Transcript Highlights:

• amendment passes, how will Congress even balance a budget?
• They can balance the budget that way, and they certainly will, even with a balanced budget.
• So this magic balanced budget is going to... They are the biggest spenders.
• We have this budget.
• We have this budget.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Circuit, the appellate court, denied that request and said, no, the harms to plaintiffs are too grave
• They have said they anticipate making that request in the coming days, this week.
• In response to a request from the House Education and Workforce Committee, the GAO reviewed employment
• discuss the work of the personal care attendant working group, as well as anticipated MassHealth budget
• One key takeaway from that discussion was the projected $3.5 billion in the Commonwealth budget gap tied

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly virtual/in-person meeting and approved the December minutes. The chair announced plans for the next “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27, in partnership with MassAbility, focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity, along with a resource fair. The commission also began planning for its October National Disability Employment Awareness Month event and sought volunteers for a small planning group. The meeting featured an update from the Attorney General’s office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts, including challenges to federal actions on higher education diversity data collection and DEI-related funding conditions, immigration/TPS for Haitians, NIH research grant disruptions, and the nonrenewal of mental health services grants for schools. The presenter said the state has helped protect more than $3 billion in federal funding and noted ongoing or pending appeals in several cases. Commissioners asked about possible impacts on disability-related DEI work and Medicaid; the AG’s office said guidance on DEIA/employment initiatives is available and that the state is closely monitoring federal Medicaid communications and coordinating with the governor’s office. Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler and apprenticeship liaison Amara Riemann presented on registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, emphasizing paid, employer-driven pathways with classroom instruction and wage progression. They highlighted growth in nontraditional fields such as human services, IT, early education, biotech, and banking, and described Bridgewater State University’s Excel program for neurodivergent people and people with disabilities as a model that can lead from pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Commissioners discussed expanding similar models through community colleges and disability-focused workforce pipelines. Subcommittee reports covered disability employment, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The employment subcommittee heard from CED on state disability employment initiatives and planned future presentations from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment and Veterans Affairs. The long-term services and supports subcommittee discussed MassHealth budget pressures, anticipated federal Medicaid changes, the personal care attendant working group, and an upcoming discussion on crisis standards of care. In commissioner announcements, members highlighted recent honors for several commissioners, updates on municipal digital accessibility grants, a June Medicaid summit, and other commission activities. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• my understanding it was the priority request from the university that did not get funded to help us
• this problem we've created for our fellow Oklahomans is because of the action we took during the budget
• In 2024, budget year, 200 million was used to fund the tax credit.
• Could we at least tell the taxpayers of Oklahoma what this does to our state budget and not play a shell
• The bill simply says that within five days of receiving the request, the school district will send the

Bills: HB1675, HB3242, HB1739, HB3320, HB3047, HB4434, HJR1089, HB4432, HB3718, HB3705

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Circuit denied that request and said, no, the harms to plaintiffs are too grave.
• They have said that they anticipate making that request in the coming days, this week.
• In response to a request from the House Education and Workforce Committee, the GAO reviewed employment
• to discuss the work of the personal care attendant working group as well as anticipated MassHealth budget
• The discussion noted a projected $3.5 billion Commonwealth budget gap tied to anticipated federal changes

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly meeting virtually and in person at the State House. The commission approved the December minutes, then heard updates from the chair on planning for the next “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27, focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The chair also previewed planning for the commission’s October National Disability Employment Awareness Month event and invited commissioners and advisory council members to join the planning group. The commission received an update on the advisory council orientation, which was described as well attended and productive, and then heard a detailed presentation from the Attorney General’s Office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts. Topics included challenges to federal actions involving diversity in education, immigration and Haiti Temporary Protected Status, NIH research funding restrictions, and mental health services grants; the presenter also addressed concerns about Medicaid-related federal actions and said the AG’s office is coordinating closely with the governor’s office and other states. Commissioners asked questions about whether disability-related work could be affected by vague DEI restrictions and about the status of CMS communications on Medicaid. The meeting also featured a presentation from Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler and apprenticeship liaison Amara Riemann on registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. They described apprenticeship as paid, structured, employer-driven training with classroom instruction and wage progression, and highlighted the Bridgewater State University Excel program for neurodivergent people and people with disabilities as a model linking pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Commissioners discussed how to replicate similar pathways through community colleges and disability-service providers, especially in high-demand fields. Subcommittee reports followed, including updates on disability employment, long-term services and supports, and health equity, with discussion of a projected state budget gap tied to federal changes, PCA working group recommendations, crisis standards of care, and ongoing collaboration with MassAbility and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements, including several awards and upcoming events, and reminders about the Lowell forum and October planning efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• , 57th Legislature, Second Regular Session, to inform the Senate that it consents to the Senate's request
• President Pro Tem, I move that the Senate accede to the request of the House of Representatives, 57th
• So it's very important that this bill gets held somewhere along the line and becomes part of the budget
• And that's because we do not do dynamic budgeting when it comes to health care costs.
• A group motion will be made for the confirmations that follow unless a senator requests a nomination

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, to publish our budget, which is a thousand words, it costs about $150.
• New owners could inherit exemptions they never requested, and mosquito breeding conditions will then
• I want to request a roll call vote, please. Absolutely. Representative Weber.
• That has been requested, and so, committee—Representative Hostetler. Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair.
• A roll call has been requested. Chairman Ehart? Yes. Representative Cornelis? Yes.

Summary: The House Local Government Committee approved the minutes from February 2, 4, and 18, then held a follow-up hearing on HB 747, a bill dealing with mosquito abatement districts, opt-outs from spraying, public notification, aerial applications, and enforcement. The sponsor, Representative Byswinger, said the revised bill was intended to make opt-outs explicit, improve transparency about chemicals used, clarify that drone spraying would not count as aerial abatement, and add accountability for districts he said were not honoring existing law. Supporters argued the bill protects property rights, informed consent, and residents who want to avoid chemical exposure, while several testified that some districts have confusing opt-out procedures or have not respected opt-outs. Opponents, including Canyon County Mosquito Abatement Director Jim Lunders, Madison County Mosquito Director Jared Arnold, Bannock County Commissioner Jeff Huff, and technical advisor Daniel Markowski, said the bill would create major administrative and financial burdens, shift responsibilities to county commissioners without funding, require publication of an impractically large list of possible products, and restrict effective mosquito control. They also warned that requiring a public health emergency before aerial applications would delay response to outbreaks and that limiting access to public lands or making opt-outs permanent through property sales could hinder operations. Supporters from Gem County and elsewhere described health concerns, chemical exposure, and alleged failures by districts to honor opt-outs. After testimony and questions, Representative Hostetler moved to send HB 747 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Representative Weber offered a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee, citing local control and unintended consequences. The committee rejected the motion to hold the bill on a 9-6 roll call vote, then approved the original motion to send HB 747 to the floor with a due pass recommendation on a 9-6 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we justify, in a tight budget year, a program that...
• The current budget environment should not delay progress investments in education.
• </c> tight budgets tight budgets uh<02:18:59.599><c> we</c><02:18:59.800><c> would</c><02:19:00.120><
• I use my budget, my home budget, to pay for those things because I make those choices.
• I use my budget, my home budget, to pay for those things because I make those choices.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As budget season is before us, Lord, help us.
• As budget season is before us, Lord, help us. These important things before us.
• Are the requests for leaves of absence?
• This is not an agreed-to amendment, and I request a negative vote. Thank you.
• This is not an agreed-to amendment, and I request a negative vote. Thank you.

Keywords: Scheduler, 973, house, all

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and first handled routine business including postponing approval of the prior journal and confirming a quorum. Several committee reports were adopted, including measures from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, after testimony from Rep. DeLosier and discussion of a constituent’s experience with severe scoliosis; the resolution passed 201-1. The House then adopted a series of additional resolutions and bills, including Diaper Need Awareness Week, a study on PANS/PANDAS, 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and a resolution commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania. It also passed bills on Sunshine Act agenda notice changes, veteran death notifications, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, township audit deadlines, first responder memorials, road transfers, parole board succession, and restrictions on HOA limits for rooftop solar. The solar bill drew multiple failed amendments on HOA voting rules, native plants, energy-source discrimination, and net metering; one amendment on indemnification for elected officials at special events was adopted. In final passage votes, the House approved legislation to prohibit NDAs related to data centers, with debate centered on transparency and local control; it passed 171-31. The chamber also passed bills allowing Pittsburgh school administrators to collectively bargain, requiring hunting and trapping education options in schools, expanding SWIF’s equity investment authority, and scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule 3 controlled substance. The Counseling Compact bill and a parole-record privilege bill both passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the House signed those measures for presentation to the Governor. The session ended with referrals of new bills to committees, a motion to adjourn, and adjournment until July 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• a bit, they've reverted back to kind of running through the school formula and putting it in the budget
• motion, but where we find ourselves right now, will this have a big impact on our funding and the budget
• It could in the long run because this money then would come out of what looks like the state budget that
• And I'd also request a roll call vote on both these motions. Thank you.
• This is just a request whether it's addressed this one up or put a companion bill with it to do what

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The city or county may develop policies to implement the density bonus if it receives a request from
• it requires a city or county to develop policies to implement that density bonus if it receives a request
• A preliminary fiscal note for the proposed substitute has been requested, but not yet received.
• you last year, and I appreciate your moving it over to Appropriations, as we all know, we have a budget
• As we all know, we have a budget challenge, and so that prompted us to go back to the drawing board over

Bills: HB1717, HB1859

Keywords: affordable housing, sales tax, housing programs, tax incentives, economic development, religious organizations, development, housing opportunities, land use, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say, or getting requesting another grant.
• There may be changes at the national budget level of how those funds get allocated, but they certainly
• We have an emergency request in, I think through drinking water, for replacing an old deductible cast
• We're going to request, as everybody knows, cost of doing business: we're requesting the next legislators
• Right now, I've requested some bids for projects. It's been eight weeks, no response.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE WAY THE PROCESS WORKS IS ANY MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE CAN REQUEST THAT ANY NOMINEE FOR ANY POSITION
• I WOULD ASK NOW IF ANY MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE HAS ANY LAST REQUESTS FOR ANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
• IF YOU DO WE WILL HONOR THAT REQUEST. THERE IS NO REQUEST. WE WILL GO TO TABS 50.
• MY BUDGET WAS $2 BILLION PLUS MONEY FOR HURRICANE RELIEF.
• THAT WILL IMPACT THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, THE ACCREDITATION PROGRAMS, THE BUDGET, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the alternative, I respectfully request the matter be tabled and submitted to the New Mexico DOJ for
• find now, and when I look at the total outlays, which include the capital outlays in the operating budget
• for the last six years, and they still are telling me they're working on it with a million dollar budget
• Requesting. Yes, we had a work session on it yesterday and we spoke about it for a couple of hours.
• By request of the sponsors, HB 574 and HB 476 have been rolled. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2025-26 budget has... Safety-net hospitals and clinics.
• The 2025-26 budget reversed that progress, or it threatens to reverse that progress.
• And we're very grateful to Senator Durazo for this bill, and we respectfully request your support.
• And that is that we saw the last budget bill that was passed in 2020.
• Under current law, next of kin may request certain corrections to a death certificate.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate has passed Senate Bills 136 and 183 and respectfully request concurrence of this honorable
• </c><00:05:38.560><c> concurrence</c><00:05:39.120><c> of</c> and respectfully request concurrence of
• and respectfully request concurrence of this<00:05:39.759><c> honorable</c><00:05:40.400><c> body.
• The budget review subcommittee on postsecondary education will not meet tomorrow. Member state.
• &gt;&gt; The<00:40:56.480><c> House</c><00:40:56.720><c> Budget</c><00:40:57.119><c> Review</c><00:40

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:09 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:59 Report of Committees 07:10 Orders of the Day 08:11 HJR 25 08:26 HB 66 11:58 HB 305 16:20 HB 432 22:44 HB 313 27:29 HB 44 30:26 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 34:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 42:07 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 43:38 ConC/Rules Report 47:26 Floor Amendments 48:25 Adjournment 48:54, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the ag and business community, respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you.
• And we can see that we're getting the work done on budget.
• hookup at the same time as a request for a building permit.
• We respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you. All right.
• Every business that receives one of these requests will bear that burden.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a recurring permanent request. So, Mr.
• High energy costs mean tighter budgets, higher food prices, and fewer opportunities in places already
• It would also impact our county budget in Rio Arriba County.
• Small businesses know how to budget for incremental costs year to year.
• I haven’t seen any small business that can budget for a wildfire or a flood.

Bills: SB12, SB36, SB92, SB120, SB133, SB151, SB18, SB96

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• in each year of the 2025-2027 biennium to the Department of Education's State Educational Programs Budget
• allocates $500,000 in taxpayer funds to the Nevada Clean Energy Fund, circumventing the executive budget
• And then of course in debate on this floor as we have talked about passing that very same budget that
• Assembly Bill 562 provides appropriations as part of the Governor's budget to the VREMS program at the
• Assembly Bill 562 provides appropriations as part of the Governor's budget to the VREMS program at the

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we will cover the bianial budget.
• And I know, um, the budget director, they'll only allow us to budget up to um 150,000 even though we
• And I know, um, the budget director, they'll only allow us to budget up to um 150,000 even though we
• </c> something, uh is the budgeted census. something, uh is the budgeted census.
• ><c> census</c><01:44:52.560><c> was</c> Now remember that budgeted census was Now remember that budgeted

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:14 Staff Report on the Firefighter Commission Minimum Training Standards and Administrative Spending- 00:02:02 Response from the Kentucky Fire Commission-00:32:06 Judge Testimony on Child Removal-00:42:47 Update on Child Removal and Reunification-01:11:19 Staffing at Kentucky Veteran Centers-01:40:15 Adjournment-02:05:55, 958, all

Summary: The Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee met without a quorum, so no votes were taken. Staff presented a study of the Kentucky Fire Commission focused on firefighter minimum training standards and administrative spending. The presentation explained that Kentucky’s training standards are built from NFPA guidelines, that the commission currently requires 115 hours for volunteer firefighters and 300 hours for paid firefighters, and that those reduced hours were adopted by removing electives and other non-NFPA content. Staff also said the commission’s IFSAC certification testing for firefighter 1 and firefighter 2 aligns with NFPA standards, but the commission cannot require local departments to train or certify firefighters. Staff recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours and work with KCTCS to better separate administrative costs for certain programs so compliance with the statute can be demonstrated. The finance portion of the report said the commission is funded by general fund appropriations for State Fire Rescue Training and by an insurance premium surcharge that supports the Firefighter Foundation Program Fund. Staff reported that the commission stayed within the 5% administrative cap tied to the overall surcharge allotment, but could not confirm compliance with a separate 5% cap for specific programs because KCTCS accounting does not break out those costs in enough detail. Staff suggested the General Assembly may want to clarify what counts as administrative cost in statute. Members asked about investment returns, local fire department funding, and whether training documentation is required; staff said some of those topics were outside the study scope and that IFSAC testing relies on chief certification that a candidate is ready to test. Representatives from the Fire Commission then responded, saying they agreed with the report’s recommendations and would work to clarify the 5% issue with legislators and KCTCS. They explained that the reduction in training hours was intended to remove electives, better align with NFPA standards, and address the difficulty volunteer departments have in getting members to complete lengthy training. Commission officials said training is documented through rosters and annual compliance reviews, and that IFSAC-certified firefighter testing is based on demonstrated skills rather than a required number of training hours. They also said the difficulty in tracking the second 5% cap stems from the way KCTCS’s PeopleSoft system records reimbursements as single transactions, making it hard to isolate administrative costs by program.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Joint Resolution 2, Federal Mineral Royalties State Share, a joint resolution requesting Congress
• This is an over an $11 million hit to the budget because this is reimbursable.
• </c><01:29:54.719><c> are</c> notice that the funds requested are notice that the funds requested are
• </c> spending our time during the budget spending our time during the budget session<01:53:41.440><c>
• </c> to spend more time during the budget to spend more time during the budget session<03:59:18.479><

Keywords: 916, all