Video & Transcript Research : 'R.E.A.D. program'

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MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Budget Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • We did the programming on it.
  • We did a couple of pilot programs, internal programs, external programs.
  • Department of Economic Development is using it for grant programs, loan programs.
  • And we can, you know, we keep track of pilot programs, internal programs, external programs.
  • Department of Economic Development is using it for like grant, grant program, loan programs.
Keywords: 959, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Finance (05/28/2025)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • There are many other programs.
  • It says that yes, even if it's mentioned in 354, if there was a state program or a federal program that
  • <01:13:13.679> that<01:13:13.920> we program or a federal program that we program or
  • So, this is usually—we don't talk about this program because Medicare is a federal program, but we have
  • And it starts with savings program.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 20, 2026 - 10:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • I was able to bring that program to accreditation, so I understand what goes into having a program accredited
  • The updated program will require 68 hours over the course of seven semesters.
  • the Masters of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology, which is a 30-hour program.
  • You just heard from a couple of people. people that have programs in other states.
  • It's up to the vet whether they want to have this program in their practice or not.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits Sep 17th, 2025

JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Transcript Highlights:
  • Since we began the cyber checkup program in the spring of 2023, we've completed 82 checkups at local
  • The continued support from the legislature to sustain this program is appreciated.
  • And if I can follow up, then how nimble is your grant program? The SLCGP grant is...
  • We are now in year three of that four-year program.
  • Many of them talk about a program similar to I-900.
Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office cybersecurity performance audits for fiscal year 2025, covering both state agencies and local governments. SAO staff explained that the audits are conducted independently under Initiative 900 and are kept confidential at the entity level, with detailed findings shared directly with the audited organizations. They reported that state agency audits found nearly one-third of assessed safeguards fully implemented on all systems and 227 vulnerabilities across seven agencies, including three critical and 21 high-severity issues. For seven local government cybersecurity audits, nearly a quarter of safeguards were fully implemented on all systems, and auditors identified nearly 300 vulnerabilities, including nine critical and 47 high-severity issues. SAO also summarized its ransomware resiliency audits and critical infrastructure audits for local governments. In six ransomware audits, a little over 35% of assessed safeguards were not in place, while about 60% were at least partially in place. In 39 critical infrastructure audits, focused largely on water and sewer providers, auditors found over 260 vulnerabilities and said more than 10% were critical or high. Staff highlighted that these audits have led to improvements, including one vendor making security changes after SAO testing that were later echoed in a federal advisory. They also described related services such as cybersecurity checkups, policy guidance, and other cyber-related work by the office. Washington Technology Solutions’ state chief information security officer, Ralph Johnson, praised the audits and said they help protect essential public services. He cited a sharp national rise in ransomware incidents against governments and said Washington has used more than $11 million in federal and state cybersecurity grant funds for over 200 projects. In response to questions from Representative Scott, SAO and WOTEC discussed options for addressing urgent vulnerabilities, including compensating controls, grant funding, and low-cost mitigation steps. The committee also discussed how Washington’s program compares nationally, with Johnson saying Initiative 900 is unusually comprehensive and that local governments often seek audits voluntarily. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony was offered but none was given.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Apr 2nd, 2025 at 09:00 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • They just have to keep it within that specific program.
  • And so it's not a sustainable type of funding program, especially for the small states.
  • versus $20,000 a year if they don't go through this program.
  • In the Senate, another FTE was added due to the fuel inspection program.
  • That's part of the grant program for the Department of Environmental Quality.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee met to consider three measures, beginning with Senate Bill 2016 for Job Service. Testimony described Job Service’s workforce, unemployment insurance, and labor market functions, its long-term reduction in FTEs and budget, and its reliance on federal funding that does not keep pace with inflation. The bill included funding for an additional FTE for the H-2A housing inspection program, continued support for the JP3 offender placement pilot, and one-time funding for IT and mainframe costs tied to a system modernization effort. The committee approved the bill 20-0, with Representative Swiontek named as carrier. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 2305, which would allow family members to be paid as caregivers for certain young people with disabilities instead of only licensed outside providers. Members noted the specialized, 24-hour nature of the care, workforce shortages, waiting lists, and the potential to avoid more expensive institutional care. Questions focused on how the program would be structured, including certification requirements and whether it would remain a pilot or become part of the broader human services budget. The committee passed the bill 20-0, with Representative Roar as carrier and Representative Nelson available as backup. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2024 for the Department of Environmental Quality. The House change was limited to increased special-fund support for water and wastewater operator certification testing to expand availability, while the Senate version already included added FTEs for emerging contaminants and fuel inspection work. Members discussed federal funding uncertainty, including IIJA and ARPA-related concerns, but the department said its major projects, including the new laboratory, were not currently in jeopardy. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended 22-0, with Representative Berg as carrier.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 15th, 2026

Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • for the Engaged California program.
  • It is the home of the Engaged California program.
  • The goal of the Engaged California program is to give residents ...California program.
  • That certainly makes sense because it is a very important program.
  • So I think this is a fantastic program.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations Committee, February 23, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:07:21.759> reserve school foundation program reserve school foundation program reserve
  • in this uh school foundation program. in this uh school foundation program.
  • <00:27:31.600> program.
  • Both houses had reverted $54.9 million for the BRC program, Business Ready Community Program.
  • program, business ready community<00:30:19.600> program.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It is also a very successful workforce development program.
  • gardening program, and a therapeutic archery program.
  • Prop 63 program mentioned quite a bit.
  • But whether that's the MHSA program or Veterans Housing Homeless Prevention program, a California Veteran
  • Our CalTAP program, you know, has.
Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • I am the program director as well for Wilson State College for their paramedic and E&T program.
  • The biennial appropriation for this program is $846,000.
  • The first one was one for the... ...delinquent account grant program.
  • That would be a program for when it's a really bad fire season.
  • That would be a program for when it's a really bad fire season.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

FIN Info Briefing - Tue Jan 7, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , the agricultural crime program, and the explosive enforcement program.
  • , the agricultural crime program, and the explosive enforcement program.
  • I'm just seeing some overlapping there. crime program and the explosive crime program and the explosive
  • so so the special um I guess program so so the special Duty<00:29:45.760> program<00:29:46.200
  • <01:01:19.200> this of a three-year pilot program this of a three-year pilot program this
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Emergency Management Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • The California Wildfire Mitigation Program is currently conducting home hardening projects in six counties
  • SB 1270 would have the intent to expand the California Wildfire Mitigation Program.
  • Existing law established the California Wildfire Mitigation Program to cost-effectively harden homes
  • a statewide framework for community-level home hardening and launched pilot programs in six counties
  • And that's two new programs: the innovation outreach and coordination program And that's two new programs
Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard several wildfire- and emergency-related bills. SB 1270 by Senator Richardson would expand the California Wildfire Mitigation Program to more counties and direct future funding toward areas with the greatest wildfire risk and social vulnerability; supporters included CSAC and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. SB 1079 by Senator Stern would create a permanent fire innovation unit within Cal Fire to identify operational needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful tools; it drew support from Megafire Action, fire agencies, and several advocacy groups. SB 1020 by Senator Niello would require annual reporting on open gubernatorial states of emergency, including spending and lessons learned, to increase legislative oversight without limiting emergency powers; the LAO provided technical assistance on the bill. SB 894 by Senator Allen would establish a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on Go Green to help finance home hardening and defensible space improvements, with broad support from state, local, environmental, and credit union interests. Testimony on the bills emphasized wildfire risk, the need for broader home hardening access, and the value of innovation and oversight in emergency management. Supporters of SB 894 said grants alone cannot meet the scale of needed mitigation and that low-cost financing could leverage private capital. Supporters of SB 1079 argued California needs a more formal system to connect firefighters with innovators and scale proven technologies. On SB 1020, the author and committee discussed balancing executive emergency authority with transparency and accountability. There was no recorded opposition to the measures during testimony. After discussion, the committee accepted amendments on the bills and voted to pass SB 894, SB 973, SB 1020, SB 1270, and SB 1079 as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The transcript shows multiple roll calls as quorum was established and absent members were called; each bill ultimately received unanimous support from members present and was reported out of committee.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Transcript Highlights:
  • GSEP is no longer a program for just replacing gas pipes. It's a gas transition program.
  • GSEP is not a safety program.
  • GSEP is not a safety program.
  • In 2015, when the GSEP program started, the spending per mile was $1.32 million.
  • So beginning with the GSEP program.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations. Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals. Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So CARB runs a program called H-RIP, HVIP.
  • So it's basically the Hydrogen or Heavy Vehicle Incentive Program.
  • So it's basically the Hydrogen or Heavy Vehicle Incentive Program.
  • I came out of a 342 apprenticeship program.
  • I came out of a 342 apprenticeship program.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Rules Committee May 6th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so the program, you know, truly is growing.
  • program for the drinking water.
  • also through the irrigated lands program.
  • I'm the program director at Friends of the River.
  • We've invested in programs. Thank you.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Indian Affairs Aug 14th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a strong film program, our digital arts program, our Diné material arts, so we've incorporated
  • Madam Chair, on the residential program that you have, there's also another residential program, a BIE
  • program.
  • They, too, are a residential program. They have a residential program.
  • And then recreation money because you have programs listed. Do those programs incorporate?
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • They all started doing programming.
  • It's just more or less a certificate program.
  • In the max facility, programming wasn't reliable.
  • The prescription monitoring program.
  • We have education and mental health programming.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on several Judiciary bills, with the largest portion focused on S. 1178/H. 2052 to reduce mass incarceration and end life without parole. People incarcerated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, and NCCI Gardner described personal growth, rehabilitation, restorative justice work, family separation, and the belief that parole eligibility after long sentences would better reflect public safety and human development. Speakers emphasized that life without parole removes hope and can undermine rehabilitation, while supporters argued that many lifers are older, less likely to reoffend, and could contribute positively if given a chance at parole review. Committee members did not take votes during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1139 to restore the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving tobacco use, with Sen. Keenan explaining that a recent SJC decision had cut off claims where the injured person did not sue within three years before death. He said the bill would restore families’ ability to seek redress in cases involving long-latency tobacco harms like COPD. Another major topic was S. 1205, which would add abusive litigation to the definition of coercive control in domestic violence law; Sen. Michael Moore said the bill would stop abusers from using repeated court filings to harass and financially burden survivors. The committee also took up S. 1114 on automatic record sealing, with Sen. Friedman and others arguing that the current petition-based process is slow, burdensome, and disproportionately harms people with criminal records, especially Black and Latino residents. Testimony also supported H. 1965/S. 1132 on compensation for wrongful conviction, with advocates and sponsors describing a faster administrative claims process, transitional support, and higher compensation without the current cap. Sen. Payano testified for S. 1241 to expand educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults, saying education reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on S. 2522, an update to Massachusetts’ shield law for reproductive and gender-affirming care. Sen. Friedman, the Attorney General’s office, and DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said the bill is needed to strengthen protections against out-of-state legal attacks, protect patient and provider data, clarify enforcement authority, and add a state-level EMTALA-style emergency care requirement. Committee members asked detailed questions about prescription labeling, the prescription monitoring program, attorney discipline, custody and full faith and credit issues, and whether the bill’s enforcement language could create unintended limits or conflicts. The Attorney General’s office said it would provide follow-up written testimony on several technical questions.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/12/2025)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • feel that you mean programs do you feel that you mean programs do you feel pushed<00:06:30.840>
  • It would absolutely be complimentary. involved in programs for and the federal involved in programs for
  • program which means out of that program program which means the<00:24:00.039> New<00:24:00.240
  • , so a full nursing program, as they matriculate through the program.
  • <00:43:33.720> are program so the RN LPM programs are program so the RN LPM programs are already
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (01/23/2025)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • , get trained by this program.
  • , get trained by this program.
  • sure to apply for a training program sure to apply for a training program that's<01:29:04.360>
  • So this is—you want to put into law that we can apply for programs, so there might be other programs
  • <01:30:21.119> so law that we can apply for programs so law that we can apply for programs
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our safe at home program to place.
  • We have created a program in month.
  • We've discovered that these program.
  • government for additional programming government for additional programming have<00:18:05.840>
  • And we have our new beginning farmer program through the finance corporation. nutrition programs that
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Public Service

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chapter 74 criminal justice programs we have today.
  • The program is now implemented throughout the state of Massachusetts.
  • that started as a pilot program.
  • started as a pilot program.
  • So I covered every basis of this program.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its third hearing of the 194th General Court session, taking testimony on several individual bills and home rule petitions, mostly involving retirement and pension-related relief. The committee chair outlined hearing procedures, including three-minute limits for individuals, ten-minute limits for panels, livestreaming, and the deadline for written testimony. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted that House matters heard that day must be reported by Friday, July 11, 2025, subject to extensions, and the committee adjourned after testimony concluded. Several witnesses supported bills seeking retirement credit or pension adjustments for public employees. These included H. 2917 for Dedham-Westwood Water District employees seeking pension buy-in credit; H. 2976 for Eileen Mullen to purchase creditable service for teaching in a criminal justice pilot program; H. 2996 for Virginia Cummings, a retired Department of Correction lieutenant seeking greater pension parity; H. 2977 for Wendy Lopieri to buy back part-time community college service; and H. 2989 for Wayne Taylor, who said he was mistakenly credited for fewer years of select board service than he expected. Testimony emphasized long public service, injuries, and what witnesses described as unfair denials or flawed interpretations of retirement law. The committee also heard testimony on bills involving post-retirement earnings and disability-related relief. Kevin Blanchett testified in opposition to H. 2931, arguing it would improperly reduce money owed to a regional retirement system and its members, while the bill’s sponsor argued the retirement board was seeking an excessive recovery based on law firm gross earnings rather than the individual’s earnings. Jamie Magarian described severe injuries from a 2018 crash and urged favorable action on his bill, with support from the State Police Association. Michael Palmer testified in favor of S. 1841, seeking to extend prior violent-crime retirement income-cap relief to his case after being shot on duty and later finding that even part-time private-sector work exceeded his retirement earnings limit.