Transcript Highlights:

• However, one of the things that we really need is operational dollars that come along to support and
• Therefore, we needed to have a little expansion in terms of the number of credit hours so that they can
• We take the number of clock hours, divide that by 900, and that gives us the increases in our career
• How could you operate a business if your revenue is 80% of your need to operate that business?
• There is a conversion for the number of clock hours to credit hours.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those limited number of hours.
• And so for those programs that continue to just operate the limited number of hours per session, and
• if they operated before January of 2020...
• The limited number of hours per session, and if they operated before January of 2022, would be allowed
• and during the last hour before closing in programs that operate most of their day in classrooms of

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• street with a speed limit of 20 miles per hour.
• street with a speed limit of 20 miles per hour.
• Has there been any weight of the fact that that congested period could be only a few hours of the day
• Wouldn't it a few hours of the day?
• hours of the day an hour because for 22 hours of the day um<01:04:51.960><c> there</c><01:04:52.160>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Transportation opened public hearings on three Senate bills and discussed a fourth scheduling issue. On SB 499, which would change Traffic Safety Commission reporting requirements, the sponsor’s representative said the bill would require annual aggregated data on the causes of traffic collisions in New Hampshire and recommendations to address them. Members asked about the added Trauma Medical Review Committee seat, and a representative explained that it is a longstanding state board of emergency and trauma professionals; the bill had already been amended and passed unanimously earlier in the process. On SB 500, concerning restroom access for certain commercial motor vehicle operators, the sponsor and trucking-industry supporters said the measure arose from concerns raised by female truck drivers and was intended to require larger commercial facilities with available public or employee restrooms to allow truck drivers to use them when there are no public safety concerns. Supporters from the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association said driver shortages make it important to recruit and retain women, and that lack of bathroom access is a significant barrier. Committee members asked about the scope of the problem and whether the issue affected male and female drivers differently. The committee then heard SB 559, which would reduce the minimum allowable speed limit on locally controlled roads. Supporters, including bicyclists and the Bike-Walk Alliance, testified that lower speeds improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, citing personal crash experiences and national guidance supporting lower urban speed limits where warranted by traffic or engineering studies. They emphasized the bill would not mandate lower limits statewide but would give towns local discretion. Members questioned whether the group would support 15 mph limits and how congestion and travel-time concerns were weighed. A Department of Transportation official testified neutrally, saying the agency had no formal position but had concerns about public perception and possible spillover to unnumbered state roads. The chair also noted an earlier scheduling problem that prevented immediate executive action on a bill until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason for that is in that deep dive that took thousands of hours of my own time, I became, I
• level makes up at least 50%, if not more, of their operating budget.
• Instead, this operates, I think, on the level that we, broadly speaking, as appropriators on behalf of
• Again, until or unless I would just operate under the understanding that it's 15 hours divided by...
• the So this language is in every part of the operating.

Summary: The committee spent most of the meeting discussing a proposed overhaul of Missouri’s higher education funding model, centered on shifting core funding toward an FTE-based formula. The chair and vice chair argued the current system is outdated and inequitable, saying the new approach would better align state dollars with student enrollment and workforce outcomes. Several members supported the need for change but raised concerns about the speed of implementation, the lack of advance consultation with universities, and the possibility that some institutions could face severe budget cuts, accreditation problems, or even closure. Community college representatives were noted as unanimously opposing the recommendation, and members repeatedly asked for clarification on whether graduate programs would be counted at 9, 12, or 15 credit hours, with no definitive answer provided during the meeting. Testimony and comments focused heavily on the consequences for specific institutions and programs. Some members warned that the proposal could hurt schools with expensive programs such as nursing, engineering, doctoral study, research, and specialized missions, while others argued that institutions should be rewarded for producing graduates who are in demand in the workforce. Truman State, Harris-Stowe, Missouri State, and several community colleges were discussed as examples of schools that could either gain or lose substantially under the model. The chair and vice chair said the proposal was not intended to force consolidation, but several members said the size of the cuts could indirectly lead to consolidation or closure and would require a phase-in to avoid harming students. After the higher education discussion, the committee moved through other budget items. The chair described cuts and restorations in several areas, including removing easement funding at the Department of Revenue, adding hearing officers for the State Tax Commission, restoring some MODOT requests, and shifting interest earnings from I-70 and I-44 project funds back to general revenue. Members also asked about Bartle Hall funding, a Bolivar road project, and new language restricting personal-service spending unless appropriations explicitly allow it. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would continue moving through the budget items and follow up on unresolved questions with the department.

Transcript Highlights:

• This requirement, um, Current law provides a line must be marked within 48 hours of a request.
• We are concerned about the impacts it would have for our operators, our operations in terms of cost and
• Water utilities are a bit different from other operators of underground utilities.
• It's just when it comes to that limitation of 48 hours.
• or minimum, uh, maximum of 48 hours.

Bills: HB206

Keywords: HB206, school district bonds, bond election, voter approval, Education Code, Chapter 45, Section 45.003, Section 45.0034, Texas schools, school finance, local tax election, bond referendum, school construction, capital improvements, election frequency, five-year waiting period, district bonds, public school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:25:53.239><c> of</c><03:25:53.399><c> their</c> Department for the operation of their Department
• </c> before that this system was out of before that this system was out of operation<04:32:39.399><c>
• , uh, Kino is weird because it's 8% for the operator, but it's 8% of the money wagered, not 8% of the
• Uh, so in reality, they have a sort of a fixed cost that doesn't go to the operator at 30% just to operate
• </c> 45% uh but I heard from a number of 45% uh but I heard from a number of operators<05:39:22.798><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 713, which would require mile markers on Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway. The sponsor and DOT testimony described the road as a heavily traveled but isolated corridor with little or no cell or radio service, frequent accidents and breakdowns, and serious public-safety problems when emergency responders cannot quickly locate incidents. Members discussed where markers should be placed, how frequently they should appear, whether both sides of the road should be marked, and the potential cost; DOT said the project could be done with federal funds and might be combined with other work to reduce mobilization costs. The committee agreed the bill was straightforward and voted OTP 18-0, with discussion that a friendly amendment might be offered later to refine the language. The committee then heard HB 563, concerning calculation of adequate education grants. Testimony explained that the bill would add fiscal capacity disparity aid in FY 27 and increase the special education differentiated aid factor, while also reducing extraordinary needs grants so the overall fiscal impact would be net neutral. Members noted the changes were limited to the second year because of the budget process and school district ballot timing. Supporters argued the fiscal capacity aid would help property-poor towns and should be expanded, while others emphasized the bill’s budget-neutral structure. The committee voted to retain HB 563 for further consideration in the budget process. Finally, the committee opened HB 675, which would limit the authority of school districts to make certain appropriations. A Derry resident and former local official testified in favor, arguing that property taxes are too high, that school spending has outpaced town-side tax caps, and that local voters should have more control over school budgets. Committee members questioned whether the issue should instead be handled locally through existing processes or broader governance changes, and one member noted the state’s constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education. The discussion continued, but no final action on HB 675 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the balance of the increase, each of those three years, were just individual projects or operational
• 30 semester hours of credit.
• Commissioner of Finance and Operations, and Tara Goodman, Vice Chancellor of Career and Adult Education
• So some of the factors that are drivers of this: it is largely driven by the instructional hours that
• For example, there's a maximum of 2,000 hours of OJT time that can be included in the model.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to review funding models for the Florida College System and district workforce education programs, with an emphasis on how new dollars are allocated in the program fund and how performance and targeted funding are incorporated. Chancellor Hebda explained the Florida College System model, including base program funding, student success and pipeline funds, performance incentives for industry certifications, and the 2022 president-developed formula that weights enrollment, workforce enrollment, completions, small-college factors, and regional cost differences, plus a targeted funding floor for colleges below a minimum per-FTE level. Vice Chancellor Goodman then outlined the district workforce model, which uses lagged enrollment, program cost weights, local revenue offsets, small-district adjustments, and unmet-need calculations to distribute lump-sum appropriations to school districts offering workforce education. The department also provided updates on several grant programs and funding delays. Goodman said the Workforce Development Incentive Grant, Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education Startup Grant, and teacher apprenticeship/mentor bonus programs all involve multi-year awards and often require reversions and reappropriations because projects are delayed, extended, or not fully obligated by year-end. She said the department is moving toward an electronic grants system and had already adjusted internal deadlines to speed awards, while acknowledging some reimbursement delays and explaining that mentor bonuses for teacher apprentices will not be paid until the first cohort reaches the statutory timing requirement. Members asked about tracking whether CTE students work in their trained fields, how Xello is used to inform students about career pathways, how FTE is calculated, whether the funding formulas could encourage growth over quality, and how students with disabilities are counted in workforce funding. Questions also focused on tuition, enrollment trends, and the gap between college and university funding. The committee heard that tuition has remained flat for more than a decade, enrollment has rebounded from COVID and is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels, and the college system’s funding per FTE varies widely. Valencia College President Kathleen Plinsky testified in support of the proposed formula and an additional $200 million for the Florida College System, saying Valencia is the second-largest college in the state but ranks last in per-FTE funding, which has made it difficult to recruit and retain faculty and admit qualified students in high-demand programs like nursing. The committee took no vote and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, starting this expansion to get down to the granular detail, to give you hour by hour of all 12,000
• A significant portion of the estimated positions and state operations included in the 2024 Budget Act
• State operations of up to 7.5%.
• I'll give you a high-level update on the progress of the 66-hour Workweek Implementation Plan.
• The model placed the burden of driving and fire engine pump operations on the single company officer.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and hundreds and hundreds of hours of family trainings also the number of unique families patients that
• Well, as of a couple of weeks ago, call wait time was 6 hours.
• That's our so the home's mission is a line of operation.
• to let us take advantage of that expanded 1699 hours vile 9 hours so that we can hire seasonally and
• And as people have to wait 8 hours, 12 hours to get through, your chances of getting a 5 out of 5, you

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason for that is in that deep dive that took thousands of hours of my own time, I became, I
• level makes up at least 50%, if not more, of their operating budget.
• And it would be hubristic of me to presume this is how they ought to operate, and this is what they need
• Instead, this operates, I think, on the level that we, broadly speaking, as appropriators on behalf of
• Again, until or unless I would just operate under the understanding that it's 15 hours divided by.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They say, no, this has to go back to the operator of the kiosk.
• But then you're stuck, or the victim... ...operator of the kiosk.
• The kiosk operator had some sort of KYC, some sort of know-your-customer protocols that, you know, whether
• Depot leave the state because of a lack of profit, while operators who lack resources or focus on compliance
• Banks and operate under the supervision of the Commonwealth.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several financial services bills, with the main focus on cryptocurrency kiosk regulation, financial literacy, and earned wage access. Legislators and witnesses described widespread crypto-related scams targeting older adults, often involving impersonation, urgency, spoofed phone numbers, and rapid transfers through kiosks that are difficult to trace or recover. Supporters of the kiosk bills said Massachusetts needs licensing, registration, transaction limits, warning notices, receipts, refund protections, and other safeguards; some also urged a “pause” or hold on transactions to give victims time to reconsider and allow law enforcement to intervene. The Attorney General’s office, AARP, local law enforcement, and several prosecutors and sheriffs backed the consumer-protection approach, while Bitcoin Depot supported a narrower regulatory framework but opposed low fee caps and strict daily limits, arguing they would function like a ban and reduce legitimate use. Witnesses from Waltham police, Middlesex and Essex County law enforcement, and the AG’s office said crypto scams are growing quickly, losses are often unrecoverable once funds move, and current tools are limited. They described cases involving elderly victims losing thousands of dollars, and said warnings alone are not enough because scammers keep victims on the phone and guide them through the process. Some witnesses said a temporary hold or refund mechanism has worked in at least one case, while others emphasized that transaction limits and visible disclosures could reduce harm even if they do not stop fraud entirely. The AG’s office also said it would submit written opposition to separate earned wage advance legislation, while DailyPay testified in support of that bill, saying earned wage access helps workers bridge short-term gaps without debt or credit reporting. The committee also heard support for mandatory financial literacy education from Representative Jim Hawkins, who said high school students need instruction on credit, debt, and inflation before they enter adulthood. In addition, the committee took testimony on litigation financing bills from insurance industry representatives, who argued for disclosure and regulation of predatory litigation lending and warned about foreign interference and reduced plaintiff recoveries. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; members asked questions throughout, and the chair noted the need to move testimony along because of time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to get ready for the send of the bill to Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee
• I am the secretary of the board of ATV Minnesota.
• of the board of ATV of the board of ATV Minesota<00:05:16.960><c> uh</c><00:05:17.120><c> this</c><00
• of 45 miles<00:09:16.279><c> hour</c><00:09:16.519><c> or</c><00:09:16.720><c> less</c><00:09:17.160
• ATV on the road a lot of 30 to 45<00:09:52.320><c> m</c><00:09:52.560><c> per</c><00:09:52.680><c> hour

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the $7 million in other charges, the majority of funding is designated for various operational expenses
• The majority of funding is designated for various operational expenses and federal grant expenditures
• For two of those, we've done a SCR increase of two dollars an hour to try to increase the vacancies,
• The remaining part of that budget is the actual operating cost of the personnel.
• I think they conspired with higher ed to get me out of here for about an hour.

Summary: The committee heard FY27 budget presentations for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, beginning with Public Safety Services. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the department’s recommended budget of $645.9 million, including supplemental pay, State Police, Motor Vehicles, and the State Fire Marshal. Officials explained that the overall budget reflects a net decrease from FY26, driven largely by shifts in funding sources, removal of one-time statutory dedications, and adjustments tied to undercollections in fees and self-generated revenues. State Police was recommended at $459.7 million, OMV at $86.7 million, and the Fire Marshal at $41.1 million. Department leaders also described ongoing modernization efforts, staffing vacancies, and the use of efficiencies identified internally. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Burns and agency heads testified about State Police operations, including increased cadet graduations, improved Mardi Gras security, progress on APHIS and OMV modernization, and the new crime lab under construction. Members asked about undercollections, vacancies, the role of public tag agents, and whether the agency could expand counter-drone capabilities. Burns said the department has identified about $11 million in efficiencies, but warned that counter-drone work would require additional funding, citing a $4.5 million fiscal note for HB 940 and roughly $9 million more for a robust unit. OMV officials said staffing and retention remain difficult, but modernization should improve service and reduce lines; they also said the agency continues to rely on public tag agents and is working through reinstatement fee collection issues. The committee then reviewed the Department of Corrections FY27 budget, recommended at $902.3 million, with most funding from State General Fund and a large increase tied to higher incarceration costs, medical needs, overtime, and added capacity at Louisiana State Penitentiary. DOC officials said the department remains under pressure from vacancies, turnover, contraband, and medical costs, and that the budget includes funding to add 150 correctional officers at Angola and to house ICE detainees at Camp J. They also discussed criminal justice reinvestment savings, prison enterprises, and reentry programs funded through the Second Chance Act. Members asked about staffing, inmate deaths at Elaine Hunt, work-release pay, and whether the department is tracking the true long-term cost of incarceration. Officials said they are pursuing pay increases, recruitment, expanded training and reentry programs, and more data-driven workforce alignment, while acknowledging that many budget pressures remain unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• of 20 hours per that works a minimum of 20 hours per week,<00:18:16.160><c> then</c><00:18:16.360><c
• In Kentucky, you have 6 hours of pre-licensing training, pediatric first aid, and 6 hours of annual training
• In Kentucky, you have 6 hours of pre-licensing training, pediatric first aid, and 6 hours of annual training
• In Kentucky, you have 6 hours of pre-licensing training, pediatric first aid, and 6 hours of annual training
• of annual training, where you've got for military it's 40 hours of orientation, CPR, and 24 hours annually

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DOESN'T TAKE MUCH OF THAT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE OVERTIME HOURS ASSOCIATED.
• WE ARE TRACKING EVERY SINGLE MAN HOUR, EVERY SINGLE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME.
• IT IS A SIMPLE AS GETTING ONE OF OUR CHARTS OF ALL OF OUR OPERATIONAL DORMS AND CHARTS AND MAKING SURE
• DOING A BREAKDOWN OF ALL THE COURT DIVISIONS I MEAN THIS IS A MASSIVE OPERATION.
• PARTICULARLY ON THE COURTSIDE OF OPERATIONS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those limited number of hours.
• And so for those programs that continue to just operate the limited number of hours per session, and
• The limited number of hours per session, and if they operated before January of 2022, would be allowed
• and during the last hour before closing in programs that operate most of their day in classrooms of
• of four to five clock hours...

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• IHSS service hours at 50 hours would impact providers an average of five hours per week.
• hours of service.
• We're sort of seeking additional sort of contract supports to help us sort of think through operational
• And we are absolutely opposed to the reduction of the hours for the providers to 50 hours as opposed
• So the reduction of ten hours at overtime is a huge... impact.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the meat of what we do at the operational level.
• This time, a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 140 miles an hour.
• We'll actually issue loans within 24 hours of receiving an application.
• Over 12,000 miles of state roads were cleared in 24 hours.
• We moved over 3,000 truckloads of debris off of those barrier islands in just 24 hours.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• And family parents have seven hours of training, plus the five onboarding hours.
• And family parents have seven hours of training, plus the five onboarding hours.
• Since November of 2025, caregivers have completed over 19,000 hours of our new CE courses.
• top of your head how much a course costs per hour.
• Sometimes you just need a simple refresher of an hour.

Bills: HB2337, HB2311, HB2088, HB2148, HB2132

Keywords: training requirements, caregiving, family member, individual providers, home care, workforce education, investment accountability, administrative changes, oversight, education policy, nutritional health, dietetic professionals, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare regulation, education, pay it forward program, tuition, student loans, financial aid

Transcript Highlights:

• Massachusetts restaurant operators take the safe and responsible service of alcohol very seriously.
• Starting in the 1970s, the acts of a few bad operators impacted the entire industry.
• I can tell you in my neck of the woods, we probably wouldn't offer happy hour here at the Provincetown
• The proprietors of this business would love the ability to have a happy hour, say, on Sundays in the
• , you know, the drinks aren't discounted, but one of the greatest sort of happy hours in the world.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on alcohol licensing, sales, and consumption issues affecting bars, restaurants, package stores, and local communities. The chair outlined hybrid hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits and instructions for written testimony. The committee heard a local bill for Milford, H. 4169, authorizing an additional off-premises all-alcohol license for Charlie’s Mini Mart, with the understanding that the existing wine and malt license would be surrendered if the new license is granted. A major topic was the long-running debate over happy hour. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association opposed bills such as S. 217, H. 349, and H. 443, arguing that discounted alcohol would intensify competition, create pressure on restaurants to participate, and potentially raise liquor liability and insurance costs. In contrast, Senator Julian Cyr testified in support of repealing the happy hour ban through a local-option framework, saying the bill includes safeguards such as no discounts after 10 p.m., fixed pricing during promotions, and advance posting requirements, and that it could help downtowns and seasonal businesses without creating a public health risk. The Massachusetts Package Stores Association testified on a broad package of bills, opposing measures to reinstate happy hour, allow supplier control over retail shelf space (H. 350), impose a transfer fee on licenses (H. 351), authorize alcohol coupons or discounts (H. 381 and S. 219), and permit Thanksgiving alcohol sales (H. 428). It supported bills requiring beverage alcohol training for off-premise licensees (H. 344), restricting self-checkout for alcohol (H. 366), changing Section 15 grocery-store license rules (S. 213), and several other regulatory changes. The Distilled Spirits Council supported H. 350 on private label spirits, while acknowledging concerns about disclosure and preferential treatment; package store witnesses defended private labels as lawful products they create with manufacturers, and the council argued the bill should address consumer confusion and unfair competitive advantages. The hearing concluded with Chair Chan announcing committee poll results on other bills, including a number of favorable reports and study orders, and the committee then voted to close the hearing.