Transcript Highlights:

• This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as the chapters of the laws of 2025
• You know, this is a chapter amendment on a bill that was passed last year, Senate 1069. 1069 did not
• It is a chapter amendment.
• This bill establishes, even before the chapter amendments that we’re discussing, a very clear set of
• Whether it is the bill we passed last year or the chapter amendments in front of us, they seem to be

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:32:05.399><c> to</c><02:32:05.560><c> be</c><02:32:06.240><c> placed</c><02:32:06.640><c> with</c
• 32:15.560><c> when</c><02:32:15.840><c> this</c><02:32:16.240><c> came</c><02:32:16.800><c> when</c><
• :32:08.520><c> ky</c><04:32:08.840><c> Swan</c><04:32:09.119><c> I'm</c><04:32:09.239><c> s</c><04:32
• ><c> okay</c><04:32:27.479><c> uh</c><04:32:27.600><c> we</c><04:32:27.720><c> have</c><04:32:27.920>
• /c><04:32:55.479><c> if</c><04:32:55.600><c> we</c><04:32:55.720><c> could</c><04:32:55.880><c> have<

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've allocated more than $28 million in Chapter 115 benefits to nearly 5,000 veterans in need.
• That's primarily Chapter 115, which includes the annuity.
• In fact, right now we have a Chapter 115 working group that's created.
• Those are the Chapter 257 rate increases.
• So that is, you know, $388 million is Chapter 257 annualization.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But now I'm a chapter organizer. Well, let me change that.
• transitional specialist, where we have been blessed to help women who have served from 18 months to 32
• transitional specialist where we have been blessed to help women who have served from 18 months to 32

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had 238 kids participate, which is only 32% of our population, but that was up from 55 a year ago.
• capital this week, representing Wildcat Nation and the state of New Mexico as the vice president of her chapter
• suggests that students who attended technical high schools were more likely to be employed and had 32%

Transcript Highlights:

• , my name is Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, and I serve as the Director of Public Policy for the Texas Chapter
• Cody, now 32, was once a promising young man with a bright future ahead of him.
• Cody, now 32, was once a promising young man with a bright future ahead of him.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, what<00:32:19.519><c> I</c><00:32:19.760><c> am</c><00:32:20.000><c> very</c><00:32:20.399
• frail and<00:32:34.320><c> very</c><00:32:34.640><c> much</c><00:32:34.799><c> at</c><00:32:35.120><c
• </c><00:32:37.760><c> So</c><00:32:38.399><c> facilities</c><00:32:39.519><c> have</c><00:32:40.559><
• <00:32:46.720><c> them</c><00:32:46.960><c> safe</c><00:32:47.279><c> or</c><00:32:47.600><c> at</c><
• <00:32:51.200><c> I</c><00:32:51.360><c> I</c><00:32:51.440><c> I</c><00:32:51.679><c> don't</c><00:32

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The law is Chapter 241.
• It's my suggestion that we amend Chapter 241, and in doing that, we would provide the court with the
• "I suggest that we amend Chapter 241, and in doing that, we would provide the court with the authority
• But one of the reasons may be that Chapter 241 has been used mostly for..."
• I would say it's not unusual, but it's at the lower end of the scale of using Chapter 241. Got it.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on two bills: H. 5447, a home rule petition concerning the Town of West Tisbury’s affordable housing trust fund, and H. 5317/H. 5314, relating to condominium conversion or partition of co-owned two-unit buildings. Chair Richard Haggerty and Senate co-chair Julian Cyr opened the hearing and explained the format, including three-minute testimony limits and a July 31 deadline for written testimony. Peter Harrington testified in support of updating the partition law so courts could use condominium conversion when dividing co-owned property. He said the current law is rooted in medieval-era rules and can hinder preservation of middle-class housing, especially where a two-family home might otherwise be sold and redeveloped. He argued the change would give judges a modern tool to preserve existing housing stock and noted the issue arises in some partition cases, though not every day. Laura Silber testified for West Tisbury in support of H. 5447, saying the town wants its affordable housing trust fund expanded to serve households up to 180% of area median income and to support seasonal-community workforce needs, including public sector essential workers. She said the town and Martha’s Vineyard Commission also support broader seasonal-community housing tools and a future local option transfer fee. Senator Cyr questioned whether the home rule petition was necessary given the Seasonal Communities law, and Silber responded that the petition was a short-term measure while technical fixes and a pooled year-round housing trust are developed. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with adjournment after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• In AOT, you're talking about the same chapter. Yes, the same chapter.
• What the representative is Proposing that we have consistency of language throughout the chapter.
• Okay, and what is the chapter? Sorry, it's 43 1 1. And that's that entire chapter.

Bills: SB3 , HB70 , HB49 , HB60 , HB151 , HB164 , SB17 , SB35 , SB164

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: mental health, commitment, involuntary commitment, civil commitment, assisted outpatient treatment, AOT, court-ordered treatment, behavioral health, psychiatric hold, danger to self, danger to others, suicide prevention, self-harm, homicide risk, capacity, decisional capacity, guardianship, treatment guardian, crisis stabilization, crisis triage center

Transcript Highlights:

• effectively moving some of the recommendations from the weights and measurements area to the tax chapters
• , Chapter 36, Title 63.
• effectively moving some of the recommendations from the weights and measurements area to the tax chapters
• chapter 36 area to the tax chapters chapter 36 title 63 so are there questions are there questions Senator

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:32:01.440><c> of</c><00:32:01.600><c> rights</c><00:32:02.240><c> and</c><00:32:02.559><c> on<
• <00:32:14.480><c> so</c><00:32:14.640><c> that</c><00:32:14.799><c> they</c><00:32:15.039><c> do</c><
• Okay,<00:32:19.679><c> just</c><00:32:19.919><c> wanted</c><00:32:20.159><c> to</c><00:32:20.480><c>
• Uh<00:32:28.080><c> do</c><00:32:28.240><c> you</c><00:32:28.399><c> guys</c><00:32:28.559><c> have</
• </c><00:32:51.440><c> at</c><00:32:51.600><c> a</c><00:32:51.760><c> state</c><00:32:52.000><c> lab?

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1651, which would create a civil sexual assault protective order for survivors who do not have a domestic violence or stalking relationship with the offender, and would also update the sexual assault survivors’ bill of rights regarding evidence kit retention and tracking. Representative Jennifer Rhodes, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to fill gaps for survivors assaulted by strangers, acquaintances, or others outside existing protective-order categories, and to ensure evidence is preserved for the longer of the statute of limitations or the retention period. Committee members asked whether the new order could be misused and how the bill would prevent frivolous petitions; the sponsor said the same legal process would apply and a victim would still have to prove they were actually assaulted. Representative Eileen Kelly and Lynn Shallet of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence testified in support, saying current law leaves many sexual assault survivors without a meaningful civil remedy unless they qualify for domestic violence or stalking relief. Shallet said the gap has existed for decades and noted that other states already have standalone sexual assault protective orders. She also said the bill would clarify survivors’ rights to know the status and location of their evidence kits. Shauna Foster of New Beginnings Without Violence and Abuse described local cases where survivors were denied protective orders because they lacked the required relationship with the offender, including a co-worker assault and an assault involving an unhoused survivor. Lisa Curtis, a survivor and founder of Safe Haven Ballet, gave emotional testimony in support, describing her own sexual assault and the difficulty of seeking protection and justice. She said survivors need safety to recover and that the bill would better align the justice system with trauma-informed support. Janet Carroll, a sexual assault nurse examiner and advisory board co-chair, testified that the bill’s evidence-kit provisions reflect federal changes and existing tracking practices. She explained that New Hampshire uses a kit tracking system that lets patients and professionals follow kits through the process, and said the bill would codify the right to be informed of a kit’s status and location. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• procedure distinct from the rules governing general civil actions to govern proceedings under this chapter
• The requirement to adopt the rules is proceedings under this chapter, which is 1409, which is proceedings
• That would be under a different chapter of code, so this is narrow in that it is within the objectives
• 1409. ...conform with the requirements of Chapter 1409.06.6.6.6.
• Beth, was the same language as before and then a new sentence starting after the end of the word chapter

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met to approve prior minutes and then worked through draft legislation related to a possible family court study committee. The group discussed the proposed 15-member committee’s makeup in detail, including whether to add parent representation, judges, family law section members, child support, clerks of court, domestic violence advocates, and other stakeholders. The task force ultimately agreed to keep the committee at 15 members, reduce the legislative membership from eight to six, add two judges from different districts, add two family law section members with rural and urban representation, include one parent subject to a custody order, and replace the mental health professional with a clerk of court representative appointed through the trial court administrator’s office. The draft was also revised to keep domestic violence advocacy representation and to clarify that the study could consider juvenile court issues as part of the family court umbrella. The committee voted to approve the revised draft and recommend it to Legislative Management, with one recorded “no” vote from Judge Hovey after the meeting resumed. The task force then turned to a second draft dealing with requiring participation in a family transition program, which was renamed in discussion to a parenting education course. Members debated whether the bill should simply refer to an existing program like Parents Forever or instead specify broader education about the court process, parental rights, co-parenting, and related issues. Some members supported the requirement as a way to reduce conflict and improve understanding of the system, while others raised concerns about vague language, cost to parents, lack of exemptions, and whether the bill was too open-ended or potentially duplicative of other legislation. The discussion became lengthy and unresolved, with the drafter noting that more specific direction would be needed to revise the bill. The transcript cuts off before a final vote or action on this second draft is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Massachusetts waste site cleanup laws, Chapter 21E, homeowners are generally strictly liable, which
• Under Massachusetts waste site cleanup laws, Chapter 21E, homeowners are generally strictly liable, which
• This initial advocacy effort led to the enactment of Chapter 175, Section 4D, which went into effect
• So when I was 32 years old, I was first diagnosed with it.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda. Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage. The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• 20 writers 25 appropriation restriction on feral hog abatement using certain pesticides, and Writer 32
• Green Building Council Texas chapter is the first one. Our request involves the T.C.
• I'm Evgenia Spears, I'm Water Program Coordinator with the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter.
• I'm the conservation chair of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• training standards for municipal police within its mission to find the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter
• oversee training standards for municipal police within its missions to find the master in the law chapter
• So it's Chapter 268, Section 34, which does make it a crime. This is current law.
• I don't know specifically; I don't have this chapter section in front of me.
• Right now, Chapter 151C prohibits discrimination when people apply to an educational institution.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to hear testimony from Chief James Hicks of the Natick Police Department, who chairs the Municipal Police Training Committee, and Chief Thomas Fowler of the Salisbury Police Department. They described the statewide civil-rights-officer model for hate-crime response, the HEART Unit, and MPTC training authority under POST, and urged the commission to recommend incorporating the IHRA definition of antisemitism into police training and to fund that effort. Commissioners asked about how law enforcement should handle antisemitic incidents that may not rise to crimes, the 2022 Mapping Project, masking during protests, and the role of HART; the chiefs said departments can update training quickly, that every department should have a trained civil-rights officer, and that HART’s expertise should be integrated statewide. The commission also approved the October 16, 2025 minutes after correcting an initial procedural error. The rest of the meeting focused on the draft report, especially the prefatory statement and the definition section. Commissioners broadly praised the report’s scope and the chairs’ work, but offered many edits aimed at tightening language, reducing advocacy tone, and clarifying the “Massachusetts way” of combating antisemitism. Several members wanted stronger emphasis on Massachusetts values, education, moral leadership, and the distinction between hate incidents, hate crimes, and statutory offenses; others urged clearer references to constitutional protections, First Amendment limits, and Attorney General review of legal statements. There was also discussion of whether to keep or remove references to alternative definitions of antisemitism: some commissioners argued that only the IHRA definition should be centered, while others said acknowledging other definitions was factually important and would reflect the range of testimony. Commissioners also raised specific substantive edits for later sections, including adding examples such as the 2022 Mapping Project, strengthening language on online intimidation, academic boycotts, and divestment campaigns, and clarifying that some conduct may be hateful even if lawful. In the higher education section, members praised recommendations on mandatory training, bystander intervention, trauma-informed responses, mental health supports, and campus climate surveys, while suggesting a few technical edits and additional best-practice examples. No final votes were taken on the draft report during this portion; the chairs said they would incorporate feedback into a revised draft before the remaining meetings and eventual vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, in support. Thank you so much.
• I'm also a member of the American College of Surgeons, Southern California Chapter, which is in support
• I'm also a member of the American College of Surgeons, Southern California Chapter, which is in support
• June Dutis, San Diego family member and representing the California chapter of the National Shattering
• I'm part of the California chapter of the National Shattering Silence Coalition, and I'm in support of

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the following: Section 13D of chapter
• after Section 1 the following section, Section 1A: notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10 of Chapter
• Section 13D of Chapter 265 of the general laws as appearing in the 2024 official edition is hereby amended
• after Section 1 the following section, Section 1A, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10 of Chapter

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and scheduling matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of an order extending the Committee on Public Health’s reporting deadline to December 19, 2025, and also recommended suspending Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee, including one on a confirmatory deed in Marlborough and another on regulation of Oregon transparent vehicles. The House suspended the necessary rules and adopted those procedural actions. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported six House bills for consideration: bills concerning the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, official marine flora, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Oker-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome Awareness Day, the appointment of the police chief in Fall River, and the Monson Select Board. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second readings, and ordered them to third reading. The House then acted on several bills from third reading. It concurred with a Senate amendment to House Bill 4645, the bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, after adopting a further House amendment. The House also adopted an amendment and passed to be engrossed House Bill 4178, allowing Adam T. Jankowski to take the civil service exam for police officer in Haverhill notwithstanding the age requirement. House Bill 4503, amending the charter of the town of Hudson, was amended by substitution and passed to be engrossed. Finally, House Bill 4645 was passed to be enacted, and the House adopted an order to adjourn and meet again Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would require an analysis of the Commission's compliance with its authorizing statute, Chapter 32A
• It would require an analysis of the Commission's compliance with its authorizing statute, Chapter 32A
• Chapter 70 education funding. Senator D. D. Domenico. Thank you, Mr. President.
• And the way that we do that is primarily through a Chapter 70 formula, which has been broken for many
• But we don't find anything that addresses the crisis with regard to Chapter 70.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments focused on education, health, transportation, tax administration, and oversight. Senator Kennedy spoke in support of increasing funding for DTA caseworkers to improve SNAP access and reduce delays, but then withdrew the amendment by unanimous consent. Senator O’Connor’s amendment adding $500,000 for Free Period to provide free menstrual products in public schools was adopted, as was Senator Miranda’s $1 million METCO transportation and student support amendment. Senator Collins briefly proposed extending paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance coverage to graduate student workers, but withdrew that amendment for later discussion. Several amendments were debated and either adopted or rejected. Senator Tarr’s proposal to create oversight of the Group Insurance Commission and fund an Inspector General review was defeated after opposition argued existing oversight was sufficient. Tarr also offered amendments on MBTA deficiency fund withdrawals and on requiring 90 days’ notice before state tax code decoupling changes; both were rejected after standing votes. Senator Driscoll’s amendment for Randolph Public Schools restroom improvements was adopted, while his veterans student loan forgiveness amendment was withdrawn. Additional amendments were adopted for Bridgewater Middle School water filtration, Uffum’s Corner Health Center, and NeighborHealth’s pharmacy technician training program for local high school students. A major discussion centered on school funding and enrollment declines. Senator DiDomenico withdrew an amendment that would have provided $100 million to address Chapter 70 funding losses tied to enrollment drops, but he and Senator Collins used the floor to argue that districts facing declining enrollment and rising costs need a broader state response. The Senate also adopted a new draft of the supplemental budget and then passed the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote, with 35 members in the affirmative and 4 in the negative. The chamber then adjourned to meet again Monday, and did so in memory of Arthur H. Tobin, a former Quincy mayor, state legislator, and clerk magistrate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We show you're representing the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club and that you're registered against
• Plan that is currently required under Chapter 395 of the Local Government Code.
• And those programs or products would need to be included per Chapter 395.
• The local chapter of the Home Builders Association, about 10 years ago, worked with the LCRA to develop
• On behalf of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, I am testifying for the bill.

Bills: HB158 , HB714 , HB 1198 , HB1630 , HB1998 , HB3509 , HB3788 , HB3875 , HB3948 , HB3977 , HB4097 , HB4313 , HB4314 , HB4317 , HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Clint Bryson from IBEW Local 76 and Pete Butler from NECA Southwest Washington Chapter.
• At this time, I'm authorized to speak on behalf of all of the chapters.
• There are five chapters of NECA here in Washington.
• I came from a chapter, NECA down in California, and I know I'm running out of time, but California has
• We represent contractors in eastern Washington, the Inland Pacific Chapter.

Bills: SB5944

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: language access, collective bargaining, labor relations, employment rights, worker protections, 904, all