Transcript Highlights:

• Over 1,000 young women and children were abused by Epstein and his associates dating back to the early
• And I do agree that there's a lot that we have to do to prevent human trafficking and to hold those people
• the senseless and utterly preventable murder of my beloved Robert James.
• They work for some and some should be allowed to be able to go through the program.
• handling, and California's on state firearm laws, safe storage practices, suicide prevention, and proper

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an amazing and incredibly successful program. ...an amazing and incredibly successful program that
• that address both equity and economic relief in early life... ...making interventions that address both
• Vermont is piloting a program, and Rhode Island and New York have filed legislation.
• The match savings and the match savings trust fund ensure the program is administered consistently and
• and initiatives like this program possible match savings and initiatives like the CFO program they don't

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an extraordinarily limiting set of rules and circumstances, and they very often prevent the investigation
• program in Middlesex County and get involved with it.
• Early intervention is vital.
• Early intervention is vital.
• And so one of the ways we do that is through the Stable Housing and Reintegration Program.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a wide range of criminal justice, victim services, and records-sealing bills. Early testimony focused on H.1811, the Clean Slate automated record-sealing bill, with supporters arguing that automatic sealing after existing waiting periods would remove barriers to jobs, housing, and education without changing eligibility rules. Advocates from legal aid, business, and housing organizations said the current petition-based system is underused, burdensome, and costly, while opponents of expanding surveillance-related laws urged the committee to preserve privacy protections. The committee also heard testimony on H.1693, which would immediately seal records in cases ending without conviction and clarify the presumption of innocence, with speakers describing how dismissed cases still create lasting collateral consequences and prevent people from moving forward. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills centered on victim safety and domestic violence. Senator Michael Moore testified for S.1201, which would keep child-protective orders in effect even if the parent or guardian who filed them dies, and for S.1204, which would update the wiretap statute. Multiple survivors and advocates supported S.1215 and S.1222, arguing for a narrow wiretap defense for recordings made to document threats or abuse and for making GPS tampering a separate felony offense. Testifiers described situations in which GPS devices were cut off or disabled and said current law leaves victims at risk and gives abusers too much leeway. The committee also heard emotional testimony on H.1685/S.1238, a bill prompted by the suicide of Stavri Yanka in custody, with the sponsor, his mother, and the sheriff describing the need for better information-sharing so suicide-risk information follows a person into custody. Law enforcement and prosecutors supported several due-process and dangerousness-related bills. MassCOP, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the State Police Association backed H.1828/S.1039/S.1235, which would require de novo Superior Court review for POST Commission suspensions over two weeks or decertifications, arguing officers need a meaningful appeal beyond administrative review. The committee also heard support for H.1691, expanding the dangerousness statute to additional offenses; Bristol County District Attorney Quinn said the changes would let prosecutors seek detention in serious cases such as child rape and manslaughter when facts warrant it. In contrast, the Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed expanding dangerousness detention, warning that pretrial detention causes serious harms and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic defendants. The hearing also included testimony on H.1654/S.1063 to enhance victims’ rights and H.1525, which would rename and expand community corrections into community justice programs, with supporters emphasizing reentry, reduced stigma, and broader service access.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><01:03:23.760><c> and</c><01:03:23.920><c> this</c> this program already exists, and this this program
• volunteer programs and making an appropriation.
• c> treat</c> the same and every program will treat the same and every program will treat people<02:40
• And we'd prevent public officials and employees from testifying. Again, not true.
• And we'd prevent public officials and employees from testifying. Again, not true.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's a lot of programs, right? And I'm not the program guy.
• And, of course, that is, like somebody had indicated before, it truly is for early interventions, right
• But when I look at our unit and I'll speak to Williston specifically, we have an early childhood program
• And of course, that is, like somebody had indicated before, it truly is for early interventions, right
• And I go back to early intervention and some of those supports that we can do both, but recognizing that

Committee: Joint Special Education Funding Committee

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 4, 2026 minutes, and received a lengthy Department of Public Instruction presentation from Stanley Schauer Jr. on North Dakota student performance data in math and ELA, with comparisons between students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Schauer explained the assessment systems used, the 1% alternate assessment cap for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, the absence of 2019-20 data due to the pandemic, and how state standards are set by North Dakota educators. Members asked about cohort trends, the role of alternate assessments, grade-level patterns, and whether the state should focus more on reducing the novice category than on moving students from approaching to proficient. Schauer also discussed the new NDA Plus assessment, the state’s planned growth model, and the possibility of future breakdowns by disability category or by schools using science-of-math approaches. Special education educators testified that students with disabilities continued to receive services during COVID because of FAPE obligations, which likely helped limit learning loss, and emphasized that IEP teams focus on individual growth rather than only proficiency buckets. Committee members then shifted to special education funding and possible funding models. Brandon Bombach of Grand Forks Public Schools presented on the state aid formula, focusing on the special education weighting factor and arguing that the current formula does not adequately respond to growing student needs because it counts enrollment but does not adjust when the number of students with IEPs rises. He used examples to show that a district can have the same enrollment and receive the same weighting even if the number of students needing services increases. Members discussed whether the formula should be tied more closely to actual need and accountability, and the chair indicated that the committee would continue gathering data and ideas for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you'll also hear from Central and Evergreen about their student support programs.
• I am the Shelton Promise Program Manager, and I am joined today by a student intern.
• And I think the celebrations, the summer bridge program, just so many of the efforts that you named and
• It's our early intervention and warning system.
• and coordinated and helping us inform tailored interventions, that's an area where I think we can do

Bills: SB6325 , SGA9302 , SGA9286 , SGA9289 , SGA9290 , SGA9292 , SGA9293 , SGA9309 , SGA9310 , SGA9311 , SGA9312

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: higher education, student procedures, academic policies, enrollment processes, educational standards, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But you'll also hear from Central and Evergreen about their student support programs.
• I am the Shelton Promise Program Manager, and I am joined today by a student intern.
• It was an early introduction to the campus. It built confidence, and really, it built excitement.
• It's our early intervention and warning system.
• and coordinated and helping us inform tailored interventions—that's an area where I think we can do

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard two work sessions focused on student access and retention, then held public hearings on gubernatorial appointments before taking executive action. Washington Student Achievement Council staff presented the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign, created by Executive Order 2508, describing its advisory board, outreach strategy, dashboard tracking, and progress toward goals of 46,000 FAFSA/WASFA completions and improved equity in completion rates. They also highlighted broader college access tools such as trainings, printed materials, completion events, Otterbot texting support, and the new “Changing the Narrative” report and College Toolkit, which emphasize multiple postsecondary pathways, relatable messengers, and short video content. The committee then heard from the Council of Presidents and Central Washington University and Evergreen State College on student support services. Presenters discussed retention data, FERPA-related limits on parent communication, and the impact of budget cuts on advising, tutoring, wellness, and other services. Evergreen described the Shelton Promise program, including recruitment, summer bridge, basic-needs supports, peer mentoring, texting outreach, and early retention results showing 52 of 53 students continuing. Central Washington outlined its learner access and support plan, including required advising, University 101, early academic alerts, peer mentoring embedded in coursework, the Students First Center, and a Paying for College Guide, while noting that budget reductions have limited some support offerings. In the public hearing, the committee considered Latasha Wortham’s appointment to the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees and a panel of student appointees to various boards and councils, including Evergreen, Washington Student Achievement Council, the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Edmonds College, and Western Washington University. Testimony emphasized first-generation and immigrant backgrounds, student advocacy, basic needs, and the importance of student voice in governance. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and gave Senate Bill 6325 a due pass recommendation to Ways and Means; the bill would shift certain higher education cost increases from tuition to state funds over time and direct a WSIPP study on essential student services. The committee also recommended confirmation for the listed gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• ," and we are joined... ...programs have made use of Cap-and-Invest funding.
• and Enhancement Program, the Dairy Methane Reduction Program, and the Alternative Manure Management
• Those early investments allowed us to test practices, refine program design, and build farmer confidence
• , the Alternative Manure Management Program, and the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program.
• and the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They had no out-of-pocket cost, and they have no out-of-pocket cost in these programs for the entire
• Louisiana government-sponsored health plans currently use these programs and save millions of dollars
• I currently use these programs and save millions of dollars every year.
• And I said, yes, ask if they're going to put an accumulator or maximizer program in their plans.
• And it is unfair that that co-pay assistance program, which would be designed to benefit my children,

Bills: HB591 , HB765 , HB826 , HB870 , HB938 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1236 , HB1241

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, liability insurance, coverage defenses, direct action, judgment enforcement, legal procedures, insurance referrals, compensation, non-licensed agents, consumer protection, insurance products, HB 870, Act 907, Louisiana insurance, health insurance, prescription drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• program between 2035 and 2050.
• , and it amends some program terminology.
• First, under the lead and cookware program and beginning January 1, 2027, cookware containing lead that
• Safer Products Program. on 2031 and then at the early or the latest 2031 and then whoever qualifies
• First, under lead and cookware program and beginning January 1st of 2027, cookware containing lead that

Bills: SB6124 , SB6171 , SB6284 , SB5609 , SB6172 , SB6246 , SB5932 , SB6269 , SB6223 , SB5975

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: appliance affordability, cost index, energy efficiency, consumer protection, Washington state, energy facilities, large energy consumers, regulation, environment, sustainability, artificial intelligence, data privacy, technological impacts, cultural resources, land use, environmental policy, exemptions, state laws, Washington climate policy, greenhouse gas

Transcript Highlights:

• My husband John and I are Texas catfish farmers, and we run and rent sawhorse in Southeast Texas.
• It's not that we're trying to prevent you from doing that research and all of that.
• clinical trials and so on and so forth.
• We've seen data breaches at research hospitals, and really this bill does not. prevent the use of your
• However, the separately running programs are more costly and inefficient.

Bills: SB315 , SB584 , SB1228 , SB1484 , SB1860 , SB1802

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: DNA privacy, genetic privacy, genetic testing, genetic material, DNA ownership, property right in DNA, genetic consent, biological sample, genomics, genetic data, HIPAA, health information privacy, health care provider, research ethics, human subjects research, law enforcement DNA, forensic DNA, paternity testing, medical examiner, genetic discrimination

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members.
• and I think this bill addresses that, and I would close.
• Be quiet and then you answer, and then you'll be quiet and he'll ask another question.
• Conflicting court orders could have been avoided, and his father most likely would have been prevented
• State and the government code used to regulate. membership dues and it no longer does that, and actually

Bills: HB4922 , HB4713 , HB4256 , HB872 , HB1571 , HB4266 , HB4559 , SB251 , SB441 , SB1719

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: healthcare liability, emergency medical care, standard of proof, negligence, legal reforms, Texas General Arbitration Act, arbitration, binding arbitration, statute of limitations, limitations period, tolling, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 16.073, alternative dispute resolution, ADR, civil procedure, lawsuit filing, court jurisdiction, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, procedural law

Transcript Highlights:

• And I recognize what you say about the book and about not discriminating and dealing with property and
• And finally, the substitute expands reporting metrics, adding data points like housing exits. program
• provide quality programming and services.
• Bill would prevent a parent from providing consent for her teenager to check out sex and the single Christian
• However, programs like Obama's ConnectED and many other local programs invest heavily to expand access

Bills: HB256 , HCR19 , SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB1130

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags

Transcript Highlights:

• Bot technology, which is defined as a program designed to mimic human behavior and content, presents
• We're not early on this, and I do think it's an important thing to give attention to.
• We believe in work and opportunity and must prevent associations from becoming political speech gatekeepers
• It benefits Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike. prevents any single group from capturing
• remains, and it's preventing professionals from engaging in free speech freedoms as Americans.

Bills: SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB1130 , HB256 , HCR19

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Transcript Highlights:

• Some are in bids already, very firm numbers, and some are early planning.
• , very firm numbers, and some are early<00:09:07.360><c> planning.
• pound of intervention, and this does exactly that.
• Uh, I just, again, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of intervention.
• ><c> programs,</c><01:13:48.080><c> and</c> state operated treatment programs, and state operated treatment

Bills: HF333 , HF2712 , HF1064 , HF1069 , HF1113 , HF2207 , HF204 , HF2867 , HF2924 , HF746 , HF1530 , HF2587 , HF1078

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF333, Duluth, Lot D, redevelopment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds, public infrastructure, seawall repair, utility connections, demolition, debris removal, transportation improvements, site preparation, soil correction, economic development, DEED, capital appropriation, general obligation bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• This program includes wholesalers as eligible entities to apply to the program, and wholesalers are responsible
• It strengthens public-private partnerships, broadens access to early intervention services, and seeks
• And targeting dads is awesome, and I hear all of those, and those are great, great programs, right?
• And that's kind of the point, is to make sure that we're not growing government programs and spending
• Assistance Program, and the Targeted Appraisal Review Program.

Bills: HB249 , HB 1186 , HB2313 , HB2408 , HB2508 , HB2730 , HB2974 , HB3045 , HB3232 , HB3336 , HB3710 , HB4044 , HB4236 , HJR133 , HB249

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: ad valorem taxes, property taxes, homestead exemption, disabled veterans, senior citizens, tax payments, installment payments, municipal tax revenue, hotel, convention center, tax code, economic development, local government, municipality, tax revenue, qualified projects, municipal taxation, hotel project, municipality funding, veteran

Transcript Highlights:

• and wineries.
• I am a Texas farmer and producer; my family and I own and run a small family vineyard.
• We've gone and done the wine tours and the brown water tours and all that kind of stuff, but...
• It's been a very successful program around the state. And I'd be happy to answer any questions.
• And as Mr.

Bills: HB589 , HB705 , HB1842 , HB1874 , HB2349 , HB2614 , HB2827 , HB3012 , HB3214 , HB3308 , HB3385 , HB3529

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: cosmetology, licensure, interstate compact, state regulations, public safety, workforce mobility, charitable raffles, nonprofit, wildlife conservation, ticket sales, fundraising, master electrician, electrical work, occupational licensing, work scope, Texas law, Texas Real Estate Commission, TREC, real estate broker, sales agent

Transcript Highlights:

• And for it to be considered going to local and consent, and if there’s any question, I close.
• We would have a hearing on it like this and you could come and testify against it and lobby members against
• and Oregon.
• These include social services, ministerial services, indigent health care, educational programs, and
• And it will force Rio Concho and communities like it to raise rates, cut back on services, and deny aid

Bills: HB 103 , HB 1256 , HB1587 , HB1632 , HB2027 , HB2525 , HJR88 , HJR138 , HB103

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: taxing unit, bond database, local government, transparency, civil penalty, education reform, funding allocation, school infrastructure, teacher recruitment, student achievement, tax exemption, water conservation, graywater systems, rainwater harvesting, ad valorem taxation, county commissioners, HB 1587, Texas sales tax holiday, back-to-school tax holiday, clothing tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• While training first responders in peer support, suicide prevention, and resilience.
• shaped our programs and partnerships.
• This includes grounding initiatives and data supported evidence and for sizing prevention, early intervention
• And you suggesting that this legislature to help this program expand?
• One in modeling out prevention services and this current iteration there was not consistency and how

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs and purposes.
• Proposition for Climate Bond, Tobacco Use Prevention Education Program, and the Proposition 47 truancy
• and dropout prevention program.
• on their families are at the greatest risk of dropping out and so those early interventions are tethered
• second grade, which will delay identifying struggling readers early and providing intervention when

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the May Revision’s Proposition 98 changes for K-12 and community colleges. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, full payment of the prior settle-up, and larger deposits into the school rainy-day fund. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF updates were reasonable, but urged caution about the settle-up approach and recommended using more of the available funding to protect ongoing programs and build budget resilience. Members focused heavily on the size of the proposed $3.9 billion settle-up, the $10.3 billion reserve deposit, declining K-12 enrollment, and how much of the new funding should be ongoing versus one-time. The committee then reviewed the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described the May Revision’s higher SCFF COLA, additional funding for enrollment growth, a student support block grant, apprenticeship adjustments, and continued funding for deferred maintenance, Calbright, Common Cloud, and credit for prior learning. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended prioritizing the statutory COLA increase, noted that more than half of districts are already above current-year growth targets, and said the new adult learner demonstration project should be rejected because districts already have tools to support similar services. Members also discussed a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall, which Finance said was discovered too late for the May Revision and would need to be addressed later. Finally, the committee took up the proposed implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the California Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career to build eligibility and data systems, along with trailer bill changes to set up state approval processes. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, that California lacks the needed infrastructure, and that the state will need emergency regulations, data linkages, and ongoing funding beyond the one-time proposal. The LAO agreed that some initial funding is needed but warned that the amounts and ongoing costs remain uncertain and that the Legislature should carefully draft the trailer bill language. Members asked about timing, other states’ actions, and how the state would ensure the program is ready for students and institutions.