Transcript Highlights:

• He and his team helped develop remote voting, which was a phenomenal undertaking.
• develop the remote develop the remote voting<00:09:56.160> which<00:09:56.519> was
• that for us to all go back to remote that for us to all go back to remote places<00:10:12.959>
• So during the COVID time, we started off remote voting, and the very difficult task that Pat Murphy had
• So during the COVID time, we started off remote voting, and the very difficult task that Pat Murphy had

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call, then approved the prior day’s journal and confirmed a quorum. The main business was organizing the chamber for the 2025–26 session, beginning with the election of Pat Murphy as chief clerk. Members from both parties praised Murphy’s long service, parliamentary knowledge, work on remote voting during COVID, and commitment to youth programs and the integrity of the House. After nominations closed, Murphy was elected by a 67-0 vote and took the oath of office. The House then adopted a resolution allowing the remaining front-desk officers and assistant sergeant at arms to be elected on a single roll call unless there was more than one nominee for an office. Representative Niska nominated Stephanie Miller, Kathy Carlson, Erica Brinson, Andrew Olen, and Carl Hamry, and the slate was approved by voice vote. The House also elected Lori Hadap as chief sergeant at arms by a 67-0 vote after nominations and supportive remarks about her law-enforcement background, security work, and responsiveness to members; she then took the oath of office. After the chamber was organized, the House adopted resolutions directing the chief clerk to notify the Senate that the House was duly organized and appointing a four-member committee to notify the governor. The appointed committee consisted of Representatives Paul Anderson, John Koznick, Ben Bakeberg, and Max Rymer, who reported back that the governor had been notified. Members also observed a moment of silence honoring former Representative Mary Murphy for her long service. The House then set its next meeting for 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some remote practice rules.
• in a registration agreement for so many hours or years before your PA is allowed to practice at a remote
• So if I want some remote practice rules.
• <00:21:38.799> Collaboration practice at a remote site.
• Collaboration practice at a remote site.

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lichtenberg for all your answers and. participating today remotely, despite our technical glitch.
• There will be a mix of in-person and remote hearings just like we did for the AT&T application.
• Then the third one is going to be fully remote.
• My colleagues aren't here right now, but, you know, there are even more remote parts of the state.
• We even have satellite options that can connect us in the most remote locations as well.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Emergency personnel were left on hold for 53 minutes as remote operations were overwhelmed.
• When remote operations are delayed, it falls on public sector workers—our firefighters, law enforcement
• It also requires remote drivers to be based in the United States and have a U.S. driver's license.
• Third, if an AV cannot be moved remotely, the bill requires an immediate dispatch of a local incident
• drivers, their own remote assistance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 228, an act relating to collective bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards for
• S. 228, an act relating to collective bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards for
• collective S 228, an act relating to collective bargaining<00:07:37.199> over<00:07:37.680> remote
• ,<00:07:38.080> in-person,<00:07:38.720> and bargaining over remote, in-person, and
• bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid<00:07:39.520> work<00:07:39.840> standards

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Senator Murrah. Go ahead, say present.
• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Senator Murrah. Senator Murrah, yes.
• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Senator Moore votes no.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Senator Murrah.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Senator Moorlach, yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• the members voting remotely the members voting remotely Gander<00:16:13.560> go<00:16:13.680
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely.
• remotely remotely Gander<01:10:04.040> Gander<01:10:04.440> votes<01:10:05.040> nay
• members participating remotely members participating remotely Gander<02:17:58.519> go<02:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The joint committees may receive testimony remotely, and committee members may participate remotely if
• the committee member receives approval for remote participation from either the Senate Majority Leader
• Those individuals were selected because they are the ones who approve remote participation for floor
• Could you go over the remote testimony participation section again?
• would be the individuals who were chosen to determine whether or not somebody could participate remotely

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: Legislative Management met with a quorum, approved the July 11, 2025 minutes, and then considered recommendations from the Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee. Beth Dittes explained proposed special session rule changes, which largely mirror prior special session rules and are intended to speed floor action. The changes would allow faster second readings and transmission between chambers, replace regular standing committees with two joint committees for the special session—Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy—and limit bill introduction methods. The package also included delayed-effective-date changes for the next regular session, such as moving the agency and Supreme Court prefile deadline earlier and advancing several resolution deadlines. Liz Fordall then reviewed revisions to the legislative workplace harassment policy, including clarified definitions, longer intake and review deadlines, an option for informal resolution before a review panel, and clearer disclosure rules. The committee adopted the report and forwarded the rules and policy changes. The committee also approved tentative first-day special session agendas for both chambers, with a Speaker-requested revision to allow time to swear in new House members. Megan Gordon outlined the schedule: early Rules Committee meetings, morning floor sessions, a joint session for the governor’s State of the State, then meetings of the joint appropriations and policy committees, with optional later floor and committee time. Members discussed how the joint committees would handle bills and confirmed the process would mirror the prior special session. The agendas were adopted. Chairman Bekkedahl then reported for the Rural Health Transformation Committee, which had completed its work and recommended five bill drafts for the special session: a Presidential Physical Fitness Test requirement for schools, a nutrition component for physician continuing education, joining a physician assistant licensure compact, expanding pharmacist scope for lab testing and prescribing, and a two-year appropriations bill to cover the program through the next regular session. He explained the federal rural health transformation grant, the state’s application, funding restrictions, and the need to keep the bills aligned with CMS requirements to avoid funding reductions or clawbacks. DHS officials said the department would measure outcomes through required metrics, use templates for awards, and set up an Office of Health Transformation to track long-term impacts. The committee adopted the rural health report and forwarded the bills. Finally, members discussed special-session logistics. Legislative staff said employment committees would approve a limited number of staff, Legislative Management would serve as the delayed-bills committee, and a letter would be sent to legislators explaining the process and a suggested Friday noon drafting deadline for bills to be considered at the January 20 meeting. The committee also discussed how many bills might be introduced and how to assign the rural health bills to the House or Senate for origin. No formal vote was taken on those logistics, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene on January 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely.
• of the The clerk will call the names of the members<00:02:35.599> voting<00:02:35.920> remotely
• members voting remotely. members voting remotely. Angen. Angen. >> Hudson.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 5074, the claims bill, which addresses claims against the state in three categories: exoneration claims, personal injury claims, and property claims. Representative Frederick explained that this year’s bill includes the largest exoneration payment in the bill’s history, with $4.5 million for Marvin Haynes, who was incarcerated as a teenager and later found innocent after about 20 years. He noted there are also two other exoneration claims and one personal injury claim. During discussion, Frederick thanked Representative Wam for help on the claims committee and praised nonpartisan staff for preparing the bill materials. He urged support for the measure. No amendments were offered. The House then took a roll call vote, including remote votes, and passed House File 5074 by a vote of 134 yeas and 0 nays. The bill’s title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• snow shoveling or adjustments for remote snow shoveling or adjustments for remote work.<01:33:33.679
• <01:52:37.840> workers this was not subject for remote workers this was not subject for remote
• say anything about omitting remote say anything about omitting remote workers.<01:52:51.280>
• They love the fact that they're remote.
• Uh they the fact that they're remote.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe remote—she's here? Oh, sorry... Good morning. Good morning.
• Charles, are you remote? Okay. Next, Helen Zuzulak. Helen Zuzulak, remote. Hello. Hello. Hi. Hello.
• Now I think we also have remote Juan Bonilla from the United Way.
• Remote. Good morning. Good morning. Yeah, okay, good morning.
• Then we had a remote John Hoffman. Remote: Hi, can you hear us? John Hoffman: I hear me?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in order to support a remote desktop, you need a remote tool in order to be able to log into that
• desktop remotely.
• So in order to support a remote desktop, you need a remote tool in order to be able to log into that
• desktop remotely.
• And so that's one of those mission critical type things that, that, remotely.

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have the ability to do remote patient monitoring when needed, and we have a command center that
• The other game changer here is remote patient monitoring, right?
• I don't know if I can add one thing with the remote patient monitoring, as Dr.
• I don't know if I can add one thing with the remote patient monitoring as Dr.
• Cleveland, Add one thing, with a remote patient monitoring, as Dr.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s cancer research and funding programs, including the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, the Bankhead-Coley Research Program, and Live Like Bella. Dr. Ladapo and leaders from Moffitt, Sylvester/University of Miami, UF Health, and Mayo Clinic described how state funding has helped Florida’s four NCI-designated cancer centers expand research, recruit faculty, increase clinical trials, and build collaborations. They emphasized that the programs are intended to improve cancer care statewide, support innovation, and encourage more institutions to pursue NCI designation. The Governor’s budget recommendation was noted as including additional funding, and members asked about the cost and requirements of becoming NCI-designated and eventually comprehensive. Panelists said NCI designation requires major infrastructure, compliance, research, and training investments, with de novo development estimated at about $1 billion. They described Florida’s collaborative model as unusual nationally, with annual symposia, shared pilot funding, and joint projects across the four centers. Members also asked about rural access, home-based care, and recruitment/retention. Mayo described its “Cancer Care Beyond Walls” home-treatment model and said it could expand to rural counties within months; Moffitt and UF discussed mobile screening, satellite sites, and affiliations with local hospitals and practices. Several members raised concerns about workforce shortages, licensure delays, and the need to reach underserved areas. The discussion also covered outcomes, data reporting, and the broader economic impact of the cancer centers. Panelists cited growth in jobs, federal research funding, and clinical trial enrollment, and highlighted advances in immunotherapy, CAR-T, TIL therapy, carbon ion therapy, AI-driven screening, and the firefighter cancer initiative. They said the Florida Cancer Data System is being expanded to track recurrence and quality-of-life measures. Members also asked about philanthropy, medical tourism, and federal funding risks, including possible indirect cost reductions that could affect research budgets. The meeting ended with general support for continued investment, while some members noted an ongoing policy debate over whether future cancer research dollars should be concentrated in the four NCI centers or spread more broadly across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• our remote testify. We have two. our remote testify. We have two.
• She's on remote right now. from Ojibwe. She's on remote right now.
• Next on remote is Gretchen Maymel?
• Next<01:26:17.360> on<01:26:17.480> remote<01:26:18.240> remote<01:26:18.640>
• is Next on remote remote is Next on remote remote is Gretchen Gretchen Gretchen uh<01:26:21.200>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on page six is the House remote work policy.
• This policy allows staff to begin remote work beginning in June and then return to work on December 1
• <00:10:37.399> is<00:10:38.279> the<00:10:38.639> house<00:10:39.240> remote
• then on page six is the house remote then on page six is the house remote work work work policy<
• work uh beginning in begin remote work uh beginning in June<00:10:50.600> um<00:10:51.200>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met with a quorum present and began with member introductions, during which members identified their districts and, informally, their favorite restaurants. The committee then turned to a housekeeping resolution, 2025-P100, covering House policies and administrative procedures. The chair explained that the resolution consolidated routine rules updates prepared by House Research. The committee adopted two amendments to the resolution. The A1 amendment gave members more flexibility in how they receive their postage and digital constituent communications allotment. The A2 amendment corrected titles in the resolution. Staff then reviewed the resolution’s contents, including service awards, donated leave, comp time and time cards, remote work, member business services payments, leadership compensation, expense reimbursement, stationery, postage and digital communications, member communication expenses, alcohol and drug policies, legal fee provisions, photographs and digital images, chaplain pay, the high school page program, and the undergraduate internship program. Members asked several questions during discussion. Representative Long confirmed there were no changes to the legal-fee policy. Representative Hollins asked about the high school page stipend, and staff said it was proposed to increase from $10 to $15 per day. Representative Pursell asked about the 50-mile reimbursement threshold for members’ expenses; the chair said it is derived from IRS tax regulations. She also suggested reviewing how other states handle reimbursement. No members of the public testified. After discussion, the committee renewed the motion and adopted the 2025 resolution as amended. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emergency personnel were left on hold for 53 minutes as remote operations were overwhelmed.
• But remote workers can only do so much. ...and can be located outside the United States.
• But remote workers can only do so much.
• Under SB 1246, remote drivers must be based in the United States and have a U.S. driver's license.
• malfunctioning AV without waiting for remote assistance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to welcome Senator Driscoll, who is remote.
• Tara LaVelle, Madison, and Arn Child, who is remote. Are you remote? Okay, great.
• Tara LaVelle, Madison, and Arn Child, who is remote. Are you remote? Okay, great.
• And we have next, Jim DeMay, remote. Thank you, Chair. Good morning.
• It was remote. Thanks.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, and so when I think of remote public access, I think of remote public access in terms of documents
• <00:15:52.959> I remote public access mean to you? I remote public access mean to you?
• mean, and and so when I think of remote mean, and and so when I think of remote public<00:15:55.839
• <00:15:57.199> public public access, I think of remote public public access, I think of remote
• And so, um, I remote public access.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These changes will also streamline the joint legislative process to remote legislative efficiency, including
• to remote legislative efficiency.
• Joint rules have been updated to reflect post-COVID remote hearing been updated to reflect post-COVID
• remote hearing participation by the public.
• The public will be able to participate in hearings remotely and submit testimony electronically.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House received a gubernatorial message requesting certain fiscal year 2026 appropriations before final action on the general appropriation bill, and referred it to the Committee on Ways and Means. It also adopted several congratulatory and honorary resolutions, including recognitions for retiring members and public servants, and later welcomed a number of guests and honorees to the chamber. The main legislative business was House Bill 423, establishing a sick leave bank for James Caruso of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. After the Public Service Committee reported the bill ought to pass, the House suspended the rules, gave it a second reading, and ordered it to a third reading. Later, the House also took up House No. 1590, a sick leave bank bill for Eric Inakwick of the Trial Court, adopted an amendment adding an emergency preamble, and passed it to be engrossed as amended. A major action of the day was adoption of the conference committee report on the joint rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session. Members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing reforms intended to improve transparency, public access, committee notice, live streaming, posting of votes and summaries online, and more efficient handling of legislation. The report was adopted by roll call, 147-2. The House also approved an order transferring matters from the Joint Committee on Agriculture to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, and from Elder Affairs to Aging and Independence. The House briefly questioned quorum several times, then recessed and later adjourned to meet Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session. The chamber also recognized the retirement of Chief Court Officer Gene DePersio, with remarks entered into the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remote participation, live translations, they're all here to stay.
• FATV secures a secure remote participation option for Fitchburg constituents.
• We serve one of the most remote communities in the Commonwealth, on Nantucket, an island 30 miles out
• They help patients access their records, connect with providers, and manage care remotely, especially
• Telehealth, portals, remote Telehealth, portals, and remote patient monitoring affect all of the people

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on a large docket of technology, internet, cybersecurity, broadband, and media bills. Early testimony focused on community media funding legislation, with lawmakers and local access advocates arguing that as cable subscriptions decline and streaming grows, revenue tied to cable franchises no longer supports community television and PEG programming. Supporters said community media remains a key source of local news, government meeting coverage, and civic transparency as newspapers disappear or consolidate. A related bill on cable contract oversight also drew support, with testimony that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable is backlogged and should more actively review municipal-provider agreements and report its workload to the committee. Another major topic was a proposal to create a Massachusetts Innovation Fund for state IT modernization. The Alliance for Digital Innovation backed the bill, saying agencies need flexible upfront capital to replace outdated systems and improve cybersecurity, and pointing to the federal Technology Modernization Fund as a model. The witness noted that funding for the state program still needs to be identified. The committee also heard strong support for a bill requiring free broadband in public housing, with Rep. Emmela Goodwin and MAPC describing internet access as essential for jobs, school, telehealth, and civic participation. They said the digital divide in Massachusetts is driven largely by affordability rather than infrastructure, though questions were raised about costs, wiring, and whether all housing sites already have broadband access available at the curb. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on bills to limit addictive social media feeds for minors. Supporters, including lawmakers, parents, teens, and advocacy groups, argued that algorithmic feeds contribute to addiction, anxiety, body image problems, and other harms, and said the bills would restrict surveillance-based curation and overnight notifications while leaving search and followed accounts available. Opponents, including FIRE, CCIA, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, argued the bills would require invasive age verification, threaten privacy and cybersecurity, burden adults’ anonymity, and likely face First Amendment challenges. They also warned the measures could disadvantage smaller businesses and may be unconstitutional based on recent court rulings in other states. The committee also heard support for blockchain-related bills creating a commission, a pilot program, and consumer education efforts, with testimony that Massachusetts has the talent but needs a coordinated state strategy. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.