Transcript Highlights:

• New York state was the only state to have lost population since 2020.
• nation after just Florida, Washington, and...
• the top 25 states.
• population projections for all 50 states.
• What if the state could attract and retain more people from other states, as we did back in the early

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census, chaired by Senator Will Brownsberger with Senator Liz Miranda and other members participating, held a hearing on mid-decade population estimates and projections for Massachusetts. Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute presented the latest Census Bureau estimates and explained the main components of population change: births, deaths, domestic migration, and international migration. She said Massachusetts has continued to grow, but much more slowly than in the immediate post-2020 period, largely because net international migration has fallen sharply after a pandemic-era surge. She also reviewed fertility and aging trends, noting that births are concentrated among women in their 30s, that the state’s population is aging, and that the share of residents 65 and older is projected to rise substantially, increasing the dependency ratio. Strait and committee members discussed the role of immigration in Massachusetts’ population growth, the concentration of immigrants in Greater Boston and other regions, and the effect of immigration on births and the labor force. They also discussed domestic out-migration, especially among young adults, and the possibility that housing affordability is a major driver. Senators raised questions about how the Census counts people in group quarters such as prisons and dormitories, and Strait explained that the Census counts incarcerated people where they are housed and generally does not treat dormitory residents as migrants in the same way as household residents. She said the Census Bureau is still working on methodological issues such as extending a “college fix” to more areas. Jesse Partridge Guerrero of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council described how MAPC uses Donahue Institute population projections, household headship rates, and UrbanSim to allocate projected households down to regional, municipal, and sub-municipal levels. He said the projections used for MassDOT’s long-range transportation plan anticipated slower statewide growth and regional decline in the Cape and parts of western and central Massachusetts. Tim Reardon of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities then explained how those projections feed into the statewide housing plan, including three population scenarios and associated housing needs. He said the plan estimates a need for about 115,000 homes to address existing shortages and another 73,000 households even under a low-growth scenario, with total housing needs rising to roughly 222,000 units under the middle scenario and 262,000 under the high scenario. Members pressed him on whether the scenarios may understate future need given the recent drop in immigration and ongoing affordability problems, and he said the state is also pursuing housing production, rental assistance, shelter response, seasonal conversion prevention, and infrastructure support for communities. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it generates revenue that the RGGI states use to invest in energy efficiency, which, no matter how
• the Reggie states use to invest<00:48:05.200><c> in</c><00:48:05.440><c> energy</c><00:48:05.839><c>
• A lot of the other states invest probably more in energy efficiency than New Hampshire.
• more</c><00:52:36.000><c> in</c><00:52:36.240><c> energy</c> states invest probably more in energy states
• And, of course, nothing north of Mount Washington. I mean, that's still part of the state.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It touches all parts of the Gem State.
• And I hear the hurdles that they have to jump through in their state, the hurdles that their state lawmakers
• guys continuing to make this an ag-friendly state.
• So as 9% of the United States... Global cane that makes its way into the United States.
• The stated target for the federal sugar program is 13.5% to 15.5%.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we're seeing clean energy investments in every corner of the state for rural electric cooperatives
• </c> us implement the uh Minnesota state us implement the uh Minnesota state energy energy energy policy
• </c> conservation expansion of that state conservation expansion of that state energy<00:27:19.919><c
• that are required for the state energy program that comes through the federal funds.
• </c> dollars that are required for the state dollars that are required for the state energy<00:43:45.160

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state highway.
• Police, to the State of Louisiana, while providing for DOTD and DPS Office of State Police to implement
• And this says other states as well? There's very few other states that operate in this way.
• We've talked about other states.
• As read, as stated. Okay.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Several bills dealt with port and commission appointments or authority, including SB 420 adding Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission, SB 69 aligning appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission with redistricting, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, and SB 170 adding qualification and Senate confirmation requirements for Caddo-Bossier Port Commission members. The committee also approved SB 449 to give the New Orleans Public Belt more flexibility in procuring specialized materials, and SB 115 to allow DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA responsibilities to speed project delivery, with testimony emphasizing long permitting delays and the need for faster project completion. Members also advanced multiple safety and enforcement measures. SB 40 expanded move-over protections for emergency and disabled vehicles, SB 55 clarified proper seat belt use, SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement, SB 489 authorized third-party verification of insurance coverage through license plate inquiries, and SB 133 updated commercial vehicle parking and autonomous vehicle oversight provisions. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples tied to CODIS matches or qualifying arrests/convictions, and SB 48 would create Louisiana-Ireland driver’s license reciprocity. Most of these bills were reported favorably after brief testimony, with support from law enforcement, AAA, OMV, and other stakeholders. The committee also considered several local resolutions and infrastructure studies. Rep. Dickerson’s resolutions on widening Highway 16, studying turn lanes on Highway 1024, and constructing a roundabout on Highway 1019 were all reported favorably. HCR 53 created a study committee on oversized vehicle permits with DOTD participation, HCR 60 asked DOTD to study I-12 and I-55 corridor improvements, and HR/HCR 170 and 68 sought federal funding to remove four closed bridges on US 90 in St. Tammany Parish. HR 191, as amended, requested a DOTD study of mountable median curbs on Range Avenue in Denham Springs. HB 762, amended to make certain OMV debt referrals permissive rather than mandatory, was reported favorably over some concern about debt collection impacts. HB 714, which would have addressed abandoned railroad lines, drew extensive debate over federal preemption, blight definitions, and whether a new commission was needed; the author ultimately moved to defer it, and the committee agreed. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement markings was amended to grandfather existing compliant pavement markings and rejected an amendment that would have exempted several cities from the law. The committee adjourned after reporting the remaining measures favorably and recognizing a departing staff member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, the United States Conference on AIDS is taking place right now in Washington, DC.
• </c> United States. United States.
• United States. So, I am hopeful that United States.
• </c><03:45:22.800><c> of</c> the state of Texas that the state of the state of Texas that the state of
• That's Texas, my state, by the way, my state.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have Hawaii State Energy Office.
• Maria Tomy, Hawaii State Energy Office. We will stand on our written testimony with comments.
• Thank you. outside of the state of Hawaii to outside of the state of Hawaii to purchase<01:11:47.280>
• </c><01:30:14.960><c> generally</c> finance rather than the state generally finance rather than the state
• /c><01:30:26.600><c> outside</c><01:30:26.960><c> of</c> state or any state monies outside of state or

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee met on February 13, 2025, after a brief recess for a concurrent hearing. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including HB 332 on recycling and lithium-ion batteries, HB 256 on environmental protection and federal air standards, HB 348 on single-use plastics in lodging establishments, HB 810 on noise pollution and helicopter-related civil actions, HB 505 on Red Hill coordination, HB 975 on carbon sequestration incentives, and HB 974 on utility financing and step-in agreements. Testimony was generally supportive on HB 256, HB 348, HB 505, HB 975, and HB 974, while HB 332 drew both support and opposition, including concerns from the Consumer Technology Association about battery recycling policy. On HB 975, OPSD supported the program but urged language to prevent use for carbon offsets, and the committee discussed how the program would be monitored and reimbursed. On HB 974, the chair summarized extensive amendments addressing reserve fees, revenue definitions, trust funds, default procedures, and customer credits, while noting the Consumer Advocate’s changed view that a reserve fee may not be constitutionally required. In decision making, the committee adopted amendments and recommended passage for HB 332, converting it into a working group to study recycling of small- and medium-format lithium-ion batteries, with members from state agencies and industry and a note that an appropriation may be needed. HB 256 was passed with amendments to clarify compliance with federal law unless standards become more stringent. HB 348, HB 810, and HB 505 were each passed as is. HB 975 was passed with amendments, including language to prevent use of the program for carbon offsets and a note that dollar amounts would be blanked out and addressed in the committee report. HB 974 was also passed with amendments after the committee reviewed the proposed changes and discussed the reserve fee issue. The committee additionally noted that HB 1476 had previously been deferred and would remain deferred, and the meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• State in Washington over the shutdown right now.
• When the State Auditor made a comment yesterday about not being able to get the state budgets in line
• State of New Mexico.
• The third is advanced energy.
• So I think it's a good plan if we're gonna be the quantum state in the United States, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a Washington State DOT standard at the time in the CVP process, which they have as a tool.
• That is based on independent work by both the Washington State Treasurer as well as the Oregon Department
• So one, I would say that at least in Washington state legislature, which I understand better in how they
• Within Washington State Legislature, Washington State DOT is not actually empowered to move funds out
• If we go out for bonds or toll bonds, as we will with the State of Washington, to finance the IBR, the

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our folks and our citizens in the state our folks and our citizens in the state of<00:16:10.560>
• </c> 100,000 units that we need in the state 100,000 units that we need in the state of<00:21:25.200>
• State of Maryland there to the IRS.
• ><c> want</c> own property in the state and you want own property in the state and you want to<01:15:
• </c> say, "Look, we're we're the state say, "Look, we're we're the state legislative<01:19:40.760><c>

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 3, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state.
• With Washington State.
• costs for the state.
• I think the experts on the issue are my colleagues at the Energy Commission, but it is a stated goal
• And importantly, it allows us to begin the very rigorous work of evaluating linkage with Washington state

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic.
• Today, the Arkansas chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy is here.
• state.
• She's a junior at Washington Baptist.
• They represent the 1A-2A district in the state, and they've driven up here this morning.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:04:21.040><c> and</c> certificate of birth in the state, and certificate of birth in the state
• The House available through QR code.
• </c> certain authority to the state certain authority to the state administrator,<00:12:46.080><c> a<
• Have any of those other states enacted this already, or is it that three states would still have to do
• Um, have any of those other states enacted this already, or is it that three states would still have

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 9, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first outlined its plan to clear pending concurrence items, focusing on Senate bills with House amendments and not taking up unamended House bills. Members then approved several motions not to concur with House amendments, including Senate Bills 514, 626, and 866, with the clerk reading the formal Senate messages in each case. The chamber also addressed an excused-vote question, with the presiding officer explaining that excused votes do not count as missed votes. The Senate then concurred in House amendments and passed a series of Senate bills, including SB 11 on campaign finance reporting and the Fair Campaign Financing Fund, SB 164 on the Pamela J. Kelly Tree Maryland program, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees, SB 509 on workforce Pell Grant implementation, SB 553 reestablishing the lithium-ion battery safety commission, SB 581 on statewide technology master plan reporting, SB 670 on polling-place authority, SB 848 on municipal election reporting, and SB 940 on water quality testing. Most of these House amendments were described as technical, clarifying, or conforming changes, and each bill received the required constitutional majority on final passage. The chamber also took up House Bill 862, a rail safety bill requiring certain freight trains to have crews of at least two under specified interstate conditions. After questions from the minority leader about the bill’s trigger conditions and effect on an Eastern Shore rail line, a senator explained support for the measure and the bill passed with 33 affirmative votes. Additional special-order House bills passed as well, including HB 497 on protective order durations, HB 552 establishing a commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, and HB 573 on fair housing and discriminatory effect standards. Later, the Senate continued with more concurrence items from Finance, including SB 22 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, SB 412 on forensic review boards and community forensic aftercare, SB 413 on morticians and funeral directors board operations, SB 496 on Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, SB 555 on dementia services and brain health resources, and SB 579 on no-cost preventive cancer screening for retired volunteer firefighters. These bills were generally amended in the House with clarifying or conforming changes, and the Senate adopted the amendments and passed the bills by constitutional majority.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here on behalf of the Washington State Transit Association testifying in support.
• WAPA members manufacture about 98% of all the hot mix asphalt produced in Washington State.
• I'm Susan Duggan, General Counsel for the Washington State Auto Dealers Association.
• There's nothing stopping Rivian or any new EV market entrant from selling in the state of Washington.
• There's nothing stopping Rivian or any new EV market entrant from selling in the state of Washington

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on three bills: SB 6225, a proposed substitute bond bill authorizing transportation funding bonds; SB 6005, the proposed substitute supplemental transportation budget; and SB 6354, a bill to expand access to electric vehicles through limited direct sales by qualifying EV-only manufacturers and changes to the documentary service fee. Staff explained that SB 6225 would authorize $1.1 billion in general obligation bonds, an additional $400 million for selected Move Ahead Washington highway projects, a $500 million increase in SR 520 bond authority, and the expiration of some older unused bond authorizations. For SB 6005, staff described a $17.5 billion supplemental budget with $1.5 billion in new funding, including reappropriations, preservation and maintenance spending, ferry investments, Climate Commitment Act-related adjustments, and a six-year balanced plan through 2031. For SB 6354, staff outlined the direct-sales framework for qualifying EV manufacturers, dealer licensing requirements, penalties for violations, and a fee increase that would direct revenue to EV rebates and multimodal transportation. Testimony on the budget and bond bills was broadly supportive from transit, local government, labor, construction, ports, and climate advocates, who praised preservation funding, ferry investments, safety programs, EV charging, rail electrification, and flood-response or local project funding. Several witnesses asked for specific project or account changes, including support for Skagit Transit, Day Road and Poplar Way bridge-related funding, Spokane TMC operating support, Kent corridor funding, and additional rail capital projects. Some speakers also urged more Climate Commitment Act funding for EV rebates, charging, and rail electrification, while others warned against deeper cuts to local programs and stressed the need for long-term preservation and bonding to stabilize the system. Testimony on SB 6354 was sharply divided. Rivian, Lucid, and several Washington auto dealers supported the bill as a compromise that would allow limited direct sales for EV-only manufacturers while preserving franchise protections and generating revenue for EV rebates. Climate advocates supported the bill as a way to accelerate EV adoption and asked that more of the fee revenue go to instant rebates for low-income buyers. In opposition, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Honda argued the bill creates unequal rules, weakens the franchise system, and was not the product of a true compromise. The committee announced that SB 6225 and SB 6005 would be in executive session Thursday at 8 a.m., with amendments due by noon the prior day, while SB 6354 would be scheduled for executive action later.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the State Treasurer's Office.
• Responsible for the State Investment Council and the State Treasurer's Office.
• Are those comparable with other states? Or are rate increases higher than other states?
• So the goal was to have rates that were better. than other states to draw providers to this state.
• QR code near the top of the page.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state.
• But the other two states, Minnesota and Washington, did that, followed our lead on that.
• State Pipe Trades Council, the California Coalition of Utility Employees, Western States Council of
• But if there's a state prevailing wage, which also applies, if there's any state money, the state prevailing
• If there's no state money, if there's state money, then it's the state prevailing wage. Okay. Okay.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll never forget going to Washington, D.C.
• banana slug, California's official state slug.
• the people in the state of California.
• He also educated the state of California.
• The 818 is more than an area code.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures that the golden state remains.
• And finally, this bill requires that the state that the Board of State and Community Corrections prioritize
• We know that it is not Washington that's bailing out California, California has been bailing out Washington
• We are the largest donor state by many orders of magnitude.
• Hard-working Californians are paying taxes that folks in Washington are sending to other states.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that at least we the people of the state that at least we the people of the state of<00:03:09.680
• One of the things I did in state government was among other things to be the person that state agencies
• </c><00:20:06.880><c> energy</c><00:20:07.240><c> and</c> the New York University State energy and the
• New York University State energy and environment<00:20:08.039><c> Impact</c><00:20:08.400><c> Center
• energy</c><00:20:27.559><c> policy</c> violate state law energy policy violate state law energy policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you please state your name? Should be on.
• to the Children’s Code.
• That’s me, with the Louisiana State Law Institute.
• It's protected by the Louisiana state constitution.
• You could buy a generator and buy your own energy.

Bills: HB199 , HB222 , HB223 , HB224 , HB235 , HB246 , HB405 , HB535 , HB554 , HB907 , SCR3 , SB43 , SB52 , SB54 , SB113 , SB168 , SB219 , SB222 , SB270 , SB311 , SB359

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: nursing facilities, moratorium, healthcare, patient care, data collection, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, Department of Children and Family Services, sunset law, statutory entities, regulatory authority, re-creation, termination dates, child welfare, foster care, children's rights, legal guardianship