Transcript Highlights:

• I strongly oppose the legislation. Thank you.
• This is the unintended consequences of prior legislation.
• Alexa Chavez, legislative advocate here on behalf of CCPU.
• I'm a legislative advocate with ACLU California Action.
• I'm a legislative advocate with ACLU California Action.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I won't um I won't ask legislation.
• Um by page of your existing legislation.
• </c><00:03:26.959><c> We</c> that I think this legislation is. We that I think this legislation is.
• ><c> an</c><00:21:57.840><c> appropriation</c> legislation, we provide an appropriation legislation,
• of model legislation because the obviously<01:26:08.320><c> the</c><01:26:08.800><c> legislative</c>

Bills: HB0103, HB0070, HB0091

Keywords: First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• And on behalf of the Legislative Black Caucus, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• And on behalf of the Legislative Black Caucus, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• So please say hello to the future legislative leaders. Thank you all for being here.
• Colleagues, I rise on behalf of the Legislative Black Caucus in strong support of H.R. 102.
• But that's not what this legislative... ...and preserve the environment better.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why this legislation walks a fine and purposeful line.
• So I'm very proud to be part of this legislation.
• If we can't legislate, Have a real obligation.
• I want to thank the majority leader for filing this legislation.
• So again, I just want to stress how important I think this legislation is.

Summary: The Senate took up several local and special bills for final passage, including measures on culverts and dams in Town Line Brook and Lindenbrook, alcohol license conversions and additions in Milford, Salem, and Bridgewater, and special legislation allowing William Pilarie to take a firefighter civil service exam in Arlington despite the age limit. All five bills were passed to be enacted. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to bills on alcohol licenses in Bolton and conservation restrictions in Hanson, and adopted a resolution commending the National Safety Council and recognizing June as National Safety Month. The chamber then considered Ways and Means reports and orders for House bills on improving Massachusetts home care and requiring health care employers to prevent workplace violence. Both bills were amended with new Senate text and ordered to second reading on July 16, 2026, with the new text pending and further amendment procedures specified. The Senate also advanced several House bills passed to be engrossed, including land transfers in Norton, transportation bond terms, and Watertown property tax classifications, each being ordered to a third reading. The main debate centered on Senate No. 30, a bill to protect children from addictive social media feeds, which was taken up with a Ways and Means substitute draft, Senate No. 3164. Senators supporting the bill argued it targets addictive design features such as algorithmic feeds, autoplay, infinite scroll, and overnight notifications while preserving access to social media, privacy, and First Amendment rights; opponents and some supporters raised concerns about parental authority and the role of the state. The Senate adopted a series of amendments, including changes to the definition of user, stronger limits on minors’ nighttime notifications, parental consent and privacy protections for location sharing and age verification, exemptions for nonprofits and open-source platforms, age-signal clarifications, dark-pattern restrictions, and data-security/reporting provisions, while rejecting several other amendments. The debate remained ongoing at the end of the transcript, with additional amendments and discussion still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why this legislation walks a fine and purposeful line.
• So I'm very proud to be part of this legislation.
• If we can't legislate— If we can't legislate and do everything in our power to advocate for our kids,
• I want to thank the majority leader for filing this legislation.
• So again, I just want to stress how important I think this legislation is.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's meaningful legislation. Thank you for that.
• So the bill just clarifies legislative intent And from So the bill just clarifies legislative intent
• But it really just expresses legislative intent. That from happening.
• I think you have a lot in this legislation that's unknown.
• It's their top legislative priority.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an amazing legislative staff tenure and anticipates enjoying time with her family, which includes her
• :08:28.000><c> legislative</c><00:08:28.680><c> staff</c><00:08:29.080><c> tenure.
• </c> an amazing legislative staff tenure. an amazing legislative staff tenure.
• As legislators, our work cannot stop with the resolution.
• </c> the Vermont State Police, Legislative the Vermont State Police, Legislative Policy<00:34:54.120>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm being told that I think we can take care of it in committee and legislative review.
• I think we can take care of it in committee and legislative review. Well, there you go.
• This legislation mirrors Florida's 2025 law entitled Brooke's Law.
• I urge you to support this legislation. Thank you. Further discussion on House Bill 1887.
• And people that are in this industry come together and work on good legislation, solid legislation.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was no draft of any legislation. ...changes.
• There was no draft of any legislation.
• There was no sponsors of bills that were potentially going to bring that legislation.
• Why is legislation required to address this issue? Gentleman from 21. Thank you, Mr.
• Why is legislation required to address this issue? Gentle 21. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation reflects a thoughtful collaboration between us, legislators, the insurance providers
• This legislation is very vague. I don't think it's well thought out.
• All we’re asking for is a seat at the table and proper legislation to be written. Thank you.
• All we’re asking for is a seat at the table and proper legislation to be written. Thank you.
• Because I, for one, do not like that we're adding legislative intent into bills.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 754, which would add physical therapists to Idaho’s direct primary care statute so they can enter direct payment agreements with patients without those arrangements being treated as insurance contracts. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve access, especially for patients who need frequent therapy or live in underserved areas, and emphasized that it would not expand physical therapists’ scope of practice. One member objected that the bill’s wording could blur the definition of primary care and create scope confusion. After testimony from a physical therapy association representative and a small business health care provider, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with several members recording no votes. The committee then took up House Bill 724, which would add and clarify safety-related rights for children in foster care, including safe placement, access to medical and forensic exams after abuse disclosures, basic necessities, and consideration of safety in visitation and placement decisions. The sponsor said the bill is a narrow child-safety measure that does not alter parental rights or removal standards, while foster parents, a psychologist, former foster youth, and others testified in support with accounts of abuse, unsafe placements, and inadequate oversight. Some members raised concerns about enumerating rights in statute and about broad language that could have unintended future consequences; a substitute motion to send the bill to amending order failed on a roll call vote, and the original motion to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 759, a budget-related measure to reduce Medicaid residential habilitation funding and require a new audit/rate study of home and community-based services. The sponsor said the reduction reflects a governor’s budget recommendation and that the audit would help determine appropriate rates and spending. Providers and family members of people with disabilities testified that the bill was too vague, that prior rate studies were not fully followed, and that any reductions could harm staffing and services; they asked for clearer standards, collaboration, and assurance that rate-study results would actually be used. A motion to hold the bill until a later date was offered, but the sponsor opposed delaying the budget item and the committee continued discussion toward a floor recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation that is critically important to preserving Missouri's victim services infrastructure and
• Thank you for your consideration of this important legislation. Thank you for your testimony.
• This bill mirrors Georgia legislation that was passed last year.
• Finally, the legislation respects and empowers parents.
• This legislation does not create unnecessary burdens. It creates clarity.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Joe Fitzgibbon from the 34th Legislative District, and I'll start by congratulating Vice Chair Zahn
• For the record, I'm Darya Farivar, State Representative from the 46th Legislative District.
• This legislation was briefed very well by staff, so I will try to save time and not brief it.
• And so I will just briefly say that I have another piece of legislation that For them to operate.
• It's because it's not a form of the TIF legislation that we used.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2517, which would give regional transit authorities, especially Sound Transit, more flexible permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects. Staff and the bill sponsor said the goal is to let permit applications and technical reviews proceed concurrently with property acquisition and land use decisions, reducing delay and uncertainty for large transit projects. Sound Transit testified that the bill could save as much as nine months, while a city representative from Bothell asked for an amendment requiring notice to property owners before permits are advanced on land not yet owned or controlled by the agency. The committee then took testimony on HB 2313, concerning publicly owned grocery stores in underserved areas. The bill would let cities acquire land, build or rehabilitate stores, seek capital grants, and create tax increment financing areas for grocery access projects, with annual reporting requirements. Supporters, including the sponsor, Food Lifeline, and Northwest Harvest, argued that grocery closures and food deserts are real problems and that local governments need tools to fill gaps when private grocers leave. Opponents, including grocery industry groups and several students, warned that public stores could undercut private grocers, burden taxpayers, and create operational and property-rights concerns; some testimony also questioned the need for government ownership and the use of tax increment financing. A proposed substitute removed eminent domain and tax increment financing provisions and narrowed the bill to grant-funded stores in underserved areas. Next, the committee heard HB 2451, a major rewrite of local tax increment financing rules. The bill would tighten notice, consultation, reporting, and mitigation requirements for TIF areas, strengthen the “but-for” test, limit where increment areas can be located, and protect existing taxing districts by excluding certain levies and requiring negotiation, mediation, or arbitration when impacts are significant. Cities, ports, counties, libraries, fire chiefs, and hospital districts largely described the bill as a negotiated compromise that improves transparency and addresses unintended impacts, though some local governments said they still wanted more flexibility or protections for existing projects. One city testified against the bill, arguing the new restrictions would make TIF much less useful for large redevelopment efforts. The committee then heard HB 2298, which would authorize county auditors to create voluntary property title protection programs to help prevent land-record fraud by allowing owners to record a protection instrument that delays recording of a title transfer for up to five business days unless identity verification is provided. Auditors, treasurers, and county officials strongly supported the bill as a practical response to rising deed fraud, while title and foreclosure industry representatives said the proposal was too limited, could interfere with foreclosures or other transfers, and would only delay—not prevent—fraud. The final bill heard was HB 2566 on local government procurement, which would raise certain small-purchase and small-public-works thresholds for counties, remove some differences between larger and smaller counties, and give counties more options when no bids are received. County representatives supported the bill as a needed update to procurement rules and a way to reduce bureaucracy and keep pace with inflation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The OSBE budget begins on page 1-83 of the legislative budget book.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
• They are available in the 2025 legislative budget book.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard a series of budget presentations from the Legislative Services Office and agency leaders on higher education and health education programs. Kevin Campbell first reviewed the Office of the State Board of Education budget, noting staffing growth tied to added responsibilities, the end of federal COVID/ARPA funding, a governor-recommended supplemental reversion for the sunsetted Empowering Parents grant, and FY 2027 requests including a Canvas LMS renewal, a risk-manager transfer back to institutions, and a one-time federal AI grant. Jennifer White, OSBE executive director, defended the Canvas contract as a cost-saving centralized arrangement, discussed budget pressure on colleges and universities, and said the board is developing an outcomes-based funding model that would shift emphasis from enrollment to progression, completion, and workforce outcomes while phasing in changes to avoid destabilizing institutions. Members asked about cuts, tuition, private donations, rainy-day funds, the longitudinal data system, CETL Now usage, and whether programs should be evaluated or eliminated based on outcomes. White said the board is still gathering data and expects at least another year before a workable funding proposal is ready, and she emphasized that unearned funds under the new model would be returned to OSBE for targeted intervention rather than simply removed. The committee also discussed risk-management centralization, with White explaining that moving risk managers back to institutions would improve day-to-day efficiency while OSBE retains enterprise risk oversight. The committee then turned to health education programs, beginning with Family Medicine Residencies. Campbell outlined the program’s funding and recent growth, and residency leaders said the 3% holdback affected both ISU-based and hospital-affiliated programs but would not force immediate reductions. They stressed the importance of continued legislative support, noted that residency training helps retain physicians in Idaho, and said the programs rely on a mix of state, federal, and patient-care revenue. Members also raised concerns about clinical placement capacity, rural access, and whether federal rural health funds could help support expansion. Additional presentations covered the Eastern Idaho Medical Residencies and the University of Utah medical program. EIMR leaders said Idaho remains far short of needed psychiatrists, especially child psychiatrists, and that training residents in-state helps keep physicians in Idaho; they also described private hospital support as part of the funding model. For the University of Utah program, Campbell said the state supports both medical students and psychiatry residents, and the program requested funding for three additional child psychiatry residents. Dr. Beth Botz, the training director, attributed rising child psychiatry need to increased stress, social media, COVID-era effects, and broader awareness of mental health issues, and said placing residents in southeast Idaho has already improved access and reduced wait times.

Transcript Highlights:

• The most recent legislative session did make a couple of changes to the TEACH program.
• You know, the legislation, you know, we developed six different premium tiers for payment of premium
• and [are] not able to implement the legislation as passed.
• So we are certainly proponents of the legislation.
• Is there anything specifically that we as legislators, as the state, can do legislatively to empower

Summary: The committee met to receive implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws from AHCA and the Department of Health. AHCA reported on rural emergency hospitals, explaining the new Class 4 hospital designation, rule changes completed June 1, 2025, and that no Florida hospitals have yet converted, though one North Walton/DeFuniak Springs-area hospital has expressed interest. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement for hospitals with emergency departments, saying 83 plans had been received since July 1 and 63 approved, with plans emphasizing patient education, referrals to primary care or urgent care, and coordination for Medicaid managed care enrollees through the Florida HIE/ENS system. Members asked about HIE capacity, data collection, and whether the plans would identify shortages or trigger accountability measures; AHCA said it had moved to a new HIE vendor and would continue gathering data. AHCA also updated the committee on the TEACH workforce program, reporting $6.8 million in FY 2024-25 spending across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed, and said a federal 1115 workforce waiver was unlikely to move forward under CMS. On KidCare, AHCA said House Bill 121’s expansion to 300% of the federal poverty level remains blocked by federal litigation and CMS action tied to premium nonpayment rules, and members and public witnesses urged prompt implementation and asked for enrollment/disenrollment data and the rural health transformation funding outlook. Public testimony largely supported the NCAP and TEACH programs and pressed for action on KidCare. Representatives from health centers said NCAP has strengthened hospital-health center relationships and improved care coordination, including reduced recidivism in some hospitals. A Bond Community Health Center physician said TEACH is helping offset the burden of training students and could help address workforce shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas. Advocacy groups urged the committee to push for implementation of the KidCare expansion, citing children in the coverage gap and rising uninsured rates. The Department of Health then presented on several programs from the 2024-25 session. It reported on the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program, including 78 dentists and 15 dental hygienists funded under the dental track and nearly 1,300 medical professionals funded overall, with 123 dental applications and 71 funded dentists in the most recent cycle. DOH also updated the Screening and Services Grant Program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, the statewide telehealth maternity care program, and the swimming lesson voucher program, noting strong participation and outcomes such as reduced ER visits and improved postpartum follow-up in the maternity program. Finally, DOH said implementation of the HIV prevention drug/pharmacist dispensing law is underway, with three certification courses approved and five certifications issued. Members asked about barriers to wider use of HIV prevention drugs, more detailed maternal outcome data, and the dental workforce program report; DOH said more detailed reports would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• A28 is basically a technical change to the House language regarding the conditions in which the legislative
• legislative coordinating commission technical<00:01:33.320><c> changes,</c><00:01:34.320><c> Senate<
• </c> President, legislative auditor policy. President, legislative auditor policy.
• </c> conditions in which the legislative conditions in which the legislative auditor<00:01:56.560><c>
• The state demographer and the legislative task force on aging provides a clear directive.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• system except through the legislative system except through the libraries<00:07:03.919><c> that</c>
• </c> information we work with the legislative information we work with the legislative library<00:08:
• </c> is during the legislative is during the legislative session,<00:08:58.560><c> is</c><00:08:58.800
• </c><00:26:44.080><c> U</c> access with the legislative process.
• U access with the legislative process.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Government Operations Committee heard Governor’s Message 663, reappointing Corey Schaefer to the 911 Board for a term ending June 30, 2026. Schaefer described his telecommunications background and five years of service on the board, including recent election as chair. There was no opposition, and the committee recommended advise and consent; the recommendation was adopted with one member excused. The committee then took up a resolution asking the Comptroller and DAGS to work with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunications access for participation in the legislative process. Testimony from library and disability advocates supported the goal, but members raised concerns that the measure was too broad and unclear about the actual problem, whether libraries already had sufficient broadband and equipment, and whether the focus should be on public access and education rather than DAGS. The committee deferred the measure to Thursday for a revised draft. Members also heard a resolution urging all state departments to partner with the Office of Wellness and Resilience on data-sharing agreements. The office and several advocacy groups supported the measure as part of trauma-informed state efforts, but members expressed strong privacy and HIPAA concerns and questioned what data would be shared, for what purpose, and how it would be protected. The committee deferred that measure as well so the office could work with the chair on narrower language. Finally, the committee considered a resolution urging boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of executive directors or equivalent exempt positions. With only one individual testifying in support, the committee recommended a Senate draft to clarify that the measure applies to civil service exempt positions, and the recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• He then introduced himself as a gynecologic oncologist in Louisville and the legislative advocacy chair
• </c><00:20:58.720><c> should</c> since the passing of legisl should since the passing of legisl should
• to begin with Senator ber legislation to begin with Senator ber please<00:28:56.279><c> wrap</c><00:
• Representative Thomas said the issue is a legislative question, not an executive question.
• it's a legislative question not an<00:36:24.800><c> executive</c><00:36:25.280><c> question</c><00:36

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 16:20 HB 90 Discussion 17:00 HB 90 Vote 25:40 HB 398 Discussion 30:55 HB 398 Vote 38:52 HB 580 Discussion 40:10 HB 580 Vote 42:10 HB 87 Discussion 44:12 HB 87 Vote 44:54 HB 422 Discussion 46:00 HB 422 Vote 46:43 Adjournment 47:20, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 12, 2025, after waiting for the Senate to adjourn so the committee could officially convene. The committee first took up House Bill 90, which concerned freestanding birthing centers and related medical language. Testimony from Representative Jason Nemes, Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg of ACOG Kentucky, and a representative from Kentucky Right to Life focused on clarifying what medical procedures are not abortions under Kentucky law, including miscarriage management, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, sepsis, hemorrhage, and stillbirth. Supporters said the committee substitute was intended to reduce confusion and barriers to care for physicians and patients, while Senator Armstrong and Senator Berg raised concerns about the late-arriving substitute, terminology, and whether the bill was being accurately described as supported by ACOG. The committee substitute and title amendment were adopted, and House Bill 90 passed with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 398, relating to occupational safety and health. Representative Walker Thomas said the bill would prevent Kentucky from adopting or enforcing regulations stricter than federal OSHA standards, arguing it would create uniformity for businesses operating in multiple states while preserving worker safety. Senator Armstrong questioned what would happen if federal OSHA were eliminated and argued the bill could reduce Kentucky’s ability to address state-specific workplace hazards; Representative Thomas responded that Kentucky is a state-plan state and would retain the ability to act if needed, and that the measure was about administrative regulation rather than legislation. After a committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed 8-1, with Senator Armstrong voting no. House Bill 580, concerning alcohol and drug counselors and peer support specialists, was presented next. Representative Kim Moore and Elena Sweezy explained that the bill would add structure, training, and supervision requirements for peer support specialists, limit group settings to eight patients, shorten temporary peer support status to nine months, and require additional supervision hours so trainees can complete required training. The bill passed with favorable expression, with Senator Nemes voting no. House Bill 87, relating to employment and occupational licensing, followed; Representative Emily Callaway said it would reduce barriers for people with felony records and help “second chance” citizens enter the workforce. Several senators supported the goal but Senator McDaniel noted caution about substance-use billing and oversight, and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 422, relating to administrative regulations, was described by Representative Derrick Lewis as a streamlining measure that would reduce paperwork and simplify the regulatory process. It also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation will create a critical opportunity to improve the efficiency, equity, and sustainability
• Members of the committee and staff, for the record, my name is Paul Jakes, legislative agent for the
• I am the legislative agent for the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems.
• Over the years, legislation laws have changed, and now it is allowed; it's open to the 104 municipal
• Your favorable decision to this legislation would be greatly appreciated.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hybrid hearing focused on insurance and retirement-related bills. Representative Hendricks testified in support of H.2874, which would create a Medicare buy-in program for certain state retirees age 65 and older who are not currently Medicare eligible, with the Commonwealth paying Part A premiums and late penalties. He argued the bill would reduce retiree health costs for the state and municipalities while improving benefits for retirees. Don Buckley also testified in support of H.2874, describing his own situation as a long-serving state retiree without Medicare coverage and urging passage of the bill. Paul Jakes of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Michael Riley of the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems testified in support of H.2999/S.1862, which would provide fair worker representation on joint purchasing group committees. Riley also supported H.2933/S.1816, which would add a seat on the PRIM Board for non-state teacher retirement systems, and H.2954/H.1813, which would change the criteria and duration for systems considered underperforming in the public employee retirement system funding rules. He said the changes would better reflect current conditions and limit forced participation in PRIT to five years rather than in perpetuity. Committee members asked no questions during the hearing. After testimony concluded and no additional witnesses came forward, the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation would grant Koenig Distillery a specialty liquor license, able to sell liquor by the
• The language in the legislation states that very specifically.
• The legislation... ...would pay a $400 fee for their license.
• legislators who toured the facility last year.
• We don't currently know of any opposition to this legislation.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also tomorrow, the New Mexico County's legislative breakfast is at the Santa Fe Convention Center from
• Unanimous consent to go down to business: introduction of legislation.
• Order of business: introduction of legislation. It's a reader to read.
• House Bill 1, introduced by Representative Rina Shestek, is an act relating to the legislative branch
• the Legislative Council Service, the Legislative Finance Committee, the Legislative Education Study