Transcript Highlights:

• As such, the relocation site in the Upper Village has been identified and cleared and prepped, and it
• This site is easy to reach by transit, and patients can access multiple supports and services right next
• We have so much gratitude for including the $5 million to launch the Cascadia building, which is number
• </p> <p>We have so much gratitude for including the $5 million to launch the Cascadia building, which
• A pre-design is a tool that is used for construction projects that includes site planning, regulatory

Bills: SB6003 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB1983

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning, construction costs, inflation adjustment, capital facilities, project review, allotments, lease approval

Transcript Highlights:

• And across all of our cleanup sites on the Sound, volunteers consistently report that microplastics,
• And across all of our cleanup sites on the Sound, volunteers consistently report that microplastics,
• At Unleaded Kids, we rise on... ...and launch its Closer to Zero program in 2021.
• requires each new commercial building or addition larger than 10,000 square feet to include an on-site
• district in northeast Washington, for sure, possibly all of the state, to comply with these new on-site

Bills: SB5965 , SB6030 , SB5975 , SB5941

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: environment, retail bags, sustainability, pollution, customer impact, plastic bags, retail, waste reduction, cookware safety, lead regulation, consumer protection, interstate trade, health standards, SB 5941, Washington State Energy Code, State Building Code Council, renewable energy, solar panels, school district exemption, public school construction

Transcript Highlights:

• care access plans require all hospitals with emergency departments, including our hospital-based off-site
• This is what requires us to conduct on-site surveys ...once the rule is finalized.
• Strong Florida Moms launched today, and you can find that website at StrongFLMoms.com.
• That site went live in September for vendors or parents to register for vouchers.
• The site went live in September for vendors or parents to register for vouchers.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee received updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Health on implementation of 2024 health care laws. AHCA reviewed progress on workforce and reimbursement measures in Senate Bill 7016 and related bills, including FRAME and TEACH funding, graduate medical education reporting, behavioral health teaching hospitals, acute hospital care at home, advanced birth centers, non-emergent care access plans, and rural emergency hospitals. Agency officials said several programs are already operational or have begun payments, while others are still in rulemaking, federal approval, or report-preparation stages. Senators asked about timing, funding reversion concerns, and whether appropriated dollars would be spent on schedule, especially for behavioral health teaching hospitals and the new birth center category. The Department of Health then reported on practitioner licensure and public health programs. MQA described implementation of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Mobile Act licensure pathway, massage therapy enforcement changes, background screening expansion, liposuction safety requirements, pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis authority, and chiropractic dry needling. Public health staff updated the committee on FRAME and dental loan repayment, the Sinati screening grant program, the cancer research and innovation changes, the health care innovation council and loan program, the pediatric rare disease grant program, telehealth maternity care expansion, newborn screening for congenital CMV, the sickle cell registry and grants, and the swimming lesson voucher program. Members focused questions on how practitioners were being recruited to underserved areas, the pace of licensure approvals, and whether new programs were on track to use appropriated funds. The committee also heard a lengthy update from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The director reported more than 900,000 qualified patients, real-time seed-to-sale tracking now integrated across most dispensaries and labs, and ongoing compliance work on product testing, advertising, diversion, and patient safety. Senators questioned the decline in qualified physicians, how THC potency is labeled and verified, and what the agency can do about diversion to non-patients. The director said the office relies on complaints, inspections, lab audits, and coordination with law enforcement, and that patients can be suspended if violations are confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is being live streamed on the Massachusetts Legislature Gov site, and a video archive of the meeting
• ones, their allies, their advocates, the agencies, and our many relationships, we are looking to launch
• with all of you, is really a I'm so pleased to launch with all of you is to expand and to complement
• We don't have a launch date, but would love your input.
• But your leadership is going to be very much needed to launch this in a successful way.

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly meeting virtually and in person at the State House. The commission approved the March minutes and elected its officers by unanimous roll call vote: Denise Garlick as chair, Chris White as vice chair, Carl Richardson as treasurer, and Osmondahar as secretary. The meeting also welcomed several new commissioners, including Rep. Jay Livingstone, Rep. Vanna Howard, Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, Rep. John Marzi, and Leo Sarkisian, with brief introductions from the new legislative members. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the commission’s current work and the broader policy environment affecting people with disabilities. Commissioners and subcommittee leaders raised concerns about federal threats to Medicaid/MassHealth, Section 504 accessibility protections, DEI-related rollbacks, immigration policy impacts on the direct care workforce, and the loss of funding for youth employment and vocational rehabilitation programs. Members also discussed ableist language in public discourse and the need for stronger advocacy and communication in response to these developments. Subcommittee reports highlighted recent activity on disability employment, workforce supports, and long-term services and supports/health equity. Presentations included veterans with disabilities, employment programming for young adults with disabilities, immigration and labor protections, MassHealth’s PCA working group, and a health equity roundtable. The commission also discussed future plans to create an advisory board, develop successor and mentoring planning, and launch regional “meeting the moment” listening sessions across the Commonwealth to strengthen outreach and leadership development. The meeting ended with an open invitation for commissioners to share urgent information with staff for broader distribution and a unanimous motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also are promising only six days of racing a year, and the rest of the year these sites can be used
• year and that the are promising only six days of racing a year and that the rest of the year these sites
• generate $230 to $275 million annually in new recurring tax revenue within the first few years of launch
• Many consumers are visiting these sites without any knowledge that they are engaging with unregulated
• These sites offer no age verification, no consumer protection. Illegal operators.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a range of gaming, racing, horse protection, problem gambling, and lottery bills. A major focus was H. 356 and related horse-racing legislation, which drew strong support from residents and animal-welfare advocates who argued that proposed racetrack and simulcast developments should require upfront traffic, environmental, public health, and economic studies, plus stronger local approval and transparency. They said past proposals in several communities had lacked adequate information and had imposed costs on towns. Opponents, including the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, argued that the bills would harm racing, breeding, farms, and related jobs, and said horse racing is already heavily regulated and that claims about slaughter and safety were overstated. Several speakers also supported S. 280, which would protect horses and phase out or restrict horse racing, citing animal cruelty, injuries, and deaths. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 235 and HB 332 to authorize regulated online casino gaming (iGaming). DraftKings, FanDuel, IDEA, and the Sports Betting Alliance supported the bills, saying iGaming is already occurring illegally in Massachusetts and should be brought into a regulated, taxed market with age verification, responsible gaming tools, and consumer protections. They projected substantial annual tax revenue and argued legal iGaming would not cannibalize brick-and-mortar casinos, instead creating a “rising tide” effect. Opponents, including Local 26, the National Association Against iGaming, and problem-gambling advocates, warned of job losses, casino cannibalization, increased addiction, and greater harm to vulnerable players, citing experiences in other states and rising helpline calls. The committee asked for follow-up information on revenue and market-size estimates. Later, Rep. Scanlon testified in support of S. 240 and S. 241, which would standardize gambling disclaimers and require annual reporting on problem-gambling treatment funded through the Public Health Trust Fund. He said the bills would make it easier for people to find help and improve oversight of treatment programs. Rep. Garcia testified in support of H. 434, which would change the formula for distributing lottery revenues, arguing that gateway and lower-income communities such as Chelsea contribute heavily to lottery sales but receive too little back in local aid. After hearing additional testimony and reading into the record bills that received no testimony, the committee recessed briefly, then closed the hearing by motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• federally led sites section.
• We had the state sites programs, and we also have the federal sites programs.
• Federal sites come in two types: the Superfund sites and the Department of Defense sites.
• programs Federal sites federal sites programs Federal sites come<04:27:36.960><c> in</c><04:27:37.279
• and the Department of Defense sites and the Department of Defense sites sites sites the<04:27:43.840

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work. The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain. The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's increasing competition to have access to clinical training sites with rotations required for
• And over 200 sites of care.
• We anticipate launching this direct-to-consumer option this spring.
• Launching the data access and release program, enabling researchers and other qualified applicants to
• Essential Access will launch the final RFP cycle for the remaining funds this spring, at which point

Transcript Highlights:

• We just launched this. It is in soft-launch mode. We just launched this.
• a reactor, but siting a disposal site in combination with a reactor.
• down to 15 sites.
• This map represents the commercial sites, the DOE sites, and the star at Yucca Mountain is where legally
• new plants on those same sites.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• :26.159><c> conduct</c> able to review applications conduct able to review applications conduct on-site
• :49.760><c> have</c><00:23:49.919><c> referred</c><00:23:50.320><c> a</c><00:23:50.440><c> few</c> site
• visits but we have referred a few site visits but we have referred a few of<00:23:50.799><c> those</
• </c> and do on-site and do on-site investigations<00:24:11.000><c> um</c><00:24:11.480><c> and</c><00
• So our goal is really to launch something that is fairly basic for people to navigate and use, and then

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• those sites.
• These sites are often called abandoned or orphan sites.
• Are those all the sites?
• site.
• within an area of the site.

Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they are looking to start up an e-commerce site, what does that look like?
• So if they are looking to start up an e-commerce site, what does that look like?
• say, let's showcase how beautiful our community is, let's make our website mobile friendly, let's launch
• , and this includes also online, which also gives us the roadmap of what are we looking at now to launch
• We're launching these new, of course, as we all know, social media influencers.

Committee: House House International Trade Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the session with member introductions and opening remarks emphasizing Arizona’s interest in foreign relations, border commerce, and collaboration with trading partners, especially Mexico. Chair Tony Rivera noted the state’s trade offices in Mexico and framed the committee’s work as a way to strengthen Arizona’s international relationships. Staff were introduced, and members were reminded of amendment deadlines, though no bills were heard. The committee then heard a presentation from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District. Chamber representatives described Nogales as a major gateway for trade, tourism, agriculture, and logistics, and said the region is investing in entrepreneurship support, bilingual business resources, digital and e-commerce training, and workforce development tied to mining and logistics. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts and said infrastructure, housing, and pedestrian access at the ports of entry are major needs. Committee members asked about regulatory and infrastructure improvements, housing and health-care challenges, and tourism data. Greg Lucero of the provisional community college described the district’s unusual status, its contract with Pima College to provide instruction, and the impact of South32’s mining project on enrollment and workforce training demand. He said the district is focusing on AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, while working toward accreditation. Members asked about industry partnerships, certificate timelines, and programs tied to Arizona-Mexico trade. The committee also heard from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, Arizona Cattle Feeder Association, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. on the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports because of New World screwworm concerns. Testimony argued that Sonora cattle are safe, that Arizona ports are strategically important, and that reopening the ports would support feedlots, packing plants, jobs, and lower beef prices. Witnesses urged a state-by-state USDA reopening, especially for Sonora, and said Arizona should not be penalized for outbreaks elsewhere in Mexico. Members asked about industry support, the effect of grazing restrictions, the future of Arizona’s livestock sector, and whether a Sonora-specific carve-out could be safely implemented. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you were to go to the FLWINS site today, a Floridian can go into the FLWINS site to apply for re-employment
• We also launched an enterprise service desk at the same time so that if a Floridian needs assistance,
• The procurement for this was, like FLWINS, launched initially with a request for information.
• For continuous modernization, since we launched ReConnect, we've only used ARPA funds to do that.
• Those are some projects that we ultimately decided were not necessary to complete launching ReConnect

Transcript Highlights:

• on advancing their cruise missile and hypersonic glide vehicle research and development programs, launching
• 47 ballistic missiles with one failed satellite launch attempt.
• Kim Jong-un also has two highly publicized visits to nuclear sites, and over the past year and a half
• mind with nuclear arms states that are treaty allies with the United States and minimal warning for launch
• Inherently it would occupy some of the vertical launch system tubes that would be in a Virginia-class

Committee: Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. military strategy, China military drills, Taiwan, Philippines, North Korea, defense budget, military modernization

Summary: The meeting focused on significant strategic discussions regarding the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its military posture in the region. Admiral Paparo and General Brunson were commended for their services, with the Chair noting an alarming shift in the balance of power towards China. Key topics included China's aggressive military drills near Taiwan, the increasing coercion against the Philippines, and the need for the U.S. to reaffirm its commitments to its allies in the region. Concerns were raised regarding China's military modernization and its implications for U.S. forces, alongside discussions on North Korea's threats and its burgeoning nuclear capabilities. The committee emphasized the urgent need for military and defense appropriations to counteract these growing security challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was an important part of launching that, is making sure that it intersects uh... the innovation
• In the past three years alone, CSUSM has launched new programs in areas like engineering, public health
• We hear a lot of interest in that, but also accelerating site approval. for biomanufacturing through
• Whether they're trying to build a new laboratory, a manufacturing site, what have you.
• three issued U.S. patents, completed a freedom to operate, published in Europe and China, and we've launched

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• So the LFC recommendation of $35 million for site characterization and pre-development would be both
• also just note a quick difference: on line 179, this would be the state match for federal Superfund sites
• I've been a part of the feeding program where you have a site and families have to come and pick up food
• I'm happy to say more than 20 have been onboarded on the education site, and there are five or six items
• And just want to grab $43 million and then make a transfer to another operational site or to contracts

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Bills: HB145 , HB164 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB166 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HB99 , HB206 , HB213 , HB270 , HJR5 , SB104 , SB193 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• We support approaches that reduce barriers for businesses to site permanent energy infrastructure.
• I think this bill is actually probably right on target when it comes to siting.
• I think this bill is actually probably right on target when it comes to siting.
• </c> Jones uh the the website was launched Jones uh the the website was launched last<01:05:04.960><c
• </c> within the first hour of it launching within the first hour of it launching there<01:05:13.559><

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the meeting site for the Palama CKA neighborhood board.
• the site as a community education resilience subsite for pre- and post-disaster services.
• the site as a community education resilience subsite for pre- and post-disaster services.
• the site as a community education resilience subsite for pre- and post-disaster services.
• </c> spaces affordable housing an on-site spaces affordable housing an on-site Medical<05:17:50.120><

Transcript Highlights:

• Last month, we launched with Heartland for Children, and in July, we will be launching with Kids Central
• This is for a specific subset of individuals at participating AWE sites to really do a little bit more
• Continue the Mission was launched in June of 2022 by First Lady Casey DeSantis.
• Continue the Mission was launched in June of 2022 by First Lady Casey DeSantis.
• Since the launch of Continue the Mission in the summer of 2022, the department has seen the number of

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee heard three presentations focused on child welfare workforce development and the needs of children in Florida’s dependency system. First, the Florida Institute for Child Welfare described its Grow Center and related initiatives, including academic curriculum enhancements, simulations, virtual reality training, coaching, on-demand learning, advanced certifications, and the planned Tallahassee learning lab opening in January 2026. Members asked about conflict resolution, domestic violence, addiction, and microcredentials; the presenter said the institute is expanding training in those areas and is working with DCF to align advanced certifications with the department’s career ladder. The Department of Children and Families then presented on the Continue the Mission initiative, which recruits veterans, military spouses, and former law enforcement officers into CPI, API, and case management roles. DCF said it has held more than 240 hiring events and hired 372 such workers since launch, while also improving recruitment and retention through higher starting pay, streamlined hiring, rebranding, wellness supports, and enhanced pre-service training. Senators asked about PTSD concerns, staffing levels, caseloads, hotline vacancies, and salaries; DCF said it had not seen direct PTSD issues from the hiring effort and provided figures including a $50,000 starting salary for CPIs, $37,000 for APIs, and average caseloads of 12 to 15 investigations for CPIs and about 10 for APIs. Finally, DCF discussed the increased acuity of children in the dependency system, explaining that fewer children are entering care overall but those who do often have more complex behavioral, mental health, developmental, or medical needs. The department highlighted a new Behavioral Qualified Residential Treatment Program (BQRTP) designed for youth who need more intensive support than traditional foster or group home settings but do not require inpatient psychiatric treatment; one facility is licensed with 12 of 14 beds filled, and DCF said it is seeking funding for placement for 230 youth total. Members pressed for details on licensure timelines, standards, funding, and the handling of crossover youth and lockouts, and DCF said it uses braided funding and works with DJJ, APD, and lead agencies through local and state review teams. A representative of the Florida Coalition for Children also testified, saying the issue is complex and multi-year, and that the coalition is working on possible legislative and programmatic solutions. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, I hope not to launch us into an overly complex subject area. Thank you.”
• “Sorry, I hope not to launch us into an overly complex subject area.
• Sorry, I hope not to launch us into an overly complex. Thank you.
• Sorry, I hope not to launch us into an overly complex subject area.
• It was more about siting and issues like that.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was a FY27 budget session on Health and Human Services held in Mattapan, hosted by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Opening remarks from Senator Lydia Edwards, Representative Brandy Fluker-Reed, Representative Russell Holmes, and Boston Public Library President David Leonard emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing in Mattapan, the importance of community access, and the role of libraries as human services institutions. Committee members and attendees introduced themselves before agency testimony began. MassAbility testified first, describing its mission to support people with disabilities through employment, independent living, and disability determination services. The agency highlighted federal funding uncertainty, a modest FY27 budget reduction, and a proposed reworking of its home care program, which it said is outdated and should better target those most in need. Members questioned the home care cut, staffing reductions, and federal coordination. MassAbility also shared a participant story about recovery and community support to illustrate the impact of its services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing then presented its FY27 request, focusing on interpreter and captioning access, workforce development, emergency communication, aging-related hearing loss, and transition services for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. Members asked about interpreter shortages, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL education, and community training; the commission said it is expanding mentorship and referral systems but still faces staffing and vendor challenges. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind followed with a $30.8 million request, describing services for nearly 9,000 consumers, peer support groups, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 services, while noting federal funding uncertainty and a 7% budget cut. Members raised concerns about maintaining services with fewer resources, and the commissioner said the agency had trimmed overhead and could manage the proposal. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the segment, outlining expanded legal, housing, workforce, citizenship, and financial literacy supports for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, legal defense initiatives, and the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative. Members discussed the effects of federal policy changes, the loss of refugee resettlement funding, and the need for state support to fill gaps. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the hearing consisted of agency presentations and committee questioning.