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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm State Representative Rich Haggerty.
- Massachusetts is one of a handful of states with our own state public housing, our own state rental assistance
- I think it's really exciting right now to have a new state housing plan, to have a state housing plan
- other state monies.
- But it's what else we can leverage at the state and, you know, the credits, the state credit, the federal
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts.
Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations.
CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus K-12 Education Appropriations - 05/22/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> three is uh um codifying the state three is uh um codifying the state complaint<00:22:07.360><c>
- to a district, charter school, cooperative unit, library system, or library district.
- or federal aid to a district, charter, cooperative unit, library system, or library district.
- </c><00:26:22.159><c> Um</c> library system or library district.
- Um library system or library district.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a professional association supporting library staff across the state by providing ongoing professional
- It's a professional association supporting library staff across the state by providing ongoing professional
- Sometimes what we're finding, particularly in our smaller libraries and rural public libraries, is when
- I know the sort of the alternative proposal is, you know, in the state constitution, when the state was
- of the state.
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 2825, which would replace criminal enforcement for unpaid court fines, fees, restitution, and incarceration costs with a civil collection framework and end arrest warrants and contempt proceedings for nonpayment. Representative Chris Lopez said the bill would let people keep working and repay debts through wage garnishment and other civil tools, while a Justice Action Network representative testified in support. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment limiting challenges to a second default judgment entered within one year of a prior one, then passed HB 2825 with a 7-0 due pass recommendation.
The committee then took up HB 2070, an emergency appropriation of $25 million for Gila County flood relief. Gila County supervisors, mayors from Globe and Miami, the county emergency manager, and public works staff described severe flooding, deaths, major debris and sediment removal, damaged roads and utilities, and the county’s inability to meet matching-fund requirements for federal or state grants. Members discussed FEMA denials, federal review, and the need to act before monsoon season. HB 2070 passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation.
Next, HB 2129, which moves the deadline for municipal library trustees’ annual report from the first Monday in July to the second Monday, was supported by the Arizona Library Association as a simple timing fix for smaller and rural libraries. It passed 6-1. HB 2439, exempting public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ water pollution rules, was presented as a way to reduce regulatory confusion and costs for small businesses; it also passed 6-0 with one member absent. The committee then approved HB 2773, barring Arizona and its entities from assisting the International Criminal Court, after debate over sovereignty and constitutional authority, by a 4-3 vote.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (3-10-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> million dollars for the state. million dollars for the state.
- </c> transitioning from away from the state. transitioning from away from the state.
- </c> issued July 1 on the state fiscal year. issued July 1 on the state fiscal year.
- </c> Libraries and Archives. Libraries and Archives.
- </c> state children. state children.
Summary:
The committee first approved a motion and then deferred a large batch of 246 contracts totaling about $187.8 million until the April 2026 meeting. It then moved through the agenda and reviewed several pulled items, beginning with four Attorney General contingent-fee contracts. Committee members questioned why the contracts were new, what the $20 million maximums meant, and how the fees would work; the AG’s office explained they were new awards from a September RFP, that the $20 million was an outside estimate tied to a full recovery, and that one contract would require a $380 million recovery to pay out the maximum. The committee voted to consider those contracts reviewed without objection.
The Department of Highways then explained an “alternative delivery support” contract, describing it as a procurement method different from the usual design-bid-build model and noting it can help with innovation, speed, timeliness, or cost reduction. After that explanation, the committee again voted to consider the contract reviewed without objection. The Kentucky Horse Park/Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation presented eight legal services contracts; members focused on differing hourly rates and retroactive approval. The corporation said it had selected four firms through an RFP to maintain flexibility and avoid conflicts, would use in-house counsel first, and did not expect to use the maximum rates. Senator Thomas argued the committee’s statutory hourly rate cap is outdated and should be revisited. The committee then approved the contracts.
One Transportation Office of the Secretary contract was deferred to the April meeting, consistent with the agency’s prior request. The committee then reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services items from the Department of Community Based Services: three contract amendments and one memorandum of agreement. Members asked about funding sources, service outcomes, and whether the programs reduce future need; the agency said one amendment was a $55,000 increase offset by reductions elsewhere, that the total contract amount with the agency did not change, and that follow-up data show over 90% of children remain in the home after services. The committee approved those items.
Finally, the committee reviewed a LIHEAP contract amendment from the Division of Family Support, which the agency said used federal funds, not state general funds, to add newly appropriated federal money for low-income home energy assistance and crisis heating support. Members asked about future funding and were told that continuation depends on Congress. The committee approved that item. It then began reviewing Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities memoranda of agreement tied to Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center staffing; members asked for a count of personnel, and the agency said it would provide that information, after which the discussion continued.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (03/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- McDonald's or the library.
- Uh, and I just wanted to also let the library in the state know that that is a concern that we're addressing
- Uh, and I just wanted to also let the library in the state know that that is a concern that we're addressing
- Uh, and I just wanted to also let the library in the state know that that is a concern that we're addressing
- </c> not the most important in this state. not the most important in this state.
Summary:
The committee first opened with brief remarks about a member’s recovery and then heard House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of Health and Human Services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs related to DCYF. The sponsor, Representative Erica Layon, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how much time and money are spent on DCYF work versus other departmental work, and help future discussions about staffing, resources, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely produce the report without additional cost, though she was open to adjusting the reporting date and possibly adding more detail about federal mandates.
Former Representative Betty Gay and several members supported the bill as a way to better document costs and procedures, while DCYF Director Marie Nunan said the department was not taking a position on the bill, already has many policies and operating procedures, and believed it could comply without a fiscal note. Members raised questions about whether the reporting requirement duplicated existing oversight, whether it should apply to other agencies, and whether the report should include federal funding mandates. Some suggested that a broader review or subcommittee on DCYF might be more useful than a single reporting bill.
In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, so it will not go on the calendar. Members said they wanted more time to discuss the bill, watch the budget process, and consider whether the reporting requirement could be implemented informally or through a broader oversight effort. The committee then moved on to House Bill 775, which was introduced by Representative Jodi Nelson as a measure to support supervised visitation centers. Dr. Scott Hampton testified in favor, describing the loss of visitation centers since 2019, the role of supervised visitation in protecting children and vulnerable parents in domestic violence cases, and the potential benefits for child safety, crime prevention, and family preservation.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Statute Law Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Statute Law Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The State Department? All right. Terrific.
- State Bar, and so I'm going to open nominations for the new vice chair.
- The state Senate moves that Kyle Shiket be...
- I noticed the Washington State Register has a small amount in the budget.
- And they're libraries. So we print that special for them. I see.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 12th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Nearly 575,000 Korean Americans reside in our state, 575,000 Korean Americans reside in our state, representing
- of California and the United States of America.
- United States.
- and information science, working at the Caltech Library. in library and information science working
- at the Caltech Library.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- represent their states.
- Would you support flying both state flags on state buildings, or just the new one?
- state films together.
- plates, state route signs, and the New Hampshire state quarter.
- State of New Hampshire, not just within the state but as we represent ourselves outside of the state
Summary:
The hearing opened on House Bill 192, which concerns the Joint Committee on Employee Classification process for state employee positions. Representative Peter Schmidt explained that the bill is a procedural step to send already-reviewed classifications to Korn Ferry and then into statute and the budget. Department of Corrections staff and Commissioner Helen Hanks testified that one Deputy Director of Medical Services position had been omitted from the bill by mistake even though it had already gone through the JCEC process, and they asked for an amendment to add it. Hanks clarified that the position is an existing classified job being converted to unclassified status, not a new position. The committee discussed how the amendment would work and the quorum requirements for the JCEC, then closed the hearing on HB 192 after no further testimony.
The committee then heard House Bill 435, sponsored by Representative Don McFarland, which would clarify professional engineering licensure law. McFarland said the bill is intended to make clear that work in IT security, electronics, digital systems, computing, and software is not the practice of engineering requiring a professional engineer license, while preserving licensure requirements for fields such as civil, structural, and building-related engineering. He said he had consulted with the American Council of Engineering Companies and that the bill is meant to remove ambiguity and legal risk, not deregulate engineering. Several members with engineering backgrounds spoke in support, describing the distinction between licensed PE work and other technical fields, and one member noted that software development and regulated software work typically do not require a PE license. The committee voted ought to pass on HB 435 by a roll call of 16-0 and placed it on consent.
Finally, the committee opened House Bill 210, which would create a commission to study the New Hampshire state flag. Representative Tom Corman argued that the current flag is a generic “state seal on a blue bedsheet” and does not meet common vexillological design principles such as simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited colors, and distinctiveness. He said the proposed commission would include legislative members plus representatives of the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New England Vexillological Association, and would review the flag’s history and recommend whether to redesign it and how to do so. He also indicated he intended to add language to avoid costs, but the bill discussion was not completed in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Please state your the testifiers table.
- All states are looking at this.
- All states are looking at this.
- All states are looking at this.
- Please state your name for the testimony and please state your name for the record.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 216, 14 January, 2026; 1:30 PM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- We have the Library Commission before us. Sir, if you could go ahead and state your name.
- It's difficult when you have public libraries spread all over the state, and as we all know, there's
- public libraries spread all over<00:14:54.079><c> the</c><00:14:54.399><c> state</c><00:14:55.360><c
- /c> students in the state in the state of students in the state in the state of Mississippi<01:35:40.400
- Many states saw this our state. Many states saw this population<01:36:14.480><c> decline.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus K-12 Education Bill - 06/02/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As I said education in the state.
- ,</c> student support personnel, libraries, student support personnel, libraries, and<00:15:36.959><c
- Thank you for system for our state.
- </c> to the state general fund. to the state general fund.
- </c> million to the state. million to the state.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Texas is a state of great innovation.
- They state Texas is in a water supply crisis, they're wrong. Texas is in a water usage crisis.
- Um, first of all, thank you all for all that you do. for the state of Texas.
- East, our counties, all East Texas, and potentially the entire state of Texas.
- The state of Texas is adding over 1,000 new residents each day.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So I am so glad to hear about this library construction and can't wait for it to open up.
- ,</c><00:22:17.440><c> for</c> communities, for healing our state, for communities, for healing our state
- ><c> and</c><00:23:41.280><c> local</c> of state government and state and local of state government and
- Um, and I was a young city counselor and my plan was frankly to run for the state House.
- Um, and I was a young city counselor and my plan was frankly to run for the state House.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fourteen - Tuesday, February 3
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Our libraries are such a critical component of not just our economy, but the fabric of our state.
- All told, our over 400 libraries across our state and library branches add over $100 million to our state's
- If the House could make both him and all of our advocates of our libraries across our state feel welcome
- Our libraries are such a critical component of not just our economy, but the fabric of our state.
- All told, are over 400 libraries across our state and library branches at over $100 million to our state's
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and a long series of special guest introductions recognizing interns, community leaders, FFA officers, library advocates, park and recreation professionals, and others. Members also used points of personal privilege to honor Black History Month and the legacy of William Clay Sr. The chamber then moved into first reading of several bills, including measures on University of Missouri curators, personal property assessment lists, and state department spending.
The main floor action centered on House Bill 1757, which would require universal screening of third-graders for gifted education using flexible screening methods and would help ensure students who qualify are identified regardless of zip code or family resources. Supporters argued the bill would close gaps in gifted identification and expand access, while questions focused on funding, screening methods, and whether the bill would create an unfunded mandate. The House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed.
Members then debated the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, presented as House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1667 and 2294. Supporters said the bill would require medical care for infants who survive an abortion attempt and impose civil and criminal penalties for knowingly harming such a child. Opponents argued the bill was duplicative of existing law, could criminalize medical providers, and would worsen Missouri’s maternal care shortages. The debate included extended questioning about the bill’s standards, scope, and enforcement, but no final vote on the born-alive measure was taken in the excerpt.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, with 64 tax assessors across the state, having more buy-in from other regions of the state
- Across the state.
- We had built new libraries in every community in which we needed one.
- I went to a library... ...assessment in your parish.
- We had built new libraries in every community in which we needed one.
Keywords:
HB 287, Louisiana Tax Commission, ad valorem, property tax, property assessment, assessment fees, fee extension, sunset extension, public service property, utility property, insurance company property, financial institution property, tax administration, R.S. 47:1838, Act 296, reappraisal, ad valorem tax, valuation, Louisiana tax law, homestead exemption
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- or a political subdivision of the state or a political subdivision of the<00:31:05.120><c> state</c>
- libraries, polling places, Public libraries, polling places, social<00:31:20.800><c> services</c><00
- </c> apprehended have been United States apprehended have been United States citizens<00:38:29.600><c
- </c> State House to be heard. State House to be heard.
- </c> state of Vermont. state of Vermont.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (04/21/2026)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Secretary of State. Secretary of State.
- </c> municipal, county, and state property. municipal, county, and state property.
- . state. state.
- . state. state.
- senior library director We had a library senior library director retire,<01:53:09.080><c> but</c><01
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Minnesota State Constitution says he." Minnesota State Constitution says he."
- </c> across the state of Minnesota. across the state of Minnesota.
- Um state.
- </c> Minnesota Library Association. Minnesota Library Association.
- </c> working with it in all of those library working with it in all of those library areas.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The A3 amendment proposes eliminating the set-aside for the state school librarian from the school library
- The state school librarian from the school library aid and instead provides a direct appropriation to
- This is from a school library aid.
- I don't remember any schools asking for library aid. They all had libraries.
- I don't remember any schools asking for library aid. They all had libraries.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Jun 18th, 2026
Higher Education Institutions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The same would be true for a state. States are different.
- The state I just left, right now. The state I left before that, right now.
- the state.
- college, Dickinson State.
- Then additionally, the state...
Summary:
The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort.
Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment.
The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.