Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, health care providers, hospitals, and clinics are often forced to fax or email thousands
• Additionally, relying on fax machines—I can't believe we're still using fax machines—and email records
• Relying on fax machines—I can't believe we're still using fax machines—and email records increases the
• Health plans already accept electronic claims submissions today, and the industry is preparing for new
• To highlight some of what will be included: the standard for transmitting will replace fax, paper, and

Summary: The committee heard AB 1887, which would speed prior authorization for FDA-approved rare disease treatments prescribed by specialists and, if a plan does not act within 30 days, deem the request approved. The author and supporters, including patients and clinicians, said delays can cause irreversible harm, hospitalizations, and death, especially for children and people with progressive rare diseases. Health plans and insurers opposed the bill’s automatic-approval provision and said the measure lacked safeguards for incomplete requests and shared responsibility for timely information. The chair encouraged continued work with opponents, and the author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier version that would have waived prior authorization entirely. The committee also heard AB 1979 on artificial intelligence in health care, AB 2161 on Medi-Cal work requirements, AB 539 on extending approved prior authorizations, AB 2311 on physician employment at public hospital districts, AB 1148 on banning phthalates and bisphenols in food packaging, AB 1825 on mental health offender reentry coordination, and AB 2282 on a temporary emergency stabilization unit in Patterson. AB 1979 would preserve licensed clinicians’ professional judgment, bar AI from directing unlicensed clinical functions, and protect medical records used by consumer chatbots; after amendments, several hospital, medical, and industry groups moved from opposition to neutral. AB 2161 would limit the harm of federal Medi-Cal work-reporting rules by using existing data, improving notices, and protecting due process; it drew broad support from patient, provider, and advocacy groups. AB 539 would keep prior authorization approvals valid for up to one year or the course of treatment, with supporters citing continuity of care and opponents warning about utilization, fraud, and cost concerns. AB 2311, as amended, would let certain high-payer-mix or distressed public health care districts directly employ physicians; CMA withdrew opposition after the bill was narrowed, while some hospital interests still objected to the carve-out. AB 1148 would prohibit two chemicals commonly used in food packaging, with supporters citing cancer and endocrine-disruption risks and opponents arguing DTSC should handle the issue through its existing regulatory process. AB 1825 would improve transition planning and Medi-Cal enrollment for offenders with mental health disorders leaving state hospitals, and AB 2282 would authorize a temporary rural emergency stabilization care unit in Patterson until a permanent hospital is built. Several bills were held for later action because the committee lacked a quorum, and the chair repeatedly noted that motions would be taken once enough members returned.

Transcript Highlights:

• To date, we have received over 2,000 submissions of bills going back five, six years.
• We found that, to date, 90% of those submissions we don't owe the money on.
• two major dumps, with literally hundreds upon hundreds of these bills coming in, blocking up every fax

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Financial Services Committee heard testimony on several insurance, transportation, and labor-related bills. Senator Edwards supported bills addressing app-based delivery workers, arguing that food-delivery drivers should be treated as employees with protections and mileage reimbursement, and that a small surcharge on app-based deliveries could raise revenue for the Commonwealth and localities. Kevin Brousseau of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO also backed the delivery-worker bill, saying it would preserve employee status, add data transparency, and create a process for challenging deactivations. MAPC supported a bill to change transportation network company fees from a flat per-ride charge to a percentage-based assessment, saying the current fee is outdated and that a higher fee could raise more transportation revenue and help address congestion and emissions. A large portion of the hearing focused on auto insurance and collision repair issues. Insurance industry witnesses supported a bill to limit attorney’s fees in PIP cases by giving insurers 30 days after a complaint is served to pay amounts due without fee exposure, arguing that PIP litigation has surged, is clogging courts, and is being driven by out-of-state firms. They also opposed auto body labor-rate bills, saying the market is already adjusting and that a statutory floor is unnecessary. In contrast, auto body shop representatives and the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts urged favorable action on bills to raise and regularly update collision repair labor rates, saying current reimbursement levels are far below market, have not kept pace with inflation or vehicle technology, and are making it hard to retain workers and keep small shops open. One witness also supported a bill to limit insurance surcharge points for low-damage accidents or minor moving violations. Committee members asked questions about deactivation rights for delivery workers, the mechanics of the PIP litigation issue, and the gap between body-shop and mechanical labor rates. Testimony emphasized that current auto body reimbursement rates are around the mid-$40s per hour, while mechanical work can be reimbursed at much higher rates, and that advisory-board discussions have produced only limited progress. At the end of the hearing, the chairs asked if anyone else wished to testify, then moved to close the hearing; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• I faxed my request to the retirement board. They claim it was never received by the deadline.
• And we've also heard that the fax lines were—this was, remember, 2001, so people were faxing things—and
• the fax lines were jammed during that enrollment window.
• Justice has ruled that a plausible case for genocide exists based on South Africa and Ireland's submissions

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing focused first on teacher retirement legislation, especially H. 2932 and S. 1884, which would give long-serving educators a one-time opportunity to enroll in Retirement Plus after the program’s 2001 rollout was described as confusing and inconsistently communicated. Legislators, union leaders, and many teachers testified that some educators missed the opt-in window because of faulty notices, leave status, transfers, or misinformation about payroll deductions, and that many have had to work several extra years as a result. Supporters said the bills would correct an unfair administrative error, provide a buyback option with interest, and could also save local school districts money by allowing earlier retirements. Representative Mark Sylvia also testified for H. 4234, a Fairhaven-specific bill to raise the age limit for special police officers from 65 to 70 and clarify appointing authority, citing experience and budget needs. The committee then heard testimony on several pension investment and divestment bills. Supporters of H. 2811 and related climate-risk measures argued that PRIM should assess, disclose, and address climate-related financial risk in the state pension fund, warning that fossil fuel investments could threaten long-term returns and public finances. Environmental advocates and financial experts said climate risk is systemic and urged transparency, divestment planning, and alignment with the Commonwealth’s climate goals. Another set of speakers supported H. 2984, which would divest pension investments from companies selling weapons to Israel; they argued the state should not be complicit in violence in Gaza and cited humanitarian and human rights concerns. Additional testimony supported H. 2900 and S. 1869 to divest from the firearm industry, with speakers saying pension investments should not undermine Massachusetts gun laws. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs repeatedly thanked speakers, limited testimony time, and noted that written testimony could be submitted later. The hearing concluded with the committee moving through the sign-up list and hearing extensive public testimony on the teacher retirement and divestment proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• The use of press releases, faxes, emails, phone calls, all these things to the press also help to get
• The local bill amendment form must be reviewed by staff before submission.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard and passed two measures before receiving a staff presentation on the local bill process and local delegation meetings. HB 4007, by Rep. Snyder, would cap reimbursement for certain inmate emergency medical services in Martin County at 110% of the Medicare rate, with a higher cap if a provider shows it is operating at a loss. Snyder said the bill is intended to create predictability and save taxpayer dollars; members asked about fiscal effects and whether other counties could adopt similar language. Public testimony came in support from Martin County and related local officials, and the bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee also passed HM 4005, by Rep. Daly, which urges Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Daly argued Florida’s troop allocation is outdated and inadequate for the state’s population and disaster demands, contributing to burnout and recruiting problems. Members asked about the basis for the current allocation, possible budget and infrastructure impacts, and the National Guard’s needs; there was no opposition or public testimony, and the memorial was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. After the votes, Reps. Holcomb and Kendall gave a detailed presentation explaining how local bills differ from general laws, constitutional limits on local legislation, required local delegation meetings and notice, certification and economic impact forms, and amendment procedures. Members asked several process questions, including about multi-county delegations and Miami-Dade’s special status. The meeting ended with a few recognitions and adjournment before session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Faxe essero gacsaanam ruffa yoo hayta. Faxem akke waytek, inkih qokolta. Anu. Faxe sadu?
• Faxe sadu? Cisab gabbaaqimeh.
• Anu faxe essero gacsam ruffa yoo hayta. Faxem akke, faxem inkih kicna. Faxe sadu.
• Faxe essero gacsaanam ruffa yoo hayta. Uh inkih qoklah. Anu. Faxe sadu? Cisab taturteh.
• Faxe dammiyo qadli fanteena.

Committee: Joint Local and Private

Transcript Highlights:

• only military and overseas voters can return their ballots electronically, and many do so by email and fax
• in secure portals that are vetted and tested by IT professionals, not through email and not through fax
• So if he does, he can simply write the same ballot title for every submission.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on six bills. SB 6081 would protect sex designation information and related records from public disclosure, limit sharing of such information by the Department of Licensing and Department of Health, and allow denial of records requests when disclosure could cause harm or disenfranchisement. The sponsor and many supporters, including transgender Washingtonians, privacy advocates, and allied organizations, said the bill would close a privacy gap and reduce doxing, harassment, and targeting; one witness opposed it on grounds of record accuracy, law enforcement, and concerns about sports and public safety. No vote was taken. SB 5902 would update voter notification and address-change procedures by allowing more flexible forms of voter registration updates, reducing mailed notices in some automatic registration situations, and expanding electronic communication options. The sponsor and county auditors said it would improve efficiency, reduce confusion, and save counties money; testimony was generally supportive. The hearing then moved to SB 6034, which would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency and require ongoing training and reporting on government-to-government relations with tribes. The sponsor and tribal representatives supported the bill as a technical fix and a commitment to tribal sovereignty, and no action was taken. SB 6035 would require regular county and state meetings with tribes on election access and authorize an electronic ballot return portal for certain voters, including military, overseas, disabled, and some tribal voters. Supporters said it would improve access and collaboration, while the Secretary of State, Verified Voting, and others raised cybersecurity and secret-ballot concerns about the electronic portal; several witnesses also opposed that portion while supporting tribal outreach and drop boxes. SB 5892 would centralize requests for voter registration database records through the Secretary of State and make unauthorized disclosure of protected voter data a felony; supporters framed it as protecting voter privacy and resisting federal overreach, while opponents argued it would hinder voter-roll maintenance and transparency. Finally, SB 5973 would ban pay-per-signature compensation for initiative and referendum signature gathering and require 1,000 supporting signatures before a ballot title is issued; supporters said it would reduce fraud, misleading tactics, and ballot-title shopping, while opponents called it an added barrier to direct democracy. The committee heard extensive testimony on all bills, but the transcript does not show any votes or executive action taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Angagoyyi faxe sissikaane madqah arac quukah xongolo 17 ilaa Z fan tah faxe.
• M shar faxe sadu tan.
• Nammeyhayto tonnal faxe num, faxe ossotinah angoyyitte abam faxa yeey.
• Walal um faxe num faxam too. Gital faxe fayxi yoo beyta too xayyos.
• Cankah kee nanu taamitenno toh faxe. Walal faxe. Fooca fan walal faxe.

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• maps there, who has, and we agreed not to make them put it into suit, and they gave us over 2,000 submissions
• And they gave us over 2,000 submissions so far this year, one firm out of Florida.
• to put so many resources in such a short period of time because they literally just overloaded the fax

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on bills in the Civil Actions 2 and Court Administration areas, with testimony spanning judicial security, judicial compensation, civil process fees, bar advocate compensation, interstate discovery, defamation protections for sexual assault survivors, and related criminal procedure changes. Chairs Edwards and Day opened with housekeeping rules on testimony limits and written submissions, then called witnesses on each bill in turn. On H. 1766, judicial officers and the Massachusetts Bar Association strongly supported a judicial security bill that would protect judges’ personal information, citing threats, online harassment, swatting, and violence against judges and their families. On H. 1819, judges and the Massachusetts Judges Conference asked for higher compensation, saying Massachusetts judges rank low nationally after cost-of-living adjustment and that pay affects recruitment and retention. The committee also heard support for H. 1582/S. 1183 to raise civil process service fees, with sheriffs saying the fees have been unchanged since 2003 and are needed to cover rising costs, safety equipment, and operations funded by those fees. The committee heard from prosecutors on H. 1604 and H. 1846, which would give district courts concurrent jurisdiction over certain school-threat and leaving-the-scene offenses, allowing prosecutors to handle less serious or panic-driven cases more efficiently while preserving mandatory penalties. CPCS and bar advocates supported H. 1876 on bar advocate compensation, describing a continuing shortage and crisis in indigent defense despite recent pay increases and staffing investments. The Boston Bar Association supported H. 1857, a Massachusetts version of the Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, saying it would simplify out-of-state discovery and reduce cost and delay. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1974/S. 1143, which would protect survivors of sexual assault and harassment from retaliatory defamation suits unless the plaintiff proves actual malice, and would allow fee shifting and damages against abusive suits. Survivors, advocates, and attorneys described threats, legal costs, and chilling effects that silence reporting, while supporters said the bill would protect truthful speech and improve access to counsel. The committee also heard insurance-industry testimony on S. 1101, which would change personal injury protection payment rules to require insurers to tender disputed amounts within 30 days to avoid attorney’s fees; insurers said the bill would curb a growing volume of provider lawsuits and reduce abuse of the no-fault system. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed after all scheduled testimony was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:50.720><c>hangi</c> toh faxe hangi toh faxe hangi uh <00:32:53.023><c>ta </c><00:32:53.406
• Uddur, takkay immay dudda mali pro takkuh faxe fidnaaneh.
• Num edde anuk faxe qaynatih murtitte.
• Tohuk lakal kaxxam fidin network cast kee kee maybe faxe num a hinnay faxe num defendant too lawsuit
• </c> uh brake pad hinnay hinnay hinnay faxe uh brake pad hinnay hinnay hinnay faxe product <01:05:12.431

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division A

Transcript Highlights:

• One example, we are still required by statute to accept submissions by fax, which is cumbersome and takes
• With a statutory change, we could eliminate faxes and streamline our procedure.
• We have in documents being received for a paper or fax filing.
• You get to use both fax and microfiche in the same testimony.
• That beats microfiche and fax, right?

Bills: HB10 , HB 12 , HB675 , HB10 , HB12

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• executed provider contracts and expanding network growth across these services as reflected in the submissions
• executed provider contracts and expanding network growth across these services as reflected in the submissions
• service delivery, and reduce the administrative burden of data collection and reporting, claim submission
• Automating these submissions will greatly reduce correction times going back and forth, speed approvals
• Practices would include manual spreadsheets, faxing, emailing, reports, cold calling, emailing electronic

Transcript Highlights:

• We had one submission. It was Butler Snow.
• reviewing it, we're only recommending a really minor change that gets rid of a reference to like a fax

Transcript Highlights:

• We have already, as you might be aware, opened bonding leave claim submissions with two of the state's
• We aim to open bonding leave claim submissions to all Minnesotans in the next few weeks, again, ahead
• be aware, opened bonding leave you might be aware, opened bonding leave claim<00:05:54.800><c> submissions
• with two of the claim submissions with two of the state's<00:05:56.160><c> largest</c><00:05:56.639>
• to all motans in the next submissions to all motans in the next few<00:06:09.360><c> weeks.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We receive primarily annual submissions from our data owners.
• So we have a lag in data; we receive annual submissions. Okay.
• And a list of other services, as you see on this slide, that include notary, faxing, copies, emergency
• that uh slide that include<00:57:43.839><c> uh</c><00:57:44.079><c> notary,</c><00:57:44.880><c> faxing
• uh notary, faxing, copies, um emergency<00:57:48.640><c> preparedness,</c><00:57:49.520><c> other</c

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on State Government met for its first meeting and heard a presentation from the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KY Stats) by Executive Director Matt Barry and Legislative Director Calli Arnold. The presentation reviewed KY Stats’ statutory background, its evolution from KESUS, its board membership, and its role in housing Kentucky’s longitudinal data system and labor market information office. Barry explained that KY Stats links data from multiple state sources, validates and cleans it, deidentifies it, and uses it to produce reports, evaluations, and responses to data requests for policymakers, practitioners, and the public. Barry described the scale of the system, noting more than 6,000 active data elements, 178 unique file types, and data from 48 sources across 26 agencies. He highlighted the agency’s privacy and security practices, including separate servers for source data and deidentified reporting data, and said KY Stats does not use real-time data. He also outlined the types of reports produced, including the annual high school feedback report and a recent life outcomes report tracking the 2017 public high school cohort’s postsecondary education, completion, wages, and employment outcomes. Members asked about the timeliness and availability of data, especially SNAP and Medicaid information, and Barry said most data arrive annually or quarterly and that Medicaid data had been used in a limited one-time project rather than as an ongoing feed. Questions also focused on artificial intelligence; Barry said KY Stats has not integrated AI but is exploring it cautiously because of privacy and security concerns. Several members encouraged further work with AI tools, while Barry emphasized that any use would need to protect confidentiality. The committee also discussed staffing and funding, with Barry saying KY Stats has about 49 total staff and annual funding of roughly $3.1 million in state general funds, plus federal labor-related funding. Committee members praised the agency’s work and suggested legislators may not fully understand its capabilities. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• have their election to be sent by email because it modernizes the requirements and it moves away from fax
• Do we even have a fax machine here in the Capitol anymore? Do we use fax? From fax machines.
• Do we even have a fax machine here in the Capitol anymore? Do we use faxes? Not very often.
• So it moves away the faxes and it moves away the requirement that the faxes need to be followed up by
• Kind of like the replacement of the fax. Yeah, okay. Yeah.

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• This simply removes references to fax machines.
• But how many people in the last major election voted via fax or submitted their absentee ballot via fax
• saying again the number Of people who are authorized under our state law to return an absentee ballot by fax
• stationed in a foreign country, they didn't get their Ballot in time to return it by mail, so they could fax

Bills: HB2938 , HB2939 , HB3306 , HB3722 , HB4113 , HB4123

Committee: House Elections and Ethics

Transcript Highlights:

• Faxe maysaxxagoogi tanii? Faxem able waynaama, nanu ruuboonuh.
• Sidoc haytoh kawsiyyak naharal faxe maysaasoosi tanii?
• Sidoc haytoh kawsiyyak naharal faxe maysaasoosi tanii?
• Sidoc haytoh kawsiyyak naharal faxe maysaasoosi tanii?

Transcript Highlights:

• When we had those boxes checked, we had a fax number.
• Yes, I know it's old school, but a fax number that we would fax the petitions and the orders for protection
• As of September 2025, the fax no longer works.
• Yes, I know it's old school, but a fax number that we would fax the petitions and the orders for protection
• As of September 2025, the fax no longer works.

Bills: HB2264 , HB2336 , HB2298 , HB1518

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The committee opened by announcing that it would hear testimony but would not take decisions on the day’s bills, with action deferred to a later decision-making agenda. The first measure, HB 2264, would require notification to military security forces when a protective order is issued involving a military-affiliated person. Support came from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the Hawaii National Guard, and DBEDT’s Military Affairs office, all emphasizing better coordination and faster notice to help protect victims and support command oversight. Family Court Judge Jesse Hall supported the intent but asked for deferral, explaining that a prior fax-and-email notification system had broken down and that the military had not re-engaged with the court. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the bill but recommended narrowing it so it applies only when the respondent is actually marked as military-connected and delaying the effective date to January 1, 2027 to allow implementation. In questions, members discussed the current breakdown in communication, the number of military-marked TROs statewide, and whether the bill would be necessary if the old system were restored; the military witness said she would try to reestablish contact with the court. The committee then took up HB 2336, which would authorize the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense for services at federal military installations and charge an administrative fee. DOT and the Military Affairs office supported the measure, describing it as a way to speed projects, combine state and federal resources, and strengthen infrastructure that also supports disaster response and the economy. Members questioned why the bill was needed if similar arrangements had existed before, and whether Title 23 federal highway funds could be used; DOT responded that the bill would help expedite projects and supplement, not supplant, federal funding, while each project would still require review of the appropriate funding source. The committee also heard HB 2298, which would allow the Department of Education to award high school diplomas to qualified people whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the Hawaii Office of Veterans Affairs, and DOE supported the bill, and DOE said implementation would have only a minimal printing cost. Finally, the committee heard HB 1518, which would require DHS, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to create a pre-release SNAP application process for inmates nearing release by January 1, 2028. DHS said it was already working on a pilot and stood on its testimony; the County of Hawaii, the Correctional System Oversight Commission, the ACLU of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the measure, arguing it would improve reentry outcomes and would not cost the state additional money. No votes or final committee actions were taken on any of the bills during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to fax you over the written report," and that begins the process.
• We're going to fax you over the intake.
• Then they would fax over the written assessment, the written intake, and the joint investigation would
• </c><03:38:54.000><c> It</c> the submission of the written report.
• It the submission of the written report.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I know, faxing.
• I know some people don't even know what a fax machine is, but faxing it back and forth.
• I back and forth a consent form or fax. I know,<01:09:11.400><c> faxing.
• I know some of people know, faxing.
• I know some people don't even know what a fax machine is, but faxing it back and forth.

Bills: HF4502 , HF3388 , HF4106 , HF400 , HF4138 , HF4118 , HF4203

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy