Transcript Highlights:

• So, in any minute, AB 1849 directs the California Air Resources Board... Aye. Schultz? Aye.
• So, in any minute, A.V. 1849 directs the California Air Resources Board.
• These practitioners provided direct input into the creation of the language in AB 1548.
• So I think we just have to be much more careful when it comes to these issues.
• It was carried out as a standard of care by lead agencies in their practice of CEQA compliance.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused on environmental policy, public infrastructure, housing, and energy. AB 1812, dealing with compostable plastics and compost contamination, drew strong support from farmers, composters, counties, cities, and waste companies, while manufacturers and compostable-product companies opposed it unless amended, arguing it would undermine compostable packaging and SB 54 goals. AB 2216 to expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area also received broad support and no opposition. AB 2481, which would allow leftover glass quality incentive funds to support recycled glass used in fiberglass insulation and other products, was supported by insulation manufacturers, recyclers, and waste advocates and passed with no opposition. AB 2152, streamlining fire station construction and tying CEQA relief to project labor agreement requirements, was supported by firefighters and construction trades but opposed by contractors and wildlife groups over the PLA mandate and environmental review provisions; the committee discussed amendments and sent it forward. AB 1536, the Save Our Shores Act, aimed at offshore oil and gas safety and decommissioning, was supported by coastal and environmental groups and opposed by the petroleum industry, with members debating pipeline safety, drilling risks, and carbon intensity before advancing the bill. AB 1849, a study bill on decarbonized gaseous fuels, split supporters from hydrogen, bioenergy, and propane interests against environmental and justice groups who said it favored biomethane and hydrogen without clear definitions; the author said it was only a study measure, and it moved ahead. AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and community college housing projects, was backed by students, UC representatives, housing advocates, and labor, with no opposition heard; members raised concerns about environmental impacts and evacuation planning, but the bill was approved. Several measures were taken on consent and others were held open for absent members or quorum issues, with multiple bills receiving due pass recommendations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget also takes care of some past commitments.
• The Legislature will approve it, and it will be taken care of through the normal budget process.
• The types of attendance fluctuations that we are seeing, there's not a direct factor in there.
• It didn't direct you to start your own nonprofit.
• It directed you to work with nonprofits and partner with them.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's after supplying necessary medical care.
• What this bill does is it's a bill directing the creation of a domestic violence offenders registry Act
• this doesn't necessarily solve the problem that we're trying to fix, but it is a step in the right direction

Bills: HB1322, HB2015, HB2933, HB2941, HB2959, HB2977, HB2981, HB3040, HB3055, HB3062, HB3087, HB3115, HB3134, HB3244, HB3297, HB3298, HB3299, HB3304, HB3319, HB3321, HB3322, HB3323, HB3345, HB3407, HB3471, HB3497, HB3500, HB3505, HB3544, HB3581, HB3648, HB3755, HB3764, HB3765, HB3767, HB3906, HB3974, HB3982, HB4104, HB4105, HB4106, HB4107, HB4108, HB4126, HB4130, HB4139, HB4144, HB4170, HB4202, HB4226, HB4227, HB4236, HB4260, HB4343

Keywords: domestic violence, offenders registry, public safety, law enforcement, victim protection, conviction records, landlord, tenant rights, rental agreement, housing safety, tenant protections, insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• notify law enforcement when they encounter a suspected drug overdose, after supplying necessary medical care
• What this bill does is direct the creation of a Domestic Violence Offenders Registry Act, allowing the
• Committee, what this bill does is direct the creation of a Domestic Violence Offenders Registry Act,
• this doesn't necessarily solve the problem that we're trying to fix, but it is a step in the right direction

Bills: HB1322, HB2015, HB2933, HB2941, HB2959, HB2977, HB2981, HB3040, HB3055, HB3062, HB3087, HB3115, HB3134, HB3244, HB3297, HB3298, HB3299, HB3304, HB3319, HB3321, HB3322, HB3323, HB3345, HB3407, HB3471, HB3497, HB3500, HB3505, HB3544, HB3581, HB3648, HB3755, HB3764, HB3765, HB3767, HB3906, HB3974, HB3982, HB4104, HB4105, HB4106, HB4107, HB4108, HB4126, HB4130, HB4139, HB4144, HB4170, HB4202, HB4226, HB4227, HB4236, HB4260, HB4343

Keywords: domestic violence, offenders registry, public safety, law enforcement, victim protection, conviction records, landlord, tenant rights, rental agreement, housing safety, tenant protections, insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a large number of bills, mostly by unanimous or near-unanimous due-pass votes. Early measures included HB 34, expanding “zones of safety” to include places like skating rinks, youth centers, pools, arcades, amusement parks, and water parks to bar sex offenders from loitering; HB 3407 on abandoned personal property and manufactured homes; HB 43 on rates for court-appointed property appraisers; and HB 2981 requiring school board meeting minutes to be posted online. Members also considered criminal justice and public safety bills such as enhanced penalties for people on the DOJ terrorist list (HB 3764), updating controlled dangerous substances schedules (HB 3767), and a bill to allow first responders to notify law enforcement after responding to suspected overdoses, with immunity for good-faith reporting and a fentanyl-related presumption in fatal overdoses (HB 2941). Several bills were laid over, including HB 2015, HB 2959, HB 3087, HB 3581, and HB 4227. The committee also advanced bills affecting courts, property, and administrative procedures. These included HB 3321 ending cost-arrest warrants for unpaid court fines, HB 3322 codifying rules for interpreting multiple versions of statutes, HB 3323 moving notarization requirements for electronic documents submitted to Service Oklahoma, HB 3497 clarifying appeals of pretrial orders in criminal cases, HB 3500 removing a nine-month deadline for successor affidavits after transfer-on-death property transfers, and HB 3505 creating a uniform wage garnishment law. Other measures addressed workers’ compensation and public employment, including HB 4260 creating a rebuttable presumption for first responders in workers’ comp, HB 4202 aligning radiology reimbursement with other specialties, and HB 3055 and HB 315 setting qualifications for the CLEET and DOC directors. Later in the meeting, members approved bills on consumer protection, technology, and public safety. HB 2933 tightened insurance claim timelines and penalties and made mediation mandatory for carriers; HB 3544 targeted AI chatbots that simulate emotional relationships with children; HB 3299 created a criminal offense for creating or disseminating digitized or synthetic media using another person’s name, image, voice, or likeness; HB 4107 criminalized misuse of outdoor tornado sirens; HB 4108 expanded critical infrastructure protections to airports; and HB 4139 revised home service contract rules to require truthful offerings and qualified service providers. The committee also passed HB 1322 creating a public domestic violence offenders registry, HB 4104 adding certain voyeurism-related crimes to the sex offender registry, HB 4106 lowering the grand larceny threshold to $900 and making a third petty larceny offense a felony, and HB 3974 addressing liability in shared inmate housing facilities. The meeting ended with HB 4144, which revises Open Records Act language for arrest and incident reports, and the committee adjourned with plans to meet again Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• that being the American Rescue Plan Act, the Workforce Development Council received funding for child care
• The child care expansion grants that Mr.
• Senator, the ARPA funds: we had a total of $80 million in ARPA funds, $30 million for the child care
• So that also is something that is trending in a very, very good direction.
• I think my question might be more directed for the analyst, but I'll ask it.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations first for the Idaho Workforce Development Council. Analyst Brooke Dupree reviewed the agency’s statutory role, funding sources, staffing, and FY27 requests, including an ongoing transfer within the In Demand Careers Fund to increase trustee and benefit payments for Idaho Launch grants, a proposal to consolidate the STEM Action Center into the council, and requests for reappropriation authority for several grant funds. Director Wendy Sechrist said Launch, workforce training, semiconductor, and child care grants have produced strong participation and wage gains, and she explained that the proposed STEM merger would transfer remaining dedicated-fund balances to the Workforce Development Training Fund. Members asked about the effect of a $10 million cash transfer on Launch awards, repayment of grants by students who do not meet requirements, and the use of employer training funds; Sechrist said wording such as “up to $10 million” would avoid reducing awards and that the agency is still exploring debt collection options. The committee then reviewed the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Dupree outlined the agency’s vocational rehabilitation and independent living services, its dedicated funds, and FY27 requests for additional appropriation to spend Social Security reimbursement revenue and for replacement vehicles from the adaptive aids fund. Administrator Beth Cunningham said the agency uses those funds to support clients’ employment and independence, and that the requested increases would help cover needed vehicles and offset other costs. She also said holdbacks would have a modest effect on services, including reduced site restoration funding and some cuts to client services and travel. Finally, the Idaho State Historical Society presented its budget. Dupree described the agency’s preservation mission, staffing, dedicated funds, and FY27 requests, including $450,000 for the second year of moving state records and collections into a new archives addition, plus IT hardware and reappropriation authority. Director Janet Gallimore emphasized stewardship of state records and artifacts, the importance of the collections move, and the agency’s role in America 250 activities. Members asked about archaeological review travel, the agency’s long tenure, and the use of miscellaneous revenue; Gallimore agreed to provide travel records and thanked the committee for its support. The meeting ended with a presentation of historical artifacts and adjournment until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do care about the children. I think our teachers are amazing within our state of Idaho.
• Maybe you care to comment? Thank you. Thank you.
• And so, yes, I'm all for going forward in that direction. By the way, Mr.
• And so yes, I'm all for going forward in that direction. By the way, Mr.
• Now we have a managed care that oversees our behavioral health aspect.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, CARE received over 8,000 complaints of anti-Muslim incidents nationwide, a 300% uptick.
• Just like you all, I care about free speech. I want to have discussions.
• There's nothing about intent in this bill, but when... reading the directives from the Office of Civil
• You're already seated, I'll go from the opposite direction this time. Go ahead.
• It serves countless Texans through its research and medical care. arts and, unforgettably, the joy of

Bills: SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• There's mandates that are put all over, but we want to make sure that we're taking care of the taxpayers
• <00:02:47.239><c> that</c><00:02:47.360><c> we're</c><00:02:47.519><c> taking</c><00:02:47.840><c> care
• </c><00:02:48.000><c> of</c><00:02:48.159><c> the</c> sure that we're taking care of the sure that we're
• taking care of the taxpayers<00:02:49.480><c> when</c><00:02:50.040><c> possible</c><00:02:51.040><c
• they would want to this is the direction they would want to go<00:04:51.479><c> there's</c><00:04:51.639

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Like I said, it's about continuity of care.
• House Bill 3695 aims to lower constituent health care costs by properly aligning primary care. ...dollar
• at this, the primary care copay goes up.
• We try to keep primary care copays really low because we want no barriers to primary care, so you'll
• have $5, $10 really cheap copays for primary care.

Bills: HB854, HB 1052, HB1642, HB2076, HB3042, HB3695, HB3787, HB4062, HB4092, SB213, SB493, SB896, HB5519, HB4635

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> about the provision of health care, about the provision of health care, we're<00:21:23.000><c>
• centers, after-school care programs, and adult day care centers, among other locations.
• </c><00:42:41.000><c> centers,</c> participating child care centers, participating child care centers
• :43.000><c> adult</c> after-school care programs, and adult after-school care programs, and adult day
• </c> day care centers, among other locations. day care centers, among other locations.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• journey, but we're also stewarding those properties to make sure that they're taken care of and it can
• So, not only are we taking care of the So, not only are we taking care of the folks<00:06:49.919><c>
• of and and it can be around taken care of and and it can be around as<00:06:57.840><c> long</c><00:06
• I know they don't love the idea of the legislature directing how they do scoring, although, to be fair
• Uh and so I from his uh direct landlord.

Bills: HF3600, HF3809, HF3608

Keywords: housing, community land trusts, competitive development, development programs, Minnesota, HF3809, Minnesota eviction law, landlord-tenant, residential lease, minor child, children in eviction, eviction complaint, defendant prohibition, expedited eviction, expedited hearing, summary eviction, tenant protections, housing policy, civil penalty, nonwaivable lease terms

Transcript Highlights:

• about investing in child care, certainly with the support of the legislature.
• They both sow their oats and they figure out that they want to move in a different direction.
• access to early education and care.
• You've shown, I think, considerable care for public housing authorities throughout the state.
• Take care.” “All right.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> safety net providers was pushing care safety net providers was pushing care capacity<00:04:42.000
• . direction. direction.
• That's my point with Senator direction.
• And I don't really care to language.
• tree care and utility maintenance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you really care about affordability and workforce, 13 years of active kids will help a lot.
• It's something that we very much care about.
• And Representative Brist does not care to make closing statements, so I think we're ready to move the
• So our concern with this bill is that it's a direct attack on educators.
• Direct answer to your question is... And if they didn't, then whoever did needs to be punished.

Summary: The committee approved the March 11, 2026 minutes and then heard several education bills. HCR 2015, which supports efforts for students to receive at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity and for schools to display dietary guidelines, drew strong support from advocates for recess, student health, and physical education, and passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2040, requiring adoption-related information when school employees discuss contraception or STI testing and adding adoption content to sex education curricula, drew opposition from Reproductive Freedom for All and the Arizona Education Association, but was still given a due pass recommendation 4-2. HB 2255, extending Arizona Teachers Academy eligibility for community college students from two to four academic years, passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. HB 2764, creating a state seal of computer science proficiency for high school graduates, also passed unanimously after support from the Arizona Technology Council. The committee then considered HB 2600, which would require written parental permission for students in grades 6-8 to join school clubs or organizations. The ACLU of Arizona opposed it, arguing it could suppress participation in clubs involving sensitive identities such as LGBTQ, religious, or cultural groups; the bill received a due pass recommendation 4-2. HB 2379 would require school district governing board members to complete finance and governance training, with an amendment narrowing the requirement to newly elected or appointed members and adjusting reporting; the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents supported it, while the Arizona School Board Association opposed parts of it, and the amended bill passed 4-2. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center and School Safety Council within ADE to provide training, technical assistance, and risk assessments; supporters said it would help schools, especially smaller and rural districts, while opponents raised concerns about funding and council composition, and it passed 4-2. Later, HB 4033, which would require more detailed school bond election pamphlets and separate ballot propositions for certain large or specialized projects, was supported as a transparency measure by the sponsor but opposed by education groups that warned it could make it harder for districts to fund facilities; it passed 4-2. HB 2482, limiting job order contracting on building renewal grant projects to $1 million and requiring verification against artificial splitting of projects, drew concerns from builders and school board groups about delaying repairs and limiting procurement flexibility, but the sponsor said it was needed to improve competition and transparency; it passed 4-2. Finally, HB 2575, the Anti-Semitism and Education Act, would prohibit public schools and higher education institutions from teaching or promoting anti-Semitism and set up reporting and discipline procedures; the sponsor said it was needed to protect students, while the ACLU and Arizona Education Association warned it could chill speech and expose educators to legal risk. The transcript cuts off during testimony on that bill, and no final committee vote is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you just heard about outcomes, something we all care deeply about.
• We get to direct it.
• I'm going to give you two direct stories.
• , including navigating IEPs, evaluations, and ongoing care.
• navigating IEPs, evaluations, and ongoing care.

Summary: The joint informational and oversight hearing focused on community schools in California, with members emphasizing that the purpose was to examine effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability rather than the Governor’s budget proposal. The California Department of Education described the California Community Schools Partnership Program, created in 2021 and funded with more than $4 billion, including planning, implementation, extension, and county coordination grants. Officials said nearly 2,500 schools are participating and highlighted the statewide technical assistance structure, including the State Transformational Assistance Center, eight regional centers, county offices, and CDE support. Researchers from the Learning Policy Institute and UCLA presented early findings and implementation data. LPI reported reductions in chronic absenteeism and suspensions, along with gains in math and English language arts, with especially large benefits for Black students and other historically underserved groups. UCLA described the Annual Progress Report as a statewide improvement tool showing growth in capacity-building, shared decision-making, whole-child supports, and continuous improvement. Members asked about how the reports measure outcomes, how to interpret outliers, and how to distinguish community schools effects from other concurrent initiatives; presenters said matched comparison methods and deeper case-study work are being used, with additional statewide findings expected in June. Panelists from Oakland Unified, LAUSD/UTLA, San Diego Unified, and advocacy organizations described key elements of success: integrated student supports, strong family and student engagement, collaborative leadership, community partnerships, and school-site decision-making. They gave examples such as wellness centers, dual enrollment, student senates, parent leadership, and community campaigns that built trust and increased participation. Members also raised concerns about sustainability, implementation fidelity, and whether community schools improve participation in LCAP processes. Presenters said major barriers include unclear early guidance, the need for a mindset shift away from top-down models, and uncertainty about long-term funding for coordinators and other staff. The panel’s recommendations centered on stable ongoing funding, stronger technical assistance, shared governance, and embedding community schools practices into district and county systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• me that two weeks into the new administration, we no longer have a Congress that we no longer take care
• WEEKS INTO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION, WE NO LONGER HAVE A CONGRESS, THAT WE NO LONGER TAKE CARE THAT LAWS
• They don't care who is president. Why?
• I INTRODUCE THE ROSA PARKS COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT DIRECTING THE TREASURY MINT TO ISSUE A COIN.
• Anna Sue was a kind and caring person who was just starting off in life.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So it doesn't seem like they care.
• </c><00:13:42.480><c> So,</c> So, it doesn't seem like they care.
• So, So, it doesn't seem like they care.
• You know, in get to the care they need.
• Eric Abbe, Hawaii Primary Care Association, in support. Mike Wen of Aloha Care, in support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 302, which would expand access to medical cannabis by removing the in-person provider-patient relationship requirement and related restrictions. The Department of Health supported the bill, and multiple advocates and organizations testified in support, including the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform, Marijuana Policy Project, and others. Supporters said the measure would improve access for patients, especially on outer islands, and some urged broader amendments allowing providers to certify cannabis for any medical condition and to speed registration and treat in-state and out-of-state patients equally. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left with no questions after testimony. The committee also heard HB 1052 HD1, which clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission may use universal service fund monies to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the DCCA Division of Consumer Advocacy, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, the Public Utilities Commission, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii. Witnesses described the program as an important accessibility service that has been operating under prior appropriations and should continue under the universal service program. HB 1482, relating to controlled substances and hemp/synthetic cannabinoids, drew support from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, and others, with some comments from the Attorney General’s office. Supporters said the bill would clarify that delta-8 THC is a controlled substance and help enforcement against illegal hemp products and synthetic cannabinoids. Testimony and questioning focused on the need for better lab testing capacity, retail registry and age-gating, seizure authority, nuisance abatement, and possible use of special funds or appropriations to support enforcement. Members also discussed enforcement of illegal hemp businesses and whether additional funding or statutory changes would be needed. Finally, the committee took up HB 712, a 340B drug-discount measure affecting safety-net providers and contract pharmacies. Hospitals, health centers, and provider groups testified in support, saying the bill would protect access to discounted drugs and preserve funding for services such as chronic disease management, transportation, and specialty care. Pharmaceutical-industry representatives opposed the bill or sought amendments, arguing the 340B program has expanded beyond its original intent and lacks transparency, and they requested reporting or audit-like provisions to verify claims and revenues. Members questioned both sides about alleged abuse, the growth of contract pharmacies, and whether the bill should include transparency requirements before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I moving us in the wrong direction.
• </c> have us going in the right direction have us going in the right direction which<00:43:24.240><c>
• </c><01:48:26.000><c> care</c> and a critical expansion of direct care and a critical expansion of direct
• ><c> they're</c> personally don't care where they're personally don't care where they're located.<01:
• Instead, we have seniors who need care.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why prevention must include trauma-informed care and behavioral support.
• Nationally, 20% of individuals in adult criminal justice systems were once in foster care.
• Different than many after-school child care providers, 30% of our members are actually teenagers.
• Different than many after school child care providers, 30% of our members are actually teenagers.
• We are restricted in doing direct care services alone, where violence prevention work in preventing gun

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission on Violence Prevention Services Funding opened by explaining that its purpose is to examine how state dollars for gun violence prevention are being spent, whether they are reaching the right places, and how effective they are. Chair Marjorie Decker noted the commission was created through a legislative bill as part of a broader gun ownership package, and emphasized that the commission will produce recommendations rather than new law. The hearing began with a moment of silence for the National Day of Remembrance for homicide victims, followed by introductions from commissioners and staff. A series of community-based organizations testified about violence prevention, intervention, and survivor services. Emmanuel Williams of the Transformational Prison Project described work with incarcerated and returning youth and families, stressing lived experience, relationship-building, and the impact of budget cuts on travel, staffing, and programming; commissioners asked about his budget, caseload, and funding mix. Teresa D. Grigario and Antonio Gutierrez of Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy said their work focuses on youth ages 12 to 24 in Lynn and Lawrence, with outreach at courts and shooting scenes, and argued that prevention is most effective when it starts early, includes family engagement, counseling, therapy, case management, food, and basic needs support; they said a million-dollar annual budget would help them expand. Ruth Rollins of We Are Better Together/Warren Daniel Hairston Project, speaking as a survivor, called for long-term flexible funding, trauma-informed care, and a community-informed database, and said her organization would ideally need about $2.5 million annually. Ruth Zakarin of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence explained that the commission grew out of listening sessions during the firearms-law update process and said the goal is to identify gaps, support grassroots groups, and address regional equity in resource allocation. Other testimony highlighted youth development, reentry, and survivor response as violence prevention. More Than Words described its job-training and supportive-services model for court-involved, homeless, foster-care, and out-of-school youth, citing high rates of graduation, postsecondary enrollment, and employment; a participant, Jorge, shared how the program helped him avoid adult incarceration and build a career in trucking. The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute described its homicide-response and healing work, noting that it served more than 1,100 survivors in 2024, facilitated healing groups and trainings, and is seeking a permanent center in Dorchester; its leaders said the operating budget is $4.5 million and the desired budget is $8 million. The Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs emphasized that gun violence is a youth health crisis and urged continued investment in after-school and out-of-school-time programs. UTEC called for multi-year, flexible funding, more training and networking support, and attention to nonprofit cost recovery, while Roca described its outreach to high-risk young people, strong outcomes, and major federal grant cuts that forced staff reductions. Portal to Hope discussed domestic violence and stalking services, the importance of on-site police-department-based advocacy, and the instability caused by funding restrictions. New North Citizens Council briefly underscored that violence prevention funding is needed to address poverty, lack of education, and mental health needs. State officials also presented on existing grant programs. Kevin Stanton of the Office of Grants and Research described the Commonwealth Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative and the state’s broader public safety grant portfolio, saying partnerships between law enforcement and community organizations are central to violence prevention and citing seizures of illegal firearms, narcotics, and suspected drug proceeds. Renee Contreras said the Shannon Community Safety Initiative is a national model built on nearly 20 years of sustained investment, with multidisciplinary collaborations in 25 communities and research partnerships guiding strategy and evaluation. Throughout the hearing, commissioners repeatedly asked about budgets, staffing, caseloads, and how organizations measure impact, and several speakers said they would follow up with written materials or additional data.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then it also says the department was directed by House Bill 345, which we passed, to remove system
• We switched over to a managed care within that.
• Behavioral health, we switched over to a managed care within that.
• And when you look at that, would that stand up some of maybe the child care programs that were really
• I'm not sure who this question should be directed to, Mr. Bibi, Ms. Maloney, Ms.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard an extended presentation from Representative Josh Tanner on the Health and Welfare budget, with a focus on Medicaid, supplemental spending, and the governor’s proposed holdbacks and cuts. Tanner said the state is facing major budget pressure, including a 3% holdback, provider rate cuts, and a projected need for additional reductions in Health and Welfare. He argued Medicaid growth is a major cost driver, described the program as difficult to control because of federal rules, and urged the committee to identify real savings, especially in programs he viewed as less essential than services for children and people with disabilities. He also emphasized that any recommendations to JFAC should be backed by actual numbers and fiscal notes, not assumptions. Members asked Tanner about cost shifting to other budgets or local governments, the role of fiscal notes, how JFAC handles minor budget changes, the effect of House Bill 345 and Medicaid eligibility changes, and whether expansion cuts could be redirected to other Medicaid needs. Tanner repeatedly said JFAC’s job is to balance the budget and that the germane committee should develop policy and identify savings before JFAC is forced to make cuts. He also discussed ongoing versus one-time funding, saying the state is short in ongoing revenue and that the committee should not rely on hoped-for savings. On revenue forecasting, he explained that EROC uses multiple projections and that JFAC ultimately adopted a revenue number near the middle of the range. The committee then received a detailed overview from Legislative Services staff Alex Williamson and Morgan Poloni on budget tools and resources, including the base budget dashboard, the Legislative Budget Book, the Legislative Fiscal Report, the Fiscal Source Book, session records, and performance reports. They demonstrated how members can drill down by agency, division, program, fund source, and enhancement history, and noted that staff can provide deeper detail on specific line items if requested. Keith Bivey also presented inflation-adjusted and per-capita budget trend information, showing long-term general fund growth and noting that similar agency-level analysis is still being developed. The chair asked members to review the Health and Welfare divisions, identify possible cuts or programs to protect, and return with recommendations; the committee was told it would not meet the rest of the week, and the JFAC presentation was tentatively moved to the first week of February.