Transcript Highlights:

• The Rules Committee is called to order. Secretary will be holding House Bill 2956. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.

Summary: The Rules Committee considered several bills for constitutional and proper form. HB 2076, concerning school safety and concealed firearms for school employees, drew an anti-abrogation concern because its civil-liability immunity would also cover private school employees; the Rules Attorney recommended limiting that immunity to public school employees. HB 2136, creating crimes for civil terrorism and subversion, raised vagueness and due process concerns because “subvert” was undefined, and the sponsor agreed to work on a clarifying amendment. HB 2158 and HB 2159, both involving Mexican wolves, were flagged for federal preemption under the Endangered Species Act; members were told amendments may be needed, including possibly striking wolves from HB 2158. HB 2497, asserting a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife and limiting legislative restrictions, raised legislative-entrenchment concerns, with a possible dormant Voter Protection Act issue discussed but not resolved. HB 2755, allowing renewal of state trust land mineral leases without public auction, was flagged for a possible conflict with the constitutional 20-year lease limit, and an amendment was recommended to ensure the original and renewal terms together do not exceed 20 years. HB 4030, imposing a moratorium on tax and fee increases, was flagged for a possible conflict with constitutional limits involving certain ad valorem taxes, and a carve-out amendment was suggested; HCR 2052, a related referral, was also discussed briefly. The committee voted to recommend HB 2076, HB 2136, HB 2158, HB 2159, HB 2497, HB 2755, HB 4030, and HCR 2052 as constitutional and in proper form, each by a 5-2 vote with one absent. Members also debated the legal theories raised by the Rules Attorney, including preemption, vagueness, anti-abrogation, and legislative entrenchment, but no bill was held or amended in committee during this segment. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved a mass motion holding a long list of additional House bills and several memorials and resolutions, and the Rules Office reported that those measures were constitutional and in proper form. That mass motion passed by a vote of seven ayes and one absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, report of a committee.
• The Committee on Rules reports recommending that the resolutions filed by Representative Sullivan-Almeida
• Report of a committee.
• Rule 7A is suspended. Second reading of the bills.
• Rules are suspended.

Summary: The House opened with ceremonial recognitions, including championship girls swim and indoor track teams and visiting students from Quincy. It then adopted a resolution honoring Carl F. Kowalski for more than 40 years of public service to Whitman after suspending the rules. The chamber took up House No. 528, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, which came back from the Senate with a full substitute amendment. The House suspended the rules, rejected concurrence, and voted to appoint a conference committee, naming Representatives Michaelowitz of Boston, Diggs of Barnstable, and Sweezy of Duxbury. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then recommended several bills for consideration, including measures on Milton’s school deadline, tolling reform, LIHEAP automatic re-enrollment, Massachusetts ID cards, Quincy public safety records, and parity among Massachusetts beaches. The House suspended Rule 7A, ordered these bills to a third reading, concurred in a Senate amendment to House No. 4259 renaming the Weeder Park tennis courts, and passed to be engrossed bills on Haverhill election procedures, Dalton Fire District interim chief employment, and Conway election regulations. Later, the House scheduled House No. 5500, the fiscal year 2027 budget bill, but on motion it postponed consideration until Monday, April 27. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to Tuesday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned to meet then in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1828, a bill to
• Please read the next bill: Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 832, a bill
• Please read the next bill: Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for
• Madam Rules Chair, no further announcements. Madam Rules Chair, you are recognized. Mr.
• Madam Rules Chair, no further announcements. Madam Rules Chair, you are recognized. Mr.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions recognizing guests, family members, and a USF Day at the Capitol presentation. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where it first passed two Open Government Sunset Review bills: CS/SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008/HB 7003, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both measures passed unanimously. The Senate also passed CS/SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, a bill intended to help victims enforce judgments against terrorist entities, and CS/CS/SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, aimed at improving veterans’ access to benefits and transition support. Additional measures passed included CS/CS/CS/SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, CS/CS/CS/SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, and several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric and Jennifer Miles on behalf of EEM, and Marcus Button. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements also passed after an amendment making texting while driving a moving violation with points and a distracted-driving course requirement. The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 700, where senators discussed provisions on fluoride in drinking water, labeling of plant-based products, drone penalties, charity registration, agricultural housing, and other agriculture-related policy changes. Several amendments on fluoride were offered and defeated, while a technical amendment on financial institution definitions was adopted. Senators also briefly discussed the policy implications of the bill’s fluoride language and its relationship to local control and public health. Several other bills on the calendar were temporarily postponed, and at the end of the session the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and remove CS/SB 7016 from the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• Report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.
• Long from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration pursuant to Rules 1.21 and 3.33 designates
• I think Coach Niska will have an announcement about Rules Committee, and following Rules Committee, Democrats
• Rules Committee will meet in Capital G3, 5 minutes after recess.
• Uh Rules<00:11:03.360><c> Committee</c><00:11:03.720><c> will</c><00:11:03.880><c> meet</c><00:11:04.200

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Pastor Craig McLean of Grace Church in Eden Prairie, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call establishing a quorum. The journal from the previous legislative day was approved as corrected, and comparison report motions were adopted without objection. The chamber then took up second reading of Senate File 3720 and first reading of House Files 5134 through 5139. A report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration placed several bills on the calendar for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and required pre-filing of amendments for House Files 7474, 5074, and 3067, and Senate File 4282. No substantive debate on the bills occurred in the excerpt. During announcements, Representative Niska said the Rules Committee would meet in Capitol G3 five minutes after recess, and Republicans would caucus immediately afterward. Representative Niska then moved a recess to the call of the Speaker, the motion carried, and the House recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, please report to the Rules Room immediately.
• Senate Bill 1345 and House Bill 2496 are re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations
• on Rules and Executive Nominations.
• Senate Bill 1345 and House Bill 2496 are re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations
• Senate Bill 1345 and House Bill 2496 are re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations

Keywords: Scheduler, 972, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if they're a committee, we have similar committees, so we'll see if we can work that out.
• If they're a committee, we have similar committees, so we'll see if we can work that out.
• The committee had then a group of providers on the Child Care Services Advisory Committee, as well as
• an administrative rules hearing would be held in June, with the new rules taking effect in July.
• Committee discussion. I'm going to... Committee discussion.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You are voting for a one-person to rule.
• rules rules 3.21<00:39:16.319><c> uh</c> I rise under our House rules, Rule 3.21.
• ><c> speaker</c> vote against the ruling of the speaker vote against the ruling of the speaker otherwise
• the first ruling of the speaker.
• </c> members should vote to uphold the ruling members should vote to uphold the ruling of<00:47:10.640

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, committee, I need a motion on the minutes. A motion. A second.
• Paula Stone, talk about the emergency rule on hospital-based residential treatment.
• So this is an emergency rule that was heard by ALC last week.
• You have already approved our rule overall for electronic visit verification.
• Are there any questions from members of the committee?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say that, um, being on committees in the past, we always say, God, this is a great committee.
• I like all my committee members.
• Any other comments from the committee?
• I chaired this committee and during the interim, Speaker Phelan charged this committee to study ways
• If there's not any further committee business for the committee to address, the chair moves to adjourn

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• the rules committee; it is not something they choose.
• <00:12:07.760><c> committee</c><00:12:08.560><c> generally</c> rules committee generally rules committee
• Um and that also rules committee.
• </c> proposal has not come before the rules proposal has not come before the rules committee<00:13:09.760
• Seeing no more business before the Rules Committee, this committee is adjourned. [Music] Jesus.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for House Bill 4588, relating to participating
• Engrossed committee substitute.
• Motion is to overrule the ruling of the chair. The chair has ruled that it is not germane.
• Ingrossed Committee substitute for Congress, Engrossed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute
• I have an announcement: Your Committee on Rules will meet immediately following recess in the Senate

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills on third reading, with several title amendments and a few effective-date motions adopted. Early in the session, members passed HB 4452 removing acreage limits on land owned by church or religious trustees, HB 4577 creating reciprocal driver’s license recognition agreements with Ireland and Japan, HB 4588 authorizing West Virginia participation in a federal tax credit scholarship program, and HB 4592 requiring higher education institutions to create coordinated campus safety maps. HB 4602 was amended to align with a prior Senate child welfare pilot program, and members discussed its projected cost and implementation timeline before passing it. HB 4603 created a pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition process in abuse and neglect cases, and HB 4606 narrowed bail rules by requiring consideration of residency and community ties while prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for violent felony offenses after an adopted amendment. The Senate also passed HB 4710 changing the party-registration deadline for candidates from 60 to 180 days before an election, with debate over its impact on independents, and made it effective January 1, 2027. HB 4712, known as Bailey’s Law, increased penalties for DUI causing death and related conduct, with emotional testimony from members about the victim and similar tragedies. HB 4765 established a pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state police and added a market-pay enhancement system based on county cost-of-living differences; an amendment to the amendment capped county differentials and guaranteed at least a 1% increase in every county. HB 4865 created an optional program for high school and homeschool students to serve as election official trainees, and HB 4869 established narrow guaranteed-issue rights for Medicare supplement policies. Later bills included HB 4995, which strengthened video/audio recording rules in special education classrooms and was passed, then reconsidered and passed again; HB 4996 creating a new crime for making threats of violence against schools or children; HB 5048 guaranteeing virtual instruction for foster children in temporary placement; HB 5065 adding recordkeeping and geolocation requirements for hotel marketplace facilitators to ensure proper hotel tax remittance; and HB 5074 reallocating medical cannabis fund revenues to child protection, homeless services, research, law enforcement, and other purposes. The Senate also passed HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which increased penalties for domestic violence offenses and adjusted bail provisions, after amending it to conform with the earlier bail bill. Additional measures passed included HB 5166 requiring notice before political committees are fined for filing violations and allowing limited extensions, HB 5168 directing $12 million in lottery funds to EMS first responders and county EMS support, HB 5182 authorizing certain state treasurer security personnel to carry concealed firearms, HB 5212 streamlining higher-education financial aid rules, HB 5214 allowing court-ordered drug testing of parents before reunification in abuse and neglect cases, HB 5353 regulating virtual currency kiosks with licensing, disclosures, and transaction limits, and HB 5366 exempting J-LAP records from FOIA to protect confidentiality for lawyers and judges seeking assistance. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 5074 and HB 5353 drew some dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Report of a committee.
• The Committee on Rules of the Two Branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred the petition accompanied
• The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended. The question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12.
• The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended. The matter...
• The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended.

Summary: The Senate began with the pledge of allegiance and then took up several procedural and local matters. A committee report on a petition and bill by Michael D. Browell and Michael D. Brady to establish a firefighter staffing grant program recommended suspension of Joint Rule 12; the Senate suspended both Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12 and referred the matter to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. The chamber then advanced two House and Senate bills without objection. It ordered to a third reading a bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the City of Boston, and it passed to be engrossed a bill increasing the membership of the select board in Monson. The Senate also considered a House bill on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, where the House had disagreed with the Senate amendment; the Senate voted to insist on its amendment and appointed Senators Rogers, Comerford, and O'Connor to a conference committee. Finally, the Senate received another House bill authorizing easements or takings in Boston and, after suspending the rule, ordered it to a third reading. The session concluded with adoption of an adjournment order, and the Senate adjourned to meet again on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's not only a leader in his committee, he is a member of our California and Mexico Select Committee
• Just a few housekeeping rules before we get to our first panel.
• With the USMCA's 75% regional content rule, we have...
• With the USMCA's 75% regional content rule, we have, With the USMCA's 75% regional content rule, we have
• Thank you, Chair, members of the committee, everyone.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and how the agreement affects California’s economy, jobs, supply chains, and competitiveness. Opening remarks emphasized California’s heavy trade dependence on Mexico and Canada, the importance of stable trade rules, and concerns that tariffs or uncertainty could harm workers, small businesses, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and border communities. Members said the hearing would help inform a future legislative report or resolution on California’s priorities for the agreement’s review. Academic and policy witnesses argued that the USMCA is central to North American economic integration and California’s role in it. Testimony from UC San Diego and CETYS University described California and Mexico as co-producers rather than simple trading partners, highlighting sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Witnesses also warned that the upcoming review could involve not just trade but security and immigration issues, and they urged a stronger, longer-term agreement with more certainty, better border efficiency, and new tools such as specialized technician visas, binational certification standards, innovation zones, and a technology fund. Go-Biz and chamber representatives said USMCA provides predictability, market access, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, while also creating compliance burdens through rules of origin, labor standards, and customs procedures. They pointed to California’s trade missions, export support programs, and state-level cooperation with Mexico and Canada as ways to help firms participate in regional supply chains. Mexican government and business representatives said the agreement is largely functioning well, that Mexico’s public consultation process received nearly 800 submissions and about 2,000 chapter-specific comments, and that many stakeholders favor maintaining or extending USMCA. No formal votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and asked witnesses for follow-up information to inform its report and future recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• March 3, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that the Senate Journal, the proceedings of
• March 3, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that the Senate Journal, the proceedings of
• March 3, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that Senate Resolution 117, Senate Concurrent
• Senate Bill 1362 was referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing.
• to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge the committee to advance AB 1049, which would eliminate this rule for CFAP.
• Chairman, Vice Chair, Committee members.
• I would like to begin by accepting the committee amendments and thanking committee staff for their thoughtful
• Motion is due pass to the Judiciary Committee. Becker: aye. Becker: aye. A Chobo? Committee.
• Motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee. Perez: aye. Perez: aye. Committee. Perez: aye.

Summary: The committee heard several child welfare, food assistance, child care, and developmental services bills. AB 308 would require a statewide evaluation of regional center safety training and crisis-response services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; supporters said it would help reduce reliance on law enforcement and improve de-escalation and emergency preparedness. AB 1049 would remove sponsor deeming from the California Food Assistance Program, with supporters from food banks and legal aid arguing the rule creates confusion, chilling effects, and wrongful denials, while one member raised concerns about accountability and fraud. AB 1201 would narrow when a parent’s prior violent felony can bar reunification services, limiting the bypass to offenses involving a child or a child’s other parent/guardian; county and advocacy witnesses said the bill preserves judicial discretion and avoids automatic denials, though a member expressed concern about child safety in violent or criminal environments. AB 2379 would require family child care providers to be notified of constitutional rights and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2429 would make ACEs screening optional and reduce required classroom observations in the early childhood mental health consultation program, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burdens and expand participation. AB 1755 would eliminate CalWORKs’ 100-hour monthly work penalty for two-parent families, and supporters said it would reduce poverty and administrative burden without changing income eligibility. AB 1981, presented later, would advance “true cost of care” child care rate reform, with providers describing the current reimbursement system as unsustainable. AB 2478 would create a streamlined kinship family approval pathway for foster care placements with relatives and other kin, and AB 1969 and AB 1996 would create statewide structures to coordinate cradle-to-career services and reduce child poverty, respectively; both were presented as data-driven, place-based efforts to align services and set measurable reduction goals. Most bills received strong support from county agencies, advocacy organizations, and service providers, with little or no opposition testimony. Members generally praised the goals of the measures but asked questions about implementation, accountability, and child safety in the reunification and benefits bills. The committee took roll calls on the bills it heard, and the votes shown in the transcript were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with several measures held on call after passing committee votes. AB 1049 was voted out 2-1, AB 1201 and AB 2379 were each voted out 3-0, AB 2429 and AB 1755 were voted out 2-0, and AB 2478, AB 1969, and AB 1996 were each voted out 2-0; the chair repeatedly noted that some bills would remain on call pending absent members. AB 1981 drew extensive support testimony from child care providers and allies, but the committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided because no motion was available at that moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , to the Committee on Ways and Means.
• Report of committee: The Committee on Rules reports recommending that the resolution filed by Representative
• Donato of Medford moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.
• Report of committee: The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reports recommending that the bill
• Rule 7A is suspended. Opposed? No. The ayes have it. Rule 7A is suspended.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House received a gubernatorial message returning the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill (House No. 4244) with disapprovals, reductions, and recommended amendments. The message was filed as House No. 4250, and the portions concerning disapprovals and reductions were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means under Joint Rule 30, with the remaining matter referred to the Committee on Bills and Third Reading. The House also considered a committee-reported resolution congratulating Fire Chief Brian C. Hickey on his retirement from the Town of Webster Fire Department. After suspension of the rules, the resolution was adopted. In addition, the House took up House No. 972, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District in Linfield. The House suspended Rule 7A, ordered the bill to a third reading, and advanced it accordingly. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn when it next adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m. Mr. Jones of North Reading then moved immediate adjournment, and the House adjourned to meet Monday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Report of committees.
• The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representatives Gordon of Bedford and
• The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representatives Ryan of Boston and Higgins
• The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representatives Ryan of Boston and Higgins
• Rule 7A is suspended. Second reading of the bills.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Wellesley High School girls’ swim team, which was formally recognized for winning its sixth Division Two State Swim and Diving Championship. The chamber also received a resignation letter from Representative Natalie M. Blay of the First Franklin District, effective January 19, 2026, and placed it on file. The House then acted on several committee reports and scheduling orders, including extensions of reporting deadlines for the Education and Public Service committees, all adopted by voice vote after suspension of the rules. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee recommended three local matters for consideration: H.4349, waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer candidate; H.4888, establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Children and Families employee; and H.4908, establishing a sick leave bank for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee. These bills were read, ordered to a third reading, and later advanced. The House passed to be enacted H.4175, amending the Provincetown charter, and H.4379, amending the Greenfield charter. It also concurred in a Senate amendment to H.4363, authorizing a land conveyance in Wellesley, and engrossed H.4721, relating to the Dalton Fire District Board of Water Commissioners, and H.4813, authorizing Milton to grant on-premises all-alcohol licenses. H.4717, concerning Orange’s annual town meeting, was amended on the floor and then passed to be engrossed as amended. Finally, H.1110, a consumer protection bill concerning subprime loans, was amended to discharge the bill from further consideration and then referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Salvatore Semino and adjourned to meet the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Natalie McDermott: With our prior rule reviews. Rules duplicative of statute were removed.
• The proposed rule is discretionary.
• There will be a new rule 50.3.
• Consistent with our previous rule review process, we removed duplicative rules and updated for internal
• Chair: The last agenda item under rules. I thought the last one was it. Those were proposed rules.

Summary: The Texas Ethics Commission convened at 9:03 a.m. and held an executive session, reconvening at 10:18 a.m. During the meeting, the Commission approved a settlement agreement with Michael Quinn Sullivan, ending ongoing litigation. The agreement involved Sullivan dropping his legal challenges regarding a civil penalty previously imposed by the Commission. The Commission also announced personnel changes, including the departure of the director of enforcement, Marie Prim, and the appointment of Jordan Hun as interim director. The Commission discussed outside counsel contracts, approving the addition of Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado, Acosta LLP to their pool of qualified vendors. They scheduled their next meeting for September 23rd and approved minutes from previous meetings. The agenda included several rulemaking items, with three rules adopted and five proposed for publication in the Texas Register. Notably, amendments to Chapter 20 regarding reporting contributions and expenditures were approved, as well as changes to lobbyist registration thresholds in Chapter 34, which were proposed for publication. The Commission also addressed advisory opinions, adopting several, including one regarding political advertising by charter schools and another concerning the revolving door prohibition for former state employees. Appeals for administrative waivers and reductions of fines were considered, with several fines waived or reduced based on individual circumstances. Lastly, the Commission discussed policies related to alternative dispute resolution and clarified responsibilities between the Commission and staff, concluding the meeting at 11:15 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of that process, the board's rules committee would convene in an open and transparent manner
• We heard this in Rules.
• What the other committee members did here, what we heard in Rules is some of these cases, these kits
• And I was just wondering, after the Rules Committee, and I know that we still have over a thousand that
• I think there were people from the Department of Public Safety at the Senate Rules Committee meeting.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 246, which would require licensure and inspections for massage therapy establishments. The sponsor and Regulation and Licensing Department said the bill is intended to close a gap in oversight, improve sanitation and public safety, and help address human trafficking and prostitution concerns. Supporters from the massage therapy profession and industry groups said establishment licensing would create accountability and protect legitimate practitioners, while AMTA took a neutral position but supported the rulemaking process. Several senators raised concerns about privacy, home-based businesses, and whether mobile or traveling therapists would be affected; the department said the bill would apply to establishments, not individual therapists, and that home inspections would be governed by rules. The committee voted 8-0 to give SB 246 a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 300, an appropriation for CYFD computer hardware and software to improve compatibility with the national child welfare management system. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce delays and improve data sharing, especially in child welfare and ICWA-related cases. Members asked about the current system and how the funding would help, and the sponsor said the bill was aimed at better interoperability. The committee voted 8-0 to send SB 300 forward with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 146, which would amend the New Mexico Civil Rights Act. The bill and committee substitute would align the legal standard more closely with federal deliberate indifference language, reduce damages caps, shorten the statute of limitations, require 90 days’ notice, and bar double recovery under both the Civil Rights Act and Tort Claims Act. Supporters, including county and city representatives, law enforcement, AFSCME, and risk management officials, argued the changes were needed to control rapidly rising claims costs and protect public budgets. Opponents from the ACLU, civil rights, poverty, immigrant, and LGBTQ advocacy groups said the bill would weaken accountability, reintroduce qualified immunity-like protections, and make it harder for people harmed by government actors to seek justice. After a failed motion to table and a 5-5 vote on the committee substitute, the bill remained in committee and did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair of Rules, thank you. Thank you.
• That’s what most of the committee wants to know.
• We’re funding it at close to $400 million, and I’ll carry that forward today in the House Rules Committee
• And I appreciate the fact that they're coming up with rules and regulations.
• It is well outside of the scope of the committee.

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee first considered the Lieutenant Governor’s Office budget and personnel request. Office representatives said they wanted to move the office to the state pay plan to better align salaries with other constitutional offices and remain competitive, noting that OPM had approved the positions and grades. Senators questioned the size of the requested increases and the office’s workload, and after discussion the motion to adopt the proposal failed on an 8-8 tie. The committee then voted to expunge that vote and returned to the regular agenda. The committee approved a series of Governor’s letters involving position transfers and appropriation adjustments across several agencies. These included changes for AETN, the Department of Health and Nursing Board/Dietetics Board, multiple DHS divisions, DFA shared services and budget management, and the Department of Public Safety shared services division. Most of these items involved moving positions and associated salary appropriations between divisions, with no major opposition and motions passing. A lengthy discussion followed on the transfer of child nutrition and related nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture. Education and DFA officials explained that the programs fit better under Agriculture because the funding and commodities are tied to USDA programs, and they clarified that both state and federal funding and all related positions would move. Senators raised concerns about the math in the letters, the split between state and federal funding, and whether all program resources were being transferred. After the explanation, the committee approved the Education side of the transfer and then approved the Agriculture companion letter. The committee also discussed the Educational Freedom Account program budget. Officials said the $309 million request matched current participation and included a $70 million reserve in case applications increase. Several senators expressed concern about the program’s growth and its effect on public education funding and adequacy, while others noted that the program’s rules and funding levels could be adjusted through the State Board and future legislative action. The committee then approved a Public Safety classification change and a member amendment changing a title at East Arkansas Community College from assistant to the president to assistant to the chancellor, with no change in positions or appropriation.