Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Department of Human Services, the Secretary's Office appropriation. Any questions?
• This is the Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities.
• Is it true that they haven't had an increase in human services development in 10 years?
• Senate Bill 63, which is the Department of Human Services.
• Any other committee announcements? Any other committee announcements?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, you asked me to give you a brief overview of the human services bill.
• in health and human services, let's just do this.
• </c> and human services, let's just do this. and human services, let's just do this.
• </c><00:38:26.079><c> services</c><00:38:26.960><c> um</c> Bucket that health and human services gets
• And it starts within the jurisdiction of human services because it is the largest, right?

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So good afternoon, Madam Chair and members of the committee.
• So good afternoon, Madam Chair and members of the committee.
• If they live in a county with no service, they must use a hazardous waste service to manage their waste
• That company elected to discontinue that service at the end of 2025.
• Second, rural service delivery costs more per household.

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to recognize their service in preparing for the games here today.
• Reports of committee will be deemed read and amendments adopted.
• Moving into committee announcements, now it's time to announce committee meetings after session.
• So it's time to announce committee meetings after session.
• Senator Becker: The Senate Human Services Committee will meet 10 minutes after adjournment of session

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized guests on the floor, including students honored for a young authors program and representatives connected to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The body then took up SCR 138 by Senator Ashby, designating Architecture Week and highlighting California architects’ work in climate resilience, energy efficiency, wildfire safety, and housing innovation. The resolution also noted the low percentage of women in the profession and recognized Ida Claire, California’s first female state architect, along with other architects in attendance. SCR 138 passed unanimously, 32-0. The Senate also considered two gubernatorial appointments. Francisco Kim’s reappointment to the California Acupuncture Board was confirmed without opposition. Davina Hurt’s appointment to the California Water Commission was then considered, with supportive remarks from Senator Becker citing her service and qualifications; the appointment was confirmed on a 26-7 vote. The chamber also approved the Senate journals for March 23-26, 2026, and pulled SCR 124 from the consent agenda. Later, members made announcements about committee hearings scheduled after adjournment, including the Senate Human Services Committee, the new Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection, and a joint budget subcommittee hearing. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of several individuals, including Andrea Schroeder, Country Joe McDonald, and Brenda Joe Martin, with members offering tributes to their civic, artistic, and community contributions. The Senate announced it would recess and reconvene on April 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted.
• He was approved by the Rules Committee on March 11.
• Moving into committee announcements, now is the time to announce committees after session.
• So it's time to announce committee meetings after session.
• Senator Becker, the Senate Human Services Committee will meet 10 minutes after adjournment of session

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized guests including young authors selected for publication and leaders involved with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The chamber adopted SCR 138, recognizing Architecture Week, with the author highlighting California architects’ work on climate resilience, energy efficiency, wildfire safety, and housing innovation, and noting the underrepresentation of women in the profession. The resolution passed unanimously, 32-0. The Senate also confirmed two gubernatorial appointments. Francisco Kim was confirmed to the California Acupuncture Board by a unanimous 28-0 vote. Davina Hurt was confirmed to the California Water Commission by a 26-7 vote after supportive remarks from Senator Becker, who cited her experience on the Belmont City Council and the Air Resources Board. The body also approved the Senate journals, pulled SCR 124 from the consent agenda, and announced upcoming committee hearings after adjournment. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Senator Wiener honored Andrea Schroeder, describing her long career in LGBTQ advocacy, women’s leadership, civic service, and political organizing in San Francisco and beyond. Senator Arreguín remembered Country Joe McDonald for his music, anti-war activism, and Berkeley ties, and Senator Hurtado honored Brenda Joe Martin for her community leadership in Lamor and work with local business and civic organizations. The Senate then recessed with plans to reconvene on April 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees. Reports of select committees.
• REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES.
• We thank you for your service. Please rise and be recognized.
• We thank you for your service. Please rise and be recognized.
• I am a human being first and foremost, and as such, I’m for—” “Whoever and whatever benefits humanity

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and handled several motions to discharge and substitute identical Assembly or Senate bills, along with a number of amendments. The chamber also welcomed student visitors from the League of Women Voters’ Students of Albany program and a group of Staten Island titleholders, and later adopted previously approved resolutions honoring Dorothy E. Reid for her role in Brown v. Board of Education and recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on Delta Day, with multiple senators speaking in support of both recognitions. The bulk of the floor session was devoted to third-reading votes on a large number of bills, most of which passed with broad support. Measures addressed public health, workers’ compensation, education, environmental conservation, insurance, labor, criminal procedure, domestic relations, tax, municipal authority, and correction law. Several bills were explained by sponsors as advancing stormwater management authority, labor-law transparency, public health protections, and stronger penalties for trafficking-related offenses; one bill on immunization in summer camps drew a defense from Senator Skoufis as a child-protection measure, while another on correction law passed with some Republican opposition. The chamber also took up a controversial public health/electronic health records bill by Senator Fernandez. Senator Martin questioned the bill at length about redacting certain categories of information, emergency access, provider obligations, and the impact on doctors’ ability to see complete medical histories. Fernandez said the bill was intended to protect patients from discrimination and to limit access to a small list of sensitive services, while also noting emergency exceptions and support from more than 200 health care providers. The debate remained focused on balancing privacy protections with concerns about continuity of care and record integrity.

Transcript Highlights:

• both DHS and DCYF that directs the agencies' Office of Inspector General to provide the ranking committee
• of our legislative offices, to the committee administrators who ensure our committees are efficiently
• us all together, our staff and human resources,<00:08:01.160><c> supply,</c><00:08:01.920><c> House<
• </c><00:08:25.000><c> to</c><00:08:25.080><c> this</c> provided exceptional service to this provided
• ,</c> provide the highest level of service, provide the highest level of service, namely<00:08:53.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair Wright, for this vision and committee here today.
• There's still humans making the decision.
• That's the only reason they're there, duplicate services.
• , the chair and that committee, subject matter, can do the review.
• Yeah, it's like a select committee that could review.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on Regulatory Reform met as a study hearing with a quorum present but no plans to take votes. Chair Mark Wright opened by noting a draft resolution on regulatory reform and introducing Patrick McLaughlin of the Hoover Institution and Pacific Legal Foundation, who was invited to discuss his research on state regulatory accumulation and reform. McLaughlin described his method of measuring regulation through counts of binding terms like “shall” and “must,” and said Louisiana ranks among the most regulated states, with about 183,000 restrictions and faster-than-average growth in its regulatory stock. He argued that regulatory accumulation slows GDP growth, raises consumer prices, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and low-income households. McLaughlin pointed to reform models in British Columbia, Idaho, and Virginia, saying those states reduced regulations through centralized oversight, periodic review, simplified benefit-cost analysis, transparency tools, and AI-assisted comparison of rules across states. He said Virginia’s regulatory management office helped cut requirements and guidance, reduce licensing delays, and lower homebuilding costs, while similar reforms in Louisiana could produce significant economic gains. Committee members asked about the reliability of the research, the distinction between necessary and duplicative rules, the role of federal mandates, and how AI could help identify outdated or “gold-plated” regulations. McLaughlin said AI should assist human reviewers, not replace them, and emphasized that agencies need a process for reviewing old rules, not just issuing new ones. Members also discussed Louisiana’s own reform efforts, including LaDOGE, permit streamlining, and prior legislation creating public hearings and committee review of regulations. Chair Wright said he had filed a broader bill this session and was working with the administration on next steps. Representative Walters requested supporting data and examples from other states, and other members asked for practical comparisons, including how regulations affect housing, occupational licensing, and small businesses. The hearing ended without any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> dedicated public service of Joe Diamond. dedicated public service of Joe Diamond.
• :10:35.680><c> a</c><00:10:35.920><c> large</c> service area spans across a large service area spans
• Approximately 95% of the trail is on land managed by the Forest Service or the National Park Service.
• </c> Service to the city of Uray, Colorado. Service to the city of Uray, Colorado.
• </c> the committee on n on agriculture. the committee on n on agriculture.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Human Services today is Friday, February 7th.
• This joint agenda with Health and Human Services has two measures.
• </c><00:05:29.720><c> Services</c> agenda with health and human Services agenda with health and human
• For Health and Human Services, same recommendation.
• </c> Ryan Yani, Director, Department of Human Services, on Zoom.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Committee on Education and Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard Senate Bill 422, which would authorize the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified people whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The Department of Education testified in support, noting a prior law that created the Kono diploma program before it sunset in 2020. Several members of the public also testified in support. Both committees later recommended passage of SB 422 without amendments, and the recommendation was adopted by voice votes. The committees then heard Senate Bill 530 on Braille literacy. The bill would establish Braille literacy as state policy, require Braille-related literacy assessments for eligible blind and low-vision students, authorize DOE rulemaking, create a Braille Literacy Resource Center, and appropriate funds. DOE and the Department of Human Services supported the measure, as did the National Federation of the Blind, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and a blind testifier who described the importance of early Braille instruction. The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about statutory language requiring yearly assessments and suggested revisions so annual decisions remain with IEP teams. The committees voted to pass SB 530 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested changes, and adopted the recommendation. The next measure was Senate Bill 532, which would allow school staff and agents trained by a licensed clinician to volunteer to administer medication to students in public schools under certain conditions and clarify who may prescribe such medication. DOE and Department of Health testimony supported the bill. The Attorney General recommended replacing the term “licensed clinician” with the defined term “health care professional.” The Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants supported the bill but asked that physician assistants be included among providers who may prescribe medications for school administration. After questions about current school health aide duties and field-trip medication procedures, the committees voted to pass SB 532 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s terminology change, and adopted the recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, committee.
• Chairman and members of the Senate Commerce and Human Resource Committee, my name is Ryan Bernard.
• Chairman and members of the Senate Commerce and Human Resource Committee, my name is Ryan Bernard.
• Committee, any questions? Mr. Arrington, committee, any questions?
• All right, committee.

Summary: The Senate Commerce committee approved the January 22, 2026 minutes and then heard three gubernatorial appointments. Erica Malman of Boise was introduced for the Idaho Personnel Commission; she described her background as a natural resources attorney and law firm managing partner, and senators asked about the challenges and rewards of commission service and her legal practice. Brett Thomas of Twin Falls was reappointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, and Dr. Karen Cabell of Post Falls was appointed to the same board; both briefly outlined their professional backgrounds and service, and the committee indicated it would likely vote on the appointments the following Tuesday. The committee then considered two DOPL rules dockets. Docket 24-3201-2101 for the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors moved licensing fees into rule, formalized a 60% fee reduction, and removed intern-related fees; it received no public comments and was approved. Docket 24-3950-2101 for the Public Works Contractors Board finalized temporary fee reductions of 16% to 20% and added “not to exceed” language to allow future reductions; it also drew no public comments and was approved effective sine die. Senate Bill 1221 was presented by Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association and supported by a water master from Water District 65. The bill would change Percy retirement language from “irrigation district” to “irrigation or drainage entity” so seasonal retirees can work up to eight months for certain water entities without triggering penalties, matching how the provision is already applied. The committee heard no opposition and voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. The final presentation was an informational briefing from NCCI on Idaho workers’ compensation. Todd Johnson explained NCCI’s role as the state’s rating bureau, described declining claim frequency and generally favorable combined ratios, and noted recent rate decreases, including a 2.5% overall decrease effective January 1, 2026, plus reductions in assigned-risk surcharges. Senators asked about high-risk employers, NCCI’s rating process, and whether it handles claims decisions; Johnson said NCCI sets class-code rate recommendations and does not decide compensability or claims adjustment. The committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Healthc care is a human right. Healthc care is a human right.
• The House did not have that in its passage of H. 660, and your House Committee on Human Services took
• </c><01:57:21.920><c> on</c><01:57:22.080><c> Human</c> and uh your House Committee on Human and uh your
• House Committee on Human Services<01:57:22.719><c> took</c><01:57:23.040><c> further</c><01:57:23.360
• </c> of the committee of conference. of the committee of conference.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• services.
• services fund services recreational services fund which<01:22:41.600><c> the</c><01:22:41.840><c> host
• under recreational services.
• </c> Ways and Means Committee in the Senate. Ways and Means Committee in the Senate.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The Legislative Budget Assistant staff presented an overview of the Senate changes to the House-passed budget, focusing on revenue estimates, appropriations, and ending balances across the general fund and education trust fund. The presentation emphasized that the Senate’s budget reflected higher revenue assumptions than the House, driven in part by updated April revenue figures, changes to business, tobacco, and real estate transfer tax splits, and different assumptions about video lottery terminal revenue. The Senate also adjusted lapse estimates upward, especially for HHS, after receiving updated information that lapses could be much larger than originally assumed. The presenter walked through the major differences in the surplus statements for fiscal years 2025 through 2027. Compared with the House, the Senate budget generally showed higher revenues, lower or different appropriations in some areas, and larger balances carried forward, including a larger education trust fund balance and a different rainy day fund transfer. The Senate’s approach also changed several policy assumptions, such as maintaining liquor revenue dedication, removing the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap, changing the treatment of unique revenue, and altering the process for meeting a targeted revenue amount by giving the governor more flexibility. On the appropriations side, the Senate removed or modified several House reductions and added funding or adjustments in areas including the judicial branch, corrections, HHS, the Human Rights Commission, and certain settlement costs. The presenter also highlighted Senate changes in House Bill 2 and related budget provisions, including a new arts tax credit, a nursing home bed fee, changes to Medicaid premium assumptions, and differences in how motor vehicle inspection repeal and BLT-related revenue are handled. No votes were taken in the portion shown; the discussion was informational and comparative, aimed at explaining the Senate budget changes before conference committee negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Willoughby’s in committee. Who else is in committee? Fink. So we’ll go. Okay. Okay.
• Chair, members of the committee. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the committee.
• The goal when I was chair of rules in the House, health and human services here, and then now natural
• The goal when I was chair of Rules in the House, Health and Human Services here, and then now Natural
• So with that, we are adjourned. the goal when I was chair of rules in the House, health and human services

Bills: HB2014 , HB2055 , HB2145 , HB2150 , HB2696 , HB2755 , HB2763 , HB2781 , HB2782 , HB2787 , HB2795 , HB2889 , HB2975 , HB2985 , HB2986 , HCM2009 , HCR2020 , HCR2038

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, Arizona Revised Statutes, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, state land department, mineral lease, renewals

Transcript Highlights:

• Tamara, please call the roll on committee substitute for Senate Bill 92.
• And by your vote, committee substitute for Senate Bill 60 is...
• If the legislature is expected to take seriously the volume of human life and the value of human life
• They line up with our human values. And anybody in this They line up with our human values.
• I interned at the Republican National Committee under Lee Atwater.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability took up three bills. First, it heard Senator Gates’s employee protection bill, which would create whistleblower-style protections for people who file ethics complaints based on personal knowledge, allowing the Ethics Commission to investigate retaliation and, if probable cause is found, letting the complainant seek administrative or civil relief. The Commission on Ethics supported the measure, saying it had long recommended such protections and that implementation costs would be low. The committee adopted the delete-all amendment and then reported the committee substitute for Senate Bill 92 favorably. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 60 by Senator McLean, which reclassifies certain district assistant regional counsel supervisor positions in the Florida Retirement System to the senior management class, aligning them more closely with comparable attorney positions in public defender and state attorney offices. A late-file technical amendment aligning class codes with Florida statutes was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. A representative from the regional council spoke in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 194 by Senator Martin, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The sponsor argued the day would honor Kirk’s advocacy for free speech, debate, and civic engagement, and said it would not create a state holiday or require closures. The bill drew strong opposition from Senator Polsky and Senator Bracy Davis, who cited Kirk’s public comments on race, women, gun violence, and systemic discrimination and argued he was not a unifying figure worthy of state honor. Julie Keefe also spoke against the bill, while representatives from the Venezuelan American Republican Club and the Christian Family Coalition spoke in support. Despite the debate, the committee voted to report Senate Bill 194 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do move that Senate File 3240 be withdrawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services and re-referred
• to the Committee on Human Services.
• /c><00:20:08.080><c> Services</c> Committee on Health and Human Services Committee on Health and Human
• to the Committee on Human<00:20:10.320><c> Services.
• It has to Human Services. It's my bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, members, we will call the Committee on Regulated Industries to order.
• We are in our last committee before session begins. We have two bills on the agenda.
• Thank you for your service, because we're all animal lovers up here. Thank you.
• We have had human PAs in the state of Florida for 50 years.
• The vet PAs, just like human PAs, are going to have extensive training.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it considered SB 754 on heated tobacco products. The sponsor said the bill would define heated tobacco products and exempt them from the cigarette tax, arguing they are a less harmful alternative for nicotine users. Senators asked about youth access and regulation, and the sponsor said he would research those issues further. A representative of the Florida Retail Federation appeared in support, and the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 796 on veterinary medicine, after adopting a delete-everything amendment. The amended bill would create a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role, allowing individuals with a master’s degree and national competency exam to perform certain delegated veterinary tasks under a licensed veterinarian’s responsible supervision. It also expanded the allowable period for telehealth prescriptions for flea and tick products and other medications. Supporters said the bill would expand access to care, reduce costs, and help address veterinary shortages, while opponents from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association argued the proposal was unnecessary, could create safety and federal-law concerns, and that existing veterinary technicians and other workforce measures were a better solution. After testimony and debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. During final debate, several senators said the VPA proposal was more limited and better balanced than earlier versions, with the veterinarian retaining liability and control over delegated duties. The sponsor closed by emphasizing rising veterinary costs, shortages of care, and the need for more affordable access for pet owners. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted.
• Their contributions to the public service, science, and...
• Their contributions to public service, science, medicine, education, and the arts reflect the best of
• And we have a couple of committee announcements. Senator Becker. Thank you, Mr. President.
• The Senate Human Services Committee will meet immediately upon adjournment in Room 2100 and 1021 Street

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 106 by Senator Choi, which designates January 13, 2026 as Korean American Day in California. Senator Choi and many members spoke in support, highlighting the history of Korean immigration, the contributions of Korean Americans in business, public service, culture, education, health care, and civic life, and the significance of Korean American communities across the state. Several members also shared personal and district-specific examples, including Koreatown, the Korean Friendship Bell, Pachappa Camp in Riverside, and Korean American organizations and businesses affected by the recent wildfires. The resolution was adopted on a 38-0 roll call vote. After the vote, Senator Choi introduced Korean American guests visiting the chamber, including the Consul General of Korea in San Francisco and other community leaders. The Senate then returned to motions and committee announcements, including notices that the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Human Services Committee would meet after adjournment. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas also requested that SB 626 be removed from the inactive file and returned to the Assembly for amendments. The remainder of the session was devoted largely to adjournment memorials. Senator Umberg honored Monica Lynn Martinez-Hays, a longtime legislative staffer and artist. Senators Pérez and Allen jointly memorialized the 19 people who died in the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, describing the devastation, the community’s recovery, and the names and lives of many victims. Senator Menjivar also asked for adjournment in memory of Marine Corps Sergeant Adrian Carrillo, who died in a December traffic collision. The Senate announced its next floor session for Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m. and then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand that all our human service organizations are likewise in crisis.
• We understand that all our human service organizations are likewise in need of state funding.
• School committees proposed as FY26 budget is comprised of level services and a modest increase to staff
• I urge this committee to consider creative solutions on this unique quality of community services that
• I’m Karen Carroll, the Director of Health and Human Services in Somerville, and a member of the Large

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kyak exemplifies putting our vocation into service for humanity.
• </c><00:11:09.040><c> for</c><00:11:09.279><c> Humanity</c><00:11:10.079><c> and</c> vocation into service
• for Humanity and vocation into service for Humanity and as<00:11:10.360><c> a</c><00:11:10.519><c> proud
• But we know, based on an analysis by the Department of Health and Human Services, that many states continue
• </c><04:12:30.479><c> Services</c> Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all