Transcript Highlights:

• In the last month, Barclays, UBS, Wolfe Research, Jefferies, and Citigroup have all issued reports about
• My research on load flexibility has been cited in federal and state regulatory decisions, published in
• My research has involved working with both utility and state data to understand energy resilience needs
• working at the I'm a scientist at PSC Healthy Energy which is a nonprofit research institute working
• at the intersection of energy and public health my research has involved working with both utility and

Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our House Research summary, it talked about a Clean Cars 1 and a Clean Cars 2, and so I'm wondering
• /c><00:12:53.279><c> our</c><00:12:53.920><c> um</c><00:12:54.120><c> house</c><00:12:54.399><c> research
• Chair and members, Bob Eilo from House Research. My colleague, Mr.
• not go through the legislature, so I wasn't required to do my usual, uh, you know, thorough job in research
• So when you talk to me about research that is done by agencies or friends of agencies, you can understand

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're currently working to update that research, and I can only tease it for now, but the numbers are
• ><c> Policy</c><00:18:29.440><c> Action</c> own research at Northstar Policy Action own research at Northstar
• We try to differentiate Minnesota in our research.
• We try to differentiate Minnesota in our research.
• </c> litigation, and research organization. litigation, and research organization.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did receive testimonies in support by DLNR, DBEDT, and the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii.
• And we're going to take amendments two and three from the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii.
• And we're going to take amendments two and three from the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii.

Bills: SCR159

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: Waikiki, beach restoration, shoreline management, public access, environmental protection, coastal resources, tourism, economic development, traditional practices, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1530 is a research and development ecosystem piece.
• Our research universities do a phenomenal job of the research piece.

Summary: The committee considered several Senate bills related to religious freedom, agriculture, tourism, wildlife, research and development, public safety, and economic development. SB 1307, presented by Rep. Lepak, would align state statutes with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings by removing language that could bar religious organizations from receiving taxpayer funds in certain programs; it passed 6-1. SB 985, presented by Rep. Newton for Rep. Piper, would require ODAF to operate the Oklahoma Local Foods for Schools program through a revolving fund to help local producers supply schools; it passed unanimously. SB 1405 would allow taxpayers to donate part of their refund to the Wildlife Diversity Program, and SB 1530 would create a research and development ecosystem to better connect universities, businesses, and industry; both advanced after brief discussion, with SB 1405 passing 9-1 and SB 1530 passing 8-2. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 248, which would create a guardrailed fund for proceeds from the sale of certain Department of Tourism land so the money could only be used for deferred maintenance rather than general expenses. The author said the bill was intended to help address roughly $191 million to $200 million in deferred maintenance and emphasized that the measure did not target any specific state park for sale. Members asked about who would oversee property sales, whether legislative oversight existed, how the proceeds would be prioritized, and whether the bill would affect CLO-related acreage rules; the author said Tourism’s board would still handle decisions, CLO rights of first refusal would remain where applicable, and the bill would not impose acreage requirements on Tourism land. SB 248 passed 9-1. The committee also amended and advanced SB 1319, with Rep. Sneed explaining an amendment that changed mandatory language to permissive language so a city or county may, rather than shall, acquire property. He described the bill as a public safety measure creating a revolving fund, and it passed 9-0 after the amendment was adopted. Finally, SB 1919, presented by Rep. Townley, would increase the Tourism Development Act inducement cap from $30 million to $60 million for qualifying projects; after brief discussion it passed 6-3. The chair then adjourned the meeting and said no meeting was anticipated the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Education, the removal of necessary department staff, a cap on Student graduate loans, cuts to research
• Written alongside with his son Mac Paul, one of his final works, Miracle Road The story of Research Triangle
• Park captures one of the greatest economic transformations in American history: the rise of Research
• Triangle Park from a landscape once described as possums and pines into a global center of innovation, research
• Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Alan preserved the history that shaped North

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've spent my career researching the Chinese Communist Party and its military.
• You may think, why would a military researcher be interested in transnational repression?
• A Stanford student, who was an American, not of Chinese descent, had done some work researching and criticizing
• One is a 501(c)(3), State Armor Research; one is a 501(c)(4), on whose behalf I'm here today, State Armor
• Research consistently shows that exposure to domestic abuse increases the risk of mental health struggles

Bills: HCR7 , HB76 , HB84 , HB132 , HB265 , HB275 , HB322 , HB635 , HB808 , HB883 , HB1054

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: juvenile justice, electronic monitoring, annual report, supervision outcomes, data transparency, inmate release, notification, law enforcement, victims, public safety, hit-and-run, crime of violence, felony, sentencing, battery, sound, intentional harm, physical pain, hearing impairment, video voyeurism

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Madam Chair, I'll continue to research. I appreciate the time. Thank you so much.
• We are going to then go to research and have. I'm sorry.
• All right, Madam Chair, I'll continue to research. I appreciate the time. Thank you so much.
• We are going to then go to research and have. I'm sorry. Okay.
• It may not be valid at all, but if it is, then to really research it.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first voted House Bill 2563 do pass by a 12-1 vote. It then took up House Bill 3491, which would allow the state auditor to investigate specific subrecipients or subgroups directly when there is a whistleblower complaint, rather than having to audit an entire department or program. Testimony from the bill sponsor and the auditor’s office described the measure as a way to improve efficiency and respond to credible complaints about misuse of state or federal funds; members discussed safeguards, overlap with another federal-funds coordinator bill, and whether the authority would extend to private or semi-private entities. The committee adopted an amendment to clarify language, then voted the House Committee substitute for HB 3491 do pass by an 8-3 vote. The committee also considered Senate Bill 1087, on which it adopted a technical substitute correcting conflicting language about when a driver’s license suspension takes effect. After adopting the substitute, the committee voted the House Committee substitute for SB 1087 do pass by a 9-2 vote. Later, the committee heard House Bills 2139 and 2175, identical bills aimed at preventing foreign or religious law, specifically Sharia law, from being applied in Missouri courts. Supporters argued the bills were needed to protect constitutional law, while opponents, including a Baptist minister and several members, said the measures were unnecessary, discriminatory, and could create unintended consequences for marriages, adoptions, and other foreign legal documents. No vote was taken on those bills in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3210, which would let property owners in municipalities over 100,000 population seek compensation up to their property tax liability when a city allegedly fails to enforce laws against public camping, loitering, theft, intoxication, and related conditions on their property. The sponsor said the bill was meant to hold local governments accountable and help property owners dealing with ongoing encampments and sanitation problems. Members raised concerns about vague standards, possible unfunded mandates, and the burden on cities, while supporters said it could address serious local problems and encourage action. The hearing closed without a vote on HB 3210.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Kevin McCarthy from the Arizona Tax Research Association, here in support of 1293.
• Chairman, Representative Cruz, yeah, we have done that research many times over the years.
• We're talking about a nine million backfill, and I still need to do my own research and actually see
• that it's the chairman's option who speaks or doesn't speak at all and how long we speak for. own research
• For the record, Jennifer Stilo with the Arizona Tax Research Association, in support of Senate Bill 1294

Bills: SB1221 , SB1293 , SB1294 , SB1430

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: taxpayer protection, law interpretation, transparency, public hearings, tax policies, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, property tax, assessment, destruction, proration, Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona tax corrections act, transaction privilege tax, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Would there be any federal money available if somebody had a novel idea that they wanted to do some research
• Research has shown that they are a natural predator to that.
• Chairman, Senator Zyterfield, that isn't research. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, Senator Zyderfeld.
• That isn't research that we've been able to find.
• There's also another great story about an Idahoan who does his research.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• humans, you know, when something is detected in an area, they're allowed to do studies to kind of do research
• sick, you know, there needs to be a thorough examination in that area of what the call for is. do research
• to find out what is the do research to find out what is the cause<00:27:50.159><c> of</c><00:27:50.320
• them the ability to go into those areas, Representative, when something is discovered and do the research
• "Into those areas, Representative, when something is discovered and do the research, do whatever they

Bills: SB71 , SB71

Committee: House Agriculture and Forestry

Keywords: environmental regulation, federal standards, scientific evidence, water quality, administrative law, income tax, tax exemption, Alabama tax code, Section 40-18-3, civilian employees, Department of Defense, DoD, Armed Forces, military pay, combat zone, deployment, National Guard, Reserve components, emergency response, federal employees

Transcript Highlights:

• In researching this, they don't specifically mention that, but Idaho had it so that the Mormons couldn't
• The research shows us the history of the Blaine Amendment. It is not a pretty picture.
• I've actually done some research sitting here and learned some things about the history of Idaho that
• And in researching, doing a little bit of research, 1890 must have been a very interesting time.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also a former researcher at the University of Oregon.
• Since 1981, the tribes have regulated studies, surveys, research, and service delivery projects conducted
• We have intentionally strengthened our research capacity to ensure that our methods reflect our ways.
• We have intentionally strengthened our research capacity to ensure that our methods reflect our ways
• We intentionally strengthened our research capacity to ensure that our methods reflect our ways of knowing

Summary: The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on three measures. HB 2555 would require the Health Care Authority to apply for a Medicaid waiver to cover traditional health care practices provided through Indian Health Service, tribal, and urban Indian facilities. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, tribal health leaders, and the Health Care Authority, said the bill would recognize traditional medicine, expand access, and leverage federal funding, though HCA noted the July 1, 2026 waiver deadline and urban Indian reimbursement questions may be difficult to resolve. HB 2685 would codify tribal data sovereignty principles for state agencies, require reporting of notifiable conditions to tribal health jurisdictions, and exempt certain tribal data from public disclosure. Tribal representatives supported the bill as necessary for access, governance, and better public health planning, while the Washington Coalition for Open Government and HCA raised concerns about the breadth of the PRA exemption, undefined ownership interests, and implementation details. HB 2658 would require health carriers to submit standardized public data on behavioral health and other coverage and access metrics, with the Insurance Commissioner posting the information on a public dashboard. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency about mental health parity and help families, employers, and policymakers compare plans; opponents argued it duplicates or complicates recent parity reforms and could be misinterpreted. HB 2683 would shorten carrier credentialing timelines from 90 days to 30 days and require carriers to post billing and coverage information online. Supporters said it would reduce delays for providers and patients, while opponents warned the shorter timeline could be hard to meet and that posting information without login protections could raise privacy concerns. In executive session, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2168, which concerns overdose mapping data, then reported the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 16-1. It rejected an amendment to HB 2196 that would have extended PANDAS/PANS coverage to public and school employee plans, then advanced the substitute bill with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 15-2. Finally, the committee passed HB 2545, which would allow ambulatory surgical facilities to perform elective percutaneous coronary interventions, by a vote of 13-4, after members discussed safety, access, and cost savings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've asked OPAGA to present to us today research on health care practitioner regulation, with particular
• Wendy Scott, OPAGA's staff director for health and human services, is here to discuss this research.
• However, research suggests that licensing requirements can create barriers to entering professions, and
• According to research, best practices to reduce licensure barriers include promoting licensure reciprocity
• In addition, research suggests best practices to comply with antitrust laws. In 2010, the U.S.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills focused largely on drowning prevention, surgical smoke, human trafficking training, and chiropractic patient funds. SB 428 would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7; the sponsor and supporters from Nemours and the YMCA emphasized Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be more widely accessible. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit funding levels as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 606, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and home birth providers. A mother who lost her daughter to drowning testified in support, describing the bill as an early opportunity to educate parents. An amendment removed home birth providers from the compliance-proof requirement, and the bill was adopted as amended and reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 162 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already used in many facilities, while several senators raised concerns about the lack of supporting data, possible burdens on rural and smaller facilities, and whether the mandate should be narrower. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with the sponsor saying more data would be provided later. The committee also approved SB 340, requiring a two-hour human trafficking course for nursing students before licensure, after amending it to make the requirement apply to students rather than nursing programs. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull for Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation reviewing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system and comparing board oversight, rulemaking, funding, appointments, and term-limit models in other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• We researched that level. Not so much for the programs.
• We researched that and we put in place something we called Enterprise Risk Management.
• We researched it.
• We had that specifically designed to research that we didn't have a staff doing that.
• They have to then research that make a recommendation and they'll be recommending up to the top when

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move to House Research, and Mr. Hopkins can answer the question. Mr.
• And that's to House Research? Yes, please. Sorry. Mr. Johnson.
• In addition to thorough internal review, we also share the bill with the Office of Senate Council Research
• and Fiscal Analysis and also the House Research Department before its introduction.
• There's a vast amount of research out there that shows that right-sized orders are the ones that get

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• Issue 1, we have with us to present Kathy Jefferson, Deputy Director of Office of Research, CDCR.
• I'm Kathy Jefferson, Deputy Director of the CDCR Office of Research, and I'll be providing an overview
• And we're starting to see some research really around the impact of heat on violence in institutions.
• There's starting to be some research in that arena that shows that heat can be a driver of violence.
• It's our understanding from reading some research on this topic that fans, while they can be helpful

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have more than 31,000 students and an average of $240 million in research.
• We have more than 31,000 students and an average of $240 million in research.
• And students, and an average of $240 million in research and other sponsored projects.
• UMass Amherst is the number one public research university in New England in non-medical school research
• Beyond this research, we are committed to... Committee will be considering today.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization. MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades. Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> federal deductions for domestic research federal deductions for domestic research and<00:47:47.680
• Um, with research and R&D. Let's see. You used to be able to deduct it all at once over time. Okay.
• We also increased Vermont's research and development tax credit from 27 to 75%.
• and R&amp;D. research and R&amp;D.
• </c><00:49:44.320><c> and</c> We also increased Vermont's research and We also increased Vermont's research

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just going to add several things to my well-researched and written testimony.
• That's really the ultimate thing, and it would ease up research.
• But for hemp, it wouldn't research.
• The research keeps coming out every year that's negative about it.
• The the research keeps coming Hawaii.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.