Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I live by a rule, and it has served me well.
• Representative Rule votes nay. Nay. Representative Rule votes nay.
• Representative Fye, Representative Rule... Representative Fye, Representative Rule.
• Representative Rule, would you like to vote orally? Rule votes aye. Rule votes aye.
• Eighth order of business, with the consent of the House, the Rules Committee is relieved of the following

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, a bill modernizing and strengthening laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, volunteers, youth cadets, and related law enforcement roles. Members first considered a striking amendment and then a series of floor amendments, with debate repeatedly focusing on sheriffs as elected constitutional officers, the scope of state authority over local law enforcement, and whether the bill would create unfunded mandates or practical problems for counties. Supporters of the bill and many amendments argued for clarifying language, local flexibility, and state payment for new requirements; opponents generally warned the bill would weaken elected sheriffs, impose costs on counties, or overreach into local control. Amendment 2343, which would have added intent language emphasizing that sheriffs are directly accountable to the electorate, was debated at length and defeated on a roll call vote, 41 yeas to 56 nays. Amendment 2373, shifting background-check costs to the state through the Washington State Patrol, was also defeated, 44 yeas to 53 nays. Amendment 2374, narrowing provisions affecting private security and specially commissioned officers, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2369, clarifying rules for volunteers and youth cadets, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2371, limiting surveillance-related provisions to situations requiring a warrant, failed 42 to 55. Amendment 2372, clarifying that only non-public information would be restricted from disclosure, also failed 41 to 56. Later, Amendment 2370, which would have aligned the bill’s definition of volunteer law enforcement officers with existing statute, was defeated 42 to 55. Finally, Amendment 2352, which would have exempted current sheriffs from the bill’s new decertification rules, was debated as a protection against changing the rules midstream but was opposed on the grounds that the bill already grandfathered in the one sheriff who did not meet the new experience requirement; the amendment’s vote was not completed in the excerpt provided. The transcript also begins with the Speaker signing several bills, including Substitute House Bill 1570 and Substitute Senate Bill 6248.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee coordinator, Stacey Niccio. Assistant. Committee coordinator, Damian Girardeau.
• Jones for a motion. 121 necessary rules to take up H.
• There he is now, the rules are suspended.
• We move to suspend the rules to take up House Resolution 177.
• Chair hears none, the rules are suspended.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , not a state rule.
• Um, I guess our committee.
• "Putting it into the rules?" "Well, we don't have rules.
• </c> the committee. My name is Jim O'Brien. the committee. My name is Jim O'Brien.
• &gt;&gt; it'll go to a second committee. &gt;&gt; it'll go to a second committee.

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate resolution number 32 will be referred to the committee on rules and administration and
• </c><00:16:27.519><c> on</c><00:16:27.759><c> rules</c><00:16:28.160><c> and</c> referred to the committee
• on rules and referred to the committee on rules and administration<00:16:28.959><c> and</c><00:16:29.199
• a committee.
• </c> to rule 40.7. to rule 40.7.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Arizona Supreme Court this morning issued a ruling that will effectively remove this measure from
• The trial court ruled that you were wrong.
• The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that you were wrong, period. This committee acted in, Period.
• Just also for the record, it is not illegal to pass a law that is later ruled unconstitutional.
• Seeing no further matters before us, this committee is adjourned.

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Report of a committee.
• The committee on rules, to whom was referred the Senate order relative to granting the Committee on the
• Lovely for the committee. The senator from Suffolk, Ms.
• Report of the committee.
• The committee on Rules, to whom was referred the Senate bill relative to removing the term “hearing impaired

Summary: The Senate took up several local and special matters and approved them by voice vote. It enacted bills waiving the maximum age requirement for named Boston Police Department applicants, then later passed to be engrossed additional local bills including an Andover measure on petitioning for special town meetings, several Haverhill bills exempting named applicants from age limits for firefighter and police positions, and local charter/name changes for Williamsburg and Chicopee. The Senate also adopted a committee order extending the Judiciary Committee’s reporting deadline to June 30, 2026, and ordered a bill removing the term “hearing impaired” from the General Laws to a third reading. Members adopted a series of congratulatory resolutions recognizing Eagle Scouts Ben Walsh, Noah Boudreau, and Joseph McManus, and honoring Dr. Linda Saris on her retirement. The chamber also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Teresa Basil of East Boston, with several senators offering remarks about her life, family, faith, and community service, followed by a moment of silence. The Senate then adopted the adjournment order and recessed until the next Wednesday at 10 a.m. in formal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's controlled by the facilities committee, and they have a pretty strong set of rules.
• Any other questions from the committee on the amendment?
• process, which we have a set of rules for.
• Any other questions from the committee Any other questions from the committee on<00:04:54.880><c> the
• </c><00:11:06.839><c> of</c> we had in the committee of we had in the committee of trying<00:11:08.480

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start this committee meeting without our chairman, who's next door in an education committee
• Chairman and members of the committee.
• Chairman and members of the committee.
• State your name for the committee for the record.
• Committee, I think that finishes our business today.

Summary: The committee met without the chairman, with Senator Phil Hart presiding as vice chair, and considered four measures. House Bill 887, by Representative Mark Sauter, would allow water skiing with a driver and skier on open water rather than limiting it to a slalom course, while still requiring a mirror and a 9 a.m. cutoff. Sauter said the bill would align Idaho with several other states and help reduce congestion on the water. The committee took no public testimony and sent the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation on a voice vote. House Bill 895, by Representative Britt Raybould, would restrict new data centers beginning construction after July 1, 2026 from using water for cooling as a consumptive use unless supplied by an existing water district under contract. Raybould described the bill as a response to growing water and energy concerns, explaining the difference between evaporative, hybrid, and closed-loop cooling systems and noting the large water use of some facilities. The Idaho Conservation League testified in support, saying the bill was a proactive step to protect water resources. The committee advanced the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. House Bill 939, by Representative James Petsky, codifies Fish and Game’s proposed hunting technology rules on thermal night vision, transmitting trail cameras, and drones, while adding exemptions for hunting wolves, mountain lions, and other predatory wildlife, agriculture uses, retrieving wounded animals, and monitoring property or traps. Petsky said the measure was a compromise supported by agriculture groups, Idaho sportsmen, and Idaho Wildlife Federation, though he acknowledged possible enforcement challenges and future revisions. Fish and Game and the Idaho Conservation League both testified, with the latter supporting the process but warning about enforceability and the need for continued consensus-building. The committee sent the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also considered House Joint Memorial 21, which urges action to support reopening a past-producing tungsten mine on private land near Patterson, Idaho, citing the mineral’s importance to national defense and concerns about foreign supply, especially from China. The sponsor said the mine is the only tungsten mine in the United States and that permitting is underway. After brief discussion, the committee approved the memorial and sent it to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• , in the study committee.
• </c> Do not like the committee room. Okay. Do not like the committee room. Okay.
• Well, this committee did that.
• </c> your feet to the fire about these rules. your feet to the fire about these rules.
• I don't like this committee already. I don't like this committee room. room. room.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by discussing 15 retained bills and the chair’s preference to keep them alive through interim study rather than kill them, using them as vehicles for further discussion and possible later amendments. The chair said the bills would be executed out by November and then move to the House floor in January, and members generally agreed that interim study was the prevailing motion for the retained bills. Several health-related bills were then discussed. On Senate Bill 247, concerning pharmacy network exclusion when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost, members said the issue had been presented differently in prior discussions and noted unfamiliar intermediaries such as PSAOs; the bill was viewed as too complex to resolve immediately, so interim study was favored. A bill on treatment alternatives to opiates was said to need an amendment from the Insurance Department, and a bill on self-funded employer access to claims data was described as having changed substantially through amendment; the sponsor explained it was intended to incentivize self-funded plans to opt into the state’s all-payer claims database (CHIS) so their data could be used for cost analysis, and members indicated a separate bill would be brought later. The committee spent the most time on a glucose monitoring bill, with testimony from a sponsor and a parent of a type 1 diabetic describing the medical benefits of continuous glucose monitors, especially for preventing dangerous lows and managing fluctuations. Opponents and committee members raised concerns about the cost of a mandate, the effect on premiums in the individual and small-group markets, and whether the bill should require coverage without a prescription; one member cited medical literature suggesting limited evidence for non-insulin users. The chair concluded the bill was headed to interim study and said the committee would do further homework on the economic impact, especially for type 1 coverage. The meeting then moved on to a bill about insurer audits and clawbacks, where the Insurance Department commissioner explained that the issue involved several separate provider-payment problems that had recently come to the department’s attention and that the department would provide a report and work with the sponsor on next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, that particular Rule 21 will send that particular bill to the Rules Committee.
• Members, that particular Rule 21 will send that particular bill to the Rules Committee.
• Pursuant to Rule 26, I President.
• . committee. committee.
• </c> pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr. pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Rule 35A.
• </c> committee pursuant to house rule 35A. committee pursuant to house rule 35A.
• The bill is referred to the Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 35A, pending its entry
• The bill is referred to the Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 35A, pending its entry
• Pursuant to House Rule 51A, Proposal 4 was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, which held a public

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to the next committee, page 54. Page 54, HB 2805.
• Moving on to the next committee, page 82, HB 2751.
• the Senate Finance Committee and the House of Representatives International Trade Committee.
• Next committee, page 86. HB 2751.
• Next committee, page 86, 2076.

Summary: The meeting was a rapid bill review caucus with the chair emphasizing a hard stop before 11 a.m. and asking members to keep questions brief. A large number of bills were introduced or summarized, with many placed on third-read consent or consent calendars and several receiving brief sponsor explanations. The topics ranged widely, but much of the discussion centered on artificial intelligence, education, health care, water policy, state land management, commerce, transportation, public safety, and local government finance. In the AI and education sections, members heard bills requiring disclosure when minors interact with AI, allowing AI-assisted divorce arbitration by consent, creating an AI education program, recognizing certain AI communications as privileged, and requiring schools to teach AI ethics and basic prompting. Other education measures addressed superintendent employment rules, school district oversight, anti-Semitism prohibitions, fetal and prenatal development standards, and a resolution expanding race- and ethnicity-based nondiscrimination rules in public education. Health-related bills included funding and oversight for ESA administration, childhood cancer research grants, health facility licensure and complaint timelines, a firefighter cancer registry, nurse anesthetist reimbursement parity, and a bill criminalizing nonconsensual abortion-inducing drugs. The committee also reviewed many land, water, and natural resources bills, including measures on groundwater transportation fees, assured water supply reviews, water hauling, state land audits and oversight, solar and mining land-use mapping, and state land disposition planning. Several bills focused on wildlife and ranching, such as landowner permits for deer and wolves, expanding predatory animal definitions, and a memorial urging federal reform of the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Transportation and public safety bills covered towing regulation, DUI interlock rules, motorcycle lane splitting/filtering, digital driver licenses, and a resolution on tax and fee increases for municipalities and counties. Members asked a number of questions on controversial items, especially the municipal tax/fee moratorium, water policy, and state land governance, but no roll-call votes were taken in the transcript; most items were simply advanced or noted as consent-calendar measures, with one bill (HB 2913) being pulled from consent for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Senate Committee on Finance by March 1, 2027. ...and
• the Senate Committee on Finance by March 1, 2027.
• Committee when they heard the bill.
• Thank you, members of the committee.
• the rule process will be.

Bills: HCR26 , HB28 , HB195 , HB283 , HB316 , HB319 , HB363 , HB380 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB636 , HB738 , HB807 , HB905 , HB992 , HB1146

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: human growth, development education, prenatal education, state standards, biological science, teacher certification, certification appeals, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Teacher Certification Appeals Council, educator licensure, teaching license, teacher licensure, appeals process, certification denial, administrative appeal, special meeting, board president, retroactive application, education board

Summary: The committee met with a large docket and adopted the April 29 minutes. Several bills were heard and advanced, mostly on education, workforce, literacy, early childhood, charter schools, and student mental health. Testimony was generally supportive, with many witnesses waiving in favor; a few bills drew questions about implementation, student awareness, and whether proposals were sufficiently broad or specific. House Bill 406, requiring the Department of Education to study the direction and regulation of interscholastic high school athletics and report back by March 1, 2027, was reported favorably after testimony from a retired principal who urged an open-minded study and discussion from the bill author about compliance and the bill’s purpose. House Bill 380, creating a pilot program between community and technical colleges and local school systems to expand awareness of CDL, entry-level driver training, and related programs, was also reported favorably. House Bill 807, creating a workforce and structure capacity investment program and fund to help industry partner with colleges to train instructors, was reported favorably after support from higher education and industry witnesses; senators raised interest in adding a stronger health care component and in reaching students earlier, but the author said he would work on amendments. The committee also advanced House Bill 316 on adolescent literacy and high-dose tutoring, with amendments clarifying teacher training timing, existing statutory bans on outdated literacy practices, and charter school participation; House Bill 1146, consolidating early childhood governance into a commission; House Bill 28, creating an appeal path for denied teacher certification applicants through BESE; and House Bill 992, assigning early childhood education identification numbers to support data collection on outcomes. House Concurrent Resolution 26, urging BESE to add the science of human growth and development to science and health standards and provide approved instructional resources, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 386, allowing local districts to let locally authorized charter schools operate as their own LEA under district rules, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 392, expanding suicide prevention information requirements on school websites, ID cards, handbooks, and signage, was reported favorably as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and committee.
• Good committee.
• Representative Crane [member_7896]: Just a Rule 80 declaration. Let the record show Rule 80.
• Committee, we do have a motion properly before the committee.
• Okay, committee, we do have a motion before the committee. Thank you for your testimony.

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee considered several RS drafts and one bill, with most of the discussion focused on property rights, business regulation, and state payment modernization. RS 32990, which would allow businesses to use a commercial registered agent address instead of a home address, was introduced after questions about whether it could make it harder to tell if a business is actually located in Idaho. RS 33170, dealing with short-term rentals, was also introduced; the sponsor said it would clarify property owners’ rights while preserving existing nuisance and public-safety protections. RS 33182, requiring employers to verify legal immigration status through E-Verify, was introduced after members said they wanted to discuss carve-outs and current verification practices in more detail. The committee then heard RS 33102, which would extend the state’s inspection “shot clock” to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections. Members asked how the private-inspector backup system would work, whether municipalities might delay inspections knowing private options exist, and how refunds or certifications would be handled. The sponsor said the bill continues last session’s approach and that private inspectors are already certified, but several questions were left for the full hearing. RS 33063, a stablecoin proposal, drew the most skepticism and questions about whether it resembled a digital dollar, the fiscal impact, company ownership restrictions, and whether foreign ownership could be involved. Despite concerns, the committee voted to introduce it. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 512, which would reinstate an open-book Idaho jurisprudence exam for land surveyors. The sponsor and several surveyors testified that Idaho-specific law is essential because surveying affects property boundaries, rights-of-way, subdivisions, and irrigation issues, and that mistakes can lead to costly disputes years later. Opponents were not prominent in the testimony, though members asked about reciprocity and how out-of-state surveyors are licensed. After public testimony, the committee voted to send HB 512 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin, I want to run through some of our ground rules for the committee.
• to House Rule 27.
• I know it's a departure from our, pardon me, committee rules, but given that the survivor wanted that
• Any questions from the committee members? Seeing none? Any questions from the committee members?
• This is just a rule that says anybody acting under color ...this is just a rule that says anybody acting

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a late-file hearing on several bills, with testimony limited to three minutes per individual or set time limits for panels. Chairs Michael Day and Lydia Edwards outlined hearing rules, written testimony procedures, and confidentiality protections before moving through the agenda. The committee heard testimony on bills including H.4876, H.5111, H.4783, H.4826, H.5116, H.5244, S.2975, and S.2976. On H.4876, supporters described it as the “Overcomers Law,” aimed at strengthening supports for survivors of abuse by limiting abusers’ legal standing after death, requiring survivor notification of an abuser’s death, expanding coercive control definitions, improving privacy protections, and creating education and resource programs. On H.5111, the Attorney General’s Office and legislative sponsors backed changes to strengthen Massachusetts antitrust enforcement, including broader jurisdiction over multi-state conduct, higher penalties, clearer treatment of invitations to conspire, labor-market protections, housing-related changes, and a longer statute of limitations. The committee also heard support for H.4783, which would reaffirm the rights of people experiencing homelessness and push back against criminalization of homelessness, and for H.4826, which would update condominium law to give owners more rights and nonjudicial dispute-resolution options. A large portion of the hearing focused on H.5116, which would rename the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court the Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse. Representative Worrell, the Harris family, senators, prosecutors, lawyers, educators, and community advocates testified in strong support, describing Judge Harris’s legacy of fairness, mentorship, community service, and support for young people and Black legal professionals. The committee also heard testimony on S.2975, which would prohibit civil immigration arrests in courthouses to protect access to justice, and S.2976, which would create a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers. Finally, H.5244 was supported as a repeal of an archaic criminal statute that advocates said has been used to punish pregnancy loss and should be removed from the books. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Comments or questions from the committee? I love it. Questions from the committee? I love it.
• They don't have to follow these rules.
• The rules are, there ain't no rules. LeMay.
• This is simply just making sure rules are in place.
• Chairman and members of the committee.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> presented in committee. presented in committee.
• </c> the committee. My name is Nan Madden. the committee. My name is Nan Madden.
• </c> the committee. the committee.
• </c> &gt;&gt; It's revenue ruling. &gt;&gt; It's revenue ruling.
• Revenue ruling, of course. &gt;&gt; Oh. Revenue ruling, of course.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules will now come to order. Please call the roll. Chair Passidomo? Here.
• That's one of the drawbacks that has been testified before some of the committees with this rule, but
• Madam Chair and distinguished members of the Senate Rules Committee, good afternoon.
• Votes, this is our last Rules Committee meeting, for real.
• The other thing about the Rules Committee that you all should realize is that we hear every bill with

Bills: S0036 , S0620 , S0796 , S0934 , S1080 , S1096 , S1366 , S1536 , S1548 , S1580 , S1588 , S1620 , S1756 , S7034 , S7044

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, payment bond exemption, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Forever Act, land acquisition

Summary: The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions. Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections. Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to do two confirmations, so we'll go ahead and read those Rules Committee reports up first
• On that order of business, the Rules Committee report is read. Mr.
• We're going to do two confirmations, so we'll go ahead and read those Rules Committee reports up first
• President, your Rules Committee has had under consideration Senate Executive Letter No. 51... Mr.
• House Bill 96, having been read twice by title, is referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

Summary: The Senate convened, initially lacked a quorum, then established one and opened with prayer, pledges in English, Navajo, and Spanish, and the salute to the New Mexico flag. Members then moved through announcements and recognitions, including permission for cameras on the floor and gallery, and certificates honoring Santa Fe County Day and Soil and Water Conservation District Day. Senators spoke in support of both recognitions, emphasizing Santa Fe County’s history, cultural and economic contributions, and the conservation districts’ role in stewardship, agriculture, and conservation work across the state. The chamber also welcomed numerous guests, honorary lieutenant governors, student shadows, and seniors visiting the Capitol. The Senate confirmed two State Investment Council appointments. Mary Patricia Roman was confirmed 31-0 after debate highlighting her decades of global investment experience, leadership in private banking, and service on the SIC investment committee. John F. Bingaman was then confirmed 32-0 for reappointment, with senators citing his finance background, prior service as governor’s chief of staff, and role in state economic and early childhood policy. Members also discussed his leadership on the council and the importance of strong management of the state’s permanent funds. On legislation, Senate Memorial 3 passed 27-0. The memorial, developed with the Wild Friends civics and science program, invites state agencies to participate in an insect identification and education workshop with UNM’s Museum of Southwestern Biology and the Xerces Society. The Senate also received House messages and adopted several committee reports, including referrals and passage recommendations for multiple bills and memorials. Later, the chamber debated Senate Bill 145, which would consolidate certain federal audit reporting into a single submission and adjust audit requirements for smaller entities and acequias; supporters said it would streamline compliance without changing audit requirements, while opponents raised concerns about auditor business, oversight, and the risk of weakening scrutiny. The bill remained under debate in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin, I want to run through some of our ground rules for the committee.
• to House Rule 27.
• I know it's a departure from our, pardon me, committee rules, but given that the survivor wanted that
• Any questions from the committee members? Seeing none? Any questions from the committee members?
• This is just a rule that says anybody acting under color This is just a rule that says anybody acting

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a late-file hearing on several bills, with Chairs Michael Day and Lydia Edwards outlining hearing rules, testimony limits, and written-testimony procedures. The first bill discussed was H. 4876, a proposal to strengthen supports for survivors of abuse. Representative Carol Faiola testified on behalf of a constituent who described how a lifetime restraining order was effectively undermined after a family member’s death, arguing the bill should limit abusers’ legal standing after death, improve survivor notification and privacy protections, expand coercive-control definitions, and create education and resource programs. The committee then heard testimony on H. 5111, which would strengthen the Massachusetts Antitrust Act. Representative Dave Rogers and Attorney General’s Office antitrust chief Anthony Mariano said the bill would give the state more tools to pursue anti-competitive conduct, including conduct with multi-state effects, while allowing enforcement even when federal authorities are also involved. They said it would increase penalties, clarify that invitations to conspire are violations, protect labor markets, remove limits affecting some housing transactions, and extend the statute of limitations. The committee also heard support for a related “universal 1983” bill, S. 2976/H. 2976, creating a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal, state, or local officers acting under color of law; supporters said it would fill gaps in remedies against federal officers while preserving qualified immunity. Testimony also supported H. 4783, a bill affirming the rights of people experiencing homelessness. The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless said the measure would push back against growing criminalization of homelessness, especially after the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision and local encampment bans, and would protect the use of public spaces without discrimination based on housing status. On H. 4826, condo owners and advocates said Chapter 183A is outdated and leaves owners with too little say and too few remedies against mismanagement, citing problems such as unsafe water, major assessments, and lack of meaningful dispute resolution. The committee also heard strong support for H. 5116, renaming the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court the Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse, with testimony from family members, legislators, attorneys, and community leaders describing Judge Harris’s mentorship, community service, and commitment to second chances. Later testimony covered S. 2975, a bill to deter ICE courthouse arrests and protect access to justice; CPCS, law students, and defense advocates said courthouse arrests chill participation by defendants, witnesses, and victims and disrupt pending cases. The committee also heard support for H. 5244, repealing an archaic law criminalizing concealment of a child’s death, with advocates arguing it has been used to punish pregnancy loss and should be removed. The hearing concluded with additional testimony in favor of S. 2976 and more support for the Judge Harris courthouse renaming, after which the chairs closed the hearing and reminded the public how to submit written testimony.