Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Sheldon Taubman, living... Thank you. Ah, Sheldon.
• But this is spending growth by service category.
• , social services, and through our Human Services Committee, I think that this will be more data that
• For example, in this all services trend, I can go through—sorry, all services, right?
• We don't know what services they're giving.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:31.640><c> um</c> services um services um against<00:11:32.800><c> the</c><00:11:33.360><c> the
• A number of other things in transit and what we call in transit and at rest.
• So that person and Human Services.
• ><c> services,</c><01:09:04.440><c> but</c> the availability of services, but the availability of services
• </c> the availability of the service as well. the availability of the service as well.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published. Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2. Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also creates an escorted leave situation when currently incarcerated or transitioning or going to
• classes to learn how to transition into civil society.
• Currently incarcerated or transitioning or going to classes to learn how to transition into civil society
• They provide important services to our senior community.
• It includes meals, access to services, et cetera.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Services. Services.
• Services. Services.
• </c> services and needed within the state. services and needed within the state.
• </c> the human services field. the human services field.
• </c> much needed services to our communities. much needed services to our communities.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These workers need a place to live.
• These workers need a place to live.
• And I think that's the live there.
• So, as I heard Senator Draheim said, so his kids and grandkids can live where they want to live.
• grandkids can live where they want<01:42:26.159><c> to</c><01:42:26.320><c> live.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are what we're calling authorized entities providing basic ed services to students?
• So if they want to use something from And Still We Rise, but then there was something, you know, Lives
• Next we have Annalisa Sanchez, who's the Director of Student Services for the Bainbridge Island School
• Is that the Educational Service District? Yes. Oh, okay. Thanks. Yes. Thank you for pausing me.
• I know I've suggested to a few people maybe focusing in on early learning, transition to kindergarten

Summary: The House Education Committee held a work session on reducing restraint and eliminating isolation in schools, then moved into a public hearing on House Bill 1795 and its proposed substitute. Chair Sharon Santos reviewed committee procedures and emphasized the short session timeline, then framed the discussion as part of a longer-running effort to address student restraint and isolation. Representative Callan, the bill sponsor, said the committee’s pilot and demonstration sites would help identify both benefits and implementation challenges for legislation. OSPI Acting Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs Misha Cherniski presented an update on the state’s demonstration project, saying it is in its third year and has $2 million per year in the current budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. He described intensive, targeted, and universal supports, including grants to pilot and demonstration districts, a technical assistance manual, and statewide professional learning. He reported that 68% of project sites saw reductions in restraint and isolation compared with the prior year, and said OSPI’s immediate policy recommendations are to extend prohibitions on dangerous restraints such as prone, supine, wall, mechanical, chemical, and noxious spray restraints, and to clarify the definition of “imminent likelihood of serious harm.” Committee members asked for more detailed disaggregated data by race, ethnicity, grade level, incident type, and sample size, and raised questions about authorized entities, student movement, and whether data captures incidents in nonpublic settings. Representatives from Auburn, Bainbridge Island, and Concrete school districts described how the grant-funded work has affected their districts. Auburn reported major reductions in isolation after removing its last isolation room, expanding behavior supports, and training staff through multiple professional development options; the district said the biggest challenge has been shifting staff mindset and navigating delayed access to vendors and grant systems. Bainbridge Island said it has used grant funds for universal staff training, administrator training, social-emotional MTSS work, and partnerships with multiple providers; it reported zero isolations and sharply reduced restraints, while noting the need to monitor nonpublic agencies closely. Concrete, a much smaller district, said the grant allowed it to hire a part-time BCBA, adopt Safety-Care training, and use OSPI’s manual and tracking tools, but staffing shortages and limited substitute coverage make it hard to attend demonstration sites or training in person. During the public hearing, the substitute bill was summarized as prohibiting certain restraints, banning isolation as a planned intervention, narrowing the definition of serious harm, and extending requirements to other providers of public educational services, while preserving lawful duties of school resource officers. Proponents included disability advocates, the Washington Education Association, and public school employees, who said the bill would reduce trauma and align practice with student safety and dignity. A parent testified about a child harmed by a room that was later used for involuntary confinement. A representative from a specialized learning center testified in opposition, arguing that a complete elimination of isolation for younger students could increase danger in some settings, that medical-provider requirements could be difficult to meet, and that specialized providers need broader exemptions. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN REGARDS TO THE COMMUNICATION SERVICES TAX IT FREEZES LOCAL COMMUNICATION SERVICES TAX RATE UNTIL JANUARY
• IT'S A SMALL AMENDMENT THAT COULD SAVE LIVES. SAFES AND LOCKS AT A MINIMUM IS COMMON SENSE.
• IT'S A SMALL AMENDMENT THAT COULD SAVE LIVES.
• THE LIVES WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO BUILD.
• WITH, IT'S SOMETHING I'VE LIVED WITH MY WHOLE LIFE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's three hours to a Costco, I live in Modoc County in Alturas, it's very, very rural.
• We don't have that stuff where we live. We're Insta, Insta, sorry, Insta.
• We don't have that where I live.
• in a food desert, and I live in LA, Los Angeles County.
• Within the next two years... have about 10 CEOs transitioning and retiring out.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the responsibility is to save lives and protect lives. And to Mr.
• The Florida Digital Service will be tasked with documenting the agency's current IT environments, transitioning
• The Florida Digital Service will be tasked with documenting the agency's current IT environments, transitioning
• Some of them are living in hotels. Some of them are living in RVs in their driveway.
• and the lives of their families.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects. Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of them have said, 'Hey, I'm living on a fixed income. I'm living on Social Security.
• The sales tax is the best majority is where people who use those services, regardless of where they live
• It will land on the seniors living on fixed incomes, working families living paycheck to paycheck, people
• We will likely increase the overall cost of living, which automatically harms veterans living on disability
• She lives on the razor's edge, Mr.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resource management HB 25 by whole relating to health and nutrition standards to promote healthy living
• Services and supports under the Medicaid program which the individual on the waiting list for services
• , referred to the Committee on Human Services, HB 535 by Lopez-Obear, relating to the operation of motor
• on State Affairs, HB 552 by Gonzalo Zopasso, relating to the study by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• . 594 by Cortez relating to the positions designated as exempt from sheriff's departments, civil services

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray that we live We pray that we live, not by fears, but by hopes, not by words, but by our deeds
• President George Washington celebrated his inauguration with a prayer service.
• May this National Day of Prayer renew our commitment to service, kindness, and unity.
• Their impact doesn't end; it lives on.
• After surviving a heart attack, Dan retired from the police and fire service.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then took up several floor items. AB 108, a budget bill, was presented as a one-time $25 million grant program through HCAI to help severely distressed nonprofit and public hospitals with less than 10 days cash on hand and limited other options, along with a technical fix for the property tax postponement program. Senators Laird and Jones spoke in support, and the bill passed 36-0 with immediate transmittal granted. The chamber then adopted a series of resolutions recognizing CASA Appreciation Day (SCR 162), California Wildfire Preparedness Week (SCR 165), California Rail Month (SCR 84), the National Day of Prayer (SCR 153), and Mother’s Day (SCR 167). Floor remarks highlighted the role of CASA volunteers, year-round wildfire risk and local preparedness efforts, rail’s importance to mobility and climate goals, faith and prayer as sources of guidance, and the contributions of mothers and mother figures. All of these resolutions passed, with SCR 153 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously or near-unanimously. The Senate also passed SB 1175, which moves lobbyist registration and related filings directly to the Secretary of State to improve timeliness and transparency; SB 949, designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape of statewide significance; SB 1038, strengthening CalPERS audit notice requirements for unions; and SB 965, making it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain library cards without a parent physically present. Each measure received supportive remarks and passed on strong roll calls. Later, the Senate adopted SR 106 marking Black April Memorial Month and honoring Vietnamese refugees and the Vietnamese American community, with members speaking about the fall of Saigon, refugee sacrifice, and the community’s contributions. The session concluded with committee announcements and an adjournment in memory of Dan Hughes, a former reserve officer, firefighter paramedic, and longtime parks district board member. The Senate announced it would reconvene on Monday, May 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray that we live Labor and suffer for a fair world.
• We pray that we live, not by fears, but by hopes; not by words, but by our deeds.
• President George Washington celebrated his inauguration with a prayer service.
• Their impact doesn't end; it lives on.
• After surviving a heart attack, Dan retired from the police and fire service.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Supporting workers during this transition promotes economic equity, strengthens workforce retention,
• We see a range of patients throughout the menopause transition.
• Daniel Parsons with the California Assisted Living Association.
• Daniel Parsons with the California Assisted Living Association in opposition. Okay.
• Danielle Parsons with the California Assisted Living Association in opposition. Good afternoon.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A man whose quiet faith was lived out in everyday acts of service.
• </c> father, grandfather, and public service. father, grandfather, and public service.
• ><c> service.
• Let us all work to follow her example by being kind to one another and leading service-oriented lives
• </c> serviceoriented lives. Thank you, Mr. serviceoriented lives. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, June 6, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• service members who live and active duty service members who live there.<03:09:21.920><c> These</c><03
• I'm talking about the transitioning service members that want to buy a place back home.
• So, active duty service members moving to a duty station, transitioning service members who want to buy
• </c> I'm talking about the transitioning I'm talking about the transitioning service<04:37:46.320><c>
• </c><04:38:01.279><c> service</c><04:38:01.680><c> members</c> station, transitioning service members

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was eventually also introduced into our in-service training for our veteran officers through that
• And thanks to both of you for your service and your attention to these issues.
• Thank you so much for your service and your work, which is terrific for both of you.
• We really appreciate, again, your service and your contributions to the commission.
• Busy lives and things going on, so good luck with that.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to hear testimony from Chief James Hicks of the Natick Police Department, who chairs the Municipal Police Training Committee, and Chief Thomas Fowler of the Salisbury Police Department. They described the statewide civil-rights-officer model for hate-crime response, the HEART Unit, and MPTC training authority under POST, and urged the commission to recommend incorporating the IHRA definition of antisemitism into police training and to fund that effort. Commissioners asked about how law enforcement should handle antisemitic incidents that may not rise to crimes, the 2022 Mapping Project, masking during protests, and the role of HART; the chiefs said departments can update training quickly, that every department should have a trained civil-rights officer, and that HART’s expertise should be integrated statewide. The commission also approved the October 16, 2025 minutes after correcting an initial procedural error. The rest of the meeting focused on the draft report, especially the prefatory statement and the definition section. Commissioners broadly praised the report’s scope and the chairs’ work, but offered many edits aimed at tightening language, reducing advocacy tone, and clarifying the “Massachusetts way” of combating antisemitism. Several members wanted stronger emphasis on Massachusetts values, education, moral leadership, and the distinction between hate incidents, hate crimes, and statutory offenses; others urged clearer references to constitutional protections, First Amendment limits, and Attorney General review of legal statements. There was also discussion of whether to keep or remove references to alternative definitions of antisemitism: some commissioners argued that only the IHRA definition should be centered, while others said acknowledging other definitions was factually important and would reflect the range of testimony. Commissioners also raised specific substantive edits for later sections, including adding examples such as the 2022 Mapping Project, strengthening language on online intimidation, academic boycotts, and divestment campaigns, and clarifying that some conduct may be hateful even if lawful. In the higher education section, members praised recommendations on mandatory training, bystander intervention, trauma-informed responses, mental health supports, and campus climate surveys, while suggesting a few technical edits and additional best-practice examples. No final votes were taken on the draft report during this portion; the chairs said they would incorporate feedback into a revised draft before the remaining meetings and eventual vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, that reminder is especially fitting for those entrusted with public service.
• President, it's a fair... ...transition. And again, Senators, Mr.
• We are piecemealing together a very important service in our state.
• , to provide for volunteer election service in lieu of jury service.
• It was the longest 60 seconds of their little young lives. They went absolutely bonkers.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:35.760><c> for</c> gave them to make that transition for gave them to make that transition
• </c> licenses and other regulatory services. licenses and other regulatory services.
• </c> machines and providers of said services machines and providers of said services and<01:35:57.120
• services community residences.
• That is an executive service group.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with housekeeping items, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and reminded the public that JLCAR’s role is limited to determining whether agency rules are within statutory authority, not to decide policy. Testimony was to be limited, and members noted that policy concerns should be addressed through the legislature rather than the committee process. The first major item was Public Utilities Commission rule 25-215 concerning natural gas suppliers. Staff said the proposal had been postponed because the PUC appeared to lack authority to impose fines and penalties in this rule set, especially suspending or revoking registrations, and recommended either a conditional approval removing those provisions or a preliminary objection for lack of statutory authority. PUC counsel responded that the cited authority had been incorrect, that the Department of Energy now has most registration rulemaking authority, but argued the commission still has jurisdiction over mediation and dispute resolution and may still have authority over fines because natural gas suppliers are not expressly excluded from public-utility status. Committee members discussed the split between PUC and DOE authority and the possibility that the transition in authority had not been fully cleaned up in statute. The committee then voted to grant a waiver of the time limit and postpone the item for another month so the agencies could work with counsel and clarify which parts of the rule could proceed. Members also urged that any needed legislative fix be brought forward quickly, noting that the Senate was not taking up non-germane amendments and suggesting the House as the likely venue for a cleanup bill. The committee next took up Department of Energy EN900 and EN1000 rules. Staff said the EN900 net-metering rules had been postponed previously and that the main remaining issue was a retroactive requirement in EN909.03(b), which the agency agreed to revise so the language would apply only on or after the 2026 effective date of the chapter. The agency described the EN900 rules as implementing net metering authority transferred from the PUC and expanding the chapter to cover municipal group net metering and low- and moderate-income community solar projects. The EN1000 interconnection rules were described as implementing 2024 legislation requiring uniform procedures for distributed energy resources. The department said both sets of rules were developed through extensive stakeholder input and asked for approval subject to the oral amendment already discussed."}】【。json

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a living wake. He has two to four months to live.
• We know that they save lives.
• We know that people with disabilities can live full and meaningful lives.
• Most people have to live with debilitating pain for the rest of their lives.
• preventive service, The U.S.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of bills, with testimony first focused on H. 1315/S. 824, which would require insurance coverage for pain management options during IUD insertion. Representative Sabadosa, Planned Parenthood clinicians, and policy advocates said sedation can reduce fear and trauma, improve access to effective contraception, and should be reimbursed so providers can continue offering it. A Tufts OB-GYN resident also testified that pain control should be standard care for intrauterine procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee then heard extensive testimony on firefighter health bills, especially H. 1230/S. 690 requiring insurance coverage for cancer screenings for firefighters. Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts leaders, a Dana-Farber oncologist, and firefighters themselves described occupational exposure to carcinogens and personal stories of late-stage cancer detection, arguing that early screening can save lives and reduce long-term costs. Representative Crichton and Representative Howitt also spoke in support, and Representative Ayers testified for H. 4012, which would require neurological disorder screenings for firefighters. Committee members expressed support and sympathy, but no action was taken. The hearing also covered H. 3946/S. 756 on hearing aid coverage, with testimony from students, adults with hearing loss, disability advocates, and HLAA representatives describing the educational, social, and financial barriers caused by lack of coverage and urging broader insurance mandates. Later, Representative Donahue and Representative Vargas testified for H. 1337 to expand insurance coverage for opioid antagonists and related medications, including naloxone dispensed at discharge. The committee additionally heard testimony on H. 1134 to improve chronic pain care coordination and non-opioid access, and H. 4162 to improve ostomy supply coverage and access to certified ostomy care, with patients and clinicians describing denials, quantity limits, and non-medical switching. The transcript ends while testimony on H. 1315/S. 824 is still ongoing; no votes or formal committee actions are recorded in the excerpt.