Transcript Highlights:

• He didn't care about party lines. He cared about doing what was right.
• </c> result in soaring monthly health care result in soaring monthly health care premiums<00:25:09.760
• </c><00:45:41.839><c> I</c> care, and high costs for housing. I care, and high costs for housing.
• and health care.
• You know, I cared enough to serve.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were directing them to do the electronic filing.
• I was going to say, do you care to share that? Absolutely. I'm proud of that.
• Well, I will tell you, the IRS doesn't care whether you put it lower or higher.
• The IRS doesn't care whether you put it lower or higher.
• Is this directed at me or something? No, it's directed that you...

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For Vermont, investing in the integrity and quality of recovery residences is a direct investment in
• </c><00:25:11.720><c> the</c> As previously noted, it directs the As previously noted, it directs the
• As previously noted, it directs the Department of Health to take the lead.
• , Vermont Cares for Criminal Justice<00:27:07.040><c> Reform.
• Madam Speaker, there are so many experts across the state who care deeply about children's safety and

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:53.599><c> management</c> of impaired driving care management of impaired driving care management
• </c><00:07:06.400><c> And</c> driver care management program. And driver care management program.
• </c> working with the impaired driver care working with the impaired driver care management<00:07:10.720
• </c><01:31:02.719><c> Uh,</c> direct stealing of merchandise. Uh, direct stealing of merchandise.
• dignity,</c><04:07:09.600><c> and</c> respond with care, dignity, and respond with care, dignity, and

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• health care needs.
• who's deeply rooted in direct care, first as a nurse practitioner, and then as a home health agency
• and our One Care Program.
• If we can't improve care, we can't improve care if we can't study it.
• They might visit a primary care doctor or receive no care at all.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held a public hearing focused on health equity for people with disabilities. The chair opened by explaining that the session was not about specific legislation, but about sharing data, lived experience, and strategies to inform more inclusive health systems. Presenters included representatives from the Health Equity Compact, the Department of Public Health, MassHealth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, UMass Chan Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and the Arc of Massachusetts/Operation House Call. Speakers described how structural racism and ableism contribute to poor health outcomes, unemployment, poverty, and barriers to care for disabled people, especially disabled people of color. Testimony highlighted access problems such as inaccessible medical equipment, transportation, inadequate provider training, lack of culturally competent care, and insurance barriers. Several speakers emphasized the importance of collecting and disaggregating disability data, training providers in disability-competent care, and screening for accommodation needs. MassHealth described its Quality and Equity Incentive Program under the 1115 waiver, including disability-related metrics on data completeness, staff training, and accommodation screening, and reported early increases in hospitals collecting self-reported disability data. Brain injury advocates focused on inequities in rehabilitation access, including the impact of CMS’s “three-hour rule,” which they argued denies needed inpatient rehab to people with severe traumatic brain injury. They called for policy changes, a TBI task force, and possibly bipartisan legislation if CMS cannot revise the rule. Other testimony described DPH efforts such as one-to-one navigation, health promotion workshops, mini-grants for accessible recreation, and the Massachusetts Health and Disability Partnership. The hearing also highlighted medical education efforts like Operation House Call, which uses home visits and disability-led teaching to reduce bias and improve provider competence. No votes were taken and no formal actions were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for the most part, uh, medical care.
• They cared about was my $200 every single Friday.
• I have people that cared for me.
• They just couldn't deal cared for me.
• We'll have a direct direct direct we'll<01:16:36.000><c> make</c><01:16:36.480><c> we</c><01:16:36.719

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of these badges so that they're not care of these badges so that they're not stolen<00:14:36.480><c>
• The issue is that many people don't know where they're at, so these signs would actually help direct
• </c><00:19:08.799><c> them</c><00:19:09.240><c> to</c> signs would actually help direct them to signs
• </c> the wall uh they uh have put directional the wall uh they uh have put directional signs<00:21:26.039
• There are directional signs left or right and a distance of how far it is.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lab is less than 3% of the entire health care dollar spent.
• We're the only lab that serves all the continuum of everything in health care, including long-term care
• , direct-to-consumer, all Medicaid, you name it.
• That would be... and then I wouldn't care if I had health care at that point.
• That would be... and then I wouldn't care if I had health care at that point.

Bills: SB1786

Keywords: artificial intelligence, content verification, provenance data, transparency, digital content, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's not specifically directed at a person.
• And it's not specifically directed at a person.
• And it's not directed at him; it's directed at an office that shouldn't be needed.
• This isn't a position that just we don't care about. We care about all the positions.
• This isn't a position that just we don't care about. We care about all the positions.

Bills: SB256

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 256, which would combine the Orleans Parish clerks of criminal district court and civil district court into one office, with the bill taking effect upon gubernatorial signature. Senator Jay Morris said the change would align Orleans with other parishes, improve efficiency, and eventually help consolidate funding and operations, noting that Orleans is the only parish with two clerks and that the criminal side lacks the civil-side revenue streams used elsewhere. Committee members questioned the timing because the election for the next term had already been held and certified, and repeatedly raised concerns that the bill would effectively eliminate an office after voters had already chosen Calvin Duncan as criminal clerk. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill would be constitutional or fair if enacted before the new term began. Opponents argued it would disenfranchise voters, target Duncan personally, and set a dangerous precedent by abolishing an office after an election. Supporters and witnesses for Duncan said the bill was rushed, lacked a fiscal note, and would create confusion about staffing, records, training, and the transition between the two court systems. Several witnesses also argued that the criminal clerk’s office is essential to access to justice and that the data and efficiency rationale did not justify the timing or effect of the bill. Calvin Duncan testified that he ran to improve access to court records after his own wrongful conviction and incarceration, and said the bill sends the message that votes do not count. Other witnesses, including teachers, voters, attorneys, former officials, and advocacy representatives, echoed that the measure undermines democracy and appears aimed at preventing Duncan from taking office. Senator Morris denied personal targeting and said the bill was about abolishing an unnecessary office, but acknowledged litigation was likely. The committee also adopted a three-minute rule for testimony by a 10-3 vote, then began hearing public testimony, with the first witnesses overwhelmingly opposing the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you came into the hearing today, the sergeants directed your attention to the rules for public attendance
• The bill ensures that patients can access quality reproductive care when they need it.
• The bill ensures that patients can access quality reproductive care when they need it.
• The evidence is clear: abortion care is safe, and appropriately trained APCs can provide this care with
• Madam Chair and colleagues, today I'm presenting AB 2146, the Direct Access to Supportive Housing Act

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 13, 2026, and began by taking up a large consent calendar, moving a first group of bills to the floor consent calendar and a second group by due pass. The committee then heard and advanced a series of measures covering housing, public safety, health care, education, and local government issues. Among the bills discussed were AB 2641 on a sales tax exemption for pawnbroker redemptions, AB 2525 on a narrow Surplus Lands Act exemption for Mission Bay Park, AB 1732 and AB 2433 on student housing and the Affordable Homes Bonus Law, AB 2055 on boating safety and enforcement, AB 1579 on children’s crisis residential services, AB 2139 on a Surplus Lands Act amendment for an Inland Empire soccer project, AB 2041 on EMS reporting, AB 1973 on reproductive health scope for advanced practice clinicians, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 2700 on utility rates and wildfire victim compensation, AB 1809 on school job order contracting, SB 73 on election security, AB 2418 on commercial building permit timelines, AB 1970 on step therapy limits for serious mental illness and substance use treatment, AB 2361 on peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing liability, AB 1976 on bike and pedestrian project approvals, AB 2110 on tax increment financing for workforce housing, and AB 2146 on supportive housing documentation and vacancy rules. Testimony was generally supportive for the measures heard. Authors and sponsors emphasized consumer fairness, housing production, public safety, access to care, and administrative streamlining. Supporters included local governments, housing advocates, school districts, law enforcement groups, health care organizations, and affected individuals. AB 2700 drew especially extensive public testimony from wildfire survivors and local officials who urged stronger compensation for victims of PG&E-caused fires and relief from high utility costs. AB 2034 and AB 1790 were raised during public comment on bills not heard in committee, with several industry groups opposing AB 2034 and both supporters and opponents speaking on AB 1790’s Waters Edge issue. Most bills were reported out of committee on due pass motions, with several noted as amended or with members not voting on particular roll calls. The committee also read and approved a lengthy suspense calendar, then opened public comment on bills not presented that day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do thanks to God for all what I have given and for the opportunity to direct me to my colleagues.
• We simply want them to be good community members and take care of their fellow students.
• The clerk will read a summary of the resolution: A resolution directing.
• makes sure that the money flows in that direction first, and then we take care of the issues that are
• My amendment directs the Commission to establish a baseline ROE, My amendment directs the Commission

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and a quorum call before moving into committee reports and floor action. Committees reported a number of bills and resolutions, including measures from Local Government, Energy, Health, Judiciary, Appropriations, Rules, and Finance. The chamber also announced caucus and committee meetings, then recessed and later reconvened for final consideration of legislation. Several bills passed the House finally, including House Bill 2299 on body cameras for county probation officers, House Bill 167 designating a scenic byway along Allegheny River Boulevard, House Bill 95 requiring disclosure when content or advertising is generated or substantially modified by artificial intelligence, House Bill 1944 expanding medical amnesty and Good Samaritan protections on campuses, House Bill 2443 creating a child victim recovery fund, House Bill 246 updating references from the Public Welfare Code to the Human Services Code, and House Bill 2586 establishing title protection for music therapists. The House also adopted House Resolution 463 recognizing Korean-American Citizenship Day, House Resolution 499 recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day, and House Resolution 547 directing a study of electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration. The House spent significant time on amendments to House Bill 133, which concerns reinstatement of parental rights, and House Bill 138, which addresses parental incarceration and termination of parental rights. Both bills received bipartisan amendments adding guardrails and exceptions, and the amendments were adopted unanimously. The chamber also debated House Bill 2224, the Fair Act, with multiple amendments on utility rates, return on equity, and scope; some amendments were adopted, several tied votes failed, and the bill was left amended for reprinting. House Bill 2544, dealing with school administrators’ rights and negotiations, saw an amendment to allow individual bargaining, but that amendment failed and the bill was agreed to. The session ended with a correction to the record on House Bill 1944, a motion to recommit several bills to Appropriations, and adjournment until June 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington faces a serious and well-documented shortage of nurses and allied health care workers across
• We serve over 1,000 students annually, and we're ready to expand into the allied health care fields.
• This may not be a sexy topic, but if we care about the opportunity of higher education for residents
• staff in IT, to trim staff in facilities, all the places that you go if you're trying to protect direct
• I would say right now, resident undergraduate tuition just covers for us the direct costs of instruction

Bills: HB2070, HB2671, HB2617, SB6258

Keywords: funding, education, higher education, Western Washington University, state funding parity, financial aid, state funding, student support, educational reform, university procedures, academic policy, student success, Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database

Transcript Highlights:

• Directions on how to submit public comments on the portal can be found in today's hearing notice.
• House Bill 1787 directs the Department of State Health Services to develop a comprehensive state plan
• House Bill 5092 directs RES to enter into agreements with Texas Tech University to undertake research
• Uh, we do a lot of research in this area like impulse power and directed energy and, and as I said, um
• increase the capacity for nursing education programs to ensure we have enough qualified nurses to care

Transcript Highlights:

• States across the country are already moving in this direction.
• assume you have people who are going to testify here, and so these questions are not necessarily directed
• And so these questions are not necessarily directed to you for the answer. Sure.
• When seconds matter, we need a direct and reliable connection and precise location sharing with first
• Now we must ensure that every survivor and every part of our state receives the same level of caring

Summary: The Committee on Crime and Public Safety met with a quorum and first took up several bills in executive session. House Bill 2323, relating to a domestic violence registry, was discussed as a private law-enforcement database for domestic abuse offenders; members noted it was similar to other registry bills already advanced, though some said it differed in details. House Bill 2530, described as the scrap metal bill, was also voted do pass without discussion. House Bill 1882 was withdrawn from consideration after members noted it had been rolled with another bill and had been sent back from fiscal review and Rules. The committee then adopted a House committee substitute and two amendments for House Bill 3332, which concerns public safety personnel recruitment and retention and employment benefits for first responders; the substitute removed additional degree programs from scholarship eligibility and the amendments fixed scholarship prioritization language and removed a sunset from the line-of-duty death benefit. HB 3332 was voted do pass. In public hearing, Representative Justice presented House Bill 3174, Missouri’s version of Alyssa’s Law, requiring each school employee to have access to a wearable panic alert system tied to local emergency responders and school personnel. He said the bill is subject to appropriations and would use a qualified vendor list; members questioned cost, funding, liability, and whether schools could already implement such systems. Support testimony came from Lori Alhadeff, Alyssa’s mother, who described the Parkland shooting and argued that faster alerts save lives, including in medical emergencies, and from a teacher who said the system would help in both active shooter and non-shooter emergencies. No opposition testimony was offered. Representative Williams then presented House Bill 3434, which would create a Missouri statewide sexual assault response task force to examine reporting, investigation, medical response, advocacy, and prosecution and report recommendations by December 31, 2028. She said the task force would build on progress made reducing the sexual assault kit backlog but address ongoing inconsistencies across jurisdictions. Members asked about overlap with a prior expired task force, appointment structure, and whether the group should include more medical or law-enforcement representatives. Support testimony from the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence described the history of the kit backlog, the Telesane program, uneven services across the state, and the need for continued coordination and accountability; the Missouri Emergency Nurses Association also supported the bill, citing the need to address both rural and urban response challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• of respiratory care practitioners.
• Respiratory care practitioners provide highly specialized, often life-sustaining care under physician
• My colleagues and I are frontline health care workers.
• Good morning, Respiratory Care Board.
• Because I'm really looking for direct outcomes.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't care whether it's opaque or transparent.
• we have a lot of users—you pay a higher rate because you don't care.
• The screwworm doesn't care if the pets are loved or not or cared for. It's a good host.
• I couldn't agree with you more in terms of we have to be so careful.
• , the earth and taking care of humanity?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So my question is really directed to you.
• That would take care, I don't know these numbers for sure, but it would take care of a lot of low-income
• Again, another direct savings for all ratepayers.
• It's a direct affront to democracy.
• Yeah, we lost her through child care.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• I care deeply about educational excellence, clear governance, and mission-driven leadership.
• for high-demanding fields such as health care, including one of the...
• And I really feel that this committee needs to have direct input and hear from trustees.
• And I really feel that this committee needs to have direct input and hear from trustees.
• And I really feel that this committee needs to have a direct input and hear from trustees.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you voted to tell staff, direct staff, how to build the maintenance budgets.
• Tell staff, direct staff, how to build the maintenance budgets.
• care placements.
• Number one: I had a client that needed more care than I could give her with the reduction.
• This being said, she was placed into a care facility, which now costs the state $7,000 more a month.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first received updates from LSO on the latest green sheet, including the revenue impact of House Bill 559, recent cash transfers, and the Idaho Budget Rescissions Act for FY 2026. Members then moved through a series of FY 2027 maintenance budgets, beginning with the legislative branch. The committee discussed the statewide 2% reduction layered on top of the governor’s recommendation, benefit-cost adjustments, and how those decisions were being built into the maintenance budgets. The legislative branch budget passed, followed by unanimous-consent adoption of related language. The committee next considered public safety, natural resources, health and human services, economic development, judicial branch, constitutional officers, and general government budgets. In each case, analysts explained how rescissions, ongoing base reductions, and statewide adjustments were incorporated. Several members objected to the across-the-board cuts, arguing they would reduce staffing or services in corrections, juvenile corrections, environmental quality, health and welfare, public defender services, crime victims compensation, tax administration, and treatment courts, while supporters said the committee needed a target and would revisit details in enhancement work groups. Most budget motions passed on divided votes and were forwarded with do-pass recommendations. The committee also adopted multiple sections of standard and nonstandard language, including cash transfers, reporting requirements, and agency-specific provisions. In Health and Human Services, members debated language requiring reporting on large acquisitions and transfers, and in Economic Development and General Government they adopted language affecting the State Public Defender, the Department of Insurance, and group insurance premiums. The meeting ended while the committee was still working through a disputed general government language item about funding employee health insurance premiums from reserve accounts, with members debating whether the language should reference specific reserve funds or broader reserve funding and whether the proposal was properly within JFAC’s scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you voted to tell staff, direct staff, how to build the maintenance budgets.
• Tell staff, direct staff, how to build the maintenance budgets.
• We just infused money in the foster care program, big cut there again.
• Again, probably making delays in foster care placements.
• Number one, I had a client that needed more care than I could give her with the reduction.

Summary: The committee received an LSO update on the latest green sheet, including the fiscal effects of House Bill 559, recent cash transfers, and the Idaho Budget Rescissions Act for FY 2026. Staff then walked through FY 2027 maintenance budgets, explaining how statewide decisions, benefit costs, contract inflation, and cost allocation were built into the numbers. Members also discussed clarifications to the health insurance calculation language and the treatment of certain agency plans, including graduate medical education and the Secretary of State’s cash balance approach. The committee considered and approved maintenance budgets for the legislative branch, public safety, natural resources, health and human services, economic development, the judicial branch, constitutional officers, and general government. Several members objected to the across-the-board reductions, arguing they would create long-term costs, harm staffing and services, and shift expenses to other parts of government or to the public. Supporters said the committee needed a target, that the maintenance budgets were structurally balanced, and that further changes could be addressed in the enhancement process. Most budget motions passed on divided votes, and the committee also adopted standard language for each packet. The committee debated several pieces of nonstandard language, including provisions related to budget integrity, reporting requirements for large Health and Welfare acquisitions, a cash transfer for livestock depredation prevention, public defender parking, insurance reimbursement limits, and a proposal to use reserve funds to hold state employee health insurance premiums flat. Some language was adopted by unanimous consent, while the employee premium language prompted extended discussion over which reserve funds could be used and whether the proposal should apply differently to elected officials and other employees. The meeting ended while that issue was still being worked through, with the committee having advanced multiple budget packets and accompanying language to do-pass recommendations.