Transcript Highlights:

• It also creates a misdemeanor for loitering with intent to purchase commercial sex.
• that charging people for being in just the area, potentially without doing anything, will stop purchasers
• And when he got out, he lived right next door to me for the rest of my time through high school.
• Immediately following law school. Betty taught legal research and writing at Stanford Law School.
• He was a student at Crystal Ray, Del Sol, East Bay High School, and a member of a youth soccer program

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• wind has fixed-price contracts, where offshore wind projects are contracted under long-term power purchase
• My name is Mariah Eskell, and I'm a high school student in North Andover.
• My name is Sophia Flores-Cara, and I go to Groton High School. I'm a grader. I'm a grader. Study.
• My name is Sophia Flores-Cara, and I go to Groton High School.
• We should not be purchasing it.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• organizations or rebate aggregators, ...because what you'll hear are group purchasing organizations
• So you brought up school boards, too, which I hadn't even thought of. So how has this...
• School boards, too, which I hadn't even thought of. So how has this happened in other states?
• speak a little bit more to any research or knowledge you have about how this will affect cities, school
• I mean, the Affordable Care Act made dramatic changes to the way people purchase health care and interact

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was contacted by both my local library district and one of my school districts, which is why I was
• It also bans single-served beers that are purchased at the package store as well.
• It also bans single-served beers that are purchased at the package store as well.
• So in 2003, this was the year I graduated law school, so I didn't do these cases, but my firm did.
• So in 2003, this was the year I graduated law school, so I didn't do these cases, but my firm did.

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 37.279><c> sister</c><00:16:37.680><c> parishes,</c><00:16:38.240><c> mission</c><00:16:38.639><c> schools
• </c><00:16:39.040><c> in</c> Uh, sister parishes, mission schools in Uh, sister parishes, mission schools
• 00:16:52.480><c> or</c> who engage in international trade or who engage in international trade or purchase
• </c><00:16:54.800><c> The</c><00:16:55.040><c> issues</c><00:16:55.360><c> with</c> purchase product
• The issues with purchase product abroad.

Bills: HB585 , HB585

Committee: House Financial Services

Keywords: Washington County, circuit clerk, compensation, county government, local legislation, money transmission, transaction fees, international wire transfers, income tax credit, suspicious cash transactions, Securities Commission, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It basically just, in statute, requires driver's ed schools to teach at least three hours about vulnerable
• But basically, in statute, it requires driver's ed schools to teach at least three hours about vulnerable
• I started biking my son to his pre-K program, the first class of free pre-K at Woodyer Elementary School
• Second question is, do you have a sense of what percentage of the fuel purchase in New Mexico is from
• Number two, it prohibits utilities from raising people's rates from purchasing microgrid power.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 251, which would amend the Horse Racing Act to address “program owners” and “program trainers” used as fronts by suspended or unlicensed people in the racing industry. The sponsor and Racing Commission director said the bill is meant to protect the betting public, deter fraud, and give the commission stronger enforcement tools, including suspension, revocation, and fines. After brief questions about how penalties are applied and whether the standards are already reflected in statute and racing rules, the committee voted 9-0 to give the bill a due pass. Senate Bill 73 followed, requiring driver education schools to teach at least three hours on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists, beginning in 2027. Supporters, including local officials and advocacy groups, said the bill would improve public safety and help new drivers understand the rights and responsibilities of people outside vehicles. Committee members discussed existing driver-ed content, the definition of vulnerable road users, and whether the bill would replace any current instruction; sponsors said it would set a statewide minimum without crowding out existing curriculum. The committee approved the bill on a 9-1 due pass vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 111, an agency bill to expand confidential personal information under the Motor Vehicle Code to include sex, gender, national origin, and immigration status. The sponsor and Tax and Revenue officials said the change would protect sensitive records in MVD files from disclosure except in limited circumstances. With no public opposition, the committee passed the bill 6-4. Senate Bill 150, creating refundable tax credits to support local newspaper printing operations, drew broad support from newspaper and business representatives who said the credits would help preserve local news and printing capacity amid plant closures and rising costs. Some members raised technical and oversight questions, but the committee voted 9-1 to advance it. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 172, a committee substitute extending a gross receipts tax credit tied to national lab technology transfer and commercialization. Supporters from the labs, economic development groups, and chambers of commerce said it helps move research into New Mexico businesses and supports job creation; the committee adopted the committee substitute and advanced it. Senate Bill 76, which would raise the gasoline and special fuel taxes to fund road maintenance, generated extensive debate over infrastructure needs, affordability, and whether a broader transportation funding plan should be developed first. Supporters argued the state’s road backlog and maintenance needs justify the increase, while opponents cited consumer costs and the need for more study; the bill passed 6-4. The final bill, Senate Bill 235, would regulate large microgrids and data centers by requiring renewable energy use, PRC oversight, annual reporting, and limits on rate shifting. Supporters said it would protect air quality, water, and utility customers, while opponents warned it would add burdens and discourage investment; the committee heard extensive testimony but the transcript ends before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• California Teleconnect Fund which is a program that provides 50% discount for internet connection to schools
• we are keeping a close lookout of what's happening federally on E-rate, the funds, discounts for schools
• We're in contract with more than a dozen providers to basically construct, lease, and purchase more than
• for all Californians, that they have high-speed or high-performance broadband available at homes, schools
• the network, signed agreements to facilitate. permitting and signed contracts for construction, purchase

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a bar just under the nonprofit. ...we've seen are using their nonprofit and purchasing a bar just under
• ... ...prizes, disbursement of net proceeds, or influence which distributor to purchase gaming equipment
• Number five is fines, fees, and forfeitures that go to the Common Schools Trust Fund.
• Just a question on the fines and forfeitures that go to the State Common School Trust Fund.
• That would also go to the state tuition fund or the Common Schools Trust Fund.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• a bar just under the nonprofit. ...we've seen are using their nonprofit and purchasing a bar just under
• The question was asked about how do they purchase them or, in a roundabout way by Representative Killeen
• Number five is fines, fees, and forfeitures that go to the Common Schools Trust Fund.
• Just a question on the fines and forfeitures that go to the State Common School Trust Fund.
• That would also go to the state tuition fund or the Common Schools Trust Fund.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to continue its study of charitable gaming, especially the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations and the relationship between charities, site owners, and gaming manufacturers/distributors. Legislative Council reviewed the background memo and Attorney General’s Gaming Division explained the legal framework, including site authorizations, rent limits, allowable expenses, and restrictions on distributors and manufacturers. Members focused heavily on electronic pull tabs, asking about the large gap between gross proceeds and adjusted proceeds, how much is paid out in winnings, how much is retained for expenses, and whether the 60% allowable-expense cap is being used as intended. The AG’s office said e-tabs account for most gaming volume, that winnings make up much of the difference, and that some organizations do not use the full 60% while others may exceed it, though only the capped amount counts as gaming expense. The committee also discussed the number of gaming organizations that appear to own or be affiliated with bars, the ways those ownership structures are formed, and whether some arrangements may create conflicts or site-selection pressure. The League of Cities and the Association of Counties described the local site-authorization process and recent model policies adopted after the 2025 session. Cities said they can require signed agreements, limit games and machines, set qualifications, and charge up to $100 for site authorization, but cannot require charities to donate net proceeds or force a specific charity or site. They said the new policies are meant to add transparency and local control, though the more controversial parts involve requiring a local nexus or community connection. County representatives said the issue is mostly a city matter and that counties generally take a lighter-touch approach. Committee members raised concerns about whether local rules could unfairly exclude larger regional charities or create inconsistent standards across cities. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance said it supports the study and provided information on charities that own or are affiliated with bars, emphasizing that most gaming organizations do not own alcoholic beverage establishments. Its representative said some charities may pursue bar ownership for site stability and diversification, while others decide against it because operating a bar is difficult. He also said a ban on charity-owned bars could raise federal tax-law issues depending on how it is written, and agreed to provide more detail. The committee asked Legislative Council and the Gaming Alliance for additional information on ownership structures and federal-law questions before the next meeting. Later, the Racing Commission gave a separate update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and related charitable partnerships, and the State Hospital superintendent reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, staffing, and wait lists; no votes were taken on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we limit the number of medical school slots very significantly.
• You know, when I was in school, you paid $200 for the book at the start of the school year, and you got
• And what it does is it allows large hospital systems to purchase medications at a steep discount.
• If I get purchased by the hospital, now it's a nonprofit.
• If I get purchased by the hospital, now it's a nonprofit.

Committee: House Health Care Affordability, Select

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it apply to private schools?
• with Seminole School District and other school districts out in that South Plains region.
• kids at the school district.
• The 21-day, if the schools are required, well, are schools required to have unvaccinated?
• When she went to medical school, and I didn't go to medical school, I almost feel like I did.

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s been bad ventilation, smoking up schools. We have had a few explosions.
• But the homeowner does not have to purchase the fortified roof designation, right?
• And in the original bill, you would have to purchase a fortified roof, right?
• I can either purchase the designation and then maybe get Choice.
• Just local families who sell fireworks to put kids through school, because that's what I did.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee met on April 7, 2026, and first handled several fire marshal-related bills. HB 917, a licensing and regulatory cleanup for life safety and property protection work, was amended with technical changes and reported favorably. HB 565 clarified that the State Fire Marshal, rather than local authorities, would handle fire safety inspections for early learning and child daycare centers; members adopted an amendment limiting the standards to state or federal codes and addressing ventilation and suppression requirements for small facilities, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then took up HB 937, which would shift amusement ride setup inspections back to the State Fire Marshal, require licensing and insurance for rides and inspectors, and repeal provisions related to inflatable amusement devices. The author and fire marshal cited a serious festival ride accident in Pointe Coupee Parish as the impetus, and members discussed inspection timing, insurance costs, and whether background checks or public inspection certificates should be required. After technical and agreed-upon amendments, the bill was reported favorably. HB 799, a boiler inspection consolidation bill, was presented as a cleanup measure that would centralize boiler regulation under the fire marshal and rely on licensed inspectors meeting national standards. Stakeholders from industry and the fire marshal’s office described it as an efficiency and safety measure, and the committee adopted a substantive amendment on shutdown procedures and licensing details before reporting the bill favorably. HB 461, which would have allowed parishes and municipalities to adopt fortified roof standards, drew extensive testimony both for and against; supporters argued it could improve resilience and lower insurance costs, while opponents warned it would undermine Louisiana’s uniform building code, add cost, and create inconsistency. The author ultimately moved to voluntarily defer the bill. Finally, the committee began HB 977, a bill on minors’ use of applications that would require age verification, parental consent, and app store/developer safeguards. An amendment clarified definitions, consent rules, data-sharing limits, and a good-faith compliance defense. Members raised concerns about the 45-day cure period, the lack of a private right of action, and whether app stores would become gatekeepers, but the bill remained pending at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to see if there was an opportunity not to steal from schools, but keep that initial penalty
• ,</c> opportunity not to steal from schools, opportunity not to steal from schools, but<00:41:55.440>
• ,</c> the schools, the schools, but<00:41:59.360><c> the</c><00:41:59.520><c> increase</c><00:42:00.080
• </c><00:50:28.080><c> of</c> filter what it's doing on purchasing of filter what it's doing on purchasing
• </c><01:00:57.480><c> agreements</c> trying to invest in purchase agreements trying to invest in purchase

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• to keep Kenzie alive at school.
• ,</c> school, because now she's out of school, school, because now she's out of school, and<00:43:06.000
• At a younger age, as Sean mentioned, the school covers everything during the school day.
• She has a one-to-one para, but now that she's in high school, there's no before-school, after-school,
• </c> city. food cost, gas cost, purchasing city. food cost, gas cost, purchasing the<01:17:58.239><c>

Bills: HF2216 , HF1978 , HF2354 , HF1963 , HF1994 , HF1995 , HF1894

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: assisted living, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, resident rights, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services, elderly, seniors, older adults, disability rights

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, when you purchase one product but you don't have enough money to purchase a second product,
• at our high schools.
• our high schools because it happens at our high school. our high schools, our high schools, because
• it happens at our high schools.
• So do we have one of our schools that, public schools, that does grant a bachelor's degree in library

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a wide range of bills touching student access, campus safety, and institutional support. Early testimony focused on H. 4544, which would create a state Hispanic-serving institution designation to replace a lost federal designation and potentially allow future funding. Representative Kushmerek and Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge described Fitchburg’s growing Latino student population, the university’s local commitments such as the Fitchburg Promise, and argued the bill would help the institution better serve its community. Committee members asked about how the tuition-free local program is financed, and the bill was described as having no immediate funding request but allowing for future appropriations. The committee also heard support for H. 1421, a proposed John F. Kennedy Service Scholarship Program for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Commonwealth Corps alumni, with Representative Arena DeRosa arguing that student debt discourages service and that the program would help make citizen service more accessible to lower- and moderate-income students. Members raised questions about cost, take-up, and whether the program should be capped. H. 1449, dealing with transcript withholding, drew support from Representative LeBoeuf and USPyre’s Demi Stoltz, who said withholding transcripts over small balances or non-academic fees traps students and harms workforce participation; members discussed how schools could still collect debts without blocking transcripts. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to improve study-abroad safety reporting, with Carrie Pascarello urging a centralized data system after multiple student deaths and serious incidents abroad, and members asking about how other states handle similar transparency measures. Another major topic was H. 4113 on higher education sexual misconduct. Laura G. and Ashley Freeman supported a proposal aimed at preventing “passing the harasser” by requiring disclosure of substantiated findings or departures during open investigations in hiring processes. They said the bill would improve transparency and campus safety while preserving due process, and noted Washington State has a similar law. Members discussed whether the bill should be expanded to K-12 settings and asked about the Washington model’s effectiveness. The committee also heard from Mike Canavan of AFT Massachusetts in support of a bill to create a grant program for librarians to earn a master’s in library science, noting the credential is required for the profession but is not offered by any public institution in Massachusetts. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after all scheduled witnesses testified.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm hoping that we will get to a point as a legislature where we even look at doing more on a school
• And I think we actually have a model in Broward at Board Anderson High School.
• At Board Anderson High School, but I just think it's good that we're taking this time to do this and
• Right now, it's the only way for people who transact primarily in cash to purchase cryptocurrency.
• Right now, it's the only way for people who transact primarily in cash to purchase cryptocurrency.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286, which expands Florida’s first responder recruitment bonus program to include newly employed firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel, and establishes a PTSD institute within DFS. Supporters from the fire service and local government spoke in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks. After adopting a substitute amendment, members heard testimony from consumer advocates, industry representatives, and credit unions about scam prevention, elder financial exploitation, and the need for regulatory certainty. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Members also approved SB 772, which allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and SB 1504, which creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure through insurance and personal finance coursework. Later, the committee approved SB 1038 and SB 1040, which together create a Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve and the related trust fund, both with technical amendments. SB 1440, dealing with public records exemptions tied to cybersecurity events and financial regulation, was also reported favorably after amendment. The committee then heard SB 1668 on the NICA program, with testimony both supporting solvency reforms and raising concerns about benefits and retroactivity; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 570 created a task force on payment scams under DFS, was amended to reduce FDLE staffing requirements, and was reported favorably. The meeting ended after senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on certain bills and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no change to the school district taxes.
• It does not touch school district funding.
• In 2019, it could be purchased for the sum total of $550,000.
• The same logic applies to our school taxes.
• We don't challenge school taxes because we know it has a broader societal appeal.

Transcript Highlights:

• So on each purchase, well, that's an excellent feature of that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• , one of the high schools in my district.
• I'm 12 years old, and I'm in middle school. Thank you for letting me speak today.
• Kids deserve to feel safe, not just at school, but online too. And right now, a lot of us don't.
• And one day she came home from school and got on the messenger, and there was a message from him.

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on three sets of bills before adjourning: House Bill 1611, House Bill 2032, and House Bills 3393 and 2392. No votes were taken. HB 1611, sponsored by Representative Billington, would combat catalytic converter theft by requiring scrap buyers to record the vehicle identification number of the car the converter came from, in addition to existing seller ID requirements. The sponsor and a representative of the Recycled Materials Association supported the bill as a practical way to trace stolen converters; members asked how the VIN would be used to catch thieves, and the sponsor said it could help law enforcement track the source of a converter. No opposition testified. HB 2032, the “Guard Act,” sponsored by Representative Schmidt, would require age verification for AI companions, require disclosure that the chatbot is non-human and not a professional, and prohibit AI systems from knowingly or recklessly encouraging minors toward sexually explicit content, suicide, self-injury, or violence. The sponsor cited cases involving harmful AI interactions with children and said the bill was intended to create guardrails, with possible language changes still under discussion. Support came from the Missouri Psychological Association and Missouri Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, while the Entertainment Software Association raised concern that the bill’s definitions might unintentionally cover video games and asked for clearer exclusions. House Bills 3393 and 2392, sponsored by Representatives Mayhew and Murray, would restrict minors’ access to social media and impose parental consent, age verification, and limits on addictive design features, targeted advertising, and adult contact with children. The sponsors argued that social media is harming youth mental health and cited studies, lawsuits, and examples of cyberbullying and self-harm; they also suggested possible amendments on definitions, data handling, severability, and a fund for prevention efforts. Testimony in favor included a 12-year-old student describing bullying and its effects, as well as a pediatric/psychology advocate who recounted the Megan Meier case and supported stronger safeguards. Members questioned age verification, privacy, fake IDs, email accounts, and whether the bills should be broader or more narrowly tailored, but no formal action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• invoices, provides a more cost-effective way for the schools to purchase food through this statewide
• You have to pay vendors and then money comes in from the school districts.
• In 2025-26, 33 school districts applied for gap funding.
• We had one school district.
• If a school district did not increase their property tax levy this year, does that particular school

Committee: Joint Budget Section

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a receipt for three-ring binders that my office purchased from W.B. Mason.
• These receipts to verify that the purchase that you made at W.B.
• These receipts to verify that the purchase that you made at W.B.
• Purchases like I'm seeing, you know, Home Depot, roughly $12,000, could be desks, could be furniture,
• But when chalkboards used to exist in most schools, above the chalkboard there was usually some sort

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with committee chairs explaining the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions’ role under Article 48 and outlining the process for initiative petition 25-14, H5-004, an act to improve access to public records. The first panel consisted of subject-matter experts. William Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures gave an overview of public records laws across states, noting that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions for legislatures vary widely. He discussed common legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on specific constitutional and statutory language. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, described Massachusetts public records trends, saying state agency requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with 2025 setting a record for appeals. She said the initiative would extend the public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s Office and add exemptions specific to those offices, while also noting resource concerns from the growing volume of requests and appeals.