Transcript Highlights:

• We will now go into executive session on House Bill 3088.
• Testimony in support of House Bill 2844. Further testimony in opposition to House Bill 2844.
• House Committee hearing, so that's good.
• Further testimony in support of the House Joint Resolution. House Joint Resolutions.
• Any testimony for the House Joint Resolutions?

Committee: House General Laws

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:28.320><c> of</c> recognized welcome to your house of recognized welcome to your house of
• </c><00:13:29.399><c> of</c> represent welcome to to the House of represent welcome to to the House of
• ><c> White</c><00:23:39.600><c> House</c><00:23:40.000><c> advisory</c> was appointed the White House
• House advisory Commission to the White House advisory Commission on<00:23:43.600><c> asian-americans
• </c><01:06:58.200><c> Bill</c> I urge this body to reject House Bill I urge this body to reject House

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 459 has passed.
• House Bill 550 has passed.
• House Bill 551 has passed. Clerk, record the vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. House Bill 551 has passed.
• House Resolution number 236 by the House Rules Committee to set the special order calendar.
• House Bill 505 by... Calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Awaniak, an employee of the Trial Court of the Commonwealth, House No. 1590.
• An act revising the charter of the City of Lynn, House No. 4149.
• Papers from the House. I'm going to do.
• Papers from the House.
• That's House No. 4514.

Summary: The Senate took up several local and personnel measures, including multiple sick leave bank bills and local charter or municipal legislation. It first advanced Senate 2651, establishing a sick leave bank for Jeffrey Jacinth of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, by suspending the rules and ordering it to a third reading. The chamber also passed House 1590, creating a sick leave bank for Eric J. Awaniak of the Trial Court, and House 4149, revising the charter of the City of Lynn, after adopting a substitute amendment offered by Senator Crichton. The Senate then suspended Joint Rule 12 for several House petitions so they could be referred to their respective committees. It also adopted the emergency preamble for House 4514, establishing a sick leave bank for Candy J. Pike of the Department of Developmental Services, by standing vote. Later, the Senate enacted four bills: House 2251, creating a special fund for Festival of the Hills receipts for the town of Conway; a bill authorizing the city of Watertown to lease property at 124 Watertown Street; House 4205, changing the term of the elected office of moderator in Holden; and House 4252, updating the linkage exaction program in Medford. House 4514 was then passed to be enacted as well. The Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Thursday at noon in a formal session and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now I'd like to turn it over to President McKinnon to further support House Bill 5429.
• Supporting House Bill 5429 is also a practical decision.
• For those reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to report House Bill 5429 favorably.
• I am writing you regarding House Bill 5429. And I am also Nick Spinelli's uncle.
• You're a constant presence up here at the State House, and I really appreciate it.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 21st hearing and took up late-filed bills, with testimony focused mainly on firefighter and police personnel matters. The committee heard strong support for H.5429/H.6138, Governor Healey’s bill to provide injured-on-duty compensation and full pay and benefits to Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinelli after he was seriously injured while instructing at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Testimony from Rep. Simon Cataldo, Rep. Rodney Elliott, PFFM leaders, Chelmsford Fire Chief Gary Ryan, and others emphasized that Spinelli was performing public service training work, that the incident exposed gaps in coverage for firefighters serving in academy roles, and that the bill should be a prompt, statewide fix. Several speakers also urged future legislation to address broader policy gaps for DFS support-branch and part-time personnel. The committee also heard testimony on a Topsfield home rule petition, H.54435, to allow Police Chief Neil Hovey to continue serving until age 68 or retirement. Rep. Kristen Kasner and local officials praised Hovey’s leadership, training, regional coordination, and management of public safety at the Topsfield Fair, and asked for favorable passage. In addition, Sen. Ryan Fattman and Rep. Joe McKenna testified for S.3051, a bill to provide certain retirement benefits to the surviving spouse of fallen Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta, describing his death while assisting a stranded motorist in a snowstorm and the town’s support for honoring his family. PFFM and other police/fire union representatives generally supported the firefighter and LaPorta bills, while PFFM also stated opposition to H.5389, a separate bill authorizing continued employment of the Upton police chief. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking a recorded vote during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Counsel has done quite a bit of work on this bill.
• Right now I'd like to turn it over to President McKinnon to further support House Bill 5429.
• Supporting House Bill 5429 is also a practical decision.
• For those reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to report House Bill 5429 favorably.
• I am writing you regarding House Bill 5429. And I am also Nick Spinelli's uncle.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 21st hearing of the 194th General Court to consider late-filed bills, with testimony focused mainly on three measures. The largest portion of the hearing concerned H. 5429/H. 6138, Governor Healey’s bill to ensure Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinelli receives full injured-on-duty pay and benefits after being seriously injured while instructing at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Legislators, the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, Chelmsford Fire officials, and family members described the injury, the gap in coverage created by his dual status as a Chelmsford firefighter and academy staff member, and the need for a broader statewide fix for similar situations. Committee members expressed support and noted the bill should be treated like existing protections for police officers injured while working outside their home municipality. The committee also heard testimony on a Topsfield home rule petition, H. 545, allowing Police Chief Neil Hovey to remain in service until age 68 or until relieved by the select board. Supporters said Hovey is a strong regional leader, has helped prepare for major public safety events like the Topsfield Fair, and should be retained because of his experience and fitness. Members and local officials urged favorable passage, and no opposition was raised. A third bill, S. 3051, would provide certain retirement benefits to the surviving spouse of Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta, who died while assisting a stranded motorist during a winter storm. Senator Ryan Fattman, Representative Joe McKenna, the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, and others spoke in support, emphasizing the officer’s service and the impact on his family. The town of Uxbridge was said to support the measure. At the end of the hearing, no additional testimony was offered and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll begin with House Bill 2306.
• There is a proposed substitute House Bill by Representative Fey.
• House Bill 2711. House Bill 2711 concerns transportation resources.
• Chair, I move that proposed substitute House Bill... ...move the proposed substitute House Bill 2711
• Then before us is Proposed Substitute House Bill 2711.

Bills: HB2306 , HB2711

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading of House files. House File 2442. Second reading. Introduction of bills.
• of house files 3289 through<00:09:42.640><c> 3298.
• First reading house files through 3298.
• </c><00:10:16.800><c> resolution</c> announcement, a House resolution announcement, a House resolution
• The House stands in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move to roll House Committee Amendment Number One and Two into a new House Committee substitute
• I now move the House Committee substitute for House Bill 3174 be voted due pass.
• I don't think we have the House committee substitute.
• in her own bill, House Bill 3460.
• House Bill 3460.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and took up House Bill 3174 by Representative Justice. Members adopted two committee amendments: one removed the bill’s mapping provisions so that the vendor-list portion could move forward separately, and another required schools to have at least one master key box for emergency responders. The amendments were rolled into a committee substitute, which the committee then voted do pass on a 10-0 roll call. A second executive-session bill was postponed until the following week because of a family emergency involving Representative Williams. The committee then heard Senate Bill 982, a cleanup and reorganization bill dealing with Missouri’s sex offender registry and related registration rules. Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman said the bill was intended to align the registry statutes with prior changes, clarify tiering and registration requirements, address offenders with ties to Missouri but living elsewhere, and improve information-sharing rules for law enforcement and victims, including notice when a registrant dies or moves. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Alliance for Family Restoration, which said the bill codifies case law and reduces administrative confusion for the Highway Patrol and registrants. No opposition was offered. The committee also heard House Bill 3414, which would create a state offense modeled on a federal online-fraud law to help law enforcement pursue internet-based fraud, including schemes involving credit cards, account numbers, telecommunication identifiers, and similar access devices. The sponsor and a law-enforcement witness said the bill would give investigators another tool against increasingly common fraud, including elder fraud and VoIP-based schemes; a Maverick convenience stores representative also supported it as a response to changing technology. No opposition was presented. Finally, the committee heard House Bills 2628 and 3460, the CARE Act, which would require hospitals and health facilities treating sexual-assault survivors to inform patients about emergency contraception, provide it if requested, test and treat for sexually transmitted infections, and seek reimbursement through the Department of Public Safety. Sponsor Jacqueline Zimmerman said the bill is meant to reduce trauma and prevent pregnancies resulting from rape, and witnesses from sexual-assault nursing, reproductive-health, anti-poverty, medical, and nursing organizations supported it as a way to standardize care, especially in rural areas. Several members raised questions about whether the bill would require abortion-inducing drugs, whether hospitals could opt out on conscientious grounds, and how reimbursement would work; the sponsor said she intended to add language excluding abortion-inducing medications and that the current DPS forensic-exam payment structure would not change. No votes were taken on the later bills in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is House Bill 503, which is the Soil and Water Conservation Consolidation, and House Bill 737, which
• This is in relation to House Bill 555.
• House Bill 503 was adopted by the House and has passed out of its Senate germane committee.
• The House voting nine, zero nays, one absent/excused.
• It's already passed the House. Yes. Okay. It's already passed the House. Yes.

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee heard a series of budget presentations and acted on several FY 2026 and FY 2027 items. Noah Peterson reviewed the General Fund Daily Update, noting large FY 2026 supplemental actions for Medicaid and Corrections that reduced the estimated ending balance, and a FY 2027 outlook that still had room for remaining work. He also flagged several policy bills with fiscal impacts, including county jail per diem changes, a state police bill, and a health and welfare board/position bill. Janet Jessup then walked the committee through Department of Environmental Quality and Soil and Water Conservation actions. The committee approved adding four FTP for DEQ’s solid waste regulatory program and adopted related language transferring $400,000 from the hazardous waste emergency fund to support the new solid waste regulatory fund. It also approved a CREP supplemental for the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and then voted to move the commission from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Water Resources, including a corresponding reduction in Agriculture and an addition in Water Resources. The committee adopted language to align the new budget structure and approved a one-time $390,000 restoration in the Department of Water Resources to avoid reducing stream-gauging and water-monitoring services. The committee next considered the consolidation of the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources into a new Office of Species, Mineral, and Energy Coordination. It approved reductions to the two existing offices and then debated competing motions for the new office. The substitute motion to cut four FTP and reduce spending more deeply failed, while the original motion to reduce two FTP and preserve more staffing for nuclear and mining coordination passed. Members and the agency administrator argued that Idaho needs a stronger “one-stop shop” for nuclear and mining projects, while others emphasized following the policy bill moving through the legislature and capturing consolidation savings. The committee also approved a DOPL budget item for replacement vehicles and IT hardware. Most motions passed with do-pass recommendations, and the committee announced it would meet again the next day; Senate Finance was noted as on hold, while House Appropriations would continue after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before you is House Bill 2174, establishing accident risk zones.
• and want to provide housing.
• supply and housing construction.
• HB 2267 recognizes that housing growth and urban forests HB 2267 recognizes that housing growth and urban
• We're opening up our community center to house people.

Summary: The House Local Government Committee held public hearings on four bills. HB 2174 would allow counties, cities, towns, or the Department of Transportation to designate accident risk zones on roads with repeated crashes, hold a public hearing, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, and use half of traffic fine revenue for safety improvements. The sponsor and local officials from Pasco and Colotis described serious crashes and fatalities on U.S. 12 and U.S. 395 and said the bill could provide a temporary safety tool while long-term fixes are pursued. Testifiers generally supported the concept but raised concerns about liability, implementation, youth penalties, and possible targeted enforcement, especially for motorcyclists; several suggested amendments and the committee discussed possible alignment with safe system practices. HB 2267 would direct the Department of Commerce to create a model urban forest management ordinance, update it every 10 years, provide guidance on tree retention and mitigation, and create a grant program for local governments that adopt or substantially adopt the model. Supporters from Washington Conservation Action, The Nature Conservancy, FutureWise, and the Puget Sound Partnership said trees are important for stormwater, heat reduction, air quality, public health, and climate resilience, and argued the bill could help balance housing growth with canopy protection. Opposition from the Building Industry Association of Washington and the Master Builders Association focused on the grant condition tied to adoption of the model ordinance, concerns that the bill would effectively mandate local policy, and worries that prioritizing tree retention could constrain housing production and increase legal risk. HB 2183 would require counties planning under the Growth Management Act to adopt extreme heat response plans by July 1, 2027, covering immediate response, long-term mitigation, protection of high-risk populations, tribal coordination, and public education. The sponsor and physicians from Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility cited the 2021 heat dome as a deadly disaster that overwhelmed emergency services and killed many people in their homes, arguing counties need coordinated planning for future heat events. Local public health officials supported the goal but asked for amendments to reduce duplication with existing emergency and mitigation plans and to clarify leadership roles; L&I requested that the bill reference existing worker-protection rules for outdoor workers. HB 1529 would let counties perform city roadway striping and paving work without counting it against city public works limits or bidding thresholds, if the county can do the work more cheaply or no bids are received. Supporters from Pasco and the Association of Counties said it would help cities use existing county equipment and crews more efficiently, while contractors and labor groups opposed it, warning about reduced competition, quality and oversight concerns, and the loss of prevailing-wage and small-business opportunities. No votes were taken on any of the bills, and the committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, literally just be taxed and insured right out of your house.
• And please believe these aren't no $200,000 houses. No. These are not $200,000 houses.
• I mean, literally just be taxed and insurance right out of your house.
• And please believe these aren't no $200,000 houses. No. These are not $200,000 houses.
• People are being run, and I'm not talking about their luxurious houses.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations held its final nomination hearing of the session and considered three nominees: J.B. Goodwin for the Texas Real Estate Commission, Courtney Yaltman for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and Thomas Gleason as PUC chairman. Goodwin described his long career in real estate and charitable work, and senators questioned him extensively about the Real Estate Commission’s self-directed, semi-independent status, housing affordability, institutional homebuyers, property insurance costs, disclosure issues, and the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case. Yaltman and Gleason were questioned about PUC oversight of ERCOT, post-Winter Storm Uri reforms, utility resilience and vegetation management after Hurricane Beryl, water and telecommunications oversight, staffing and transparency, and rising infrastructure and utility costs. Much of the discussion focused on housing and utility affordability, with several senators urging the nominees to keep consumer protection and public trust at the forefront. Goodwin said housing affordability and large-scale investment purchases were not within the Real Estate Commission’s direct purview, though he supported further study. Yaltman and Gleason said the PUC had increased oversight of ERCOT, improved communication and accountability with utilities, and was working on resiliency plans, rate-setting issues, and infrastructure planning while trying to avoid overburdening ratepayers. The committee first voted to favorably report nominees left pending from the May 5 agenda by a 6-0 roll call vote. After public testimony was opened and closed, the committee then voted on the nominees heard that day and favorably recommended all three to the full Senate for confirmation by a 7-0 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's going to require 18 more housing units and 461 more staff.
• And it's going to require 18 more housing units and 461 more staff.
• And it's going to require 18 more housing units and 461 more staff.
• Housing, and all of that expense has been added to this state.
• You said you opened 53 housing units and you've been... ...to the solution, you said you opened 53 housing

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard an update from Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon on staffing, overtime, capital needs, and inmate population growth. Dixon said the prison population has risen by about 8,000 since January 2021 while staffing has not kept pace, forcing the agency to open 53 housing units without funded positions and rely heavily on overtime and National Guard support. He cited a $189 million deficit tied to salaries and overtime, noted that most staff have less than three years of experience, and argued the solution is to fully fund posts for operational housing units. He also reviewed the department’s fixed capital outlay projects, including repairs, new housing construction, and medical modular units intended to reduce outside hospital transports, and gave an update on the VINE victim notification system and its expansion. The committee then heard from Florida clerks of court representatives Jason Welty and Miami-Dade Clerk Juan Fernandez-Barquin, who described clerks’ court-related and county duties and said clerk budgets have not kept pace with the broader justice system. They requested reimbursements for injunctions for protection ($3.3 million), Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator cases ($2.5 million), and juror management ($4.8 million), and said future funding for new judges should include the full courtroom system, not judges alone. Fernandez-Barquin also raised concerns about unfunded mandates, rising retirement and health costs, low court-side pay, and the need to revisit filing fees and trust fund allocations. Members asked about collections, payment plans, license suspensions, and whether some fees or trust fund distributions could be redirected; the governor’s budget had already picked up the $2.5 million request for Baker/Marchman/SVP cases. During public testimony, speakers urged broader criminal justice reforms and additional funding priorities. A prosecutor emphasized that adding judges requires funding for prosecutors, public defenders, and clerks as well. Other speakers called for parole or long-term sentencing reform to reduce prison populations and costs, criticized staffing and conditions in prisons, and raised concerns about inexperienced correctional officers, visitation delays, and lack of air conditioning in some facilities. The committee took no substantive votes on the items discussed and adjourned after hearing the presentations and public comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order.
• 05:24.960><c> House.
• </c> in the House. in the House.
• in the House.
• </c> The House will be in order. The House will be in order.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Smith, Clerk of the House. Honored to be with my favorite committee of the House.
• House 20-plus years ago.
• <c> the</c><01:05:09.799><c> house</c> whatever happens in the house whatever happens in the house level
• before the House.
• Chair: Will call Paul Smith, our House Clerk. Paul Smith, House Clerk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Summary: The meeting was an introductory organizational session for the House Legislative Administration Committee. Chair Greg Hill and Vice Chair Vanessa Sheen welcomed members, introduced the new clerk and committee staff, and described the committee as generally nonpartisan and focused on bills on their merits. They also noted that many bills are handled on a consent calendar after discussion, and that the committee often works closely with staff, House counsel, and the House clerk on procedural matters. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on committee operations and expectations: how committee reports should be prepared and submitted, the use of electronic submissions, scheduling hearings, and the need for clear bill placards at the witness table for livestream viewers. Members discussed the committee’s calendar, including a proposed conflict with the governor’s budget address, and ultimately settled on moving the remaining hearings to February 19. The chair also emphasized advance notice for absences or amendments, and said executive sessions can be scheduled as time allows under current rules. House Clerk Paul Smith testified about his role as a nonpartisan officer and said he would be providing informational testimony on a bill affecting a law he sponsored years ago, as well as on a forthcoming PSLF-related bill for legislators. He also spoke about legislative customs, precedents, and the value of parliamentary procedure. The chair concluded with guidance on decorum: arrive on time, avoid interruptions during testimony, keep food out of the room, use electronic devices discreetly, and route questions through the chair for clarification rather than debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Troopers and house by the gold ties.
• </c> agenda is House File 2358. agenda is House File 2358.
• With that, House File 3496 is laid over. The next bill on the agenda is House File 3504.
• </c> house by public safety co-chair rep. house by public safety co-chair rep.
• </c> is House File 3440. is House File 3440.

Bills: HF2358 , HF3496 , HF3504 , HF2169 , HF3440

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I transmit herewith House Bill 704 and House Bill 700, which have passed the House, for the
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 583 by the Business Committee.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 610 by the Revenue and Taxation Committee.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 731 by the Revenue and Taxation Committee.
• House Bill 250. I got to think about where I was. House Bill 250 from 2010.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House is now in session. The clerk will call the roll. The House is now in session.
• I move the House stand at ease. Mr. Floor Leader. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The House will come to order. Mr. Floor Leader, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• So thank you all and welcome to the House. Thank you all, and welcome to the House. Mr.
• At this time, I want the House to recognize and give all the privileges and honors of the House to the

Summary: The House convened, the roll was called, and the chamber proceeded with its customary opening order of business, including an invocation by Chaplain Ronnie Wilson and the Pledge of Allegiance. The prayer focused on forgiveness, using the biblical story of Joseph to emphasize turning harm into good. The House also recognized Auctioneer Day at the Capitol, with a presentation featuring Oklahoma auctioneers and a live auction demonstration, and later honored Deer Creek High School’s boys and girls cross-country teams for their state-level success, including the boys’ Class 6A championship and the girls’ strong finish. Members also received several introductions and recognitions, including former Representative Bill Gurley, Bristow Chamber Day visitors, Guthrie High School AP Government students, and Representative Culver’s family. The nurse of the day was Donna Reynolds, an emergency room manager at St. Anthony, recognized for more than 30 years in nursing, her response to the Oklahoma City bombing, and her advocacy for patient safety and organ donation. Representative Timmins honored the Millwood boys basketball team and coach Nate Jones for winning a third straight state championship and for the program’s long record of success, including Isaiah Wilkes’ Gatorade Player of the Year recognition. No legislation was debated or voted on in the transcript provided. The House concluded with a motion to adjourn, and members agreed to adjourn until Monday, April 27, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a paper coming from the House to be enacted.
• 56 with recommendation of amendment, for amendment to see House No. 4798.
• The House has amended the bill as recommended.
• The House has amended the bill as recommended by the Governor.
• Paper from the House: the House petition of Madre C.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee and floor matters. The Committee on Rules reported two municipal property tax relief bills, Senate Nos. 1933 and 1935, and both were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Senator Tarr emphasized the urgency of advancing the bills, describing them as measures to address property tax shocks and provide relief through a rebate or credit mechanism. The Senate then enacted House No. 3916, authorizing Westfield to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer, and took a brief recess to sign the bill. On third reading, the Senate passed to be engrossed Senate No. 24, amending the charter of the town of Sandwich, after accepting a committee report recommending a new draft, Senate No. 2859. It also passed to be engrossed House No. 4173, further regulating appointments to the Acton Memorial Library, and House No. 4031, increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston, after adopting an amendment offered by Senator Barrett. The Senate also considered House No. 3912, increasing the Marblehead Board of Health from three to five members, which had been returned by the Governor with a recommended amendment under Article 56. The Senate suspended its rules, adopted the Governor’s amendment, and returned the bill to the House for reenactment. Finally, a House petition concerning a special commission on perimenopause and menopause care was referred to the Committee on Public Health, and the Senate adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• House calendar.
• CS House Joint Resolution 1F.
• I applaud Speaker Perez in allowing this House to do the work, allowing this House to do the research
• The Florida House has voted on and passed laws that prevent, and I'll The Florida House has voted on
• concurrence of the House.