Transcript Highlights:

• I think that we need full and age-appropriate sex education that is an opt-out program, Appropriate sex
• Appropriate sex education that is an opt-out program instead of an opt-in.
• Appropriate sex education that is an opt-out program instead of an opt-in.
• As legislators, we value protecting the safety of our public school kids.
• But I do want to point out that this bill was not requested by teachers.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our first public hearing of the 2025–2026 legislative session.
• In fact, each of the last three legislative sessions, this committee has helped usher impactful legislation
• it through the legislative process and to the governor’s desk.
• that built off the original HERO Act legislation, filed by That built off the original HERO Act legislation
• Mateo, legislative analyst with the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its first public hearing of the 2025–2026 session, with House Chair Rep. Joe McGonagle outlining the committee’s focus on veterans’ benefits, military families, and related policy priorities. He noted the committee’s recent record of advancing major veterans legislation, described the hearing as hybrid, and explained that testimony would be limited to three minutes. The committee then heard testimony on several bills, including H. 3886/S. 2503, H. 3863/S. 2480, and H. 3859, among others. Melissa Willett of the Department of Defense and Rep. John Stanley testified in support of H. 3886/S. 2503, which would expand support for military families by improving school open enrollment flexibility, special education continuity, concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile matters on military installations, and coordination around military protective orders. Committee members questioned the juvenile jurisdiction and protective-order provisions, with concerns raised about federal versus state authority and due process; witnesses said the jurisdiction change would be case-by-case and that military protective orders are commander-issued decisions that could be used as evidence in civilian proceedings. The Department of Defense said the proposal aligns with priorities from military stakeholders and other New England states. Jim Keene testified in support of H. 3863/S. 2480, seeking a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans’ benefits and extending certain benefits to Guard and Reserve members killed on active duty. Allie DeBateau of the Massachusetts Municipal Association testified on H. 3859, which would streamline veterans benefits administration by having the state pay benefits directly rather than reimbursing municipalities quarterly; she said this would reduce local administrative burden while leaving local veterans service officers’ roles unchanged. Committee members asked about municipal support and the fiscal impact, and the hearing concluded with no votes taken, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> Jacqueline Coleman, and all legislators, Jacqueline Coleman, and all legislators, Supreme<00:02
• Speaker, this if uh if appropriate. Mr.
• </c> that are uh using open records requests that are uh using open records requests to<00:54:04.160>
• </c> Committee on Appropriations and Revenue. Committee on Appropriations and Revenue.
• :15:23.320><c> Bills</c> Appropriations and Revenue, House Bills Appropriations and Revenue, House Bills

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the May 14th, 2025 Assembly Appropriations Committee.
• The bill would require CPUC commissioners to be available at the request of a legislative committee chair
• With that I respectfully request your aye vote. Deeply appreciate that sentiment.
• Number one legislative priority. AB 823 support from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
• recognition of request your support for the following bills.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is an entity that is, I think, appropriate for folks to get training from.
• "I would want to make sure that the appropriate folks are receiving that training.
• This is a governor's request, so I thank the governor for This is a governor's request, so I thank the
• legislation forward.
• I'm Representative Julio Cortez from the 38th Legislative District.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2203 would create the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations for driving on a roadway known to be closed due to hazardous conditions, with gross misdemeanor penalties, a possible Class C felony enhancement if a rescue leads to injury or involves a minor or vulnerable adult, license suspension, and emergency-response cost recovery. The prime sponsor described recent flooding rescues in Orting as the impetus, and local police support emphasized responder safety and limited resources. The Sentencing Guidelines Commission opposed the felony section, saying the conduct did not warrant felony treatment and recommending a traffic infraction for the first level and a gross misdemeanor for the second. House Bill 2293 would bar Washington law enforcement agencies, the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and related personnel from training with foreign militaries, intelligence agencies, or security services, or funding travel for that purpose. The sponsor said civilian policing should not be trained like military service and argued officers should be trained under U.S. constitutional standards. Opponents from the sheriffs and police chiefs association argued the bill was too broad and unclear, could block valuable counterterrorism and best-practice training, and might need exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and other legitimate international partnerships. Members discussed possible amendments and clarification language. House Bill 2165 would create a new gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, covering possession or creation of realistic badges, insignia, or other items identifying someone as an officer when they are not commissioned, while preserving defenses for honorary, reserve, posse, and protected expressive uses. The sponsor and governor’s office said current law is too limited because it often requires an active impersonation before enforcement can occur; law enforcement groups supported the goal but raised concerns about definitions, vehicle markings, federal-agent coverage, and whether the offense could be plea-bargained away. House Bill 2173 would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT protective gear, and medical or environmental masks, and would allow civil suits for violations. Supporters said the bill promotes transparency and trust and responds to concerns about masked immigration enforcement; opponents warned it could expose officers to doxxing, create liability and recruitment problems, and raise constitutional issues, especially as applied to federal officers. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear the request. Is there an objection? Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• You've heard the request. Is there an objection?
• They were doing great work and actually recommending legislation.
• Senators, this is simple legislation.
• It will be expanded because of legislation that we may pass in this body based on flawed legislation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> speaker and request roll call. speaker and request roll call.
• </c> I do support this legislation. I do support this legislation.
• </c> and it's evil what's happened to legisl and it's evil what's happened to legisl legislators<01:40
• </c> legislators in this room. legislators in this room.
• Speaker, I request a roll call. &gt;&gt; Mr. Speaker, I request a roll call.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:07:27.440><c> from</c> requests we might get requests from requests we might get requests from
• I wouldn't say it's the requests.
• </c> inexpedient to legislate. Thank you. inexpedient to legislate. Thank you.
• Hampshire would be would be appropriate. Hampshire would be would be appropriate.
• </c> to legislate. Any other comments? to legislate. Any other comments?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's testimony is by request. My name is Dan Hunt.
• Like we mentioned, when it is appropriate, get folks out in a more appropriate location.
• The services aren't appropriate.
• I have maybe requesting specific stuff.
• This is generally at ICE's request.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission on correctional consolidation and collaboration heard testimony focused on how Massachusetts uses custody levels, staffing, programming, and medical release tools, with Prisoners’ Legal Services arguing that the system is overusing expensive high-security settings and underusing step-down options. Dave Rainey said the incarcerated population has dropped substantially over the last several years, but spending and staffing have not fallen in proportion. He argued that DOC overclassifies people into medium and maximum security, relies too heavily on behavioral assessment units that function like segregation, and keeps people in restrictive settings such as Souza-Baranowski and Shattuck Hospital longer than necessary. He also said medical parole is underused and that many people with serious chronic illness or advanced age pose little public-safety risk and should be released through existing legal pathways. Sheriffs and other commission members pushed back on some of those points, emphasizing that staffing needs are driven by the acuity of the current population, that corrections is not overstaffed, and that classification decisions involve serious public-safety judgments. They also stressed that some high-cost medical placements are necessary because people remain under sentence and require care, and that furloughs and other release tools can create security risks if contraband or substance use is involved. The discussion also covered the role of county sheriffs versus DOC in reentry, with several members saying county systems tend to do more day-to-day step-down and release planning, while DOC has more difficulty moving people through lower-security settings before release. Ben Foreman of MassINC offered a more systemwide, data-focused perspective, praising the state’s transparency and arguing that Massachusetts has made major progress in reducing incarceration and increasing public safety. He said the state still has an opportunity to improve by right-sizing facilities, investing in community-based mental health treatment, and using the commission to better understand the capital and operating costs of the current system. In response to questions, he said he was aware of DOC studies on programs like furlough but had not reviewed recent ones, and he noted that total-control facilities like Souza-Baranowski have long been criticized in the research literature for poor outcomes. Nora Wassel of the Women and Incarceration Project then testified that the commission should issue an interim report and scrutinize the planned new women’s prison, which she said is not justified by current population trends or available data. She argued that women are overclassified under DOC’s own tools, that reentry beds and minimum-security placements are underused, and that the system may be failing to account for women’s distinct medical and reentry needs. The meeting ended with continued discussion of reentry, furloughs, day reporting, and whether consolidation should mean fewer facilities, better step-down pathways, or both.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior appropriation means first in time, first in right.
• Specific to water appropriation.
• I appear before you today to request the committee consider having Legislative Council gather what other
• Also, periodically during legislative sessions, I would say you've appropriated dollars specifically
• The bedded salts are at the appropriate thickness.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of the Mincota Power Cooperative headquarters before returning for presentations on large energy consumers, especially data centers. The first presentations focused on how North Dakota should respond to rapid growth in energy-intensive projects, with speakers emphasizing the need for reliable transmission, local decision-making tools, and factual information for county and township officials who are being asked to weigh major projects with limited staff and technical support. The North Dakota Transmission Authority director said local governments are being asked to make high-impact decisions on pipelines, transmission lines, large agriculture, wind, solar, carbon dioxide pipelines, direct-air capture, and data centers, and urged development of simple statewide decision tools and support from the League of Cities and Association of Counties. The Department of Environmental Quality’s air division director said North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the nation, but large data centers can create air-quality concerns because of diesel backup generation; he said the department is requiring air monitors at some facilities and expects grid power and, potentially, cleaner natural gas backup to reduce emissions. Members asked about emissions standards, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession at DEQ. The Department of Water Resources director said North Dakota’s water law is based on common ownership and prior appropriation, and that data centers generally use relatively small amounts of water, often in closed-loop systems. He said the Missouri River and groundwater supplies are ample for projected needs, that the department’s permitting process protects senior water rights, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use a very small share of Missouri River flow. Members asked about downstream impacts and compared data center water use with fracking. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson urged the committee to study how other states regulate data centers, warned against litigation-driven delays and overly broad local ordinances, argued reclamation bonding should be handled at the state level if at all, and said data centers can bring jobs and tax base but should remain subject to local zoning. The committee ended the morning session for lunch and later heard an EERC update from CEO Charles Gorecki on the center’s 75 years of work in energy and environmental technologies, especially oil and gas development and related research.

Transcript Highlights:

• the other budget subcommittees, recommends the funding that forms the foundation of the General Appropriations
• On the opening day of the 2025 legislative session, Speaker Perez mentioned many things in his opening
• Last fall, the Legislative Budget Commission published a long-range financial outlook, which projected
• for other planning funds, it didn't seem like an appropriate time to add more members to a court that
• also for other planning funds, it didn't seem like an appropriate time to add more members to a court

Summary: The Justice Budget Subcommittee met to consider the fiscal year 2025-26 budget recommendations, a proposed committee bill on judicial positions, and one member bill. The chair framed the budget as part of a broader effort to slow spending growth and reduce recurring expenditures, noting the subcommittee’s proposed $7.3 billion budget is $366 million below the prior year. Major budget items included funding for the Department of Corrections to address staffing, maintenance, health services, security equipment, and facility needs; the Department of Juvenile Justice for residential beds, maintenance, the Broward detention facility replacement design, medical services, and Florida Scholars Academy costs; FDLE for the Fort Myers regional operations center and sexual offender/predator registration workload; and the state courts and justice administration entities for judges, due process resources, security, and staffing. The budget also reduced 1,280 vacant positions and $139.2 million in excess funding and authority. The committee then heard PCB-JUB-25-01, which implements part of the Florida Supreme Court’s certification of judicial need. The bill establishes 17 additional circuit court judges and 12 additional county court judges, with about $13.9 million in general revenue and 72 associated positions. In response to a question about why the two certified 6th District Court of Appeal judges were not included, the chair said the committee did not think it was the right time to add judges to a brand-new court still operating from leased space. The PCB was reported favorably on a 14-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 1351 by Representative Baker, which revises sex offender and predator registration rules by clarifying resident categories, creating an in-state travel residence definition, allowing online or in-person reporting for certain temporary residence changes, removing duplicative reporting requirements, clarifying vehicle and employment reporting, and requiring local law enforcement to verify addresses more frequently for registrants not on supervision. FDLE and Smart Justice indicated support, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate file two, legislative budget, be Senate file two, legislative budget, be assigned<00:36:14.720
• . appropriations. appropriations.
• ><c> appropriations.
• </c> facilities appropriations. facilities appropriations.
• Senate File 62, Legislative Reorganization of the Department of Audit, sponsor: Appropriations.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the committee, I think this is good and necessary legislation.
• You know, we've been going back and forth on how to appropriately do this.
• And so the department's role was in just providing legislation or legislative language that really just
• And so the department's role was in just providing legislation or a legislative language that really
• And I've requested a roll call. I have lights.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Concurrence requested. Mr.
• Concurrence<00:03:20.000><c> requested.</c> Concurrence requested. Concurrence requested.
• </c> message number 199 concurrence requested message number 199 concurrence requested Mr.<00:03:48.319
• </c> number two, appropriations. number two, appropriations.
• fund,</c><00:49:08.559><c> $16</c> uh appropriation general fund, $16 uh appropriation general fund,

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would like to request a roll call also, Madam Chair. Roll call requested. Roll call granted.
• Uh anyone who requested a so forth.
• </c><00:22:53.520><c> a</c> think it holds true and would request a think it holds true and would request
• So, you know, that was their request.
• </c><00:46:37.599><c> Senator</c> requested. Roll call granted. Senator requested.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee on Appropriations will now come to order Ali ship.
• So there's political engagement that I think is an appropriate.
• I was thinking more or less on the usage of of of funds being appropriate for what it would be requested
• As an appropriation committee.
• We'll have to appropriate.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• journal from the previous legislative journal from the previous legislative day and that we adopt said
• the title to be read SP request the title to be read SP request the title to be read secretary read
• the title President Senator SP I request the title President Senator SP I request the title be read
• shall be appropriated to eligible public shall be appropriated to eligible public shall be appropriated
• dislikes legislating dislikes legislating dislikes legislating prejudices all these types of things

Bills: SB 26, SB 28, SJR 36, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SB 28, SR 131, SR 168, SR 174, SR 175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the journal from the prior legislative the journal from the prior legislative day. day. day.
• </c> it does not mandate an appropriation. it does not mandate an appropriation.
• </c> special pediatric hospital on request special pediatric hospital on request within<00:20:41.600>
• </c><00:53:08.640><c> Number</c> Legislative Policy Committee. Number Legislative Policy Committee.
• </c><01:24:39.360><c> Any</c> appropriate time tomorrow. Any appropriate time tomorrow.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Caitlin O'Neill with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Do I need to request it of Mr. McGuire, or—” “You have you do that. Do I need to request it of Mr.
• Was that a legislative requirement?
• And some of it is our own darn legislation.
• And then as it relates to a specific request, we are in support of a request that was submitted by some

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard an overview from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) on its budget change proposal and grant administration. BSCC requested authority for 11 additional permanent positions to handle a workload that has nearly tripled over five to seven years, with more than 600 grant agreements and about $1.5 billion in grant funds in the field. The board also reported on its new In-Custody Death Review Division, which has collected data since July 2024 and received 136 jail death reports; staff said the division is still building out reviews and has identified overdose, natural causes, and suicide by hanging as the leading manners of death. Members raised concerns about family notification practices, oversight of local grants, and the impact of taking more administrative funds from local assistance, while the LAO and Department of Finance did not oppose the position request but urged correction of the administration’s Proposition 47 savings methodology before May Revision. The committee then reviewed CDCR’s overall budget and operations. Secretary Jeffrey Macomber described a relatively steady prison and parole population, ongoing structural budget pressures from retirement payouts, workers’ compensation, medical transport, violence, and aging facilities lacking air conditioning and ADA features. He emphasized rehabilitation, recidivism reduction, college programming, and the department’s 20-year infrastructure planning effort, while also defending the closure of the California Rehabilitation Center and warning that additional closures can increase overcrowding, double-celling, and waitlists for programming. Senators pressed CDCR on fiscal discipline, vacancy savings, staffing shortages in medical and mental health classifications, the use of tablets for incarcerated people, and community impacts from prison closures, including the Norco site. A separate item focused on CDCR’s request for $91 million ongoing for lump-sum leave payouts to separating correctional officers and nurses. CDCR said these costs had historically been covered by vacancy savings, but lower vacancy levels and facility closures have reduced that funding source. The LAO supported the funding only on a limited-term basis with reporting, arguing the need may change as the system reaches a new normal, and also urged the Legislature to scrutinize the broader structural shortfall and the Boston Consulting Group efficiency contract. Finance supported ongoing funding, saying the costs are recurring and vacancy savings are less reliable. The committee also discussed CDCR’s fall 2025 population projections, which forecast a 6.5% decline in the institution population and a 10.4% decline in parole over five years, while updating Proposition 36 assumptions based on actual admissions data. CDCR and Finance said the California Rehabilitation Center closure would generate savings and that no additional prison closure had been formally proposed, though the LAO argued the state could close another prison and recommended not funding certain Soledad projects unless another closure is identified.

Transcript Highlights:

• Internship Program and the Texas Legislative Fellowship Program.
• SB 15 and requests the appointment of a conference committee. Is there objection?
• SB 268 and request the appointment of a conference committee. Is there objection?
• To Senate Bill 2018 and request the appointment of a conference committee.
• Grant the request of the House for a conference committee on House Bill 493.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Senator West, approved the previous day’s journal, and then adopted several recognitions, including Senate Resolution 625 honoring the McLennan Community College Dance Team for winning two 2025 National Dance Alliance national titles. The chamber also recognized University of Texas Rio Grande Valley interns, the doctor of the day, and the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families. The governor’s withdrawal of a Texas Lottery Commission nomination was received and the nomination was returned, and the Senate appointed numerous conference committees on pending bills. The body then took up and passed several measures, often by suspending the rules and the constitutional three-day rule. Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23 were concurred in House amendments as part of property tax relief, with supporters emphasizing homeowner savings. House Bill 20 creating the Applied Sciences Pathway Program passed after a floor amendment and was described as a way to expand career and technical education and help students earn industry certificates in high-demand trades. House Bill 2594 passed to expand venue options for prosecuting certain theft and cybercrime cases, and House Concurrent Resolution 167 was adopted to correct a typo in House Bill 1314. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 9, Senate Bill 40, Senate Joint Resolution 5, and Senate Bill 6. SB 9 and SJR 5 were presented as major bail-reform measures, with supporters saying they would strengthen public safety, clarify appeal procedures, and give judges and prosecutors more tools in serious cases; the debate included questions about records, counsel, and the standards for denying bail. SB 40 dealt with nonprofit bail-bond funding, and SB 6 addressed electricity and data-center growth. The chamber also passed House Bill 423 on digital asset service provider reporting and auditing, with amendments adding protections for cryptocurrency kiosks and a technical correction. Additional bills passed included House Bill 4690 on motor fuel standards, House Bill 1094 on transportation protection agreements, Committee Substitute for House Bill 2731 on roadside vendors and solicitors in certain border counties, Committee Substitute for House Bill 127 on protecting higher education from foreign adversaries and trade secret theft, and House Bill 549 on airway clearance devices at public school campuses. The Senate granted or requested conference committees on a long list of other measures, including HB 4, HB 145, HB 493, HB 2974, HB 3071, HB 3372, HB 3556, and multiple Senate bills. The session ended with adjournment until the following Friday morning.