Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, when it's happening in other places, but this is a very good bipartisan piece of legislation
• I think we've done so well with this type of legislation.
• So I wholly support this legislation. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, gentlemen.
• legislation this year.
• I am curious about how come we need this legislation because we had it last year.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the previous day’s journal by a 122-0 vote, and numerous introductions of special guests, including Special Olympics participants, occupational therapy and social work students and professionals, teachers, social workers, local officials, and community groups visiting for Hill Day and other advocacy events. Members also made announcements about committee meetings before the chamber recessed until 2 p.m. On the floor, House Bill 2974 was perfected and printed with little debate. Supporters said it would codify telehealth access in Missouri’s licensure reciprocity framework, helping seniors and rural residents continue to receive care. House Bill 2934, a bipartisan St. Louis convention center governance measure, also advanced after adoption of an amendment changing governor-appointed board seats to two city, two county, and one at-large member. The bill would merge existing entities managing the convention center and Dome, create a new board structure, and authorize a convention district tax framework and related financing rules; members discussed local control, revenue use, and the length of agreements under the bill. House Bill 2057, a technical fix for Osage Beach entertainment district authority, was adopted and perfected and printed. Supporters said it corrects an error from a prior bill and would allow Osage Beach to create an entertainment district similar to those in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Branson to support tourism and economic development. The chamber also took up House Bill 1839 and related bills on age verification for pornographic websites. Proponents argued the measure is needed to protect minors from online pornography and exploitation, citing the Supreme Court’s upholding of a similar Texas law and Missouri’s existing attorney general enforcement efforts; opponents raised privacy, enforcement, and unintended-consequences concerns, including whether less-scrupulous sites could become more accessible. After a motion for the previous question, the House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed House Bill 1839 by a 104-16 vote with 20 present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reverend Jackson's legacy is a living blueprint for the current legislative battles.
• REVEREND JACK SCENES LEGACY A LIVING BLUEPRINT FOR THE CURRENT SLAY LEGISLATIVE BATTLES.
• At its core, this legislation Affirms a simple principle: if a rebate is negotiated in the patient's
• This amendment would be a critical step forward and modeled after legislation that recently took effect
• THIS LEGISLATION WOULD HELP ME SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT, AS I'M SURE THAT IT WOULD HELP OTHER PARENTS.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior Journal, and began with ceremonial recognitions before moving to legislative business. Members honored the Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner football team for winning the Eastern Regional Championship and being a top-ranked national team, with Senators Parker and Tedisco praising the players, coaches, and volunteers. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 1636, mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson and recognizing his lifetime of civil rights, labor, voting rights, and social justice advocacy. Multiple senators spoke in support, reflecting on his influence on politics, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and the message that “I am somebody.” After the resolution, the Senate took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, largely focused on health care, insurance, and public health. These included measures on municipal law, mental hygiene, correction law, executive law, and several insurance and public health bills addressing prescription drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, and anti-competitive drug practices. Senators Myrie, Borrello, Jackson, Fernandez, and others explained votes in support of transparency, patient access, and lowering drug costs; some members noted concerns about pharmacy deserts and corporate consolidation. Most bills passed with broad margins, though a few drew more opposition, including Calendar 304 on anti-competitive drug agreements. On Calendar 289, an amendment concerning domestic violence was ruled non-germane by the chair. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed, arguing the amendment would create a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders to help protect potential victims. The Senate voted on the appeal, the ruling of the chair stood, and the bill was then restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed. The Senate then completed the calendar, had no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Rules and Administration, report that we have read and approved the House Journal of the 38th legislative
• I ask unanimous consent that House Bill 671 hold its place on the third reading calendar one legislative
• There's nothing in the legislation that says you can have only one campaign account.
• I do support the legislation. It's evident that this body wants transparency.
• Hearing none, the remaining bills on the Third Reading Calendar will hold their place one legislative

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal. The session also included a page program recognizing the House pages and their sponsors, with remarks thanking them for their service and highlighting their future plans and experiences in the legislature. The House received messages from the Governor and Senate, referred several newly introduced bills to committees, and reported multiple committee actions. Among the measures introduced were bills on dental plan transparency, SNAP integrity, tax credit scholarships, a sales tax exemption for Salvation Army purchases, tax administration changes, election canvassing and ballot procedures, creation of an Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination, LLC formation, parental rights-related legislation, public funds, and earned autonomy for charter schools. The House also advanced several bills from committee to the third reading calendar and passed House Bill 620, which gives county commissioners a formal voice in federal land-use decisions affecting their counties. House Bill 598, dealing with campaign finance transparency and the handling of personal funds or loans in campaign accounts, drew extensive debate over whether the language required separate accounts, how cash and digital donations would be treated, the seven-day reporting requirement, and enforcement by the Secretary of State. After discussion, the House voted 55-10 to send the bill to General Orders for further work. House Bill 620 then passed the House 60-5 and was transmitted to the Senate. The House also held remaining third-reading bills for one legislative day, enrolled House Bills 514 and 515, made announcements, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the honor of representing the 33rd Legislative District.
• And hello, Vandana Slater, State Senator for the 48th Legislative District.
• State Senator June Robinson representing the 38th Legislative District.
• State Senator June Robinson representing the 38th Legislative District.
• It helps guide our legislative advocacy.

Bills: SB5915, SB5988, SB6025, SJM8002

Keywords: SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines, patient advocacy, public comment, medical necessity, rare disease, life-threatening disease

Transcript Highlights:

• By show of hands, how many in the audience are in support of this legislation?
• By a show of hands, how many in the audience are in support of this legislation?
• So in the legislation, it talks about five units and up.
• And I understand that because my district legislative aide also lives with his parents.
• Anybody in opposition of this legislation? Anybody online in support?

Summary: The committee first heard SB 283, a workforce housing bill that would let local governments designate housing shortage areas and use metropolitan redevelopment tools, including property tax stabilization, to encourage construction and preservation of “missing middle” housing. Supporters said it would preserve local control, increase supply, and help teachers, nurses, first responders, and young workers afford housing. Opponents raised concerns about gentrification, redevelopment in neighborhoods, and whether the affordability requirements were strong enough. After questions about local designation, affordability percentages, and the 14-year term, the committee passed the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee substitute for SB 283 on an 8-0 vote. The committee then considered HB 103, which would keep the residential property tax cap in place when zoning changes occur, so long as the property’s use remains residential. Supporters argued the bill would protect homeowners from tax spikes caused by rezoning and preserve stability for seniors and families. Committee discussion focused on how zoning changes affect valuation, what counts as an upzone, and how assessors currently apply the law. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote. HB 200, a starter-home incentive bill, was heard next. The bill would provide zero-interest loans through the Mortgage Finance Authority to reduce the cost of newly built starter homes, with higher subsidy amounts in Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Alamos. Supporters said it would help young families, retirees, and first-time buyers and encourage construction of smaller homes. Several senators questioned whether the subsidy would simply raise prices, whether the loan structure was the best tool, and whether the program would work equally well across the state. The committee vote ended in a tie, so the bill was held and placed at the top of the next agenda. The committee also passed HB 154 and HB 285 by unanimous votes. HB 154 was approved 6-1 after little discussion. HB 285, a veterans property tax cleanup bill, clarifies how exemptions apply when more than one veteran in a household has a disability rating; it passed 7-0. HB 165, which expands the C-PACE program to include certain economic development projects working through industrial revenue bond arrangements, also passed 8-0 after sponsors said the change was an oversight fix. After HB 165, the committee lost quorum and recessed, with remaining items bumped to the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the division manager of budget policy analysis for the Legislative Services Office.
• And so we may be able to get that legislation out to the floor the following week.
• Placeholder for the legislative scenario for conformity at $155 million.
• So now what we're doing is comparing the governor's recommendation to the legislative scenario.
• That piece of legislation, conformity completely changed the way that taxable income is described.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first received a budget presentation from JFAC Chairman Grow and Keith Bybee on the state’s fiscal outlook for FY 2026-2028. They described a difficult budget year marked by uncertainty around revenue projections, tax conformity costs, and whether several policy bills will pass. Bybee explained the concept of structural balance, noting that ongoing revenues are projected to fall below ongoing expenditures over the next three years, and that the state’s cash reserves, while still substantial, are not a sustainable long-term fix. Members discussed tax cuts, possible triggers or delays on tax legislation, Medicaid and school spending growth, and the impact of past policy choices on the budget. No votes were taken on the budget presentation itself. The committee then approved the January 27, 2026 minutes and voted to send several gubernatorial appointments to the Senate floor with recommendations for confirmation: Brett Thomas to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, Erica Malman to the Idaho Personnel Commission, and Dr. Karen Cabell to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board. Representative John Weber and Bobby Cuyo also appeared for reappointment hearings to the State Insurance Fund Board and Your Health Idaho board, respectively; both were thanked and told their appointments would likely be voted on at a later meeting. The remainder of the meeting focused on DOPL rule dockets for several licensing boards. Michelle Bird presented a contractor registration fee increase to address a low cash balance and comply with statutory reserve requirements; Jessica Spoya presented a liquefied petroleum gas safety fee increase for the same reason; and John Price presented barber and cosmetology rule changes, including mobile establishment rules, deregulation-related updates, and fee increases to bring the board into compliance after years of flat fees and one-time consolidation costs. In each case, members asked about cash balances, consolidation costs, and whether fees would continue rising. Despite some opposition and concerns about DOPL inefficiencies and fee burdens, all three rule dockets were approved by committee vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group.
• The Act 292 Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group was established by the Legislature and enacted
• So, so again one we legislative session.
• But then it also provides us the opportunity as the working group to make legislative recommendations
• </c> the working group to make legislative the working group to make legislative recommendations.<00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group held its first meeting on August 21, 2025, to organize under Act 292, which directs the group to review and recommend laws, policies, and procedures on restrictive housing for vulnerable populations, including older adults, people with disabilities, people with serious mental illness, those with sensory impairments, and people perceived to be LGBTQIA+. Co-chairs Sen. Brandon Elefante and Rep. Della Au Belatti outlined the group’s purpose, membership, and timeline, noting the final recommendations are due to the Legislature by January 8, 2027. Members and invited participants introduced themselves, including legislative members, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff, the Department of Health, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, ACLU of Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, UPW, and an OHA representative in the audience. The working group discussed its initial focus and agreed that a first priority should be understanding current restrictive housing practices at DCR, including policies on solitary confinement, training, reporting, and how the department currently handles vulnerable populations. Co-chair Belatti said the group should also hear from people with lived experience, including incarcerated individuals and family members affected by solitary confinement, and review litigation, settlements, and outside expert work on best practices. DCR Director Tommy Johnson, appearing by Zoom, said the bill contains specific implementation timelines and that the group should use future meetings to surface topics tied to the act’s requirements. Rep. Shimizu asked how the working group’s recommendations would fit with SB 104 and whether they would supersede existing provisions; Belatti responded that the act allows time for review and for both departmental policy changes and legislative recommendations, with section two’s implementation date set for July 1, 2026. Public comment was limited, with no online testimony. An OHA representative thanked the chairs and said the office looked forward to participating once formally designated. House legislative attorney Sean Aronson suggested the group should hear about any outside or court-mandated oversight of DCR in a future presentation. A member of the working group also asked about scheduling an in-person visit to a correctional facility, and the chairs said that could be arranged with DCR. The group tentatively scheduled its next meeting for October 16, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., noted that September would be skipped, and discussed holding future meetings on third Thursdays. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a very timely piece of legislation.
• There is a need to defend those citizens, and that's what this legislation and the whole suite of legislation
• that Texas is working with right now in this legislative session will do.
• I'd like to make four main points about this piece of legislation.
• It is this type of legislation that will lead to that mastery.

Bills: SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753, HB45

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> passed</c><00:03:50.920><c> in</c> When this legislation was passed in When this legislation was
• 03:54.640><c> importance</c><00:03:55.240><c> of</c> legislators had heard the importance of legislators
• ,</c><00:04:01.080><c> but</c><00:04:01.200><c> it</c> legislation wasn't full staffing, but it legislation
• </c> to provide stability while legislatively to provide stability while legislatively appointed<01:17
• </c> commitment to this legislation commitment to this legislation and<01:28:29.040><c> Minnesota's</

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . page 271. legislation.
• You all have a really good legislative liaison.
• This piece of legislation.
• This piece of legislation.
• You all have a legislative liaison? Yes. You all have a legislative liaison? Yes.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Pusc moves inexpedient to legislate.
• Anybody else wants to make a comment on this piece of legislation?
• </c> don't I would never pass legislation don't I would never pass legislation simply<01:15:00.920><c
• Representative Walsh: inexpedient to legislate.
• </c> say when we sent it over to legislative say when we sent it over to legislative services<01:38:54.480

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure expanding the state’s restrictions to include ski wax and related fluorocarbons. The sponsor said the bill was a follow-up to last year’s PFAS law and largely targeted products already off the market, describing it as a reaffirmation of the state’s intent to keep PFAS out of water. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the bill ought to pass and then placed it on the consent calendar. Next, the committee considered House Bill 275 on health career credentialing requirements. The discussion centered on a proposal that would have required insurance companies to pay for training mandated by federal requirements. Members concluded that approach was not appropriate and voted unanimously to make the bill inexpedient to legislate, then placed it on the consent calendar. House Bill 276, dealing with on-premise beverage license requirements, was then reconsidered after an initial ITL vote. The committee adopted an amendment creating a tavern license for establishments limited to patrons over 21, with a higher fee and no food requirement, and then voted 15-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended; it was also placed on the consent calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 310, which would establish a commission to study a regulatory framework for stable tokens and tokenization of real-world assets. The sponsor said the amendment added blockchain-based trusts and discussion of privacy and environmental concerns. The committee approved the amendment 16-0 and then voted 16-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended, placing it on the consent calendar. House Bill 312, concerning intercollegiate student athletes’ right to earn compensation from name, image, and likeness, was retained because members said the issue was not ready and the NCAA had not resolved how to handle it. Finally, the committee began discussion of House Bill 316 on ground ambulance reimbursement, with an amendment that would replace the bill’s reimbursement provisions with a study commission; members debated how it related to another bill, HB 725, and whether the amendment would delay immediate relief for ambulance providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you the members of our legislative you the members of our legislative regarding<00:43:07.079><c>
• </c><00:45:56.440><c> priorities</c> turn to the four legislative priorities turn to the four legislative
• </c> help to pass some of that legislation help to pass some of that legislation and<01:16:13.480><c>
• It's more like a legislative session, where, as Ms.
• </c><01:35:46.800><c> somebody's</c> you're redrafting legislation somebody's you're redrafting legislation

Bills: HF747, HF360

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, trusts, Uniform Trust Code, probate, estate planning, trust protector, directed trust, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor, excluded fiduciary, decanting, power of appointment, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, uneconomic trust, rule against perpetuities

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> there's a bill that passed last legisl there's a bill that passed last legisl session<01:06:56.200
• </c> uh in even prior to last legislative uh in even prior to last legislative session<01:07:02.079><
• </c><01:29:09.679><c> each</c> deemed inexpedient to legislate each deemed inexpedient to legislate each
• </c><02:42:22.720><c> legislative</c><02:42:23.240><c> efforts</c> providers legisl legislative efforts
• providers legisl legislative efforts should<02:42:23.760><c> be</c><02:42:23.920><c> focusing</c><02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232 from prime sponsor Representative Mark Pearson, who said the bill is intended to protect conscience rights for health care professionals and students, especially in relation to abortion and sterilization-related procedures. He argued that protecting ethical objections would help retain and recruit medical workers in New Hampshire, reduce moral injury, and preserve patient access to care. Pearson said the bill is not meant to allow discrimination based on protected characteristics and emphasized that it is limited to objections to specific procedures, with an amendment added to address concerns raised by Chairman Lynn. Members questioned Pearson closely about the scope of the bill and amendment, including whether it could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers or receptionists, whether a provider could refuse emergency care, and who would determine when an emergency exists. Pearson said the bill does not apply to emergency situations or to treatment after an abortion has already occurred, and he stated that emergency triage would control in obvious emergencies. He also said the intent was not to allow a person to take a job and then unexpectedly refuse duties, and he suggested the amendment could be tweaked to clarify its application to facilities and staff. Additional questions focused on whether the bill should be broader than the procedures listed, how it would interact with federal conscience protections, and whether it could affect contraception-related services, including pharmacies. Pearson responded that the bill addresses the specific issues raised by people he and his wife had spoken with, and he was open to revising the amendment to reduce ambiguity. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:12:56.800><c> And</c> not require legislative changes. And not require legislative changes.
• </c> One of our priorities this legislative One of our priorities this legislative session<01:13:00.800
• Is there a reason that data is collecting 088 on behalf of all the legislative salaries when the legislators
• Is there a reason that data is collecting 088 on behalf of all the legislative salaries when the legislators
• If you do, legislatively needed changes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:48.759><c> for</c> also a requirement um in legislation for also a requirement um in legislation
• I know there's federal legislation to do that.
• legislative task force members including legislative task force members including Senator<01:11:45.320
• <01:12:54.480><c> auditor</c> legislative auditor legislative auditor uh<01:12:55.840><c> they</c><01
• </c> as many of you know with a a legislative as many of you know with a a legislative request<01:25:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if possible, sometime in September, come up with a couple legislative concepts.
• but at least a direction of legislative help that we need to advance our goals.
• concepts for the 2027 legislative session.
• The bill itself may present questions which require, passing such legislation.
• People running it said, well, we don't want to do it, got an argument with our legislative people.

Summary: The task force met to focus on funding systems and incentive structures for a proposed regional waste infrastructure effort, including how a future WIPA framework might support solid waste planning in the Willamette Valley. Staff and members heard presentations from DEQ on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, from Business Oregon on the Special Public Works Fund, and from Oregon State Treasury on state bonding capacity and the bond issuance process. Presenters explained how their programs are structured, how projects are scored or approved, what kinds of public entities and projects are eligible, and how interagency coordination and co-funding can work. DEQ emphasized that its revolving loan fund is driven by water-quality benefits and public-health criteria, while Business Oregon described a broader infrastructure loan program for public entities with no scoring system, and Treasury outlined the state’s debt-capacity process and the differences between general obligation and lottery bonds. Members used the presentations to discuss whether similar funding tools could support solid waste infrastructure, especially for transfer stations, regional hubs, and related facilities that may need to be built before Coffin Butte reaches the end of its lifespan. Several questions centered on whether public-private partnerships could qualify, whether equipment inside facilities could be financed, how repayment would work, and whether planning costs could be covered. DEQ and Business Oregon both said they could potentially collaborate on scoring or co-funding, but noted eligibility limits and the need for public ownership in many cases. Treasury said bond capacity is limited and competitive, especially for lottery bonds, and that project authorization generally runs on a two-year cycle, though unused authority can sometimes be reauthorized. In task force discussion, members debated whether the group should pursue a dedicated funding lane for the seven-county region rather than having local governments compete with other statewide needs. Some members stressed the importance of criteria to avoid stranded assets and to ensure funding is available when projects are ready, while others raised concerns about how cities and counties would generate revenue to repay debt during construction and early operations. The group also discussed flow control, system fees, and the need for regional collaboration among counties, cities, and haulers to create enough waste volume to support new infrastructure. Staff noted that pre-session filing materials for the legislature are due September 11, and the chair said the August meeting will focus on organizational structure and identifying partners. During public comment, Representative Kevin Mannix submitted written testimony supporting the WIPA concept and urging the task force to endorse it. Commissioner Bubba King of Yamhill County urged the task force to compare alternatives objectively and warned against adding bureaucracy before evaluating existing infrastructure and costs. Commissioners Kevin Cameron and Roger Nyquist of Marion and Linn counties described regional hub-and-spoke concepts, transfer stations, and intermodal options, emphasizing the need for planning, strategic siting, and collaboration with haulers and local governments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to today's oversight hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Thank you, Mr.
• That was legislation that was adopted in AB 2057.
• The one I'm looking at from the legislative perspective is recommendation number eight, and this has
• It's sort of astounding to me, as a former trustee and as a former legislative staffer for 15 years,
• That's one of the reasons our office is in full support of that legislation. Okay.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit of California’s community college transfer process, with members and witnesses broadly agreeing that transfer pathways remain too complex and inconsistent. Opening remarks emphasized that community colleges serve a large, diverse, often first-generation and low-income student population, but only about one in five transfer-intending students move to a UC, CSU, or other university within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to the Associate Degree for Transfer, TAG, and Cal-GETC as helpful but incomplete tools because requirements still vary across campuses and systems. State Auditor’s Office staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU overall enroll substantial numbers of transfer students, individual campuses and high-demand programs often do not, especially in STEM fields. They described barriers including missing prerequisite courses, unclear information, limited counseling, and inconsistent articulation between campuses. The audit used a computer science example to show how different UC and CSU campuses require different courses for the same major. The audit issued 22 recommendations, with 10 fully implemented and four partially implemented; remaining work centers on articulation, counseling, data sharing, and better use of ASSIST. UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges each said they support transfer and are taking steps to improve it. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus capacity and program differences limit systemwide mandates. CSU pointed to its strategic plan goals, the Transfer Success Pathway program, direct admissions outreach, and efforts to expand ADT alignment and credit applicability, while acknowledging that many students never reach the application stage. Community Colleges emphasized that transfer reform is central to equity and baccalaureate access, and called for stronger common course numbering, broader ADT acceptance, and more student-centered articulation. Members pressed the systems on why more uniform requirements and better coordination have not been achieved, and on how to reduce barriers for placebound and working students.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there may be a few other legislators either in person or virtually.
• So, on behalf of the MDSC, I urge you to support this legislation.
• On behalf of the MDSC, I urge you to support this legislation.
• We'll be sure to look at that as we consider this legislation.
• The legislation brings Massachusetts into alignment with best practices across the country.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing focused primarily on special education-related bills, with testimony centered on two major themes: transition planning for students aging out of school-based services at age 22, and the fiscal strain special education costs place on districts. Committee members explained hearing procedures, noted the House was in formal session, and periodically stepped out for votes while staff recorded testimony. A separate bill on special education due process was also taken up briefly, along with a bill on special education finance and another on equitable access/data reporting. On House Bill 752 and Senate Bill 313, witnesses from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, self-advocates, and Senator Comerford described the “Turning 22” transition as a crisis point that often leaves families without adult placements, services, or clear communication. Testimony emphasized earlier planning, more accountability, better data collection, and a commission to improve coordination and residential placement. Several parents and advocates shared personal accounts of traumatic transitions, delayed placements, and the need for plans to begin at least a year before age 22. The committee later closed testimony on these bills after hearing from all signed-up speakers. House Bill 4217, on special education due process, drew support from Representative Sullivan-Almeida, parents, and advocates who argued that the burden of proof should shift from families to school districts. Testimony described costly legal battles, delays, and parents having to become experts in reading instruction or hire advocates and attorneys to secure services. Brody Dwyer, a 10-year-old student with dyslexia, and his mother described how evidence-based instruction helped him after years of struggle. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 546/Senate Bill 317, which would require DESE to publish cross-tabulated data on race, disability, gender, income, and other factors; advocates said this would better expose disparities and help address the school-to-prison pipeline. Finally, on House Bill 691/Senate Bill 430, school leaders, educators, and union representatives testified that special education costs are outpacing district budgets and that increasing circuit breaker reimbursement and creating a commission to study long-term sustainability would help prevent staffing cuts and service reductions. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee repeatedly closed testimony on individual bills as speakers finished and moved through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks to legislative investments for the past two decades, Thanks to legislative investments for the
• Thanks to legislative investments for the past two decades, Thanks to legislative investments for the
• We will invite her back at a future legislative session.
• One of the purposes of having these hearings in legislative days is to key up issues that legislators
• For the record, my name is Adam Marl, Legislative and Policy...

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee met for a series of information sessions focused on housing stabilization, rental assistance, senior housing, and heat resilience. In the first panel, OHCS and NOAA described the state’s affordable housing preservation work, including the $35 million in 2025 stabilization funding used to reduce debt and keep distressed affordable rental projects operating, plus manufactured home park preservation efforts. OHCS said the portfolio remains under strain, with about a third of projects at debt coverage ratios of 1.0 or less and rising insurance and operating costs. NOAA urged faster closings on the stabilization awards, more funding in 2027, and broader rent assistance and process reforms. Committee members asked about the gap between current appropriations and need, and OHCS explained that the new Article 11-Q bond preservation program is structured differently and requires full refinancing rather than simple cash infusions. The committee then heard a detailed discussion of the state’s eviction prevention and rental assistance program, ORDAP. OHCS said the program is administered through community action agencies, prioritizes households at imminent risk of eviction, and is now funded at a much lower level than in the prior biennium, reducing expected service to about 8,200 households this biennium. The Oregon Law Center, a county community action agency, and Multifamily Northwest all agreed the program prevents homelessness and is effective, but they differed on whether assistance should be tied so closely to eviction court. Legal aid and community action witnesses said the current system is underfunded and that eviction filings are the clearest indicator of need, while Multifamily Northwest argued the process can push people into court unnecessarily and should be moved earlier when possible. Legislators raised questions about whether a pre-eviction model could be developed and about the costs of court involvement; one member shared a personal story about how rental assistance helped keep their family housed. Next, the governor’s office, OHCS, and OHA presented on the new senior housing initiative and healthy homes work. The governor’s housing director said Oregon is making progress on homelessness and housing production, with reductions in homelessness outside Multnomah County and an estimated 50,000 future units added to the pipeline through recent state actions. OHCS outlined the senior housing programs launched in May: a debt-financing program using elderly and disabled bond authority, an older adult housing development program funded through the senior property tax deferral revolving account, and a rehousing program for older adults that will use bridge funding and services to move at least 400 unsheltered older Oregonians into housing. OHA also described its Healthy Homes Grant Program, including $24.6 million already awarded, a new $5 million grant round for seniors and people with disabilities, and examples of home repairs and weatherization that help people remain safely housed. The final information session focused on home cooling and heat resilience. OHA presented data showing rising extreme heat days, more heat-related emergency visits, and likely undercounted heat deaths, especially among older adults, people with disabilities, low-income communities, and people without access to healthy homes. ODOE reviewed implementation of Senate Bill 1536, including a cooling needs study that found 58% of surveyed households in the studied housing types needed permanent cooling, with estimated statewide costs of $582 million to $1 billion. ODOE said its rental home heat pump and community heat pump programs have supported 4,638 installations so far, with a temporary reopening planned using remaining funds. The session ended with a remote presentation from a Community Action Partnership of Oregon representative, continuing the discussion of how community action agencies help deliver energy and anti-poverty services.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to, in the process of working on this legislation, it began with striking the term spontaneous
• This bill is a carbon copy of previous legislation related to backup power for nursing homes.
• And in that report, there were some recommendations, some specific legislation proposals.”
• legislation.
• Well, and respectfully, I’m concerned about the wording of that section of your legislation.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first heard HB 971, which would equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; supporters said independent clinics are disadvantaged by a large payment disparity, and the bill was reported favorable without objection. The committee also recognized visiting Alpha Phi Alpha members and other guests during personal privilege remarks. Members then considered HB 414, which would bar hiring certain health care workers and direct support professionals with serious disqualifying convictions from other states and address background-check issues for therapeutic group homes. After adopting three amendment sets, the bill was reported as amended. HB 740, creating an independent review process for Medicaid behavioral health claim disputes in the coordinated system of care, was amended to clarify applicability and CSOC definitions and then reported as amended. HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation, drew emotional testimony from affected parents and advocates; the committee reported it favorable. The committee also advanced several more bills: HB 405, updating the name of the national acupuncture certifying body, was reported favorable; HB 786, prohibiting extrapolation in certain managed-care claims recoupments, was reported favorable; HB 1095, allowing alternative backup power sources for nursing homes, was reported favorable; HB 403, raising the cottage food gross-sales cap, was amended from $50,000 to $150,000 and then reported favorable; HB 930, modernizing cosmetic-product regulation and creating a small-producer exemption, was reported favorable; HB 557, defining long-term pharmacies for policy purposes, was reported favorable; HB 779, on expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted diseases, was reported favorable; HB 915, setting utilization-management timelines and standards, was reported favorable; HB 546, expanding criteria for peace officers to take someone into protective custody during a mental health crisis, was reported favorable; HB 796, creating a chiropractic preceptorship program, was reported favorable; and HB 933, authorizing commemorative birth certificates, was reported favorable. The final major item was HB 1041, a “no-mandate” bill barring discrimination based on medical intervention status. The sponsor and Surgeon General said it was aimed at healthy, asymptomatic individuals and not at public health quarantine powers, but Senator Boudreaux objected to exemptions for schools and hospitals and offered an amendment to restore broader coverage. That amendment failed on a roll-call vote, and the bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended, with no final committee disposition shown in the excerpt.