6-4.
Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel and reduce the waiting period for cost-of-living adjustments. The sponsor, police and fire representatives, and pension consultants argued the bill would improve recruitment and retention and align benefits more closely with what employees were promised, while cities, counties, and taxpayer groups warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. The committee spent extensive time on actuarial costs, funding status, and the effect of the amendment exempting the bill from statutory pre-funding requirements; the transcript ends during that discussion before a final vote on SB 1504 is shown.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Feb 4th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Business, Trade & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 6079, creating a wildfire mitigation grant program, was by request by the OIC and was heard in this
- It creates a grant program for wildfire mitigation efforts for insurable dwellings and prohibits property
- It adds requirements or criteria for the OIC in designating grant program pilot projects and requires
- It ends the authority to use funds in the OIC's regulatory and fraud accounts to fund the grant program
- And it changes the title of the bill from creating a wildfire mitigation grant program to reducing non-renewal
Bills:
SB6248, SB5976, SB6079, SB6250, SB6257, SB6289, SB6230, SB6312, SB6149, SGA9060, SGA9169, SGA9265, SGA9266
Keywords:
travel insurance, travel protection plan, travel assistance services, cancellation fee waiver, travel retailer, travel administrator, limited lines producer, insurance producer license, blanket travel insurance, trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel medical coverage, emergency evacuation, repatriation, inland marine, premium tax, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, insurance commissioner, Washington RCW
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 6079, creating a wildfire mitigation grant program, was by request by the OIC and was heard in this
- It creates a grant program for wildfire mitigation efforts for insurable dwellings and prohibits property
- It adds requirements or criteria for the OIC in designating grant program pilot projects and requires
- It ends the authority to use funds in the OIC's regulatory and fraud accounts to fund the grant program
- And it changes the title of the bill from creating a wildfire mitigation grant program to reducing non-renewal
Summary:
The Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee met in executive session on cutoff day and received staff briefings on several gubernatorial appointments and bills, including SB 6248 on travel insurance, SB 5976 on false subject lines in commercial emails, SB 6079 on a wildfire mitigation grant program, SB 6250 on small loan principal limits, SB 6257 on real estate appraiser trainee licensing tolling, SB 6289 on the Department of Commerce’s economic development strategic plan, SB 6230 on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, and SB 6149 on the definition of rural counties. Staff also noted a new substitute for SB 6149 that narrowed the rural county definition and reduced the fiscal impact. The committee briefly paused for caucus before taking action.
In executive session, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of gubernatorial appointments 9060 (Alicia Levy), 9169 (Michael Charles), 9265 (Brian Bennett), and 9266 (Noah Skartford), all subject to signatures. It then advanced SB 6248, SB 6079, SB 6250, SB 6257, SB 6289, SB 6230, and SB 6149, generally by adopting proposed substitutes and sending the bills to Rules, except SB 6079, which was sent to Ways and Means. SB 5976 was not considered.
At the close of the meeting, the chair thanked members, stakeholders, and staff for their work during the short session and noted the committee had completed its agenda. The committee then adjourned.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So, this will keep the program year.
- We give out grants and we give out loans, and there's a formula of grants and loans often based on the
- ,</c> the commission to make this large grant, the commission to make this large grant, this<00:32:31.120
- This is a program. He has some funding to get the program going.
- </c><00:42:34.560><c> of</c> going to keep their full on program of going to keep their full on program
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 1872 establishes an early learning apprenticeship grant program to be administered by, and to provide
- This bill creates a grant program to address financial barriers to participation in state-approved or
- I stand in strong support of this measure establishing an early learning apprenticeship grant program
- </c><00:19:23.600><c> This</c><00:19:23.760><c> bill</c> apprenticeship grant program.
- This bill apprenticeship grant program.
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on HB 1872, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program to help early childhood providers participate in approved apprenticeship programs, require annual reporting, and appropriate funds. Testifiers in support included the University of Hawaiʻi, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the City and County of Honolulu, Commit to Keiki, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaiʻi, and Kīʻoka Family Learning Centers. Supporters said the bill would reduce financial barriers, strengthen recruitment and retention, improve compensation and career pathways, and help address child care shortages and workforce instability. The committee then voted to pass HB 1872 with amendments, including an HD1 and a defective date to allow further discussion.
The committee next took up HB 2489, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language interpretation, with a longer-term plan for a master’s program. Testimony in support came from the Disability Communication Access Board and the University of Hawaiʻi, and members also heard detailed support from DECAP and other advocates describing a statewide shortage of ASL interpreters, long waiting lists for ASL courses, and the need for locally trained interpreters who understand Hawaiʻi’s cultural and community needs. Witnesses said the shortage affects schools, courts, hospitals, emergency services, and other settings, and that the program could be expanded through articulation with other campuses. The committee voted to pass HB 2489 with amendments, again using an HD1 and defective date.
After those two measures, the committee moved to HB 441 on campus safety, which would require students, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and university policies regarding sexual misconduct before initial registration and would change how often training is provided to students and employees. The University of Hawaiʻi stood on its written testimony, while supporters including IMUA Alliance and other testifiers urged passage, citing survivor experiences, national best practices, and the need for prevention before harm occurs. No vote on HB 441 was reached in the portion provided.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 28th, 2026 at 02:54 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- It was a program that the department ran to give larger grants, in a competitive way, to schools for
- culture programs.
- Yes, Madam Chair, they would obviously have to connect to a lot of the other grant programs because that's
- time program.
- Program, and statewide school replacement and facility improvement programs.
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
House Interim Committee On Housing and Homelessness 06/16/2026 2:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We appreciate the opportunity to spotlight OHA's Healthy Homes Grant Program, established with the leadership
- The program provides grants to a wide array of nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, local governments
- Oregon Health Authority's Healthy Homes Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners
- Oregon Health Authority's Healthy Homes Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners
- Oregon Health Authority's Healthy Homes Grant Program provides...
Summary:
The committee met for a series of information sessions focused on housing stabilization, rental assistance, senior housing, and heat resilience. In the first panel, OHCS and NOAA described the state’s affordable housing preservation work, including the $35 million in 2025 stabilization funding used to reduce debt and keep distressed affordable rental projects operating, plus manufactured home park preservation efforts. OHCS said the portfolio remains under strain, with about a third of projects at debt coverage ratios of 1.0 or less and rising insurance and operating costs. NOAA urged faster closings on the stabilization awards, more funding in 2027, and broader rent assistance and process reforms. Committee members asked about the gap between current appropriations and need, and OHCS explained that the new Article 11-Q bond preservation program is structured differently and requires full refinancing rather than simple cash infusions.
The committee then heard a detailed discussion of the state’s eviction prevention and rental assistance program, ORDAP. OHCS said the program is administered through community action agencies, prioritizes households at imminent risk of eviction, and is now funded at a much lower level than in the prior biennium, reducing expected service to about 8,200 households this biennium. The Oregon Law Center, a county community action agency, and Multifamily Northwest all agreed the program prevents homelessness and is effective, but they differed on whether assistance should be tied so closely to eviction court. Legal aid and community action witnesses said the current system is underfunded and that eviction filings are the clearest indicator of need, while Multifamily Northwest argued the process can push people into court unnecessarily and should be moved earlier when possible. Legislators raised questions about whether a pre-eviction model could be developed and about the costs of court involvement; one member shared a personal story about how rental assistance helped keep their family housed.
Next, the governor’s office, OHCS, and OHA presented on the new senior housing initiative and healthy homes work. The governor’s housing director said Oregon is making progress on homelessness and housing production, with reductions in homelessness outside Multnomah County and an estimated 50,000 future units added to the pipeline through recent state actions. OHCS outlined the senior housing programs launched in May: a debt-financing program using elderly and disabled bond authority, an older adult housing development program funded through the senior property tax deferral revolving account, and a rehousing program for older adults that will use bridge funding and services to move at least 400 unsheltered older Oregonians into housing. OHA also described its Healthy Homes Grant Program, including $24.6 million already awarded, a new $5 million grant round for seniors and people with disabilities, and examples of home repairs and weatherization that help people remain safely housed.
The final information session focused on home cooling and heat resilience. OHA presented data showing rising extreme heat days, more heat-related emergency visits, and likely undercounted heat deaths, especially among older adults, people with disabilities, low-income communities, and people without access to healthy homes. ODOE reviewed implementation of Senate Bill 1536, including a cooling needs study that found 58% of surveyed households in the studied housing types needed permanent cooling, with estimated statewide costs of $582 million to $1 billion. ODOE said its rental home heat pump and community heat pump programs have supported 4,638 installations so far, with a temporary reopening planned using remaining funds. The session ended with a remote presentation from a Community Action Partnership of Oregon representative, continuing the discussion of how community action agencies help deliver energy and anti-poverty services.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- A program for trained engineers, physicists, mathematicians, and a beginning of the American space program
- Members today we're joined by Impact Pasadena Leadership Program.
- All grant proposals must undergo a peer review.
- To ensure fairness in the grant process, the Oversight Committee must review the grant making process
- And if they determine that there's a grant program that should be distributed. with that specific research
Bills:
SJR3, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB703, SB764, SB790, SJR36, SJR3, SJR34, SJR18, SCR9, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842, SB971, SB790, SB767, SB480, SB1066, SB929, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB869, SB890, SB992, SB1145, SB494, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SJR3, SB5, SR172, SR176, SR177, SR190, SR193, SR194, SR202, SR203, SR208
Keywords:
dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/12/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And while that's an important program and a vital program and a necessary program, and it's a program
- program and it's a and a necessary program and it's a program<02:43:57.200><c> that</c><02:43:57.439
- . programs. programs.
- Uh, this bill reduces our sexual and reproductive health care services grant program by $1 million per
- </c> health care services grant health care services grant program<03:26:02.160><c> by</c><03:26:02.560
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We also were pending a $24 million grant on the Solar for All program that is also pending and in litigation
- Sometimes there might be a deed grant or a commerce grant or a housing grant.
- <c> housing</c> grant or a commerce grant or a housing grant or a commerce grant or a housing grant.<
- </c> grant.
- Sometimes there might be a grant grant.
Keywords:
virtual power plant, VPP, distributed energy resources, DER, demand response, load management, grid modernization, peak demand, peak shaving, battery storage, energy storage, solar photovoltaic, solar panels, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, heat pumps, aggregator, public utilities commission, PUC, rate recovery
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And sometimes they are funded from federal grant programs.
- and then the basketball program.
- There have been 170 competitive federal grants through HPMI.
- And we have had tremendous participation in the program.
- We're developing and piloting the program components.
Summary:
The Education Postsecondary Committee held its first meeting and focused on state university centers and institutes, with an overview from the Board of Governors on how the more than 500 centers and institutes across Florida’s public universities are categorized, overseen, and reported. The Board described three categories: state-level centers, legislatively established centers, and university-established centers. Members were told universities must maintain policies, notify the Board of changes, publish public inventories, and submit annual reports and compliance certifications. Senator Harrell asked about funding sources and whether underperforming centers are reviewed for elimination; the response was that funding varies by center and that universities decide whether to maintain or disband centers under their own policies, with annual reporting and audit findings shared with the Board.
Four university presentations followed. Florida Atlantic University highlighted its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, describing research in marine-derived drug discovery, genomics, imaging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and ocean sustainability, along with spin-off institutes and partnerships that have generated significant grant and contract support. FIU presented its Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development, emphasizing the Wall of Wind facility, hurricane and water intrusion testing, code and product innovation, insurance modeling, and future expansion toward higher wind speeds and flood simulation. Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute described work in advanced materials, aerospace composites, sensors, nanocomposites, and AI-enabled materials development, along with patents, industry partnerships, and new facilities tied to economic development. The University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning outlined its work on teacher professional learning, literacy, New Worlds Reading, tutoring, and mathematics supports, including microcredentials, statewide book distribution, and early results showing improved reading confidence and growth.
Members generally praised the centers for their research, commercialization, workforce development, and education impacts. Senator Jones and Senator Harrell commended the Lastinger Center’s literacy work and the broader return on investment from these programs, while Senator Berman noted the value of the synergies across institutions. The chair emphasized that future funding requests should clearly show measurable success, commercialization, and statewide impact. The committee then adjourned without any formal votes on legislation.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 5th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It's an infrastructure grant program.
- Last session we were appropriated. $30 million for the grant program.
- We had a previous grant that was canceled due to some issues with price increases. and some grants came
- Our top issue right now is the Rural Law Enforcement grant. program that the House and the Senate put
- So, it's a grant program. We apply for it every year. every year.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Education Feb 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It also adds the Washington Opportunities Scholarship Program to the list of financial aid programs that
- program.
- program.
- The negative thing that this, that we've for a grant program, so this needs to be a priority.
- by the programs, as well as input from community constituents.
Summary:
The House Education Committee met in executive session to consider several Senate bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5242 concerning anaphylaxis medication in schools, staff described the underlying bill as expanding school authority to administer epinephrine and related protections, and a striking amendment by Representative Marshall was adopted after a technical correction to fix an albuterol reference. Members spoke in support of broader access to life-saving epinephrine in schools, and the bill was reported out with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 19-0 vote.
The committee also advanced Substitute Senate Bill 5346 on student use of mobile devices in public schools. An amendment sponsored by Representative Santos was adopted to update terminology, adjust reporting timelines, and clarify that districts may limit possession and use of mobile devices during instructional hours while considering OSPI research and recommendations. Supporters said the bill balances local flexibility with guidance to reduce classroom disruption and bullying; it passed 17-1 and was reported out as amended.
Substitute Senate Bill 5841, which strengthens high school and beyond plan requirements related to financial aid information, was amended to add College Bound Scholarship identification and more explicit review of financial aid application completion. Members supporting the bill said it would help students understand scholarship and grant opportunities and improve college-going rates, though one member noted the added burden on school counselors. The committee also passed Substitute Senate Bill 6268, requiring OSPI to keep a freely accessible 20-year online record of final special education complaint decisions, and Senate Bill 6278, which codifies ongoing review of teacher and principal preparation programs by the Professional Educator Standards Board. Both bills were reported out unanimously, and the committee adjourned after reminding members about amendment deadlines for future executive sessions.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- to expand these programs to benefit as many people in the Commonwealth as possible.
- Some are losing scholarships, losing positions in their programs, or losing grant funding.
- One worker I previously counseled had this to say, and I quote: "My Ph.D. program technically granted
- One worker I previously counseled had this to say, and I quote, my PhD program technically granted me
- explicitly supports by granting up to 12 weeks of bonding leave.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing with about 43 witnesses and a 1:00 p.m. hard stop, and the chair repeatedly asked speakers to keep testimony to three minutes. Much of the hearing focused on S. 747/H. 1336, which would extend paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance to graduate student workers. Supporters included legislators, union leaders, graduate workers from MIT, Harvard, BU, WPI, UMass Lowell, and others, and legal advocates. They argued graduate workers perform full-time teaching and research work, pay taxes, and should not be excluded from basic safety-net benefits; several witnesses described personal hardships involving childbirth, serious illness, mental health crises, funding cuts, or fear of losing income. Testifiers also said the change would be revenue-neutral or revenue-generating and would not create major administrative burdens for universities, which already provide similar benefits to other employees.
The committee also heard testimony on insurance-related bills. Christopher Stock of the Massachusetts Insurance Federation supported H. 1113 on public adjusters and H. 1345/S. 753 on flood-zone notifications for homebuyers, but opposed H. 4112, which would add a $2 surcharge on home insurance policies to fund fire cistern programs. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council strongly supported H. 1345, saying flood disclosure is needed because Massachusetts lacks statewide flood-notification requirements and flooding risks are increasing. Karen Alvarado supported H. 4352 on travel insurance, and John Fielding supported H. 1186 on pet insurance; both said the bills would create uniform regulatory frameworks and consumer protections. Rep. LeBoeuf testified for H. 4061 on workers’ compensation premium fraud, describing the bill as a transparency measure to combat fraud in construction by creating a public certificate-of-insurance database and QR-code verification system. Joe Bright of the carpenters’ union also supported H. 4061, citing fraud, misclassification, and the harm to injured workers.
The hearing also included testimony on H. 4112, a bill to create a statewide fire suppression water resource fund and cistern program. Rep. Hogan and a Stowe fire chief described drought, brush fires, and the need for dedicated cisterns in communities without municipal water systems, saying the tanks provide reliable water for firefighting and are relatively low-tech once installed. Committee members asked questions about tank capacity, siting, maintenance, and funding. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.