Transcript Highlights:

• With facts rather than fear, collaboration rather than conflict, and compassion and not condemnation.
• It's not that there is no collaboration.
• But specifically there it says, 'collaborate with and assist professors and researchers in promoting
• Specifically there, it says, 'collaborate with and assist professors and researchers in promoting new
• And even though you put in Section 8, you know, collaborating with research and professors, are there

Bills: SB156

Committee: Assembly Government Affairs

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and integrated effort of collaborative and integrated effort of debed<00:04:49.000><c> uh</c><00:04:
• Coming into DBED, they would work collaboratively with DBED.
• </c><00:07:17.199><c> with</c> dbid we would work collaboratively with dbid we would work collaboratively
• In the spirit of collaboration, the two chairs conferred and talked about their ideas and would like
• The recommendation was adopted. okay with in the spirit of collaboration okay with in the spirit of collaboration

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several energy- and environment-related measures. HB 242 HD1 on electric vehicle batteries drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, SERFCO, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; the Energy Office suggested a broader working group covering all lithium-ion batteries, and members later adopted amendments including a date change and revised timing language. HB 751 HD2 on statewide organic waste reduction and diversion received mixed testimony, with the Department of Health opposing it over concerns about compostable food packaging and incomplete testing data; the committee nonetheless moved the bill forward with amendments removing compostable food packaging from the definition of organic waste and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees also considered HB 1020 HD1 on a statewide program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and Ulupono supported the measure as part of a broader geothermal and energy security effort, while members raised concerns about overlapping roles between agencies and the need for a single coordinated voice. The committee ultimately amended the bill to place DBEDT in charge, with technical changes, and passed it. In a separate portion of the hearing, HB 350 HD2 on energy was heard with support from the State Energy Office, industry, and advocacy groups; opponents argued the existing solar water heater law is working and that variances already allow flexibility. The committee passed HB 350 unamended. Later, the committee heard HB 977 HD1 on energy financing, HB 1017 HD1 on the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, and HB 1406 HD1 on government procedures. HB 977 received support from the Public Utilities Commission, DCCA, and others and was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. HB 1017, which would repeal the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, and HB 1051, which sets energy efficiency benchmarks, were both passed unamended. HB 1406, a task force bill aimed at improving permitting and regulatory processes, was amended to add a Senate representative, include the State Energy Office, make the bill effective on approval, and note prior funding requests in the committee report; it was then adopted. Votes were recorded on each measure, with some members excused and HB 751 drawing one no vote from Senator Rhoads.

Transcript Highlights:

• May they serve with humility, collaboration, and courage to give voice, strength, and life to those they
• He brings decades of collaborative leadership from his experience serving in the community.
• from his collaborative leadership from his experience<02:12:26.679><c> serving</c><02:12:27.239><c>
• to collaborate with mutual respect<02:19:45.920><c> in</c><02:19:46.160><c> resolve</c><02:19:46.960
• Let's work collaboratively, and let's get some great work done for the people of Hawaii.

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that here, as the higher education system had determined that they wanted to get a little more collaboration
• Gallion said about, you know, working collaboratively, I think that's possible.
• Gallion said about, you know, working collaboratively, I think that's possible.
• And if we look at it from that collaborative lens, that's kind of what my question was.
• Can we collaborate and create a set of metrics here and reporting and where it goes to?

Summary: The task force approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, striking language about contracting with a security vendor. Members then reviewed a draft bill on concessions procurement (LC 27.0161), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, update language for vending and merchandising machines, and clarify where concession proceeds are deposited. OMB explained the bill and said it was open to further changes, including language to address artificial fragmentation, clarify which government entities are covered, and possibly set contract-length limits. Members raised questions about whether the bill would apply to school districts, park districts, airports, and other political subdivisions, and about whether concession agreements could direct proceeds to nonprofits or other secondary recipients; OMB said the statute is intended to require proceeds to go to the government entity’s operating fund or general fund. OMB also reported on other survey suggestions. It said a proposed general authority for agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is best limited to high-volume agencies. On legal notices, OMB said it had made progress with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernizing online notices, improving ADA compliance, and discussing rate and definition changes. On click-through agreements, OMB and the Attorney General’s office concluded no statutory change was needed after revising internal guidance; the $20,000 threshold was described as a practical cutoff for adhesive, nonnegotiable software terms. OMB also said issues raised by the Center for Distance Education on alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures had been resolved through policy clarification. The University System gave a brief update on its collaboration with OMB and said it was continuing to review concessions, surplus property, and capital project statutes with all institutions involved. The task force then discussed a draft bill on requirements for new or expanded spending, intended to require agencies to identify program purpose, needs, alternatives, success measures, and budget details, and to report on outcomes over time. Members and staff debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how much should be real-time versus periodic, and whether the bill should include full implementation costs for pilot programs. Legislative Council staff said the new program evaluation division is still being built out, that staffing remains limited, and that the office plans to continue working with OMB and the executive branch to refine the proposal before the next meeting. No final action was taken on the draft bills beyond directing further work and follow-up for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's definitely a program that is done collaboratively between two different agencies, between
• Hard to say across all programs, but there's at least some collaboration. All right. Okay, so, Mr.
• Internally, we're refining By collaborating with partners and adopting new technologies.
• We also need to do a better job of sharing program success and encourage collaboration...
• But yes, that’s a huge opportunity for us to work a little more collaboratively in that area. Okay.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:44.000><c> on</c><00:03:44.319><c> Child</c> ago, the Kentucky Collaborative on Child ago,
• all</c><00:12:49.600><c> agree</c> collaborative perspective, we all agree collaborative perspective
• Uh they took the first part of working with the collaborative.
• I've taken the second collaborative.
• They took the first part of working with the collaborative.

Committee: House Families & Children

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:26 - Discussion of 26RS HB 6 17:45 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 6 20:20 - Discussion of 26RS HJR 50 22:30 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HJR 50 23:19 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He relieved her fear, and the fear that police might collaborate with ICE was enough to silence her and
• And we support prohibiting informal collaboration between immigration agents and state and local law
• What I want to say is that local-federal collaboration for decades has been the norm.
• If you're as old as I am, you will remember after 9/11 when we had task forces and all this collaboration
• She said she was not aware of any local or state coordination collaboration with ICE in Middlesex County

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the Safe Communities Act, House 2580 and Senate 1681, along with related proposals to limit local and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibit 287(g) agreements, and expand legal defense for immigrants. Most testimony came from advocates, attorneys, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, and community members who argued that fear of ICE discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking medical care, attending school, or cooperating with courts, and that a clear statewide policy would improve public safety, due process, and trust in institutions. Several speakers described personal or client experiences involving domestic violence, trafficking, workplace abuse, or children affected by deportation, and many emphasized economic harms to workers, families, and small businesses. Health care witnesses said immigration enforcement is causing patients to miss appointments, avoid emergency rooms, and delay preventive care, with resulting public health consequences. Labor and education representatives said immigrant workers and students are increasingly fearful, and that the state should not allow local police to act as ICE agents or enter 287(g) agreements. ACLU and coalition witnesses cited examples they said showed existing or recent collaboration between local agencies and ICE, including courthouse alerts, vehicle stops, and use of municipal spaces, while also arguing that the bill would still allow cooperation on criminal matters and public safety emergencies. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that serious criminal offenders should be deported and defending ICE’s role. Committee members asked several questions about whether the harms described were widespread or anecdotal, and about the distinction between assisting ICE in civil immigration arrests versus responding to violent or public safety emergencies. Witnesses said the bill was aimed at civil immigration enforcement, not criminal investigations or emergency situations. At the end of the hearing, a committee member requested a study on immigration enforcement’s effect on emergency room wait times, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's definitely a program that is done collaboratively between two different agencies, between
• Hard to say across all programs, but there's at least some collaboration. All right. Okay. So, Mr.
• By collaborating with partners and adopting new technologies.
• We also need to do a better job of sharing program success and encourage collaboration...
• But yes, that's a huge opportunity for us to work a little more collaboratively in that area. Okay.

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget and current program activities for the 2027-29 biennium. Legislative Council staff first walked through a new “blue sheet” summary explaining what is included in Commerce’s base budget, with emphasis on salaries, operating costs, and especially grant authority funded largely by federal dollars. Members asked about how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff noted that some programs, such as LIHEAP and UAS-related work, involve interagency collaboration and federal budget authority that may not match exact cash received. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilke then presented on grant administration, the department’s transparency page, and several grant programs, including Destination Development and Automate ND. Members questioned how many entities apply for grants, what criteria are used, whether return on investment is tracked, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce must follow state procurement law or instead administer grants using its own “best practices” process; the commissioner said the department’s approach was based on legal guidance and competitive grantmaking, while some legislators argued the process should more closely reflect legislative intent. The department also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, child care loans, and workforce initiatives. Commerce described Development Fund investments, including examples of successful projects and a child care loan program that has supported 43 active businesses serving 3,754 children. Staff also outlined a new non-primary-sector lending framework and said a workforce and housing sub-cabinet are working on more coordinated statewide strategies. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell presented a broad workforce-system assessment, a new shared vision, and task forces focused on simplifying entry, improving warm handoffs, and building a public dashboard of shared metrics; members discussed higher education alignment, career pathways, and the need for better handoffs from schools to employers. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue these budget discussions in June, including the Attorney General budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have collaboration, commitment. As they come up.
• So we have collaboration, commitment, diversity, openness, passion, community, listening.
• Wow, quite a few people have added collaboration, commitment, and openness.
• Empowerment, openness, collaboration, commitment, and many others.
• So: empowerment, openness, collaboration, and commitment.

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging opened its March quarterly meeting by welcoming its first full-time director, Alison Bauer, who introduced her background in state government, public health, philanthropy, teaching, and LGBTQ family advocacy. Commissioners approved the December quarterly meeting minutes, then turned to a presentation by Adriana Bullen on diversity, equity, inclusion, power, belonging, and intersectionality. Bullen led an interactive workshop using reflection, anonymous polling, and discussion to connect DEI concepts to the commission’s work, including examples from participants’ personal and professional lives and a brief history of intersectionality rooted in Black feminist scholarship and the DeGraffenreid v. General Motors case. The group then applied the discussion to the commission itself, identifying examples of successful DEI work such as listening sessions across the Commonwealth, targeted recruitment, inclusive trainings, the strategic plan, the commission website, and advocacy that helped pass the LGBTQI+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights. Participants also named conditions that support the commission’s power, including collaboration, commitment, openness, empowerment, persistence, and strong relationships, while noting barriers such as invisibility of older adults, limited racial and ethnic diversity, and lack of trans elder representation. Several commissioners emphasized the need for more Black, Latino, immigrant, and trans voices, and discussed recruitment challenges, including the difficulty of asking marginalized people to be the only one in the room. Bullen concluded by introducing an equity-lens tool for evaluating decisions and actions, using the commission’s strategic priority on representation as an example. Commissioners discussed whether to expand membership, create an advisory board, or use a broader network of organizations to cultivate future commissioners, noting that some changes would require legislative or procedural action. The meeting ended with appreciation for the workshop and a commitment to continue the work, with the next quarterly meeting scheduled for June.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have collaboration, commitment. As they come up.
• So we have collaboration, commitment, diversity, openness, passion, community, listening.
• Wow, quite a few people have added collaboration, commitment, and openness.
• Empowerment, openness, collaboration, commitment, and many others.
• So: empowerment, openness, collaboration, and commitment.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging opened its March quarterly meeting by welcoming its first full-time director, Alison Bauer, who introduced her background in state government, public health, philanthropy, teaching, and LGBTQ family advocacy. Commissioners approved the December meeting minutes and then turned to the main presentation, a DEI workshop led by Adriana Boulin of Fenway Health and Boston Pride for the People. Boulin guided members through an interactive “power flower” exercise to define diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and power, and to reflect on personal values, identities, and the conditions that support or diminish power. Commissioners and guests shared examples of successful DEI work in their lives and in the commission’s work, including listening sessions, inclusive trainings, targeted recruitment, the strategic plan, the commission website, and passage of the LGBTQI+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights. The discussion also included the history of intersectionality and how multiple identities can create both barriers and advantages. The group then applied an equity lens to the commission’s strategic priority on representation and inclusion. Members discussed the need for greater racial, ethnic, gender, trans, immigrant, and regional diversity, as well as barriers such as limited seats, appointment procedures, and the challenge of recruiting people who would otherwise be the only person of their identity in the room. Participants explored possible approaches including expanding seats legislatively, using advisory structures, and building relationships with organizations and potential appointers to broaden participation. The meeting ended with appreciation for the workshop and a reminder that the next quarterly meeting will be held in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our statute defines our work as independently, in collaborative relationships or partnerships to..
• Our work as independently in collaborative relationships or partnerships to contract with public or private
• We can be a collaborative support within the state to our key state partners to those that are tasked
• So right now, we're a collaborator with many of the entities that have presented to you today.
• So it's a good relationship, I think, built on strong collaboration.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on possible uses of temporary Millennium Fund dollars for youth- and family-focused prevention programs. Members first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard from the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, which requested $682,000 for mid-sized grants to community organizations for child abuse prevention, parenting support, family resource centers, and school-based programs. The presenter emphasized the link between adverse childhood experiences and later substance use, and described the fund’s statewide grant-making process and current projects. Committee members asked about grant selection, funding sources, and how families are identified for services. The committee also heard from Children’s Bridge, which requested $3.5 million over four years to build a shared-services infrastructure for child care providers. The proposal focused on helping providers stabilize their businesses through software, coaching, shared purchasing, bookkeeping, and access to benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. The presenter argued that child care is part of Idaho’s prevention infrastructure and said the model would transition toward earned income and employer support over time. Members asked about similar programs, infrastructure, and how the model would be sustained after 2029. Idaho Safety Assessment Centers requested $1 million to support 12 youth assessment centers that divert youth from court, ERs, and school discipline into screening, counseling, and family support. The presenter cited individual success stories and said the centers served more than 12,000 youth in a year, with an estimated return of more than $3 in benefits for every dollar invested. The committee also heard from the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, which requested $3 million in one-time bridge funding for 10 centers that conduct forensic interviews and coordinate child abuse investigations; members asked about coordination with state agencies and sustainability. Ross Edmunds of the Department of Health and Welfare requested $150,000 for a 10th recovery community center in Kamiah, explaining that the department already oversees nine centers through quarterly payments and reporting requirements. Finally, Representative Jordan Redman proposed a $5 million statewide drug-use awareness campaign using research, surveys, and targeted media buys; he said the campaign would be evaluated through impressions, reach, and frequency. No decisions were made, and the chair said the committee would return later to continue reviewing the requests, noting the fund is one-time money and that the governor’s recommendations and a $25 million request reduce the amount available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Behavioral Health Facilities, or BHF, is our collaboration with state, local, and private behavioral
• We collaborate here with ArtsWA and our BFA Advisory Committee to improve access to the arts in local
• And of course, we collaborate here too with our improvement program and of course we collaborate here
• So our role in this collaboration is really the capital side.
• I didn't collaborate with them on this, so forgive me if my comments are duplicative.

Bills: HB2330 , HB2338

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: energy systems, capital funding, state campus, school infrastructure, sustainability, weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, environment, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, thirdly, and arguably the most important, is the collaboration piece.
• The challenges that we face are significant and require robust, consistent collaboration.
• That was a successful collaboration, a successful story of collaboration.
• A successful story of collaboration.
• The Texas Space Commission exhibits a highly collaborative relationship with my friend and my colleague

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year. Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership. Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I collaborate with our academic advisors, financial aid office, and veteran resource centers to help
• We also collaborate with the Veterans Upward Bound Program.
• And we just started a master's program. ...and through a collaboration with Albuquerque to offer the
• We are requesting more assistance and collaboration with the state of New Mexico, which we currently
• So, working alongside the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration, there needs to be that collaboration

Transcript Highlights:

• We were really pleased with that collaboration. it's federal law.
• This was with that collaboration.
• </c> really want to be more collaborative really want to be more collaborative externally<01:02:02.319
• </c> Um I'm not certain if we've collaborated Um I'm not certain if we've collaborated with<01:04:56.079
• </c><01:14:50.960><c> uh</c> feeding our future um collaboration uh feeding our future um collaboration

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Collaboration across local, state, and federal agencies, including the Department of Insurance, will
• Collaboration across local, state, and federal agencies, including the Department of Insurance, will
• Third by January 1, 2021, the CPA, the State Water Resources Control Board and DPR will collaborate to
• And the process that is unintended gives, it establishes a requirement to collaborate to determine best
• And the collaboration in itself is not a study, because if you're going to develop best methods, it is

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairs, we worked very closely together and collaboratively in many ways, but found there were just a
• in many ways, but found collaboratively in many ways, but found there<00:03:01.760><c> were</c><00:03
• carried by Representative Mueller in the original version, though with quite a few changes in collaboration
• c> changes</c> version though with quite a few changes version though with quite a few changes collaboration
• Shout out to represent collaboration.

Bills: SF1832 , HF2440

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, labor market, employment, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The EAC program is a collaborative effort focused on increasing opportunities for individuals with disabilities
• The EAC program is a collaborative effort focused on increasing opportunities for individuals with disabilities
• So I started in 2023 in October, and pretty much immediately we kicked off collaboration with the Massachusetts
• Members expressed interest in creating more opportunities to collaborate, including sharing resources
• The collaboration is between the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston and the Greater Haverhill

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met in June, approved the March meeting minutes, and heard a chair’s report on recent “Meet the Moment” community conversations, including a successful Lowell event and plans for a July 14 event in Northampton. The chair also announced the Commission’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration on October 7 at the State House, which will include a MassAbility partnership panel on artificial intelligence and disability, and noted ongoing efforts to livestream future events when possible. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on the Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. The coordinator described the program’s history from a 2016 law and 2018 pilot to its statewide launch on July 1, 2025, and said it now applies to all new statewide goods and services contracts. The program’s goals are to increase certification and contracting opportunities for disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, improve workforce development and disability employment among vendors, and build a resource network for employers. Reported figures included about 292 active certified businesses, roughly 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, a projected increase to about 80 by July and more than 130 by November, and a long-term goal of 3% disability representation in vendor workforces. Commissioners praised the program and asked about comparisons with other states, geographic reach, and the mix of disability-owned versus veteran-owned businesses. The Commission also received updates from its advisory council and subcommittees. The advisory council has been sharing expertise across employment, housing, transportation, health equity, technology, and AI, and two members will help plan the October employment event. The employment subcommittee discussed transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a State Exchange policy brief that members want reformatted into a more usable data table. The workforce supports subcommittee reported on a May 28 webinar about apprenticeships as a strategy to address workforce shortages in disability services, with more than 45 participants and examples of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship models. The long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard from the Department of Public Health’s CCATR resource center and from the Autism Self-Advocacy Network about COVID-era health care barriers and ongoing advocacy. The executive director also reported on meetings with MassHealth-related groups, caregiver organizations, agency leaders, MassAbility, and AI stakeholders, and the meeting ended with announcements and unanimous adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are critical things, but it all takes collaboration.
• </c><00:35:35.040><c> in</c> creating an upper case collaboration in creating an upper case collaboration
• We see our all takes collaboration.
• <00:37:47.160><c> of</c><00:37:47.280><c> public</c> collaboration of public collaboration of public
• and coordinating some of collaborating and coordinating some of these<00:43:00.520><c> systems.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Nevada model worked beautifully to allow PTs and veterinarians to collaborate and expand access to
• Chair Berman, I actually have the pleasure of collaborating with veterinary colleagues to serve a lot
• We hope to be able to collaborate with the veterinary field to do what we all set out to do: make the
• Many chiropractors already work collaboratively with veterinarians.
• Many chiropractors already work collaboratively with veterinarians.

Keywords: 987, senate, all