Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think it's as simple as Republicans and Democrats in red and blue, but I would know.
• It's also, it includes Republican governors, Democratic governors, there are red states, blue states,

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session on health and human services, held in Clinton and opened with remarks from the House and Senate co-chairs, local officials, and committee members. The chairs emphasized the importance of hearing directly from agencies about the Commonwealth’s health care and human services budget needs, thanked Clinton for hosting, and introduced the day’s panels, beginning with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and then MassHealth. Secretary Kiame Mahania presented Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS budget, describing a $33.7 billion request driven largely by non-discretionary cost growth, caseload increases, and federal uncertainty. He highlighted targeted investments in foster parent reimbursement, family resource centers, maternal health, food assistance, immigrant legal services, and workforce rates, while warning that federal cuts and the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act could strip billions from state health funding. Members questioned him about primary care shortages, federal program integrity audits, ConnectorCare, regional health disparities, and the proposed cap on adult dental coverage; he defended the cap as a difficult but necessary cost-control measure and said the administration would continue cooperating with federal partners. Undersecretary Michael Levine then testified for MassHealth, saying the agency faces two major challenges: rapid cost growth and looming federal changes. He outlined a $22.7 billion gross MassHealth budget and proposed actions including a moratorium on new expansions, capping adult dental benefits at $1,000, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management spending to peer-state levels, and convening work groups to slow growth in personal care attendant, adult foster care, and adult day health programs. He also warned that federal policy changes could cause about 300,000 residents to lose coverage by 2030 and reduce federal revenue by about $3.5 billion, and said MassHealth would use outreach and systems changes to help eligible members stay covered. Members raised concerns about the impact of these cuts on homeless care, preventive services, dental access, GLP-1s, and regional hospital and specialist shortages, while Levine argued the proposals were aimed at preserving core coverage and sustainability.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, in Frederick County for 10 years, Republicans and Democrats alike made our number one
• 22.320><c> County</c><00:37:22.640><c> for</c> >> So, for example, in Frederick County for 10 years, Republicans

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 5, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although it's early in the calendar year, we're aware of no other Republican- or Democratic-led state
• I find it awkward as a business owner and a conservative Republican to be corrected by the Chamber of

Bills: S0006 , S0026 , S0206 , S0532 , S0576 , S1012 , S1110 , S1178 , S1192 , S1758 , S1760 , S7046 , S7048

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance that was critical to him because of the expanded work requirements imposed on him by federal Republicans
• And at the federal level, Republicans have the audacity to call that bill beautiful.

Bills: HF3474 , HF3475 , HF3508

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, funding, research, agricultural institute, state appropriations, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment, relief initiative, farm support, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm facing this in every state as part of that COVID-era problem, right, where they went around, Republicans
• It's a 90% issue on the rural health stuff with Democrats, Republicans, and independents.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the growing impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Arizona, the need for earlier diagnosis, better provider education, caregiver support, and continued research funding. They described current gaps in training and access to specialists, but also highlighted new therapies, lifestyle interventions, and Arizona-based research efforts. Members expressed support and optimism, but no action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard HB 2202, which appropriates $300,000 from the general fund over fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for a dementia care tele-mentoring grant program through the Department of Health Services. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, a dementia specialist, and a patient advocate, said the program would help primary care providers diagnose dementia earlier and improve care. The bill was passed out of committee on an 11-0 vote. Next, the committee took up HB 2251, the midwifery bill, which would authorize certain licensed midwives to dispense and administer specified medications and devices, require liability insurance disclosure and annual reporting, and create a Midwifery Advisory Committee. A committee amendment removed some medications and renamed the bill the Jordan and MacTerry Act. ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association opposed the bill as drafted, citing concerns about oversight, peer review, and the medication list, while licensed midwives and other supporters argued the bill would improve safety, transparency, and alignment with national standards. The bill was held for further stakeholder work, with members indicating more amendments were likely. The committee then heard HB 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during an out-of-hospital birth if approved by medical direction. Supporters described cases where continued midwife involvement during transport helped newborns and mothers, while firefighters and EMS representatives opposed the bill as written, saying it created ambiguity about command and scene control and could raise safety concerns. The chair said the bill would be held for further stakeholder meetings and possible language changes. After a recess, the committee reconvened for presentations on federal Medicaid and rural health funding impacts, beginning with JLBC’s overview of H.R. 1’s Medicaid provisions and the rural health transformation grant program.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm facing this in every state as part of that COVID-era problem, right, where they went around, Republicans
• It's a 90% issue on the rural health stuff with Democrats, Republicans, and independents.

Bills: HB2190 , HB2202 , HB2233 , HB2251 , HB2252 , HB2396 , HB2437 , HB2689 , HB2796

Committee: House Health & Human Services

Keywords: physician assistants, licensure compact, medical services, multistate practice, patient care access, healthcare workforce, military families, adverse actions, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, HB 2233, rural health transformation, rural health transformation program, AHCCCS, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, JLBC

Transcript Highlights:

• role in immigration, both as a state and having sent one of our governors to the White House as a Republican
• House as a Republican president in dignifying the immigration process and respecting the humanity of

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most drawing support after amendments or ongoing stakeholder negotiations. SB 29, by Senator Laird, would extend a sunset on the law allowing pain-and-suffering claims to survive a plaintiff’s death; supporters, including a family member describing a medical negligence case, labor groups, consumer advocates, and disability and elder organizations, argued it prevents defendants from running out the clock, while hospitals, medical groups, and business organizations warned of higher costs and added liability. After extensive debate about data collection, settlement reporting, and the impact on health care access, the bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. SB 294, by Senator Reyes and presented by Senator Laird, would require employers to notify a worker’s emergency contact if the worker is arrested or detained and would create a template to inform employees of state and federal labor rights. Labor and worker advocates said the bill would help workers understand and enforce their rights amid weakened federal enforcement; there was no opposition on file, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 697 would modernize water-rights adjudication by allowing the State Water Board to use technology instead of requiring in-person field investigations; with no opposition, it also passed unanimously. The committee also advanced SB 37 on attorney advertising, SB 645 on peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 303 on bias-mitigation trainings in public workplaces, and SB 464 on expanding pay-data reporting for specified state workers. SB 37 drew support from consumer and legal groups but concerns from Walker Advertising about joint advertising; members said negotiations were ongoing, and the bill passed. SB 645 would extend anti-bias jury-selection rules to certain civil rights cases; criminal-defense and defense groups said they were close to agreement, and the bill passed. SB 303 and SB 464 were both amended to narrow scope and moved forward after several opponents shifted to neutral or removed opposition. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Administrative Procedures Act, the Constitution, even judges from quite—I mean, judges that have been Republican
• Administrative Procedures Act, the Constitution, even judges from quite—I mean, judges that have been Republican

Bills: HF627 , HF474 , HF361 , HF1837

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2 finally brings Texas in line with 32 other states, both with Republican and Democrat governors
• and Republican and Democrat legislatures in those states, offering expanded education freedom to our

Bills: SB 2

Committees: Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you know any Republicans that are in power in Washington right now, that's where I would encourage
• if<01:40:43.360><c> you</c><01:40:43.600><c> know</c><01:40:43.840><c> any</c><01:40:44.360><c> Republicans
• </c><01:40:45.360><c> that</c><01:40:45.679><c> are</c><01:40:45.920><c> in</c> if you know any Republicans
• And I appreciate that Senator Champion has made it a priority to hear both Republican and Democrat bills
• </c><04:50:41.840><c> and</c> priority to hear both Republican and priority to hear both Republican and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Simple math tells me that's actually us Republicans being in a super minority.
• Is it difficult for our Republican member of the Joint Budget Committee to be able to get things done
• Republicans being in a super minority. Republicans being in a super minority.
• 02:03:25.760><c> our</c> Is it difficult for our member, our Is it difficult for our member, our Republican
• member of the Joint Budget Republican member of the Joint Budget Committee<02:03:27.680><c> to</c><02

Keywords: 981, all

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is not just a Republican thing or a Governor Cenu thing, but it's been bipartisan.
• And this is not just a Republican thing or a Governor Cenu thing, but it's been bipartisan.
• And this is not just a Republican thing or a Governor Cenu thing, but it's been bipartisan.
• And this is not just a Republican thing or a Governor Cenu thing, but it's been bipartisan.
• And this is not just a Republican thing or a Governor Cenu thing, but it's been bipartisan.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• having worked for the United Nations, I just want to say I appreciate this strong support from my Republican

Summary: The Senate session opened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long series of floor recognitions and votes. Members spent substantial time honoring the Los Angeles Dodgers, celebrating their back-to-back World Series championship and highlighting the team’s history, community role, and connections to Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Vin Scully, and Jaime Jarrín. Senators also recognized summer interns and welcomed members of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Kappa League and Guide Right program to the floor. The chamber then took up several measures, beginning with AB 182 on ballot order and proposition numbering for the 2026 statewide ballot, which passed 38-8 after debate over whether placing legislatively referred measures first was fair. SR 113, commemorating the International Day of Peace and honoring Dr. Yongshik Cho’s role in proposing it, passed unanimously after supportive remarks about peace, education, and California’s diversity. The Senate also adopted SJR 16 urging Congress to restore commercial driver’s licenses for affected California truck drivers, and SCR 185 designating Probation Services Week. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to budget trailer bills. The Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to AB 112, AB 150, AB 152, AB 181, and AB 179, covering Medi-Cal, child care, human services, education governance, and housing. It also passed or concurred in SB 168, SB 169, SB 170, SB 171, SB 172, SB 174, SB 177, and SB 180, addressing public resources and energy, transportation, executive branch reorganization, labor, state government, courts, Medi-Cal financing, and taxation. Several of these drew opposition centered on energy costs, transparency, business impacts, or the proposed “fair share” approach to Medi-Cal costs for large corporations, but most measures passed on party-line or near-party-line votes. The Senate also confirmed three California Horse Racing Board appointments and ended with adjournment motions, including a request to adjourn in memory of Francis Lydia Limos of American Canyon.

Transcript Highlights:

• At that time, the majority was 26 Republicans. There were 14 in the minority.

Keywords: 905, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, under both Republican and Democratic administrations, federal housing assistance has been

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing met without a quorum at first and operated as a subcommittee, then later established a quorum and took up several housing-related bills. Early presentations included AB 2390, a cleanup bill on housing streamlining and project modifications, which was described as clarifying that minor and subsequent modifications are reviewed under the standards in effect when the original application was filed; there was no opposition, and the bill was moved on a due pass motion but held on call for absent members. AB 1890, which would increase state matching support for Napa County farmworker housing centers from $250,000 to $500,000 annually and extend the program through 2036, drew strong support from Napa County officials, the Farm Bureau, hospitals, and vintners, and was also moved to Appropriations and held on call. AB 956, an ADU bill allowing more flexibility in how accessory dwelling units are built and clarifying application of ADU law in common interest developments, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from the League of California Cities over density, infrastructure, and local control concerns; the committee discussed amendments to avoid triggering density bonus law, then passed the bill as amended to Local Government, with some members expressing reservations or abstaining. The consent calendar, including AB 739, AB 2162, AB 2320, and AB 2692, was also acted on and held on call for absent members. Later, the committee heard AB 939, which would remove a 180-day resale restriction for certain income-restricted ownership units when a nonprofit affordable housing organization is ready to buy and sell them to qualified low-income buyers. Supporters, including Habitat for Humanity and California YIMBY, said the bill would reduce vacancy, carrying costs, and delays in getting affordable homes to buyers; the California Association of Realtors opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could limit buyer choice, codify first-right-of-refusal provisions, and reduce wealth-building opportunities. Members questioned those concerns, and the author said amendments were being worked on; the bill was moved to Appropriations and held on call. AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act, would require state housing agencies to develop a fiscal analysis and long-term financial plan for ending homelessness and addressing housing affordability; it received broad support from supportive housing, civil rights, and homelessness organizations, with no opposition filed, and was moved to Appropriations and held on call. AB 1184, an HOA transparency bill requiring more notice and access around litigation and recordings, was moved to Judiciary after discussion about whether it duplicated existing HOA law and whether the proposed amendments were too broad. AB 2035, a narrowly tailored bill for Laguna Woods Village to lower the vote threshold needed to petition a court to amend outdated CC&Rs, was supported as a one-time fix and moved to Judiciary. Finally, AB 1573, pulled from consent, would add survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to housing element target populations; supporters said these groups are overrepresented among people experiencing housing instability and should be explicitly included in local housing planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, under both Republican and Democratic administrations, federal housing assistance has been

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Madam Speaker, House Republicans will not be caucusing this morning. >> Member from Burlington.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thankfully, a Republican Congress came in and forced the DoD to rescind that regulation.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thankfully, a Republican Congress came in and forced the DOD to rescind that regulation.

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Keywords: 1182, all