Video & Transcript : 'Texas State Library' :
Page 294 of 500
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 2 Jan 8th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
- recommending that the resolutions filed by Representative Smola of Warren, congratulating the Warren Public Library
- tribute to the memory of retired associate justice of the Boston Municipal Court Department and former State
- in South Boston, Michael graduated from South Boston High School and proudly served in the United States
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jan 12th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic which stands, one
- Comerford, resolutions recognizing Russell Russ Carrier's 44 years of service to the Forbes Library.
- His journey took him through São Tomé and Angola before he immigrated to the United States in 1976, carrying
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So this comes into the state.
- In the past, and the existing code states that the state is the sole regulator when it comes to firearms
- We're only paying 10% here on state.
- states to manage risks.
- State Affairs meeting. Just before you leave the floor, we have a 3 p.m. State Affairs meeting.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the journal, and moved through routine orders before taking up committee reports, gubernatorial messages, House messages, and first and second reading calendars. Several bills were advanced, including appropriations measures and enrolled bills transmitted to the House, Governor, or Secretary of State. The chamber then proceeded to third reading and final action on a series of bills, with debate focused largely on budget priorities, Medicaid, firearms preemption, medical education funding, rural health, and kratom regulation.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 1420, creating a dedicated funding source for medical education beginning in 2028; Senate Bill 1430, strengthening state firearms preemption enforcement and authorizing penalties and injunctions against local violations; Senate Bill 1432, an appropriation for Health and Welfare indirect support and related modernization items; Senate Bill 1433, a large Medicaid enhancement budget with discussion of MMIS procurement, estate recovery, program integrity, hospital assessment fund alignment, and population/cost growth; Senate Bill 1434, the Division of Welfare budget reflecting SNAP administrative cost changes and Medicaid eligibility system updates; Senate Bill 1437, an appropriation for Idaho State Police tied to DNA collection for sexual battery and domestic violence offenses; Senate Bill 1439, delaying a school facilities model report deadline to 2027; and Senate Bill 1264 as amended, creating a rural health transformation account and legislative oversight committee for federal rural health funds. Most of these measures passed on party-line or split votes, while SB 1437 and SB 1439 passed unanimously.
The most extended debate centered on Senate Bill 1264, where supporters said the bill would give the Legislature oversight over already-awarded federal rural health money and help ensure sustainable uses, while opponents argued it would deepen federal debt and create a process that could still leave control with the executive branch. Another major debate was on Senate Bill 1418, the kratom consumer protection bill, which would restrict sales to adults 21 and older, set product limits and labeling standards, and allow inspections and enforcement against synthetic or adulterated products. Supporters framed it as a consumer protection and harm-reduction measure; opponents raised concerns about warrantless inspections, lack of pharmacy board support, and whether the bill would effectively normalize kratom. The transcript ends during continued debate on SB 1418, before a final vote is taken.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Sep 12th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- In the state of Florida, there's 25 of them.
- The FIT program, in the little box you have here, states that seven states participated, and New Mexico
- So we will not pay, the state...
- Our toy lending library out in Anthony, which is modeled after the UNM Toy Lending Library here in Las
- In our state.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- , the Secretary of State of the United States, and the congressional delegation representing the State
- Historical Society, the Idaho Commission for Libraries, the Idaho State Lottery, the State Appellate
- Historical Society, the Idaho Commission for Libraries, the Idaho State Lottery, the State Appellate
- Historical Society, the Idaho Commission for Libraries, the Idaho State Lottery, the State Appellate
- versus that state.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jun 25th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- There is a DD council in every state and territory in the United States.
- They are also a PNA agency here in the state. So every state has all of these pieces.
- We have them in other states in the United States, but we do not have them here.
- And so, so we're really grateful to our state leaders, but that's the key is having state leaders who
- We also have a lot of state agencies.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 86 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- guests are asked to remain standing and join me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States
- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
- Third reading of the bill: An act relative to the town of Richmond free public library, House No. 4154
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and local bills. Members adopted a resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Children’s Clinic of the Cutchins Program for Children and Families. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of petitions including a sick leave bank for Marie Mantendre and a proposal concerning golf carts in certain rural communities, sending those matters to the Public Service and Transportation committees, respectively.
The chamber advanced a number of local and private bills through suspension of rules and second or third reading. These included a Middleton charter amendment, sick leave bank bills for Candy J. Pike and Kathleen Roderick, and a senior tax deferral income-limit increase for Ipswich, which was enacted. The House also passed to be engrossed several other local measures, including bills affecting Weston, Richmond, Watertown, Malden, Medford, and Lynn. One bill concerning Lynn received an amendment from Mr. Walsh of Peabody before being ordered to engrossment.
No recorded roll-call votes were taken; actions were by voice vote, with the chair repeatedly announcing that the ayes had it. The House then adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Elementary and Secondary Education Apr 1st, 2026
Elementary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- student to be able to get in-state tuition, but not if they're not a citizen of the United States.
- Constitution, our own state constitution, and federal and state law.
- State Representative John Martin, District 44, Boone County. ...member and committee members, State Representative
- And then is the Missouri State test, the Missouri Civic test, that they have, the Missouri state test
- So, as we moved along, we became aware that there are states that are creating state civic seals of recognition
Committee:
House Elementary and Secondary Education
Summary:
The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2722, then voted the bill do pass by a roll call vote of 13 yes and 2 no. The sponsor explained that the substitute clarified the roles of liaisons for foster care students, McKinney-Vento students, and unaccompanied youth in higher education, and added language to avoid conflicting with Missouri law on public benefits for non-citizens. Members also discussed the fiscal note, which was expected to be minimal or not yet available until after committee reporting.
The committee then heard House Bills 3483 and 3532, sponsored by Representatives Prouty and Pollitt, which would require the General Assembly to create Missouri-specific educational materials about how the state legislative process works and how a bill becomes law. Supporters, including legislators, teachers, students, and social studies coordinators, said the materials would help students understand Missouri government, civic engagement, and the differences between state and federal lawmaking. Several witnesses suggested the materials should be tailored by grade level, with third grade and high school mentioned as likely targets, and some members raised questions about drafting, implementation, and the estimated fiscal note. One witness spoke in opposition, saying only that he opposed the bill in the spirit of civil discourse.
Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 31, sponsored by Representative Martin, which would establish a Missouri seal of civic recognition for students who demonstrate civic knowledge, participation, and service. The sponsor described a tiered recognition system tied to coursework, civic engagement, and community or military service, administered through DESE and the existing civics and patriotic work group. Members asked about the resolution format, the role of the work group, how schools would track eligibility, and whether the measure should be narrowed to high school graduation before expanding to younger grades. Supporters, including a retired educator and civic education advocates, said the seal could encourage stronger civic learning and student engagement, while one coalition witness urged a streamlined, merit-based model and local district flexibility. The committee took no final action on the latter two measures during the hearing and adjourned after testimony.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Elementary and Secondary Education Apr 1st, 2026
Elementary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- student to be able to get in-state tuition, but not if they're not a citizen of the United States.
- Constitution, our own state constitution, and federal state law.
- And it was amazing to hear a different state.
- and the character of our state.
- state civic seals of recognition.
Committee:
House Elementary and Secondary Education
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Clinical practice requirements vary dramatically from state to state.
- And so when you come to the scope of practice in each state, each state has the ability to set what they
- Additionally, in each state, they have...
- And so it is truly different from state to state on the transition of practice.
- And so it is truly different from state to state on the transition of practice, but the education and
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, consumer protection, and sunset-review bills. Early items included SB 1148, which would let aspiring security guards complete all required training before a guard card is issued; SB 342, which would soften the penalty for contractors who were licensed during part of a project but had a brief lapse; and several sunset bills for boards and bureaus, including the Board of Registered Nursing (SB 1302), the Board of Naturopathic Medicine (SB 1303), the Respiratory Care Board (SB 1304), the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (SB 1363), and the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SB 1368). The committee also heard SB 1311, which makes various updates to DCA boards and programs, and SB 1314, which restricts new tobacco retailers from locating within 600 feet of schools or daycare centers and bans nitrous oxide sales and related paraphernalia.
Testimony was generally supportive on the training, sunset, and licensing cleanup bills, though several measures drew “opposed unless amended” or neutral positions over scope and implementation details. On SB 1314, supporters including prosecutors and school administrators argued it would reduce youth exposure to tobacco, while gas station, convenience store, cigar lounge, pharmacy, and business groups raised concerns about impacts on existing businesses, transferability of tobacco licenses, and possible de facto limits on future stations; some public health groups shifted to neutral after amendments. On SB 1302, nursing groups supported the board sunset bill, while the California Medical Association objected to allowing out-of-state nurse practitioner transition-to-practice experience to count without a California attestation process. On SB 1304, health facilities and long-term care groups supported the board extension but sought broader clarification so LVNs could perform respiratory tasks consistently across settings.
After quorum was finally established, the committee voted to send the consent calendar bills SB 1376, SB 1391, SB 1416, and SB 1315 to Appropriations, and then approved SB 342, SB 1148, SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1311, SB 1314, SB 1363, and SB 1368, all moving forward to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 1314 passed with some no votes, while the other measures advanced with broad support. The hearing ended after additional members were added on the record and the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- Clinical practice requirements vary dramatically from state to state.
- It is the scope of practice in each state that is different.
- And so when you come to the scope of practice in each state, each state has the ability to set what they
- And so it is truly different from state to state on the transition.
- And so it is truly different from state to state on the transition of practice, but the education and
Committee:
House Business and Professions
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 19th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Middle East, Central Asia, Europe, and the United States.
- that we do this work in, and our state of being, also mattered.
- He took on the most powerful in this state, was to help people.
- And there is no greater impact to this state than John Burton.
- And his leadership for the state of California and so much more.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, welcomed former legislative leaders and members to the floor, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The session then focused on several ceremonial resolutions and a lengthy adjourn-in-memory tribute to former Senate President Pro Tem John Burton. Members repeatedly described Burton as a forceful, unvarnished advocate for foster youth, the poor, and other vulnerable Californians, while also sharing personal stories about his humor, bluntness, and bipartisan relationships. The Senate also announced upcoming committee hearings and birthday recognitions for several members and former Speaker Willie Brown.
Three resolutions were taken up and adopted unanimously or near-unanimously. SCR 133, by Senator Grayson, recognized California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Day; Grayson spoke about the dignity, autonomy, and contributions of people with Down syndrome, and introduced guests from the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area and several families. SCR 134, by Senator Wahab, recognized Nowruz and the Afghan American community; Wahab and Senator Caballero highlighted the holiday’s themes of renewal and the contributions of Persian and Afghan Americans, and members received baklava gift boxes. SCR 139, also by Senator Wahab, recognized Afghan American Heritage Month; Wahab and Senator Grove emphasized Afghan Americans’ history, resilience, and service, and Wahab introduced leaders from the Afghan Coalition and other community advocates. Each resolution was adopted by roll call vote.
The remainder of the session was devoted to memorial remarks for John Burton, with speeches from the President Pro Tem, minority leader, and many senators recalling his work on foster youth, public service, and California politics. Members also suspended and later reinstated Mason’s Manual rules to allow direct quotations during the tribute. The Senate concluded by expressing condolences to Burton’s family and colleagues, inviting members to a reception, and announcing that the chamber would reconvene later in the week for the formal adjourn-in-memory motion.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 19th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that we do this work in, and our state of being, also mattered.
- He took on the most powerful in this state, was to help people.
- And there is no greater impact to this state than John Burton.
- One was— I was a freshman assemblyman representing the Reagan Library.
- Majority Leader Ashby— for the state of California.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 19th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that we do this work in, and our state of being, also mattered.
- He took on the most powerful in this state, was to help people.
- And there is no greater impact to this state than John Burton.
- And his leadership for the state of California and so much more.
- One was I was a freshman assemblyman representing the Reagan Library.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed numerous former legislators to the floor. The body then moved through the daily file, including several resolutions recognizing cultural observances and a memorial tribute to former President Pro Tem John Burton. Senator Padilla also moved file item 24 to the enacted file, and the Senate announced upcoming committee and budget subcommittee meetings later in the day.
The chamber adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 133, recognizing California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Day, after remarks from Senator Grayson about the contributions and dignity of people with Down syndrome and the importance of support systems for individuals and families. The Senate also adopted SCR 134 recognizing Nowruz and the Afghan American community, with remarks from Senator Wahab and support from Senator Kaverya, and adopted SCR 139 recognizing Afghan American Heritage Month. Each resolution passed by roll call vote with no opposition.
A major portion of the session was devoted to an adjourned-in-memory tribute to former Senate President Pro Tem John Burton. Senators from both parties and several former members offered personal recollections emphasizing Burton’s advocacy for foster youth, working people, and marginalized Californians, as well as his blunt style and political influence. Members highlighted his legislative legacy, his later work through the John Burton Advocates for Youth, and his role in shaping California politics and San Francisco. The Senate concluded the tribute, invited members to a reception, and announced that it would remain in recess before reconvening later in the week.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I think we all need to rejoice because we live in a great state with great people, great leaders, and
- House Bill 652, by the Resources and Conservation Committee, relating to state symbols.
- House Bill 549, by the State Affairs Committee, relating to hospital districts.
- House Bill 673, by the State Affairs Committee, relating to elections.
- The House State Affairs Committee will not meet Friday, February 20. Crane, Chairman.
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.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 971, Alvarez, state parks property: hold in committee.
- AB 616, Kloza, state library parks pass program: due pass as amended to make it contingent upon appropriation
- AB 1051, Davies, State Route 76: do pass out on an A roll call.
- AB 1145, Jeff Gonzalez, State Highway Safety Report: do pass as amended to limit scope to State Route
- AB 452, Irwin, state surfing reserves: holding committee.
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day.
The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion.
Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills.
At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 4, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> but greatest state in the union. but greatest state in the union.
- </c> more a state of mind. more a state of mind. Mr.<00:42:35.599><c> Mr.
- Texas has more anti-trans murders than any other state in the nation.
- </c> from Texas, Miss Fletcher. from Texas, Miss Fletcher.
- </c> of the United States of America. of the United States of America.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- State your point, Senator. So, Mr.
- The reality is it follows best practices and what is commonly done from state to state.
- The land has funded this state.
- The land has funded this state.
- I love our state. I love our state.
Summary:
The Senate opened with roll call, an invocation, pledges, and a series of announcements and guest introductions tied to several recognition days, including Disability Rights Awareness Day, Elevate the Spectrum Day, Geothermal Rising Legislative Day, DWI Awareness Day, and Adult Education and Literacy Day. Senators also welcomed guests for New Mexico Down Syndrome Day and other constituent visits, and the chamber read certificates recognizing the Hurley family and the New Mexico Military Museum, as well as adult education and literacy programs across the state. Testimony and remarks highlighted the service of the Hurley family, the importance of adult education for workforce and civic participation, and the contributions of people with disabilities and their families. The Senate adopted multiple committee reports and received House messages on several bills and resolutions.
On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 96, as amended, which streamlines child care licensing and reduces administrative barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers; an HOA-related floor amendment was adopted after discussion about local restrictions and neighborhood traffic concerns. The chamber then passed Senate Bill 14, as amended, which expands the state’s health professional loan repayment program with $25 million in funding split between physicians and allied health professionals/nurses, with questions focused on eligibility, prioritization, and whether the funding would be sufficient to address shortages. Senators also debated the bill’s support for part-time service and its role in helping New Mexico compete for medical workers.
The Senate next passed Senate Bill 104 unanimously, establishing a process for removing a wildlife commissioner that requires gubernatorial initiation, notice and a hearing, and direct review by the state Supreme Court; debate centered on due process, the removal standard of incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance, and how the new process compares with prior law. Finally, the chamber took up Senate Bill 50, which would give the Law Enforcement Training Standards Council more flexibility to set training curricula for officers, especially in rural departments; sponsors said the bill preserves minimum training while allowing updates for current issues, but several senators raised concerns that the measure could weaken explicit statutory requirements for domestic violence and sexual assault training and asked how those topics would remain protected in the future curriculum.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 100 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Credit card debt in the United States has now surpassed $1.3 trillion.
- Forty other states, Mr.
- Since 2013, several states have had some form of literacy requirements.
- Several states have passed some form of literacy requirements.
- What does access to librarians and libraries in our communities look like?
Summary:
The House took up several procedural orders early in the session, including extending the reporting deadline for the Housing Committee on H.4655 and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a petition seeking to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications. It then advanced three Ways and Means bills on education-related topics: personal financial literacy education (H.4670), expanded access to the state seal of biliteracy (H.4671), and teacher preparation and student literacy (H.4672), each moving through amendment adoption and third reading or engrossment procedures.
A major portion of the meeting focused on H.4670, which would require personal financial literacy instruction in middle and high school and establish a financial literacy trust fund for curriculum and teacher training. Members spoke in support, emphasizing budgeting, credit, student loans, and long-term financial planning, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a 154-0 roll call. H.4671, which broadens access to the seal of biliteracy for students in public and private schools, also drew support and passed to be engrossed 155-0.
The most extensive debate centered on H.4672, a literacy bill requiring evidence-based reading instruction, DESE-approved curricula or approved local alternatives, screening and progress monitoring, professional development, and related implementation measures. Members described concerns about declining reading scores and argued for a shift away from three-cueing toward phonics-based, science-of-reading approaches. Several amendments were considered: a proposal to change intervention language from “significantly” to “at risk of falling behind” failed, while amendments adding funding language, stakeholder collaboration, and other implementation details were adopted. One amendment clarifying that pictures may be used as a supplement in literacy curricula was also adopted, and the bill ultimately passed to be engrossed 155-0. The House also observed moments of silence for former Judge Leslie Harris, former Representative Mark Carron, and former Representative Dennis Rosa, and adjourned to meet the next day at 11 a.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:06 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The importance of debt service and the percentage that it represents in the state budget.
- Here is what we have for state tax rent.
- At a higher ratio than almost every other person in the United States of America.
- Tarr, requiring an audit to review utilization of welfare benefits out of state.
- libraries, civic severages, state parks, jail diversion.
Summary:
The Senate took up a long series of FY26 budget amendments during debate on the Ways and Means budget bill. Early on, an amendment on debt service and the Debt Affordability Committee was rejected. A major education amendment offered by Senator Lewis and supported by Senator Comerford was then adopted; it directs DESE to begin a public process, with $200,000 in funding, to review and recommend updates to the Chapter 70 municipal contribution formula and related school funding structures as the Student Opportunity Act nears full implementation. Senators argued that school districts across the Commonwealth are under severe fiscal strain, citing rising special education, transportation, health insurance, and Proposition 2 1/2 pressures, and that the current formulas are increasingly out of alignment with local needs.
The chamber also considered and voted on many other amendments, with several adopted and several rejected. Adopted amendments included measures on public payroll transparency, regional EMS, a small business group purchasing cooperative pilot, simplifying Medicaid eligibility determinations, and early education background checks. Rejected amendments included proposals on first-time homebuyer savings accounts, population change studies, competitiveness studies, emergency contract reform, natural gas cost containment, a $200 per pupil aid increase, regional school reimbursement increases, a Foundation Budget Review Commission-related study, special education service studies, welfare benefit audits, short-term capital gains, and an MBTA sustainability plan. Senator Durant also spoke in support of Amendment 766, which would create a crumbling concrete assistance fund for homeowners affected by pyrrhotite, with tax-exempt aid, federal funding applications, audits, and a stakeholder working group.
Near the end of debate, Senator D. DiDomenico praised the Shannon Grant program for gang violence prevention, and the Senate adopted a final corrective amendment containing technical fixes and local earmarks. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and, after a roll call on engrossment, passed to be engrossed by a vote of 38-2. The Senate also approved a motion to adjourn to the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and recessed in memory of Yaron Lashinsky, Sarah Lynn Milgram, and Leslie A. Feeney.