Transcript Highlights:

• We have one bond program, four loan programs, and four grant programs.
• But in recent weeks, we have been extremely busy with tax-exempt bond financing.
• We've passed three different children's bonds over the years.
• I can go into more detail on the bond financing program and the agenda.
• You have the data from 2023 of all the bond transactions that were done under CHAFA.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Environmental impact mitigation fund, model zoning ordinances, and fertilizer production and usage in
• Moving on into the environmental impact... Yes, got a question from Representative Beltz.
• Moving on to the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund.
• Moving on to the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund.
• Currently, we're in the... ...and we've conducted environmental mitigation on their behalf.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances, Environmental impact mitigation fund, model zoning
• Moving on into the environmental impact. Yes. Got a question from Representative Belts.
• Moving on to the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund.
• Currently, we're in the... ...and we've conducted environmental mitigation on their behalf.
• Cody hired a Wank Associates, an environmental consulting company, and on page 10 is a map that they

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances, and fertilizer production and usage in
• Moving on into the environmental impact. Yes. Got a question from Representative Beltz.
• Moving on to the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund.
• And we've conducted environmental mitigation on their behalf.
• Currently, we're in the... ...and we've conducted environmental mitigation on their behalf.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of statutory reports from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Water Resources. Chair Hauck noted that Legislative Management had denied the committee’s earlier request for a fertilizer capacity study, and that the committee would also revisit the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger later in the day. Commissioner Doug Goring reported on several agriculture topics, including uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, irrigation expansion potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and usage in North Dakota. He emphasized that fertilizer supply depends heavily on natural gas and water, that most nitrogen fertilizer is imported, and that large-scale fertilizer plants require very large capital investments. Members discussed fertilizer storage, natural gas pipeline capacity, water availability, and the role of state infrastructure in supporting value-added agriculture. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the tool was created under 2017 legislation to help evaluate projects expected to cost $1 million or more, and that the department is proposing adjustments to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and changing hydrologic data. He said the changes would remain focused on direct, demonstrable costs and benefits, not indirect impacts, and would be implemented through guidance and operating procedures rather than statutory changes. Committee members and water users discussed whether the revisions would better reflect real-world conditions, including deferred maintenance, changing rainfall patterns, and downstream effects. A representative from the Water Resource District Association said the group was working with DWR and hoped to review test scenarios before the June meeting. The committee then received a detailed presentation on Devils Lake, its outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. State Engineer John Paskowski reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow constraints, and the purpose of the Tolna Coulee structure in limiting head cutting and preventing uncontrolled downstream releases. Members questioned whether the structure was effectively a dam, whether the lake would naturally overflow without it, the last time the outlets ran, and whether water quality in Devils Lake has improved over time. Paskowski said the outlets last operated in August 2025, that sulfate levels still limit operations, and that the lake has freshened somewhat but not enough to eliminate water-quality concerns. The discussion also touched on whether water from flooded areas or closed-basin systems could be reused for irrigation, and on the broader implications of wet cycles, inundated land, and drainage management across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said that while a particular residence may have minimal environmental impact, if numerous dwellings
• impact you know consider environmental impact you know consider the<01:31:41.440><c> lakefront</c><01
• issues um it one of our environmental issues um it one of our issues<01:34:39.880><c> we</c><01:34:40.000
• Protection um if it's Environmental Protection um if it's easier<01:34:54.280><c> to</c><01:34:54.600
• He said that, regardless, the department is an environmental department and they do not have the expertise

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a senior staff attorney with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.
• </c><00:22:16.880><c> MCEA</c> Center for Environmental Advocacy.
• MCEA Center for Environmental Advocacy.
• </c><00:25:54.000><c> drilling</c> water supplies, environmental drilling water supplies, environmental
• Provide safe drinking water and provide environmental protection.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> success using their tax exempt bonding success using their tax exempt bonding Authority<00:35:17.599
• We're basically allowing this group to bond for nonprofits to use bonding authority for health care facilities
• for allow nonprofits to use to bond for allow nonprofits to use bonding<00:40:36.560><c> Authority</
• So would they have to be licensed by the state in order to take advantage of this bonding authority,
• of this bonding Authority or how<00:42:09.520><c> would</c><00:42:09.839><c> that</c> how would that

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• State University, University of colleges, environmental law enforcement, and DMH campus police as well
• Those agencies include the University of Massachusetts Police, the Environmental State Police, the Massport
• It excludes the Environmental Police, UMass Police, State University and College Police, the Department
• The Environmental Police, UMass Police, State University and College Police, the Department of Mental

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting public safety and public sector employees, with most of the discussion focused on expanding occupational presumptions and retirement protections for police, firefighters, correction officers, court officers, and other public employees. Testifiers from the Legislature, police and fire unions, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, PERAC, and the AFL-CIO generally supported bills covering cancer presumptions, contagious disease presumptions, Parkinson’s disease for firefighters, PTSD-related disability and death, and equity for post-certified police officers under the Heart Law. Several speakers emphasized that these conditions are linked to long-term occupational exposure, that current law leaves out agencies such as UMass police, Environmental Police, DMH police, and other state or campus police, and that the bills would correct gaps in existing benefits and presumptions. Representative Colleen Garry and Senator Joan Lovely spoke in support of expanding the Heart Law and cancer presumption protections, while Representative and Senator sponsors for the firefighter and PTSD bills described the health risks faced by first responders and urged favorable reports. PFFM and MassCOP representatives argued that firefighters and police officers face toxic exposures, infectious disease risks, and chronic stress, and cited studies and other states’ laws in support of the measures. PERAC testified that the PTSD accidental disability bill would clarify confusing case law and update filing requirements so traumatic incidents can be used in applications even when PTSD develops later, while still requiring medical review and retirement board approval. Additional testimony came from correction officers and trial court officers seeking comparable disability and pension protections, including a bill to extend a 100% disability pension to correction officers injured in violent attacks and a bill to treat court officers more like police and firefighters when injured in the line of duty. The committee asked a few clarifying questions, including about whether the PTSD bill would address post-retirement claims and about the impact of excluding “forgotten” police agencies. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee ultimately adjourned after hearing all scheduled testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• accidents are caused by human error, either poor decisions, not by the boat or the equipment or environmental
• accidents are caused by human error, either poor decisions, not by the boat or the equipment or environmental
• Angeles includes activities such as water patrols, recreational boating safety, marine safety, environmental
• continuing the state's longstanding leadership in addressing climate, air quality, health, and environmental

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered a Memorial Day prayer, and welcomed a third-grade class from Sacred Heart Parish School to the chamber. Members then handled several procedural motions, including suspending a joint rule to allow budget subcommittees to meet during blackout period and removing certain bills from inactive or consent files. The chamber confirmed multiple gubernatorial appointments, including Nicholas Mueller to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, Arthur Krantz to the Public Employment Relations Board, Chris Ferguson to the California Student Aid Commission, and Brian Haynes to the same commission. The Senate also adopted several resolutions, including SR 102 recognizing National Safe Boating Week, SCR 172 proclaiming Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, SCR 177 declaring World No Tobacco Day, SR 107 for Lupus Awareness Month, and SR 115 marking the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris in California wine history. On third reading, the Senate passed a series of bills on topics including beverage container recycling fees (SB 1341), school employee misconduct procedures (SB 1083), wildfire preparedness for water suppliers (SB 1153), insurance cost-sharing accounting (SB 1199), nonprofit government liaison services (SB 1240), energy coordination and fuel supply planning (SB 1337), language access in elections (SB 1360), gaming fee transparency (SB 920), mental health evaluation in Care Court-related cases (SB 1016), reckless driving penalties (SB 1198), greenhouse gas reporting for subsidized medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (SB 1213), the Go Green financing program (SB 1265), repossession transport interference (SB 1338), and wildlife coexistence (SB 1135). Most measures passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 920 passed 28-1, SB 1265 passed 26-5, and SB 1135 passed with two no votes. The session concluded with a Veterans Caucus adjournment-in-memory ceremony honoring 82 fallen service members, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• into the system by allowing the use of non-CARBOB gasoline in emergencies without undermining environmental
• Jenna Price, on behalf of Environmental Voters, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Climate Center, in
• number of organizations working together to try to solve that problem without undermining the environmental

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• involved in the bioeconomy value chain for collective decision-making and action to educate, evaluate environmental
• educate,</c><00:02:59.200><c> evaluate</c> action to educate, evaluate action to educate, evaluate environmental
• > impacts</c><00:03:00.880><c> and</c><00:03:01.000><c> benefits,</c><00:03:02.040><c> and</c> environmental
• impacts and benefits, and environmental impacts and benefits, and incentivize<00:03:02.920><c> sustainable

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Environmental Quality is involved in these, and that's part of that, having an adequate
• But the Department of Environmental Quality regulates in accordance with the Clean Water Act in this
• The Department of Environmental Quality looks at it and says you're not allowed to provide a will-serve
• And so the Department of Environmental Quality looks at it and says, you're not allowed to provide a

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the language should be crystal clear that that update should be driven by the Massachusetts Environmental
• Policy Act, because I believe... ...that that update should be driven by the Massachusetts Environmental
• I'm an environmental consultant, and I work closely with an environmental toxicologist.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a late-file hearing focused mainly on coastal access and wildlife protection bills, rodenticide restrictions, and a conservation land use bill. Chair Barbara House opened with technical notes and hearing rules, then Rep. Scarsdale testified for H. 5113, which would name an accessible trail in Groton the Marion Stoddard Riverwalk in honor of the environmental advocate who helped restore the Nashua River. Groton Trails Committee chair Paul Fung also supported the bill, describing the trail, educational signage, and DCR’s involvement. Rep. Sweezey then presented a package of Duxbury beach bills—H. 5141, H. 5140, and H. 5139—aimed at revising shorebird protections, creating parity among beaches, and requiring regular review of outdated recreational-use guidelines. He said the bills were developed with local and agency input to balance conservation and beach access, though he acknowledged some initial concerns from wildlife officials about the language in H. 5141. The committee also heard extensive testimony on local home-rule petitions to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides and other pesticides. Supporters included Grafton resident Shannon Phelan, Mass Audubon’s Heather Packard, Sen. Ford, Billerica resident William Jubin, Manchester-by-the-Sea resident Anne Harris, and Animal Defenders International’s Drew McCormick. They argued the poisons cause secondary poisoning in owls, hawks, eagles, and other wildlife, can harm pets and livestock, and are increasingly ineffective; several speakers urged local authority because statewide action has been slow. Opponents included Molly Moran of the New England Pest Management Association, who argued regulation should remain at the state level through MDAR to avoid a patchwork of local rules and noted the agency is already reviewing the issue. Additional testimony from Stephanie Ellis, Laura Kelly, Chris Powicki, Cecily Miller, and others supported Eastham and Truro pesticide-reduction petitions, citing wildlife losses, groundwater concerns, and the need for local control. Finally, the committee heard S. 2961 from Dighton town counsel Matthew Costa, which would authorize use of a small portion of conservation land for public way purposes tied to replacement of the Pleasant Street Bridge. Costa said the easements are needed for safety improvements, including a wider bridge deck, sidewalk, guardrail replacement, and erosion controls, and that the affected conservation area is limited and of little natural-resource value. The hearing ended after testimony on these bills, with no votes taken during the session and the committee adjourning at the close of testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I operate a small environmental services business in Missouri.
• Sedimentation and erosion have serious ecological harms that cascade up and down the food chain and the environmental
• This contributes to a very self-reliant community that can better weather environmental damages.
• This contributes to a very self-reliant community that can better weather environmental damages.

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources heard House Bill 2202, sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew, which would allow active-duty military personnel, 100% disabled veterans, and youth during youth hunt seasons to receive certain hunting permits at no cost. Mayhew argued the bill would help recruit younger hunters, support military members and disabled veterans, and would not threaten conservation funding because the conservation fund has maintained substantial balances. Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal impact, possible constitutional issues, effects on Pittman-Robertson federal reimbursements, and whether the bill duplicated existing Missouri Department of Conservation exemptions. Some members supported the concept of honoring veterans but suggested other funding mechanisms or clarifying language, and MDC said it would revise the fiscal note after misreading some figures. Testimony on HB 2202 was mostly opposed or informational. An Army veteran testified against the bill, saying current MDC rules already provide significant exemptions for veterans, active-duty personnel, and seniors, and warning the bill could reduce revenue and federal matching funds. MDC Deputy Director Aaron Jeffreys said the department already offers numerous veteran and military exemptions and supports veteran hunts through partnerships with NGOs, but also explained the agency’s fund balance is being used for major capital projects and is expected to decline. Several members and the sponsor debated whether conservation revenues are being held in reserve unnecessarily or are needed for ongoing projects and future obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 1734, sponsored by Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, which would create a Soil Erosion Control Fund Act to help homeowners associations finance erosion mitigation projects through assessments, state fund allocations, and matching local or grant dollars. Wellenkamp and supporters said erosion and flooding are causing major property damage, especially in water-rich and river-adjacent areas, and that the bill would give communities a practical tool to address problems that are too expensive for cities or counties to solve alone. Members from affected districts described severe flooding and erosion impacts, and the sponsor said the bill includes safeguards such as HOA nonprofit status, homeowner approval, and repayment terms to protect taxpayers. HB 1734 drew broad support from witnesses including the Community Associations Institute, a stream restoration business, the Missouri Municipal League, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy of Missouri, and a St. Charles County lobbyist. Supporters said the proposal would help stabilize land, protect homes and property values, improve habitat and water quality, and reduce long-term public costs. No witnesses testified in opposition, and the hearing on HB 1734 concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , because originally this was for the green fee and climate mitigation, disaster, all of that, environmental
• ,<00:22:06.960><c> all</c><00:22:07.120><c> of</c><00:22:07.280><c> that,</c><00:22:07.760><c> environmental
• </c> disaster, all of that, environmental disaster, all of that, environmental stewardship<00:22:08.799

Bills: SB2816

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: enterprise zones, economic development, innovation enterprise, job creation, Hawaii, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard House Bill 2195, HD1, which would replace the existing transit accommodations tax on cruise ships with a per-passenger infrastructure fee collected by the Department of Transportation and deposited into a new cruise ship special fund. Testimony included support from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii warning that the bill should remain narrowly tied to harbor-related uses to avoid potential Tonnage Clause issues. The Department of Transportation testified that cruise-related harbor work includes pier repairs, dredging, terminal upgrades, and shore power, and said a dedicated revenue stream would help prioritize cruise infrastructure needs. The Attorney General’s office said it had submitted written comments but did not address questions about the litigation or constitutional background. Members questioned whether the new special fund was necessary when the existing harbor special fund already finances similar improvements. DOT said the funds overlap and suggested the bill could be amended to use the harbor special fund with a separate cruise subaccount, while still preserving a dedicated revenue stream and separate accounting. DOT also said it currently collects port entry, dockage, and per-head passenger fees from cruise ships and that existing cruise-related expenditures from the harbor special fund have not been challenged. The chair ultimately recommended moving HB 2195 forward as introduced, while continuing discussions about the fund structure and awaiting further clarity from the Attorney General and DOT. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass HB 2195, HD1, as is. They also voted to pass House Bill 916, HD1, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, which would allow certain state low-income housing tax credits to offset state transient accommodations taxes in the same county and make Act 129 of 2016 permanent. Both the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Economic Development and Technology adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 916, HD1, unamended. The hearing was then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney's Office in multiple jurisdictions, environmental law with the Department of Justice, and, since
• with the US attorney's office in multiple<00:12:53.600><c> jurisdictions,</c><00:12:54.480><c> environmental
• </c> multiple jurisdictions, environmental multiple jurisdictions, environmental law<00:12:55.360><c>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• canopy and planting more trees because we are not increasing funding for tree planting in our environmental
• 00:09:49.920><c> planting</c><00:09:50.320><c> in</c><00:09:50.480><c> our</c><00:09:50.720><c> environmental
• </c> for tree planting in our environmental for tree planting in our environmental bill<00:09:51.519>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• farmers in California and has worked for over 45 years to preserve family-scale agriculture and environmental
• family-scale farms jeopardizes not only rural livelihoods but also the state's food security, environmental
• with healthy, locally sourced food and provides hands-on education in agriculture, nutrition, and environmental
• California, and we've worked for more than 45 years to preserve family-scale agriculture and promote environmental

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with extensive discussion focused on balancing agricultural land preservation, water scarcity, renewable energy, and farm equity. AB 1156 by Assembly Member Wicks would update the solar use easement program to allow certain Williamson Act lands facing water constraints to be used for solar projects through a suspension rather than cancellation of contracts. Supporters said the bill could help landowners and local governments adapt to falling water supplies and meet clean energy goals, while opponents, including the Farm Bureau, warned it could weaken Williamson Act protections, expand solar development onto prime farmland, and eliminate cancellation fees that help preserve agricultural land. RCRC said its concerns had largely been addressed through amendments and moved from opposition to support once changes are in print, though committee members continued to raise concerns about prime farmland, community benefits, and definitions of commercial viability and water constraints. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass-as-amended motion, with a later roll call recording six votes in favor and one absent member voting aye. AB 524 by Assembly Member Wilson would create a new state land access program for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, using Proposition 4 funding to provide financial and technical assistance for land acquisition, protection, and long-term leases. Testimony emphasized the lack of secure land tenure for small and underserved farmers, the loss of farmland statewide, and the difficulty of investing in sustainable practices without stable access to land. Committee members strongly supported the measure, with several noting the importance of land access for family farms and equity in agriculture. The bill passed unanimously on an 8-0 vote. The committee also approved AB 675 by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, which would codify California’s Farm to School program in statute. Supporters said the program connects students to healthy local food, creates stable markets for farmers, and supports agricultural and nutrition education, while helping direct school meal dollars to California producers. Witnesses from the Center for Ecoliteracy and CAFF described the program’s statewide reach and benefits for small farms and high-need schools. The bill passed on an 8-0 vote. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, approving AB 1322 and AB 1505 on an 8-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• referral of AB 2032 has been changed to a double referral to Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and Environmental
• To a double referral to Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Summary: The Rules Committee convened, called the roll, and confirmed a quorum. The committee considered a consent agenda and noted a referral change for AB 2032, which was sent to a double referral to the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee. A motion was made and seconded on the consent agenda, and the roll was called. The motion passed, with members voting aye as recorded. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2032 has been changed to a double referral to the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and the Environmental
• To a double referral to the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and the Environmental Safety and Toxic

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 988, house, all