Transcript Highlights:

• As presiding officers, as elected officials, our word is our bond.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received a Senate message regarding SB 2510, the pre-K through grade 12 education conforming bill. Representative Persons-Mulicka explained that the bill was a Senate conforming measure tied to budget policy, including changes affecting acceleration course weighting and the CAPE program. The House adopted a strike-all amendment to place the bill in the proper posture for conference, then advanced and passed SB 2510 on final passage by a vote of 88 yeas to 10 nays. After SB 2510 passed, the House agreed to accede to the Senate’s request for a budget conference. Speaker Perez then delivered extended remarks criticizing the Senate for breaking the budget framework agreement and arguing that the state budget has grown too large. He said the House remained committed to reducing state spending and revenue, discussed possible budget and tax-cut alternatives, and emphasized that property tax reform and state revenue reduction were separate issues. He also noted the House’s work on property tax relief and said the chamber would continue negotiating. The House then took up HCR 1633, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular session until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. Representative Garrison explained that it was identical to an earlier extension resolution except for the new end date. The resolution was adopted, and the House then approved a motion to adjourn for committee and subcommittee meetings and other House business, to reconvene upon call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• As presiding officers, as elected officials, our word is our bond.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then approved the journal and received a Senate message transmitting SB 2510, the pre-K through grade 12 education conforming bill. The House waived rules, read the bill by title, and heard brief explanation that the Senate version contained budget-related funding and policy changes, including adjustments to acceleration course weighting and CAPE funding. Members adopted a blank strike-all amendment to place the bill in the proper posture for conference, then advanced it to third reading and passed SB 2510 on final passage by a vote of 88 yeas to 10 nays. After passage, the House agreed to accede to the Senate’s request for a budget conference. The Speaker then delivered extended remarks criticizing the Senate for breaking a prior budget deal and arguing that state government spending has grown too much. He said the House remained committed to reducing state revenue and spending, discussed possible budget and tax-cut approaches, and emphasized that property tax reform and state revenue reduction were separate issues. He also noted that the House select committee on property taxes would continue its work and rejected the idea of mailing $1,000 checks as a substitute for tax relief. Finally, the House took up HCR 1633, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular session until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. The resolution was read by title, explained as identical to a prior extension resolution except for the new end date, and adopted. The House then approved a motion to adjourn subject to the call of the chair for committee and subcommittee meetings and other House business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know I'm limited, so read this. It's a good read, and don't read it before bed.
• </c> think that discretion should be limited think that discretion should be limited based<02:35:36.800
• We are going to limit testimony to 3 minutes.
• Just a friendly reminder, everybody, we do have a three-minute time limit.
• </c><06:01:45.240><c> I'm</c> do have a three minute time limit I'm do have a three minute time limit

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill concerns GPLET abatement limitation and recommends that the bill be amended as follows.
• This is not James Bond silencers.
• We should have website postings, but we don't want to limit it to website postings.
• Children have an extremely limited right in terms of the First Amendment.
• This bill is not limited to the school or the library context.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are limited investments and some statutory barriers.
• So, one option is to limit punitive damages.
• I can keep my remarks limited to five. Sorry, no worries. So I'll move quickly.
• There's limited time; it's short for everybody. It's everybody. All right.
• Given the numbers, we're going to have to limit everybody to five minutes.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• the performance within a charter school system, if they fail financially, they don't get to levy or bond
• in the regular school system, is that what we're asking for here, is that no more levies, no more bonds

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• It does contribute to general obligation bonds in a small amount, but mostly it provides support for
• temporary budgetary measures, then you might, you know, do some cash flow maneuvering, maybe selling bonds

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• followed up with it last year, and despite lots of partisan criticism against it, all three national bond
• followed up with it last year, and despite lots of partisan criticism against it, all three national bond

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Sandra Bond. Welcome to the committee.
• My name is Sandra Bond.
• Bond, for your testimony today. Next, we have Katie Olson. Welcome to the committee.
• Bond, for your testimony Thank you, Ms. Bond, for your testimony today. today. today.

Bills: HF4491 , HF4338 , HF4288 , HF4566

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• any grants that come in, but also having funds there means that there's less that has to go out to bonding
• any grants that come in, but also having funds there means that there's less that has to go out to bonding
• project coming along, they can let it build up and make sure that they're not having to go out and bond
• project coming along, they can let it build up and make sure that they're not having to go out and bond
• I think it's important to reiterate that this fund also keeps us from having to go out and bond for the

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 63, a bill described by Senator Tim Lang and other supporters as a technical correction to the rooms and meals tax distribution formula. Lang said the bill would clarify that the Division of Travel and Tourism’s 3.15% promotional allocation is taken from gross rooms-and-meals revenue before the 30% municipal reimbursement fund is calculated, which he argued restores the intended 2009/2021 structure and avoids an unintended loss to tourism marketing. Committee members raised questions about whether the bill actually changes section one or instead addresses DRA’s interpretation, and whether the measure could be affected by the budget process or HB 2. Jessica Keeler of Ski New Hampshire testified in strong support, saying the bill would preserve the promotional budget formula that had been in place since 2009 and that the 2019 revision effectively reduced the promotional allocation by placing the municipal share first. She said tourism promotion has helped increase visitation, revenues, and jobs, and warned that without a fix, the joint promotional program and other tourism efforts could be cut in future budgets. She also said the bill would not change the current year’s tourism budget but would matter for future cycles. Mike Summers of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association also supported SB 63, calling it a correction to the 2021 changes and arguing that state tourism marketing is essential because small businesses cannot reach distant markets on their own. He said the industry has benefited from state promotion, especially after COVID, but is now facing softer occupancy rates, lower Canadian visitation, and financial strain from debt and operating costs. Summers said the industry cannot make up for major tourism budget cuts on its own and urged maintaining or increasing travel and tourism funding. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think this is a very limiting way of understanding what our community is.
• Speaking on behalf of myself, I would support no such limitations. I would have no support.
• And I think it's a limited understanding of where harm comes from if we are to do that.
• to the United States Constitution that I appear to support has been pending since 1924, has no time limit
• Part of the concept was about limiting abusive, long adult hours for young students so that they could

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on S. 7 and H. 63, proposed constitutional amendments to restore voting rights to people incarcerated for felony convictions. Sponsors Rep. Erica Iderhoven and Sen. Liz Miranda argued that Massachusetts should reverse the 2000 disenfranchisement change, describing it as a recent and racially discriminatory policy that excludes thousands of residents—disproportionately Black and Latino—from civic participation. They said the amendment would put the question before voters, likely in 2028, and noted that implementation details such as domicile and where incarcerated people would register to vote would be handled separately through legislation and existing jail-based voting work. A large number of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people testified in support, many speaking remotely from MCI Norfolk, MCI Shirley, and MCI Framingham. They said voting would affirm dignity, accountability, rehabilitation, and connection to community, and several described civic education programs inside the facilities that had helped them engage with public policy. Witnesses repeatedly characterized disenfranchisement as “civil death,” linked it to racial injustice and the legacy of slavery, and urged the committee to advance the bills favorably. A few speakers also addressed practical questions about voting location and domicile, with sponsors saying those issues are not specified in the constitutional amendment and would be worked out later. Committee members asked several questions, including whether incarcerated people would vote in the community where they were incarcerated or where they previously lived, and whether future legislation could include carve-outs based on offense type or time served. Testifiers and sponsors generally said the amendment itself does not decide those implementation questions, and some said they would oppose carve-outs. One member raised a broader moral objection about allowing people convicted of serious crimes to vote; supporters responded that punishment should not erase democratic rights and that voting can support rehabilitation and reentry. No vote or final committee action was taken during the transcript provided. The hearing also briefly included testimony on a separate matter, S. 521, a proposed ratification of the federal Child Labor Amendment. Witnesses supporting that measure warned against renewed child labor rollbacks in other states and argued Massachusetts should reaffirm protections for children and education. That portion of the hearing was separate from the voting-rights discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would actually, I think the bill actually requires us to put forth a limit on that contract.
• We put a limit on what they can vote for. They don’t have a problem voting for their self-raises.
• What changes is that local governments are no longer limited to a single paid-for medium.
• Under the amendment, the authority is limited to parishes, municipalities, and schools.
• Under the amendment, the authority is limited to parishes, municipalities, and school boards.

Bills: HB248 , HB249 , HB997 , HB1052 , HB1193 , SB1 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB289 , SB435

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We could adopt rules that limited the number of bills per member.
• We could adopt rules that limited the number of bills per member.
• Next, we have House Bill 120, Limiting Student Restraint and Seclusion.
• But I'm being left out because of the statute of limitations.
• I don't have a problem with opening up the statute of limitations.

Bills: HJR6 , HJR7 , HB120 , HB60 , HB151 , HR1 , HM13 , SB40 , SB104

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard two related House Joint Resolutions sponsored by Representative McQueen. H.J.R. 6 would equalize the legislature’s 60-day and 30-day sessions into two 45-day sessions, remove the germaneness requirement from the second session of a biennium, and clarify veto-override language. H.J.R. 7 would keep the current 60-day and 30-day session lengths but make the same germaneness and veto-override changes. Supporters argued the measures would modernize the legislature, improve internal control of the agenda, and make the flow of work more efficient; opponents warned of more bills, lobbying fatigue, and reduced public participation. Both resolutions were moved on due pass and passed the committee 8-0. The committee then heard House Bill 120 on limiting student restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor and LESC staff said the bill arose from a stakeholder working group and would clarify definitions, prohibit dangerous practices such as mechanical, chemical, and prone restraint, require training and school safety plans, improve reporting to parents and the Public Education Department, and strengthen oversight. Testimony from educators, disability advocates, parents, and state officials strongly supported the bill, describing harmful and sometimes underreported restraint and seclusion incidents and emphasizing the need for clearer rules and de-escalation training. Some members raised concerns about implementation, definitions, teacher safety, and whether the data were sufficient; the sponsor and staff said the bill was meant to give teachers tools and minimum standards, not to require intervention in every situation. The bill passed on a due pass motion 9-1. Next, the committee considered House Bill 60, which would add certain crimes against peace officers to the Victims of Crime Act so officers injured in the line of duty would receive the same notification, participation, and restitution-related rights as other victims. The sponsor and the district attorney supporting the bill said it was a public safety measure with negligible cost and would also extend protections to affected family members. Support came from law enforcement, business, and public safety groups. Members asked about whether the officer must know the assailant is a peace officer, how the rights would work if the officer is also a witness, and how restitution interacts with workers’ compensation; the sponsor said the bill applies when the officer is acting in the lawful discharge of duties and the defendant knows the person is an officer. The committee passed HB 60 unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 151, a committee substitute on the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations. The sponsor said the bill, called the Survivor’s Justice measure, would extend the time for survivors to file claims from age 24 to age 58, add public actors to the bill’s scope, and create an administrative compensation fund supported by an appropriation, with $12.5 million already in the budget and a request for another $12.5 million. The sponsor explained that the change reflects the average age at which survivors come forward and that the bill is part of a long-running effort to address childhood sexual abuse claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• between the parties and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and the minority whip limited
• the health benefits and the nutrients that whole milk provides due to out-of-date regulations that limit
• to outofdate milk provides due to outofdate regulation<00:08:41.599><c> that</c><00:08:41.919><c> limit
• </c> leading to late detection and limited leading to late detection and limited treatment<03:11:39.160
• Crack open an article about bonds and the stress and bond vigilantes and term premiums and what all these

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:37.280><c> of</c> system being able given the limits of system being able given the limits
• So you get north of Concord, the speed limit goes to 70, right?
• So you get north of Concord, the speed limit goes to 70, right?
• So you get north of Concord, the speed limit goes to 70, right?
• </c> person being incarcerated with limited person being incarcerated with limited exceptions<05:09:31.240

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• the summary of the capital outlay framework, where you have an opportunity to use a mix of STBs, geo bonds

Summary: The committee heard a final wrap-up presentation from Director So Lee on the Legislative Finance Committee’s budget framework for the upcoming session. He said the state remains in a strong fiscal position, though revenue estimates are lower than earlier projections and available nonrecurring funds have declined by more than $1 billion from the prior session. He emphasized that the recommendation still preserves reserves above 30 percent and supports targeted investments in the committee’s three priorities: increasing per capita earned income through education and workforce development, improving access to high-quality health care and behavioral health, and enhancing quality of life through infrastructure, water, parks, trails, and other community amenities. Director Lee highlighted several major funding areas, including a proposed expansion of the UNM medical education program, water projects, capital outlay for state agency assets, and use of a mix of severance tax bonds, general obligation bonds, and cash for capital needs. He also noted continued pressure from health insurance, liability, and compensation costs, and said the committee would keep using pilot programs for new initiatives. Members broadly praised the staff, interim travel, and budget analysis work. During member comments, Senator Woods focused on school funding stability, liability costs, and fraud or waste in state agencies, arguing the state should take more claims to court to establish precedent and better protect taxpayers. Other members thanked staff and leadership for their work and collaboration. The committee then adopted the catch-up cleanup items and the overall LFC budget framework, with Senator Woods recorded in opposition, and created a technical committee with members from both chambers to resolve any final technical issues before the January session.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you heard, they carry Insurance, they carry bonds, they do OSHA training, they know how to build a

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• We formed a strong bond as public servants, as colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does have limited authority to approve additional general funds for items such as the Judicial Council
• > federal funds or Grant funds it does federal funds or Grant funds it does have<00:17:22.720><c> limited
• </c><00:17:23.120><c> authority</c><00:17:23.480><c> to</c><00:17:23.640><c> approve</c> have limited
• authority to approve have limited authority to approve additional<00:17:24.360><c> General</c><00:17
• property tax in increases to limit property tax in increases without<01:01:55.880><c> significant</c

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The short version of the bill is that Senate Bill 1946 would establish a two-year time-limited lethality
• I understand the resources regarding limitations and the number of Rangers that are available because
• This can harm their professional reputation and limit their assignments and advancement.
• Warm decisions on bail and bond allow us to separate high-risk offenders from low-risk offenders right
• Usefulness is limited, maybe other evidence, of course.

Bills: SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice