Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Education is in support, but not present.
• SB 2614 HD2, relating to education. Recommendation to move as is.
• For Department of Education, please.
• Department of Education with comments.
• Department of Education in support.

Bills: HCR93, HCR14, HR85

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• The next category of bills is about education and training.
• Those guidelines have to be posted on the Department of Education website. School.
• This is an education and training bill.
• The last bill we have in the education and training category is SB 309.
• and the Senate Committee on Education and Health no later than October 1st.

Summary: The Virginia Disability Commission held its first meeting of the year on June 18, established a quorum, and introduced members. Senator Barbara Favola was elected chair and Delegate Amy Laufer was elected vice chair, both unanimously. The commission also reviewed and unanimously approved its electronic/remote participation policy, which mirrors last year’s policy and allows limited remote participation under Virginia FOIA rules. Staff then reviewed a package of 14 disability-related bills that passed last session and were signed into law. Topics included disabled veterans’ vehicle registration fee exemptions, open captioning requirements for movie theaters, guardianship/conservatorship order forwarding, service dog team definitions, education and transition planning for students with disabilities, Blue Envelope and driver communication training for law enforcement and driver education, deferred disposition and jury service protections, voting rights in guardianship cases, expansion of the Virginia Human Rights Act, continuation of a DD waiver eligibility change, and DMAS training authority for autism competency checklists. Members discussed implementation concerns, especially making the Blue Envelope/driver communication program more visible and considering a follow-up letter and DMV presentation. The commission then adopted its interim work plan unanimously, with discussion of possible presentations on DMAS and Medicaid waivers, DBHDS telehealth training implementation, SCHEV and VDOE transition planning, transition from institutions to community settings, criminal justice reform, transportation and parking accessibility, adult-sized changing tables, and school accessibility. Members also suggested adding EVV concerns, seclusion and restraint, rare disease issues, and insurance coverage problems for needed medications. Public commenters urged the commission to address burdensome EVV requirements for family caregivers, improve accessibility for local government meetings and documents, and explore a standardized credential/career pathway for direct support professionals. The chair said follow-up work would be assigned on EVV and implementation issues, and the meeting location would move to the Senate side of the Capitol going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:56:23.400><c> that</c><00:56:23.599><c> at</c> think to to kind of stabilize that at think to
• to kind of stabilize that at least<00:56:24.000><c> that</c><00:56:24.240><c> portion</c><00:56:24.599
• The ability to lean on general funds if such an emergency occurred would add stability for the program
• The ability to lean on general funds if such an emergency occurred would add stability for the program
• </c><01:10:34.120><c> for</c><01:10:34.280><c> the</c> occurred would add stability for the occurred

Bills: HF2446, HF2878, HF2667, HF1795, HF2683, HF2916

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• She's been very active in education for a long time.
• wish to see changes in public education.
• And I was not speaking negatively about public education.
• Up until now, most families were already in private education.
• And so that's why we're putting more into public education this year.

Bills: HB1675, HB3242, HB1739, HB3320, HB3047, HB4434, HJR1089, HB4432, HB3718, HB3705

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a state educational institution as defined in the Constitution.
• stability, technology, all those things were done.
• and in private education, and I think that is profoundly true that it is neither.
• Uh, will be the adopted amendment to NAC 6352 implementing the Indian Education Act.
• Uh, there's various other education things.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:11.120><c> committees</c> and Senate higher education committees and Senate higher education
• But education funding has not kept pace with inflation.
• But education funding has not kept pace with inflation.
• But education funding has not kept pace with inflation.
• But education funding has not kept pace with inflation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Some level<00:18:52.960><c> of</c><00:18:53.400><c> stability.
• We know that level of stability.
• less</c><00:18:57.039><c> than</c> stability costs significantly less than stability costs significantly
• Um and in a moment when some stability.
• Um so for folks, stability is key.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State funding for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 provided the financial stability needed to meet growing
• Minnesota's reinsurance program has been a resounding success in stabilizing the individual market and
• It did this by and stabilize the market.
• in the individual continued stability in the individual market<00:38:26.240><c> and</c><00:38:26.400
• Reinsurance has been an important piece of the puzzle in stabilizing not just the individual market,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate's latest efforts to save Hennepin County Medical Center and stabilize the state's hospital
• much money at all, this is a place to dip into the till as a state and decide how are we going to stabilize
• much money at all, this is a place to dip into the till as a state and decide how are we going to stabilize
• much money at all, this is a place to dip into the till as a state and decide how are we going to stabilize
• </c> includes $150 million to stabilize HCMC. includes $150 million to stabilize HCMC.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And importantly, this bill supports our commonwealth educators. Thank you.
• And importantly, this bill supports our commonwealth educators.
• There are many important education policies that this body and this legislature have enacted over the
• We worked very hard in the bill that came out of the Education Committee and then came to the floor of
• It will require payments for graduate medical education.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a primary care health care bill and also took up a separate literacy bill. Several amendments were withdrawn, including one on artificial intelligence in health care and others related to cost controls, direct primary care, and provider studies. The Senate adopted amendments on preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness, modernizing the definition of primary care, clarifying payment rates for community health centers, excluding pharmaceutical spending from primary care expenditure calculations, and strengthening health equity reporting. Other amendments on rate bands, alternative payment systems, private equity reporting, scope of practice, and ownership disclosure were rejected. The Senate then approved the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the primary care bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up final passage of An Act Relative to Teachers Preparation and Student Literacy, with senators describing it as a long-awaited compromise focused on improving early reading outcomes. Supporters said the bill requires evidence-based K-3 literacy curricula, regular student screening and family notification, dyslexia screening protocols, professional development for teachers, and a free state-developed curriculum option. Senators emphasized the need to address declining third-grade reading proficiency and equity gaps. The bill passed to be enacted by a unanimous roll call and was sent to the Governor. After the literacy bill, the Senate returned to the primary care bill, where senators again debated cost containment, innovation, and access. The final version included the adopted amendments and was passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35-4. The Senate then adopted an adjournment order and recessed, adjourning in memory of Henry Thomas III, former Representative Ben Swan, and Mr. Dennis Frane.

Transcript Highlights:

• The deep partnership between our two countries is a wellspring of strength stability and progress, and
• They go to the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.
• Department of Education that is dedicated to protecting these beautiful kids.
• I don't know if all of you are aware, but I started my career path in special education.
• Hanna wouldn't have improved so much in that short period of time had it not been for the educators that

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She was willing to work with both political sides of the aisle, had a passion for education.
• She was willing to work with both political sides of the aisle, had a passion for education.
• And then the water project stabilization fund does have a cash balance, and there are $149.6 million,
• So we have to do a lot of education to remind them that we're not even using a fraction of the kind of
• There will be a stability berm constructed on the lower unit in addition to raising the levee one to

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have access to premarital education have access to premarital education programs,<00:45:54.800><
• will</c><00:47:00.880><c> not</c> premarital education discount will not premarital education discount
• </c><01:05:13.520><c> do</c> through that premarital education do through that premarital education do
• Thank you, Chairman." create long-term stability not just for create long-term stability not just for
• </c> to experience positive educational to experience positive educational outcome.<02:14:16.960><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , provide them with career stability, and diversify California's education workforce.
• I am proud to present the Fair Pay for Educators Act.
• Bipartisan, unanimous support in the Assembly Education Committee.
• Many of you are familiar with the Master Plan for Higher Education.
• to explore a career technical education.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Usually the hands get raised: education, transportation, public safety.
• But I think that could be part of the education process.
• The education really has to happen...
• The education really has to happen before someone shows up, right?
• We also collect and monitor provider financials to help support market stability.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• that was reached between the groundwater users and the surface water users for the purposes of stabilizing
• that aquifer. ...and the surface water users for the purposes of stabilizing that aquifer.
• agricultural presence within those two regions, and so it is a vital interest to the state that we stabilize
• sense for a hydrological forecast of what we can anticipate and what we can be doing to further stabilize
• Yes. ...forecast of what we can anticipate and what we can be doing to further stabilize.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board: Carl Ray and Kenneth Long. Both were moved to the floor with recommendations that they be confirmed by the Senate, and both motions passed without opposition. Members then heard several legislative resolutions and administrative rules. Senator Lakey presented a joint memorial on depredation claims, explaining that ranchers who report livestock losses to wolves or grizzly bears should not have their grazing permits affected; the committee voted to send RS 3-13-113 to print. Senator Foreman presented RS 32927C1, which would require a 30-day public comment period for Idaho Fish and Game season-setting proclamations, and the committee voted to introduce it. Representative Raibold presented four related water infrastructure resolutions for the state’s water districts, covering projects such as managed aquifer recharge, the Milner Dam spillway, Anderson Ranch Dam, Priest Lake outlet modifications, and other regional water projects; the committee voted to introduce RS 33051 through RS 33054. The committee also reviewed several DEQ rules. It approved docket 5801-16-2501, then approved the cyanidation ore-processing rules under docket 5801-13-2501, which update DEQ rules to conform to 2025 statutory changes while negotiated rulemaking continues on more substantive issues. It approved docket 580108-2501, updating public drinking water system rules to adopt federal Consumer Confidence Report and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements requirements, and docket 580108-2502, which reverts an earlier maximum static pressure change in drinking water distribution systems back to the prior standard with an early effective date of sine die. Finally, the committee approved docket 580112-2501, revising wastewater and drinking water loan fund rules to create a tiered affordability system for disadvantaged communities and add flexibility on professional liability insurance while protecting public funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Getting early education on this stuff. Great. Representative Bowen.
• This allows for some stability for cities and towns.
• One of the most difficult things is to educate when we are being erased.
• It is a whole system of education that needs to be retooled. It is not.
• attainment, and economic stability.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Economic and educational needs, efforts, and opportunities of the girls and women across Hawaii.
• by the of Education selected by the superintendent<00:58:38.839><c> to</c><00:58:39.039><c> promote<
• Revenue supports cultural preservation, education, local economies, and job growth. very happy to uh
• My name is Cody Sula on behalf of the Iron Worker Stabilization Fund.
• I'm with the Iron Workers 625 Stabilization Fund.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, with most witnesses either supporting the bills or offering technical concerns and suggested amendments. On SB 338, testimony came from the Department of Taxation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and Surpac, and the bill later moved forward with amendments. On SB 558, testimony was largely in support from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which described the measure as supporting rural jobs, food-system development, and use of off-grade agricultural products. ADC requested flexibility for neighbor-island siting and funding allocations, while the committee also discussed whether the bill’s language should be made more general and whether it could raise constitutional concerns about overly specific site designations. The bill was advanced with amendments and a noted appropriation allocation of $350,000. The committee also heard SB 186, which drew support from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, DED, ADC, AAHU RC&D, and the Hawaii Youth Food Council. Supporters said the measure would improve coordination among agencies on food systems, help address food security and the state’s 30% by 2030 farm-to-school goal, and create a more organized statewide food systems effort. SB 328 received support from the Department of Taxation and Hawaii Farm Bureau, with Farm Bureau describing it as a way to repurpose existing dairy infrastructure to revive hog production and support livestock and farm-to-school goals; the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the measure as a potentially narrow industry incentive that could unfairly benefit a specific taxpayer and said a direct appropriation would be more transparent. SB 89 was described by Hawaii Farm Bureau as a labeling measure intended to protect the integrity of a culturally relevant local product, though the group raised concerns about wording and implementation timing. Later, SB 742 received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii KidsCAN, the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative, and the State Commission on the Status of Women. Testifiers said the bill would improve cross-agency data sharing, support workforce and education planning, and create public-facing dashboards; the Commission on the Status of Women asked to be included in the working group or as an advisory member. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments and advanced SB 338, SB 558, and SB 1186. For SB 1186, the chair’s recommendation added three positions, specified committee-note funding amounts for those positions and operating funds, and revised working-group membership to have co-chairs appoint five members with relevant experience and expertise.

Transcript Highlights:

• public education.
• </c> wealthiest could pay more so educators wealthiest could pay more so educators can<01:11:10.080><
• K through 2 education.
• K through 2 education.
• ,</c><01:26:39.040><c> is</c> like K through 12 education, is like K through 12 education, is substantial

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 95, Fong, California Education Interagency Council: two-year bill.
• ACA 7, Jackson, public education preferences: two-year bill.
• AB 1053, Zbur, Educational Technologies: holding committee.
• AB 1255, Committee on Education, Dual Enrollment Pathways and Migrant Education: do pass as amended to
• AB 1255, Committee on Education, Dual Enrollment Pathways and Migrant Education: do pass as amended to

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.