Video & Transcript : 'blue envelope program' :
Page 305 of 500
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Education Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- on behalf of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, providing an update here on our program
- The pilots are that yellow or orange one, and then the blue is the demonstration sites.
- , If there's correlational data that you're starting to see in this pilot program relative to which of
- One of the things we're trying to do this year, you know, this is year three of our program, is really
- Again, Safety-Care is a de-escalation program that's really growing in popularity in Washington State
Summary:
The House Education Committee held a work session on reducing restraint and eliminating isolation in schools, then moved into a public hearing on House Bill 1795 and its proposed substitute. Chair Sharon Santos reviewed committee procedures and emphasized the short session timeline, then framed the discussion as part of a longer-running effort to address student restraint and isolation. Representative Callan, the bill sponsor, said the committee’s pilot and demonstration sites would help identify both benefits and implementation challenges for legislation.
OSPI Acting Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs Misha Cherniski presented an update on the state’s demonstration project, saying it is in its third year and has $2 million per year in the current budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. He described intensive, targeted, and universal supports, including grants to pilot and demonstration districts, a technical assistance manual, and statewide professional learning. He reported that 68% of project sites saw reductions in restraint and isolation compared with the prior year, and said OSPI’s immediate policy recommendations are to extend prohibitions on dangerous restraints such as prone, supine, wall, mechanical, chemical, and noxious spray restraints, and to clarify the definition of “imminent likelihood of serious harm.” Committee members asked for more detailed disaggregated data by race, ethnicity, grade level, incident type, and sample size, and raised questions about authorized entities, student movement, and whether data captures incidents in nonpublic settings.
Representatives from Auburn, Bainbridge Island, and Concrete school districts described how the grant-funded work has affected their districts. Auburn reported major reductions in isolation after removing its last isolation room, expanding behavior supports, and training staff through multiple professional development options; the district said the biggest challenge has been shifting staff mindset and navigating delayed access to vendors and grant systems. Bainbridge Island said it has used grant funds for universal staff training, administrator training, social-emotional MTSS work, and partnerships with multiple providers; it reported zero isolations and sharply reduced restraints, while noting the need to monitor nonpublic agencies closely. Concrete, a much smaller district, said the grant allowed it to hire a part-time BCBA, adopt Safety-Care training, and use OSPI’s manual and tracking tools, but staffing shortages and limited substitute coverage make it hard to attend demonstration sites or training in person.
During the public hearing, the substitute bill was summarized as prohibiting certain restraints, banning isolation as a planned intervention, narrowing the definition of serious harm, and extending requirements to other providers of public educational services, while preserving lawful duties of school resource officers. Proponents included disability advocates, the Washington Education Association, and public school employees, who said the bill would reduce trauma and align practice with student safety and dignity. A parent testified about a child harmed by a room that was later used for involuntary confinement. A representative from a specialized learning center testified in opposition, arguing that a complete elimination of isolation for younger students could increase danger in some settings, that medical-provider requirements could be difficult to meet, and that specialized providers need broader exemptions. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- “From his organization to add it as a saltwater game fish, along with sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin
- processors, and operators as essential food producers, giving them the same economic tools, support programs
Bills:
SCR54 , SCR59 , HCR5 , HCR62 , HCR78 , HCR86 , HB595 , HB688 , HB802 , HB841 , HB1161 , HB1171 , HB1189 , HB1248 , HB1258
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources
Keywords:
Mississippi River Basin, fishery commission, invasive species, sustainability, economic impact, red drum, fishing regulations, tournament permits, wildlife management, recreational fishing, flood management, FEMA, floodplain maps, environmental risks, Louisiana, flood insurance, risk assessment, community planning, seafood, commercial fishing
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 4th, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Columbus sailed the sea so blue. Please move.
- When I was in middle school, we had the DARE program, and cops would come and tell us about how to not
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer from a Scouting America leader. After caucuses and routine introduction and committee-report actions, the chamber took up House Bill 1604, dealing with standards for strip searches in local jails and related correctional procedures. Supporters said the bill would align local jails with existing federal law and provide clearer standards for staff and administrators; opponents argued it would create liability, staffing, and operational problems, and force female officers into unwanted searches of male inmates.
A series of amendments were debated and mostly rejected. Failed amendments sought to add liability protections, require same-sex searches, create religious accommodations for staff, broaden exigent circumstances, limit how often an inmate could change gender identity, and allow staff to decline searches or delay them when no appropriate staff were available. One amendment changing the implementation date from 2025 to 2026 was adopted. The final striking amendment was also defeated.
The bill was then advanced to third reading and final passage as Engrossed House Bill 1604. In closing debate, supporters emphasized public safety, dignity, and compliance with federal standards, while opponents repeated concerns about consent, staffing, and jail administration. The House passed the bill 56-39, with three excused, and the floor session ended afterward.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Criminal Jurisprudence S/C New Offenses & Changed Penalties Apr 15th, 2025
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Downtown Recovery Aug 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We will begin service with the new vehicles on the Blue Line next year.
- As you know, the recent changes to the cap-and-invest program...
- Transit Operations Program, LC TOP, the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, and the AHSC program
- events from concerts to yoga, toddler programs, birdwatching, opera, circus.
- This is why it's a program of state and national historic significance. Thank you.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, there are several existing property tax exemption, deferral, and assistance programs.
- Part three creates a property tax exemption program for grocery stores located in underserved community
- County solid waste programs rely on, well, we all rely on them as critical services to protect human
- The solid waste excise tax is not currently going to solid waste programs directly.
- I'm opposed to House Bill 2487 on behalf of Premera Blue Cross.
Committee:
House Finance
Keywords:
HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (03/18/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- It sounds like this probably requires some of the programming and IT part.
- ,</c> 16 bed transitional housing program, 16 bed transitional housing program, which<03:56:41.040><c
- Should we have the resources as program.
- </c><03:58:27.920><c> that</c> a state to support another program that a state to support another program
- accredited programs require direct accredited programs require direct observation<04:10:13.840><c> of
Summary:
The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on Senate Bill 401, which DHHS described as a cleanup bill. Testimony from the department explained that the bill would repeal obsolete reporting requirements tied to a repealed municipal reimbursement program and to the now-repealed commission on demographic trends. No one testified in opposition, and the committee voted 12-0 ought to pass, placing the bill on the consent calendar.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 402, which would eliminate certain non-compete agreements for physician associates going forward. Senator Gray introduced the bill, and a representative of the New Hampshire Society of Physician Associates said it would improve workforce recruitment and access to care without changing scope of practice or affecting existing agreements. Committee members asked about the length of current restrictions and whether the change would make New Hampshire more attractive to PAs. The committee voted 12-0 ought to pass and sent the bill to the consent calendar.
Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 426, which would repeal the permissible fireworks committee. Senator Uler and the deputy state fire marshal said the committee’s original purpose had been overtaken by later changes adopting federal fireworks standards, and that the fire marshal now has the necessary authority. The committee voted 12-0 ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar.
Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 469, a DMV modernization bill allowing electronic signatures in place of wet signatures for certain motor vehicle title and registration processes. Senator Lang, Carvana, the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association, Copart, and DMV staff all supported the measure, saying it would reduce delays, errors, and paperwork burdens. Members asked about AI, consumer protections, costs, and how electronic signatures would work in practice, including in cases involving deceased owners. The transcript cuts off during that hearing before any committee action on SB 469.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (03/18/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- And back in 1993, we started a self-funded workers' comp program.
- ,</c> 16 bed transitional housing program, 16 bed transitional housing program, which<03:56:41.040><c
- Should we have the resources as program.
- </c><03:58:27.920><c> that</c> a state to support another program that a state to support another program
- accredited programs require direct accredited programs require direct observation<04:10:13.840><c> of
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/27/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- Landscape program.
- The Lawns to Legumes program is one of our most popular programs.
- </c><01:35:29.360><c> of</c> for The Lawns to legumes program of for The Lawns to legumes program of
- Another program these are statutory programs, you can see here under chapter 103F.
- in Minnesota program.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Downtown Recovery Aug 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We will begin service with the new vehicles on the Blue Line next year.
- transportation operating program, LC-TOP, the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, and the AHSC
- program, Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities, that we already talked about.
- events from concerts to yoga, toddler programs, birdwatching, opera, circus.
- The Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program is a major source of funding for us.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Downtown Recovery held an informational hearing on the future of public transit and its role in downtown recovery. Chair Haney framed the discussion around how downtowns have changed since the pandemic and how transit, walkability, housing, and street design can support more 24/7 activity. The hearing included three panels: transit agency representatives, street design and curb management experts, and housing/transit development advocates.
Transit agency witnesses from BART, LA Metro, and Sacramento Regional Transit described post-pandemic ridership shifts, with more weekend, evening, and event-based travel and less reliance on traditional weekday commute patterns. BART highlighted downtown San Francisco’s dependence on transit, its event service, safety investments, and transit-oriented development pipeline, while asking the state to protect transit funding and honor SB 125 and greenhouse gas reduction fund commitments. LA Metro emphasized special event service, especially around the World Cup and Union Station activations, as a way to make transit a destination and improve customer experience. Sacramento Regional Transit reported bus ridership recovery above pre-pandemic levels, light rail lagging behind, new vehicles and stations, stronger security measures, and concerns about future funding cuts affecting student fares, capital projects, and service levels.
The second panel focused on making downtown streets more walkable and transit-friendly. Jeff Speck argued that walkability depends on places being useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting, and urged cities to restripe streets, reduce lane widths, add bike protection, improve crossings, and redesign one-way streets. Mark Vuksevich of Streets for All said downtowns are statewide economic assets and called for frequent transit, bus priority, modern curb management, parking pricing tied to availability, and parking benefits districts that reinvest revenue locally. He also said the state should provide model enabling legislation and more flexibility for local experimentation.
The final panel focused on housing near transit. California YIMBY’s Aaron Eckhouse supported AB 2074, which would encourage large-scale housing in transit-rich downtowns, and argued for more financing tools, condo reform, and building code changes to reduce costs. Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van Water described the Transbay Transit Center and surrounding district as a case study in transit-oriented downtown growth, with millions of square feet of development, thousands of residents, and a major portal project still awaiting funding and pre-construction work. Members discussed office-to-housing conversions, the need to repurpose underused office stock, and the importance of state funding and policy support for transit, housing, and downtown revitalization.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, they, you know, that program was incredibly robust, you know.
- are facilitated through programs at the public education department.
- I just want to highlight our small local public body program.
- We are number four in the nation now because of that program.
- And Broadband Accessibility BEAD Program: 382 million.
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- These private provider contracts are referred to as non-public programs.
- As a result, we see them getting left in our programs.
- And then our after-school program. Program, probably about 120 total. OK, very good.
- They weren't aware of a non-public program. And so.
- So you're changing the way they can manage the program.
Committees:
Senate Education , Senate Education K-16
Keywords:
fetal development, health curriculum, public schools, middle school health education, grade 7, grade 8, State Board of Education, school health advisory council, Texas Education Code, pregnancy, reproductive health, infertility, birth defects, prenatal development, unborn child, trimester, medically accurate instruction, age-appropriate instruction, drug and alcohol effects, lead exposure
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Men<03:07:03.360><c> in</c><03:07:03.520><c> blue</c> Men in blue Men in blue or<03:07:05.320><c> the
- Some wear<03:07:11.040><c> black,</c><03:07:11.680><c> blue,</c><03:07:12.280><c> brown,</c><03:07:12.920
- </c> wear black, blue, brown, green. wear black, blue, brown, green.
- House Bill 393 by Representatives Lawrence and others regarding tax abatement and tax incentive programs
- House Bill 393 by Representatives Lawrence and others regarding tax abatement and tax incentive programs
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then quickly handled routine business including excusing absent senators, adopting the prior journal, and recognizing several guests in the gallery. The chamber also paused to honor Dr. Mark Sullivan, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, with a Senate resolution commending him as the Alabama Education Association’s 2025-26 outstanding superintendent of the year. Senator Smitherman and Dr. Sullivan both spoke, with Sullivan highlighting Birmingham’s academic gains, reduced failing schools, and lower chronic absenteeism.
The Senate then processed a series of House messages and confirmations. It concurred in SB 288 on agriculture authorities and SB 317 on the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, but non-concurred and sent SB 174 on natural resources and SB 32 on solid waste collection fees to conference. The chamber confirmed numerous appointments, including Rex Jones, William Donahue, Jim Massey, Jason Windham, Alexander Atwater, Charles Dean, Steve McKinnon, Bonnie Temple, Shaniqua Johnson-Enam, Dwayne Jenkins, Troy Skipworth, Gloria Watts, Tracy Doughty, Kevin Ball, Joe D. Briggs, Josh Bryant, Dylan Turk, David R. Pruitt III, and Carol Smitherman, with most confirmations passing on near-unanimous rolls.
Committee reports advanced several House bills, including favorable reports on HB 224, 591, 614, 609, 444, 248, 611, 622, 92, and 556, with HB 248 amended. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the University of Alabama women’s wheelchair basketball team for winning the 2026 national championship, and another resolution recognizing the seriousness of the national debt and urging Congress to establish regular budget order. A resolution honoring retired Brigadier General Vandiver H. Carter as the 2026 Marion Military Institute Alumnus of the Year and a resolution commending John R. Cooper were also adopted.
In local legislation, the Senate passed HB 635 for Choctaw County, HB 639 for Escambia County, SB 10 for Tuscaloosa County, HB 315 for class one municipalities after adopting a committee substitute and a friendly amendment, and HB 404 for class one municipalities. Finally, the Committee on Rules reported and the Senate adopted a special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing a wide range of bills for priority consideration, including measures on solar power facilities, homestead exemptions, education, guardianships, tax increment districts, legal tender, college tuition, crime victims compensation, motor vehicles, entertainment industry issues, campus chaplains, tax abatements, alcoholic beverage producers, data privacy, constables, insurance, municipal audits, income tax, public high schools, taxation, state health planning, and University of Alabama matters.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Third, the bill clarifies that any customer using special supplemental nutritional program for women,
- infants, and children, cash and food assistance program benefits must not be charged the pass-through
- In speaking with program leadership and staff, they routinely pick up littered plastic bags and seed
- . handle them for both residents and recycling programs.
- Right now, across the state, plastic bags are not allowed in the blue bin.
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on several bills, beginning with SB 5965 on retail bags. Staff explained that the bill would prohibit single-use plastic and reusable film plastic carryout bags, raise the paper bag pass-through charge from 8 cents to 20 cents, exempt certain assistance-program customers from bag charges, and add manufacturer/distributor penalties. The sponsor and supporters, including environmental groups, Seattle Public Utilities, Tacoma, county solid waste representatives, and health advocates, argued the current law has led to thicker plastic bags and more plastic pollution, microplastics, and recycling contamination. Opponents from hospitality, grocery, retail, paper, and plastic bag industries said the bill would raise costs, create checkout confusion, burden food delivery and takeout operations, and amount to a de facto ban on paper bags as well; several urged waiting for more data on the current 12-cent fee. The hearing ended with a reported 1,240 non-testifiers on SB 5965, with 541 pro, 695 con, and 4 other.
The committee then heard SB 6030 on plastic bags. Staff said the bill would allow film plastic and paper carryout bags if they meet recycled-content standards, keep the paper bag fee at 8 cents, reduce the plastic bag fee from 12 cents to 8 cents, and remove the minimum thickness standards for reusable film plastic bags while retaining recycled-content requirements and the SNAP exemption. No public testimony was taken on the bill, and the chair noted 208 non-testifiers, with 192 pro, 11 con, and 5 other.
Finally, the committee heard SB 5975 on lead in cookware. Staff described it as a third-round update to the state’s cookware lead law, narrowing covered cookware, delaying the 10 ppm lead standard to 2030, and allowing compliance through FDA or European testing methods. Supporters, including some industry representatives, said the current law is unclear and difficult to enforce, that a workable test is still being developed, and that the bill would provide certainty and avoid unintended coverage of safe products. Opponents from Ecology, Health, environmental groups, and consumer advocates argued the bill would weaken Washington’s existing protections, create broad exemptions, and allow high-lead cookware to remain on the market; they also criticized shifting from total-content testing to leach testing. The hearing closed with 609 non-testifiers on SB 5975, with 54 pro and 552 con.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Apr 23rd, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Green cards are in support, red cards are in opposition, white cards are for information, and blue cards
- It's not possible to program that way.
- We can't program it the other way. And so this clears that up.
- We are able to program it across the party primary.
Committee:
House House and Governmental Affairs
Summary:
The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 23 and advanced several bills dealing with judicial vacancies, travel reimbursement, election administration, public records, and board transparency. Senate Bill 397 by Chairman Reese was reported favorably without objection; it allows the Supreme Court to reappoint a retiring judge on an ad hoc basis to finish cases or provide urgent coverage, while not changing other laws that prevent a judge from returning to the same seat after retiring or resigning. House Bill 398 by Representative Zerang was reported as amended after the committee adopted a new amendment removing lodging from the bill, leaving only meal reimbursement limits tied to the federal GSA rate. House Bill 1201 by Representative Ilk was also reported favorably; it would create per diem pay for legislators doing legislative business outside session and raise statewide elected officials’ salaries using a formula tied to university president pay.
The committee deferred Senate Bill 41, which would have extended the deadline for public bodies to publish open-meeting minutes from 20 to 45 days, after the author said he wanted more time to work with opponents. Senate Bill 289 by Senator Abraham, which would have created public-records exceptions for certain university searches, research, and donor information, drew substantial questioning and testimony from the press and members; after amendments narrowed the scope, the committee ultimately held the bill for further work rather than voting it out. Senate Bill 47 by Senator Mizell, as amended, was reported favorably; it requires public boards and commissions to provide contact information, including at least two contacts, a mailing address, email addresses, a website if available, and a phone number, without requiring public funds for member phones.
On election-related bills, Senate Bill 248 by Chairman Miller was reported favorably as amended. It allows precincts with fewer than 20 eligible voters to be consolidated with another precinct at the same polling place when both use the same ballot, with Secretary of State Landry saying it would preserve voter privacy, reduce costs, and be seamless for voters. Senate Bill 210 by Senator Klein-Peter was also reported favorably; it increases the number of election commissioners allowed in closed party primaries to match staffing needs created by the new system. Senate Bill 106 by Senator Klein-Peter, which makes certain crime-scene photos, audio/video recordings, and digital images nonpublic except by court order or clerk access, was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 8 yeas and 2 nays. House Bill 906 by Representative Billings was reported favorably as amended; the amendments let party state central committees decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in party primaries, require notice to the Department of State, and make participation rules consistent across the party’s related races, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The committee also deferred Senate Bills 218 and 220 to the following week before adjourning.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Apr 23rd, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Green cards in support, red cards in opposition, white cards for information, and blue cards if you're
- It's not possible to program that way.
- We can't program it the other way. And so this clears that up.
- We are able to program it across the party primary.
Committee:
House House and Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
travel expenses, reimbursement, state officials, US General Services Administration, disaster management, nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Feb 14th, 2026 at 09:07 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- Oh, and I note that we're wearing blue because it's water and Brooks' pure water.
- And the second question I have with regards to this is, does this mean that the programs that get funded
- The first is that the Finance Authority has programs in place to provide grants to water systems to get
- And we've put in place a technical assistance provider program that, among other things, allows small
Committee:
Senate Senate Conservation
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, this has been an issue since the president decided to issue his edict via Blue Sky social or
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on two bills: House Bill 5138, concerning consumer protections for cash transactions amid penny scarcity, and House Bill 5036, concerning consumer information related to tariffs. Chairs Tackey Chan and Senator Payano opened the hearing, noted the committee’s one-year anniversary, reviewed procedures, and explained that the Senate and House were both in session, with Senator Payano prepared to take over if needed. The committee heard from several industry and legislative witnesses, and the hearing was eventually closed by motion and voice vote.
Supporters of H. 5138, including Senator Paul Feeney, the Massachusetts Package Stores Association, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, said the bill would create a clear statewide rounding standard for cash transactions if pennies become scarce. They argued it would improve operational efficiency, reduce confusion, provide legal clarity, and protect businesses and consumers by requiring notice and limiting the rule to cash payments. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts also supported the concept but suggested amendments, including changing mandatory rounding language to allow flexibility and clarifying that taxes and fees would not be affected.
Witnesses were largely opposed to H. 5036. The Retailers Association, the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, and the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association said tariff-related shelf or price disclosures would be difficult or impossible to implement because tariff costs change frequently and are hard to trace through complex supply chains. Auto dealers emphasized the challenge of calculating tariff impacts across thousands of vehicle parts and models, while retailers said the proposal would add burdens and could increase costs. No votes on the bills were taken during the hearing; the only formal action was adjournment of the hearing after testimony concluded.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Apr 15th, 2026
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, this has been an issue since the president decided to issue his edict via Blue Sky social or
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on House Bill 5036, concerning consumer information related to tariffs, and House Bill 5138, concerning consumer protections for low-value tender scarcity and penny rounding. The chairs opened with procedural remarks, noted both chambers were in session, and explained that testimony would be limited to three minutes. The hearing also included light discussion of the committee’s one-year anniversary and the large volume of bills the committee handles.
Testimony on H. 5138 was broadly supportive. Senator Paul Feeney, the bill’s co-sponsor, said the measure would address confusion caused by the penny’s scarcity by creating a statewide cash-rounding standard to the nearest five cents, with rounding up or down depending on the final digit. He emphasized that the bill would apply only to cash transactions and would require consumer notice rules from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Representatives from the Massachusetts Package Stores Association, Massachusetts Retailers Association, Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association all supported the bill, citing operational efficiency, legal clarity, fairness, and reduced burden on retailers and restaurants. The Retailers Association suggested amendments to make rounding discretionary rather than mandatory and to clarify that taxes and fees would not be affected.
Testimony on H. 5036 was largely opposed by business groups. The Massachusetts Retailers Association, New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, and Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association all said the tariff disclosure requirements would be difficult or impossible to implement in practice, especially given frequent tariff changes and the complexity of pricing goods and vehicles. They argued the bill would create compliance burdens and could increase costs rather than help consumers. No votes were taken on either bill. The hearing concluded after no further witnesses came forward, and the committee voted to close the hearing.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Mobile County Legislation Committee Jan 28th, 2026
Mobile County Legislation
Transcript Highlights:
- The blue... purpose of this chapter, any work approval of military installations from this scenario shall
Committee:
Senate Mobile County Legislation