Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to get the commission public hearing started.
• service is needed.
• was a shutdown commission.
• It's defined for us by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and by the Joint Commission, so
• back to the commission.

Summary: The hearing focused on the future of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, with commissioners, agency officials, workers, and families describing the hospital as a unique integrated setting combining medical care, rehabilitation, education, residential services, and adaptive engineering. Opening remarks from legislators emphasized continued budget funding, the legal requirement that Pappas not close before the commission reports, and a request to extend the commission’s deadline. Several commissioners and witnesses argued that admissions have effectively been curtailed while discharges continue, creating what they described as a de facto closure. Union leaders from AFSCME, SEIU, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association said staff are experiencing uncertainty, morale problems, and loss of confidence because referrals are being discouraged and the census is shrinking. They urged immediate action to stop admission denials and unnecessary discharges, and some proposed temporary modular units or other short-term investments to restore admissions while longer-term plans are developed. Parents and former patients testified that Pappas provided life-changing opportunities and supports that they could not find elsewhere, and that alternative programs or proposed Western Massachusetts options would not meet the same needs. Department of Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein said the administration supports keeping Pappas open and stable during the commission’s work, but argued that admissions must comply with hospital-level-of-care rules and that the campus’s deteriorating infrastructure limits who can be safely served. He said DPH is continuing admissions where appropriate, backfilling staff, and exploring ways to expand services, including outpatient therapies and adaptive engineering, while also acknowledging that Pappas is a one-of-a-kind system with no true in-state duplicate. Commissioners requested de-identified admissions and denial data and continued to press the department on whether the current operational changes amount to a silent closure.

Transcript Highlights:

• to avoid any possible confusion with the Public Service Commission, which the coal industry is accustomed
• Service Commission are exempted from obtaining an exploration permit.
• And if it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is...
• And if it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is probably
• And if it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is probably

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• to the commission.
• to the commission.
• And then that report's provided to the public. And what we asked the public to do then was read it.
• And then that report's provided to the public. And what we asked the public to do then was read it.
• Within this structure, the Soil and Water Conservation Commission would retain all non-support service

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• For all virtual public meetings, those are also allowed for the policy of the Commission.
• to that service dog.
• So essentially, for the non-discrimination statute in public accommodations, someone with a service dog
• for having that service dog.
• I will just say before we start talking about the work plan that, just as a public service announcement

Summary: The Virginia Disability Commission held its first meeting of the year on June 18, established a quorum, and introduced members. Senator Barbara Favola was elected chair and Delegate Amy Laufer was elected vice chair, both unanimously. The commission also reviewed and unanimously approved its electronic/remote participation policy, which mirrors last year’s policy and allows limited remote participation under Virginia FOIA rules. Staff then reviewed a package of 14 disability-related bills that passed last session and were signed into law. Topics included disabled veterans’ vehicle registration fee exemptions, open captioning requirements for movie theaters, guardianship/conservatorship order forwarding, service dog team definitions, education and transition planning for students with disabilities, Blue Envelope and driver communication training for law enforcement and driver education, deferred disposition and jury service protections, voting rights in guardianship cases, expansion of the Virginia Human Rights Act, continuation of a DD waiver eligibility change, and DMAS training authority for autism competency checklists. Members discussed implementation concerns, especially making the Blue Envelope/driver communication program more visible and considering a follow-up letter and DMV presentation. The commission then adopted its interim work plan unanimously, with discussion of possible presentations on DMAS and Medicaid waivers, DBHDS telehealth training implementation, SCHEV and VDOE transition planning, transition from institutions to community settings, criminal justice reform, transportation and parking accessibility, adult-sized changing tables, and school accessibility. Members also suggested adding EVV concerns, seclusion and restraint, rare disease issues, and insurance coverage problems for needed medications. Public commenters urged the commission to address burdensome EVV requirements for family caregivers, improve accessibility for local government meetings and documents, and explore a standardized credential/career pathway for direct support professionals. The chair said follow-up work would be assigned on EVV and implementation issues, and the meeting location would move to the Senate side of the Capitol going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's critical for education and public services that our communities rely on.
• A public defender office provides a salary and benefits, and you can also get public service loan forgiveness
• A public defender office provides a salary and benefits, and you can also get public service loan forgiveness
• So did the commission purposefully turn off the public comments? Or what's the situation on that?
• So did the commission purposefully turn off the public comments? Or what's the situation on that?

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• the Texas Workforce Commission.
• Seeing none, public testimony is closed.
• Seeing none, public testimony is concluded.
• It's a formal partnership between the Texas Workforce Commission, the Health and Human Services Commission
• who are utilizing these services.

Bills: HB1397 , HB1893 , HB1950 , HB2027 , HB2791 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3700 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2565

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• So please join me in thanking my friend Char Craigcraft for his service on the commission.
• on the commission.
• Which concludes that the public servants may accept an honorarium for performing services if the public
• perform these services.
• in the decision to request the public servant perform the services.

Transcript Highlights:

• to avoid any possible confusion with the Public Service Commission, which the coal industry is accustomed
• Service Commission are exempted from obtaining an exploration permit.
• And if it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is probably
• And if it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is, And if
• it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is probably assuming

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll bring it back to the commission for a fifth and final public hearing in March, and then we'll be
• At in-service training and/or the fire service.
• Our next speaker is Sarah Macon, MPH, the Director of Harm Reduction Services at Boston Public Health
• Commission.
• to access these services.

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine held its first meeting, with House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Co-Chair John Keenan outlining the commission’s charge and a proposed work plan. The commission is tasked with studying the public health and safety impacts of xylazine in the illicit drug supply, including whether it should be scheduled as a controlled substance, how to regulate its production and distribution, and how to improve outreach and treatment for people exposed to it. Members were told the report deadline had been extended to March 30, 2026, and staff proposed a series of public hearings and working groups leading to a final report. The meeting also included attendance, packet materials, and procedural planning. The first major testimony came from BSAS Director Deirdre Calvert, who described xylazine’s appearance in Massachusetts drug supply data, the state’s public health alerts, and DPH’s partnership with Brandeis, CDC, and harm reduction organizations. She emphasized four priorities: reducing stigma and discrimination in health care, expanding self-directed wound care support and coverage for supplies, expanding access to drug checking and test strips, and supporting low-barrier services such as mobile vans and drop-in centers. Commission members asked about first responder awareness, medical education, and whether harm reduction services might face federal restrictions; Calvert said misinformation remains a problem and noted ongoing training efforts, including collaboration with public safety agencies. Several other speakers reinforced the need for low-barrier care and drug checking. Dr. Raghini Jala, an infectious disease and addiction medicine physician, said xylazine has become a common component of the unregulated opioid supply and urged support for rapid-response education teams, community-based drug checking, and better hospital and detox protocols for xylazine withdrawal and wounds. Recovery coach Alan Young testified from lived experience, describing severe wounds, fear of inadequate withdrawal treatment in emergency settings, and the value of mobile care vans that can provide methadone, buprenorphine, and wound care in the community. Dr. Sarah Wakeman echoed the need for naloxone, rescue breathing, low-threshold treatment, and non-stigmatizing health care settings, while Sarah Macon of the Boston Public Health Commission described Boston’s harm reduction and drug checking work, including on-site testing, wound care, and a decline in opioid mortality. Tracy Green of the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream explained that xylazine has declined in recent samples while metatomidine is rising, said drug checking is increasingly used but still not enough, and argued for more funding, staffing, and statewide access to real-time drug checking and harm reduction services.

Transcript Highlights:

• in our re-entry services.
• look at the 101 Commission, we were asked to look at the 101 Commission...
• You can thank the 101 Commission. This is a direct response of the 101 Commission.
• The intersection of public safety and public health models, understanding that with public safety and
• safety and public health models understanding that with public safety and public health you can get

Summary: The meeting was the third public session of the Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration. Members introduced themselves, and the commission approved the prior meeting minutes. The main presentation came from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association, led by several sheriffs, who described the role of sheriffs’ offices as independently elected county institutions that operate jails and houses of correction, regional lockups, civil process, 911 communications in some counties, school resource officers, and investigative units. They emphasized that most of their population is pretrial, that admissions and releases are far higher than the Department of Correction’s, and that their facilities now house more people overall than DOC despite having a smaller budget. The sheriffs argued that their work has shifted toward rehabilitation, reentry, and public health, highlighting extensive programming in mental health, substance use treatment, medication-assisted treatment, education, vocational training, and gender-specific, trauma-informed services. They said standardized risk/needs assessments and better funding would help make services more consistent across counties. They also described specialized units and models such as regional evaluation and stabilization units, older-adult housing, emerging adult and gang-intervention programs, and reentry centers that connect people to housing, employment, family support, and community services. Several examples were cited, including Suffolk’s Project Evolve, Middlesex’s older-adult unit, Hampden’s MAGIC program, Worcester’s STOP program, and county reentry centers across the state. A major theme was that these programs are expensive but, in the sheriffs’ view, reduce recidivism and improve safety by stabilizing people before release and supporting them afterward. They pointed to COVID-19 as a period when sheriffs adapted facilities for quarantine and medical care, and said they continue to work with public health partners. They also stressed that their facilities are heavily audited by state and federal agencies and that maintaining humane, safe conditions requires significant staffing and operating costs. Commission members responded favorably at points, noting the importance of the turnover in sheriff populations and the need to understand the different correctional mission compared with DOC. The meeting ended with discussion of future commission dates and a note that the presentation materials would be shared electronically.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was on the commission as... And I've been on the commission. I think this is my eighth year.
• All virtual public meetings are also allowed under the policy of the commission.
• to that service dog.
• So essentially, for the nondiscrimination statute in public accommodations, someone with a service dog
• I will just say before we start talking about the work plan that, just as a public service announcement

Transcript Highlights:

• So we wanted to effectuate service pursuant to Title 26, Section 5- Counsel seeks service pursuant to
• So, yes, the Legislature voted to create the commission, but it's not a constitutional commission.
• Commission? Yes or no? No.
• You mean for the commission? No, he did not. That would have been the commission members.
• to put it into a separate commission, then what was the purpose of the commission?

Summary: The Oklahoma State Election Board held a special meeting to address several candidate contests and related procedural matters. After roll call and opening remarks, counsel explained the hearing procedures, burden of proof, and possible outcomes. Several cases were noted as resolved or withdrawn, including Timmons v. Jones, Banning v. Sutterfield, and Roberts v. Gaw. In Ranson v. Riley, the board accepted constructive service after the respondent did not appear, heard that Riley was not a registered voter in the required district for the required period, and voted 3-0 to sustain the petition and strike him from the ballot, with costs assessed to the petitioner. The board then heard Hasenbach v. Pugh, a contest challenging Senator Adam Pugh’s candidacy for Superintendent of Public Instruction under the Oklahoma Constitution’s emoluments ineligibility clause. The petitioner argued that Pugh was a sitting legislator whose office’s salary and benefits had increased during his term, relying on stipulated facts, a compensation commission order, and prior case law. The respondent argued the salary increase came from an independent commission that expressly excluded current legislators and that benefit changes were automatic under a preexisting statute, so no qualifying increase applied to Pugh. The board resolved several procedural issues first, including striking a reply brief as beyond the original petition and admitting joint stipulations into the record. After a recess and executive session, the board returned to open session and voted 3-0 to deny the petition in Hasenbach v. Pugh, retaining Pugh as a candidate on the ballot and assessing costs to the petitioner. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the secretary and a unanimous vote to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency provides grants to the Regional Planning Commissions to implement 9-1-1 services across Texas
• The agency provides grants to the Regional Planning Commissions to implement 9-1-1 services within their
• However, long term, the funding will ensure we can continue to provide essential services to the public
• These are individuals who dedicated significant portions of their lives to public service.
• Amanda Passon: ...public service and doing the jobs that they really love and appreciate.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Public service is never an individual accomplishment.
• But I didn't keep that system-building inside my business; I brought it into public service.
• service.
• Thank you for telling us about why you want to be on the commission and for your dedicated service.
• So I just wanted to thank you again for your... and reinforce pathways to public service through education

Summary: The committee began by suspending the five-day notice rule for Senate Gubernatorial Appointment 9066 and then heard confirmation testimony from Megan Matthews, director of the Washington State Office of Equity. Matthews described the office’s growth, its work with agencies and communities, and efforts on data, contracting, and statewide outreach. Senator Hasegawa raised concerns about the Office of Equity’s relationship to ethnic commissions and whether it should remain internally focused, while other members praised Matthews’ statewide presence. The committee also heard confirmation testimony for Women’s Commission appointees Reedy Miu Kapade and Kiana Daniels, both of whom emphasized their experience serving women and girls and their commitment to the commission’s work; both appointments were noted as coming up for a vote the following week. The committee then heard House Bill 2309, which would prohibit the civil service classification plan from requiring a postgraduate degree as the only way to show qualifications unless required by law. Supporters, including the sponsor, OFM, and public witnesses, said the bill would remove barriers to state employment and broaden applicant pools. House Bill 2249 would add certain Washington Technology Solutions network and security systems employees to civil service coverage; the sponsor said it would resolve a narrow inequity affecting about 20 workers, while WOTEC said it needed flexibility to recruit and retain technical talent and asked to be involved in further changes. Substitute House Bill 2411 would expand shared leave to employees affected by hate crimes or immigration enforcement actions involving themselves or family members; supporters cited a state worker detained at the border and said the bill would help employees through extraordinary hardships, while opponents warned about abuse and objected to extending benefits in immigration-related cases. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1916, dealing with voter registration challenges and list maintenance, drew strong support from voting-rights groups and county election officials who said it would curb mass, bad-faith challenges and protect eligible voters, especially naturalized citizens, students, military members, and voters of color. The Secretary of State’s office and county auditors also raised concerns about ambiguity in parts of the bill, including who may challenge registrations and how deceased voters are removed from the rolls. House Bill 2417 would add a victim’s bill of rights to the Washington Code of Military Justice, aligning state military justice with federal protections; the Military Department and veterans advocates supported it as a consistency and fairness measure. Finally, the committee took executive action on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541, which changes the membership and selection criteria for the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and advanced it to the Rules Committee on a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• On today's agenda, we are going to start with the Public Utilities Commission.
• Um, my name is Sasha Bergman and I'm the executive secretary at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
• I'm the deputy executive secretary of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
• </c> Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
• public utilities commission which in the public utilities commission which said<00:47:56.160><c> if<

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• health services in the state for the Committee on Public Health.
• Certificate requirements for certain food service establishment employees or for the Committee on Public
• and related services and the provision of Medicaid reimbursement of certain services to certain public
• Of the nurse aide certification program from the Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Board
• HB 121 by King relating to the measures of ensuring public school safety, including the commissioning

Transcript Highlights:

• The **Texas Facilities Commission (TFC)** remains committed to delivering the highest standards of service
• Next, we have the **Public Finance Authority** and **General Obligation One to Debt Service**.
• The public cloud services, through Azure and Oracle, as well as Amazon Web Services, are all part of
• Yes, so we have Microsoft Azure, Public Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and
• We are utilizing those outside service providers to deliver private cloud services, public cloud services

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistance after termination of public service, rehiring court reporters, 177.
• House Bill by Representative Phelps, public service announcements, notice to the public regarding discharge
• Service Commission, 453.
• Concurrent resolution by Representative Wright: to allow the Public Service Commission to regulate certain
• House Bill by Representative Wright: to allow the Public Service Commission to regulate certain common

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Public Service Commission.
• >> Public Service Commission. >> So the Public Service Commission every bill that your constituents and
• >> Public Service Commission. >> So the Public Service Commission every bill that your constituents and
• >> Public Service Commission. >> So the Public Service Commission every bill that your constituents and
• </c> Public Service Commission. Correct. Public Service Commission. Correct. &gt;&gt; Correct.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your service.
• The planning commission has opposed these public efforts, instead promising to bring forward their own
• safety and for public health.
• The Historical Commission is a seven-member commission appointed by the select board.
• planning commission.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held its first hearing of the year and took testimony on a large slate of home rule petitions and related local bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2314 for the Dukes County Regional Lockup Fund, with supporters from Martha’s Vineyard saying the island’s lockup is essential to local policing and that the fund would be supported by town assessments rather than state money. The committee also heard support for S. 21, a Nantucket bill to amend the Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission, and for several local governance measures including Akushnet’s charter change to remove a two-year waiting period for former officials taking appointed paid positions, Rochester’s governance reform bill defining the town administrator’s role, Berkeley’s proposal to convert the treasurer-collector position to an appointed office, Hanson’s permitting enforcement bill, and a Wellfleet bill authorizing a lease for the food pantry. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 21 for Nantucket, with witnesses sharply divided. Supporters argued the commission needs broader representation, more transparency, and a structure that better reflects town meeting votes, citing repeated town meeting approvals and frustration with delays in bringing reforms forward. Opponents, including current commission members and staff, said the existing commission is already working on its own reform proposal, that the bill was advanced without sufficient collaboration, and that elected seats and term limits would narrow participation and complicate the commission’s advisory role. Committee members questioned both sides about the town meeting process, the commission’s responsibilities, and the timing of competing proposals. The committee also heard testimony in favor of a bill allowing the Cotuit Fire District to pursue source-water protection projects on private property with owner consent, citing concerns about aquifer contamination and rising treatment needs, and in support of legislation requiring AEDs, with a Norfolk County register of deeds describing the low cost and life-saving value of the devices. Another witness spoke in favor of a regional commission proposal for Middlesex County, arguing that local communities need stronger regional planning tools to address development and environmental pressures. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing; the chair later read many additional bills into the record and then adjourned the meeting.