Transcript Highlights:

• , and whereas recognized gifts in New Mexico include artistry, leadership, academic excellence, creativity
• problem-solving, and intellectual ability, and whereas New Mexico needs to develop wise, intelligent, and creative
• And he was noted for his original writing, production, and readings of obituaries of noted local residents
• Beyond the classroom, she serves as a CTE department chair, supports grant writing, leads work-based
• well, you've got to... ...basically, you've got to pass the bill, and then you've got to let them write

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a very creative suggestion from Representative Enan: hiring outside private investigators that
• well I was functioning very well um I I well I was a<00:58:12.359> very<00:58:12.559> creative
• <00:58:12.960> suggestion<00:58:13.440> from a very creative suggestion from a very
• creative suggestion from representative<00:58:14.200> enan<00:58:15.119> um<00:58:15.440
• You can refer back to the Minnesota Fed report a few years ago about reading, writing, math, things of

Bills: HF1, HF779, HF1034

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, as the author of the bill, is there something we could be a little bit more creative with,
• Do you have anything in writing that speaks to that definition that you want to see clarity on?
• So I think it's a mindset issue as well as. some creative financing mechanisms that we're seeing that
• I had the privilege of being able to co-write the sales tax holiday for school supplies many sessions
• When voters reject a tax hike election, the taxing unit should not be permitted to creatively wiggle

Bills: HB19, HB30, HB851, HB1663, HB1681, HB1769, HB1937, HB1979, HB2428, HB2433, HB2825, HB3159, HB3424, HB3486, HB3487, HB3504, HB3605, HB3879, HB3994, HB4382, HB4752, HB5444, HB5446, HB5447, HB3199, HB4847, HB19

Keywords: local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice

Transcript Highlights:

• If there are projects that can't afford it, is there a way we can have a creative kind of solution for
• More and more we're seeing a lot of creativity.
• obvious WAS wasn't, but we can still get a good product if the state is flexible and tries to be creative
• Now, granted, we don't have that in writing. That all comes at a later stage.
• Write them down. Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Gunsch.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• technology Agriculture and creative technology Agriculture and creative Industries<04:49:17.160>
• are up on the following creative are up on the following creative Industries<05:07:46.240> division
• Creative industries will continue to strengthen their creative economy by expanding opportunities in
• film studios to acquire for the creative film studios to acquire for the creative lab<05:22:29.000
• Everybody, all the departments, are actively trying to be creative on how to hire and...

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And these programs do more than teach creative and technical skills.
• <01:46:27.679> They<01:46:27.920> also creative and technical skills.
• They also creative and technical skills.
• that support well-being and creativity that support well-being and creativity through<02:26:17.359
• of free and lowcost creative of free and lowcost creative opportunities,<02:26:25.280> including

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as long as they're treating the same ADHD or whatever it is, they can write a different prescription
• ...is very relevant to what we consider in these rules, because if we preserve the freedom, the creativity
• Ten years from now, I believe we will be amazed what we see in this state if we preserve creativity and
• So we just had to make do and get creative and figure out how to make it work.
• So we just had to make do and get creative and figure out how to make it work.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if that means that we have to be creative, and I prided myself on being creative in my role as a
• We have to be creative, and I prided myself on being creative in my role as a defense attorney, trying
• I still speak Spanish to this day, very fluently, in writing and orally.
• I don't have them in writing other than the recommendation letter that you should have received in my

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this administration versus the last administration with moving federal funding And we're poised to write
• We're in the DSTN creativity different inspirations DISTN Gestures DSTN.
• I spent months writing this 40-page study that I have emailed several times so for the past two years
• So in your also again I'm sorry I didn't write page numbers, but in your research, you show that the
• concentration of short-term rentals I'm sorry I didn't write page numbers, but in your research, you

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Entrepreneurship and creativity have also been a huge part of the Filipino community's impact.
• arts, our public life, to embrace the culture and the family, the hospitality, the resilience, the creativity
• But instead, we like to write strongly worded letters and do nothing, but stand on platitudes, not rooted
• And when you had the chance to make sponsoring an immigrant a complete tax write-off, it didn't... ..
• .sponsoring an immigrant a complete tax write-off, it didn't even get a chance.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a busy floor session with several procedural motions and bill actions. Members suspended rules to allow speeches and guests, withdrew AB 362 from Appropriations to the second reading file, and voted 41-13 to suspend the rules for that motion. The body also took up a number of items on the daily and third reading files, with several measures passed, retained, or moved to inactive file. The main policy focus was ACR 70, designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Assembly Member Pellerin presented the resolution with a personal account of losing her husband to suicide and urged greater use of 988, secure firearm storage, and open conversations about mental health. Many members from both parties and caucuses spoke in support, sharing personal experiences with suicide and emphasizing stigma reduction, access to care, and the importance of checking in on others. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, Senate amendments were concurred in, and suicide awareness pins were distributed to members. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 977 on Native American human remains, with unanimous support and a 68-0 vote, and to AB 1510, the Assembly PERS Committee bill, which passed 66-1. Members then adopted H.R. 65, recognizing October as Filipino American History Month, after extensive remarks celebrating Filipino American history, labor organizing, public service, and community contributions; 63 co-authors were added without objection before the voice vote. Later, the chamber passed SB 81, protecting access to health care facilities from immigration enforcement, and SB 98, requiring schools and campuses to notify communities when immigration enforcement is present; both were framed as part of a broader package to protect immigrant communities and passed on urgency votes. The session concluded with debate on SJR 9, a resolution condemning mass immigration raids and defending civil liberties, which drew sharply divided remarks from supporters and opponents, with no final action shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can come up with creative ways that maybe work through the budget process.
• And because of Pell Grants, because of being able to write scholarships, I was able to pay for books
• My hope is when we come in a few weeks, we get very creative and figure out how we can ensure...
• When we write something and say you must do something that we are going to give you guys just in case
• I would like to see more of this in writing so we can give them The tools to do their jobs, which they

Bills: SJR36, SR8, SR14, SR15, SR17, HCR54

Keywords: accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, advocacy, legislation, business issues, memorial, law enforcement, sacrifice, tribute, community support, service, community, Holocaust, remembrance, antisemitism, human rights, education, Holocaust Remembrance Day, memorialization, sexual assault

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe write them down and we can talk about them afterward. That'd be great. So let's do that.
• them down and we can talk about write them down and we can talk about them<00:01:40.040> afterward
• Then does the department have to write a check to the ambulance providers? I'm sure they do.
• Then does the department have to write a check to the ambulance providers? I'm sure they do.
• Then does the department have to write a check to the ambulance providers? I'm sure they do.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Senator Abeler, you were talking about some of those other creative things.
• about some of those other creative about some of those other creative things<01:01:22.039> the
• There's also often not the other kinds of human capacity to do it, so we have to be more creative and
• Yes, this is very much up—we write laws here.
• rules sounds like no um can we re write rules sounds like no um can we re write those<01:28:24.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So have some faith in opening up the market and let people be creative.
• So have some faith in opening up the market and let people be creative.
• So have some faith in opening up the market and let people be creative.
• So have some faith in opening up the market and let people be creative.
• So have some faith in opening up the market and let people be creative.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:09:33.920> why<01:09:34.159> don't<01:09:34.319> they<01:09:34.480> write
• socialist ideology, why don't they write socialist ideology, why don't they write a<01:09:34.799
• award, presented by Americans for the Arts, celebrates county-elected officials who utilize the creative
• officials who utilize the creative officials who utilize the creative economy<02:06:09.840> for
• As Oregonians have started to select their plans, constituents of mine have been writing in.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, November 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of those effective, uh, creative strategies to work on that.
• strategies to work on that creative strategies to work on that Effectiveness<00:04:16.079> is
• We're seeing a lot of really creative ideas about how some substance use treatment is being implemented
• We're seeing a lot of really creative ideas about how some substance use treatment is being implemented
• We're seeing a lot of really creative ideas about how some substance use treatment is being implemented

Bills: HF2432

Keywords: HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:17.440> a<00:47:17.559> sports football player was writing a sports football
• player was writing a sports column<00:47:18.280> and<00:47:18.400> getting<00:47:18.599
• <00:47:22.760> he<00:47:22.880> made<00:47:23.119> from<00:47:23.319> writing
• some of that money he made from writing some of that money he made from writing the<00:47:23.720
• this because they talk about first write this because they talk about first of<03:42:54.080> all<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure to add ski, snowboard, and boat wax to the state’s list of banned consumer products containing PFAS. The sponsor said the product is already banned in many other places, alternatives exist, and the concern is that these products go directly into water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and argued the bill would help stop further contamination. A member of the public also described personal experience with ski wax products disappearing from the market, suggesting PFAS may have been the reason. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167. The committee next opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett explained the bill was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s NCAA v. Alston decision and was modeled on New Jersey law. He said the bill would prevent colleges from restricting NIL compensation, require athletes to use licensed attorneys or registered sports agents, and limit certain endorsements involving addictive drugs, adult entertainment, firearms, and weapons. He framed the measure as a proactive response to a changing college sports landscape and noted possible future conflicts involving schools, agents, and endorsements. Committee members raised several concerns and suggested changes. One member questioned the bill’s exclusion of two-year institutions, another objected to the weapons restriction, and others asked how the bill would affect scholarships. The sponsor said the intent was to protect scholarships, especially athletic scholarships, and clarified that need-based scholarships were not meant to be affected. He also acknowledged discomfort with the endorsement restrictions and said the committee might want to broaden or revise the language. The hearing remained open for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about figuring out how we can really think creatively and do some structural kinds of things both
• It is about figuring out how we can really think creatively and do some structural kinds of things both
• how we can really uh think creatively how we can really uh think creatively and<00:25:35.520>
• <01:20:44.719> And<01:20:44.880> as<01:20:45.199> you and kind of write that
• And as you and kind of write that ship.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's only going to get worse, and we as a Commonwealth have to start thinking more creatively about how
• Today, you've heard a mix of creative funding solutions, and the one that this bill, H. 1014 / S. 588
• So I could submit that in writing to the committee as well. I think you'd find it useful.
• So is it possible for you to similarly send over in writing, digitally, of course, your perspective..
• . ...send over in writing, or digitally, of course, your perspectives, as you've shared with us, with

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• members of the caucus so that they can, you know, ask any follow-up questions that they may have in writing
• And then, really around funding, thinking if there are ways that we need to get creative to further this
• So how can we get creative to support them and really make sure that the folks who are most farthest

Keywords: 904, all