Transcript Highlights:

• If you scan the QR code, it will actually take you directly to the AOC Senate Bill 3 webpage, and there
• Okay, now we're gonna go to Agency Code 670, Veteran Services. Oh, sorry, are we doing public?
• They are two different P codes, which is why you will see different amounts maybe between them.
• We try to do an RFP as often as we can, but there is some flexibility in the procurement code that allows
• A lot of these things— a lot of people are seeing those commercials on billboards, so that's a great

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They had been used in research for decades and generated enormous scientific progress and commercial
• Penal Code Section 20, Currently reflects these constitutional principles.
• Penal Code Section 2960 explains that the purpose of the law is to protect the public from individuals
• 707B, ...of offenses under California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 707B, exposing youth to
• These older homies schooled him on how he had to explain what he did per gang code.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona Constitution states, and this is verbatim, the state must establish and maintain a general and uniform
• I even got to play the role of Tom Cruise, but in Kevin Bacon's uniform, for you film buffs.
• Code, he was willing to answer questions about fees, federal law, representation, and his objections
• Code, he welcomes the committee’s questions about fees, federal law, representation, and the specific
• Chair, the bill currently talks about Chapter 11 of Title 13, Criminal Code, which is homicides.

Bills: SB1003 , SB1060 , SB1134 , SB1275 , SB1327 , SB1429 , SB1618 , SB1634 , SB1654 , SB1803 , SCR1002 , SCR1005 , SCR1023 , SCR1027

Committee: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Keywords: election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, voter registration, temporary absence, absentee voting, residency, military voters, overseas voters, election law, Arizona Revised Statutes, political signs, campaign materials, public safety, municipal regulation, veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• Because people go, it gets commercialized somewhere else, and they're the ones with the revenue and the
• And that's because the pipeline that has existed from research to commercialization to industry to jobs
• about what can they invest in, where there are clear milestones that will potentially generate commercial
• about what can they invest in, where there are clear milestones that will potentially generate commercial
• But when you pull NAICS codes, the data showed we lost about 1,000 jobs last year and about 800 year

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development held a hearing on the DRIVE Act, a proposal to invest $400 million in Massachusetts research and innovation without new taxes. Governor Healey and administration officials said the bill would direct $200 million to public higher education research and regional partnerships and $200 million to a research funding pool for hospitals, universities, and other institutions, with the goal of retaining talent, leveraging private and philanthropic dollars, and offsetting major federal R&D cuts. They argued that research is a core economic engine for the state, supporting jobs across labs, construction, services, and surrounding businesses, and said the bill would help protect the Commonwealth’s tax base and competitiveness during a period of federal uncertainty and cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether Fair Share surtax dollars should instead be used for K-12 and other community needs, whether the proposal is enough given the scale of lost federal grants, and how the money would be allocated. The governor responded that the funds are one-time surplus dollars, that most surtax revenue already supports education, and that the bill is meant as a bridge to stabilize public higher education and research. She also said the legislation includes a review board and could support a revolving or matched-fund approach in some cases. Several members pressed for more detail on selection criteria, future funding, and whether private companies and large endowments should contribute more. University of Massachusetts leaders and researchers testified that federal grant cancellations and delays are already causing layoffs, furloughs, rescinded admissions, and lost research capacity. UMass officials said the bill would help preserve faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research programs in medicine, climate science, marine science, Braille instruction, and AI decision-making. They emphasized that the funding should be merit-based and that the state needs to act quickly to prevent talent from leaving Massachusetts. Business, labor, and industry groups, including MassBio, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, AIM, the AFL-CIO, and Building Trades, supported the bill, saying it would protect jobs, sustain the innovation ecosystem, and reinforce Massachusetts’ national leadership in research and life sciences. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• report on this, and they declared that manufactured home communities was the fastest appreciating commercial
• And I'll just note that commercial real estate properties do not appreciate in value based on necessarily
• real estate asset over commercial real estate asset over a<00:03:44.680><c> 10-year</c><00:03:45.040
• And I'll just note<00:03:58.200><c> that</c><00:03:58.320><c> commercial</c><00:03:58.680><c> real</c
• ><00:03:58.840><c> estate</c> note that commercial real estate note that commercial real estate properties

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't remember what they're coded, um, that were technically still in front of the committee.
• I don't remember<00:54:09.359><c> what</c><00:54:09.520><c> they're</c><00:54:09.760><c> coded</c> remember
• what they're coded remember what they're coded um<00:54:12.400><c> that</c><00:54:12.720><c> were</c
• industry, as I understand, they're mapping the different streets and stuff; they're not in active commercial
• </c><01:09:06.400><c> mode,</c> in active uh commercial mode, in active uh commercial mode, &gt;&gt;

Bills: HF3169 , HF3749 , HF2605 , HF3541 , HF4102 , HF3513 , HF268

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: suicide prevention, transportation, mental health, bridge safety, data collection, state law, bridge inspection, active transportation, truck parking, public safety, vehicle registration, fee structure, full-service providers, Capitol security, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, Minnesota State Patrol, State Patrol compensation, trooper salary

Transcript Highlights:

• prevention and awareness training in this bill be required annually and enforced with a registrative code
• </c> registrative code. registrative code.
• <01:26:31.600><c> truly</c><01:26:31.920><c> known</c><01:26:32.159><c> as</c><01:26:32.480><c> commercial
• </c><01:26:32.800><c> enterprise</c> is truly known as commercial enterprise is truly known as commercial
• Because it's not meant to be a commercially generating revenue. >> Okay. No, clarify.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1872, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program to help early childhood providers participate in approved apprenticeship programs, require annual reporting, and appropriate funds. Testifiers in support included the University of Hawaiʻi, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the City and County of Honolulu, Commit to Keiki, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaiʻi, and Kīʻoka Family Learning Centers. Supporters said the bill would reduce financial barriers, strengthen recruitment and retention, improve compensation and career pathways, and help address child care shortages and workforce instability. The committee then voted to pass HB 1872 with amendments, including an HD1 and a defective date to allow further discussion. The committee next took up HB 2489, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language interpretation, with a longer-term plan for a master’s program. Testimony in support came from the Disability Communication Access Board and the University of Hawaiʻi, and members also heard detailed support from DECAP and other advocates describing a statewide shortage of ASL interpreters, long waiting lists for ASL courses, and the need for locally trained interpreters who understand Hawaiʻi’s cultural and community needs. Witnesses said the shortage affects schools, courts, hospitals, emergency services, and other settings, and that the program could be expanded through articulation with other campuses. The committee voted to pass HB 2489 with amendments, again using an HD1 and defective date. After those two measures, the committee moved to HB 441 on campus safety, which would require students, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and university policies regarding sexual misconduct before initial registration and would change how often training is provided to students and employees. The University of Hawaiʻi stood on its written testimony, while supporters including IMUA Alliance and other testifiers urged passage, citing survivor experiences, national best practices, and the need for prevention before harm occurs. No vote on HB 441 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:27:09.920><c> aquarium</c> just to reopen the commercial aquarium just to reopen the commercial
• </c> community-led petition to ban commercial community-led petition to ban commercial aquarium<01:37
• </c> quite a bit of testimony from commercial quite a bit of testimony from commercial operators<02:03
• So if regulate commercial operators.
• This commercial voting organizations.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 3019, which would cap ticket resale prices at face value for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to enforce violations. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill and said it preferred a ticket transparency approach focused on upfront disclosure of fees, while supporters argued the measure would curb scalping, bots, and extreme markups. Testimony from the National Independent Venue Association and a concert promoter emphasized that resale does not add inventory and said the bill would protect consumers; committee members questioned DCCA about enforcement and cited examples of very high resale prices for local concerts. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair said the measure would be moved along for further consideration. The committee then heard Senate Bill 3311, which would create the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program within DLNR to fund fire-mitigation grants for residential property owners. DLNR supported the bill, saying the need is immediate and that the program is modeled on successful mainland efforts, though the department said it ultimately belongs under the State Fire Marshal once that office has capacity. DCCA’s Insurance Division submitted written comments only. The measure was received without further action in the excerpt. Senate Bill 2979, authorizing DLNR and community-based organizations to enter community co-management agreements for state lands, drew broad support from OHA, community groups, and several individuals, who said the bill would formalize partnerships, strengthen shared responsibility, and help community stewardship efforts. Testifiers clarified that the bill does not require 65-year agreements and said the term should be left to DLNR’s discretion. The committee then moved on without questions or a vote shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2351 on the state park special fund, which would allow DLNR to use fund monies for environmental protection programs. DLNR’s state parks administrator opposed the bill, saying the special fund is already fully committed to urgent maintenance and infrastructure needs across an aging park system, and warned that diverting money would weaken the fund’s ability to support parks. The Tax Foundation also submitted written testimony, and a community witness opposed the measure for similar reasons. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Senate Bill 2918, which would require HCDA to establish a community action center in Chinatown; HCDA’s executive director expressed concern about jurisdiction and said the city and county should continue leading that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• purchase equipment, secure a lease... ...survive a slow year, purchase equipment, secure a lease, buy commercial
• That weakens entrepreneurship, local commercial corridors, and the long-term competitiveness of the Commonwealth
• Without a real strategy to address affordability, strengthen the social safety net, and fix the tax code
• What remains lawful, however, are things like race-neutral criteria such as zip codes, tying admission
• But having What remains lawful, however, are things like race-neutral criteria such as zip codes, tying

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held a hearing on the impact of federal policy on the racial wealth gap in Massachusetts, the fourth in a series on federal impacts on racial equity. Chair Bud Williams and Chair Miranda opened by emphasizing that no bills were being heard and that the committee would instead take testimony from invited witnesses; public written testimony was also accepted. The chairs and witnesses repeatedly cited long-standing wealth disparities affecting Black and brown communities, including homeownership, wages, business ownership, and access to capital, and linked those disparities to federal policy changes, housing, education, health care, and workforce development. Administration officials testified first. Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones described persistent labor market disparities, including higher unemployment for Black and Latino residents, lower median hourly wages, and underemployment among degree holders, and highlighted state efforts such as ESOL-for-work funding, workforce training grants, MassHire career centers, skills-based hiring, and the state equity dashboards. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiami Mahania argued that poverty drives poor health, not the reverse, and said wealth gaps contribute to chronic disease, maternal health inequities, medical debt, and shorter life expectancy; she pointed to the Advancing Health Equity Massachusetts initiative, a health care affordability working group, and the governor’s push to bar medical debt from credit reporting. Assistant Secretary Juan Vega of EOED focused on entrepreneurship and procurement, citing technical assistance grants, founder support programs, place-based investment, the Business Front Door, and the need to broaden access to contracts, capital, and business growth opportunities. Committee members pressed the panel on the effects of the federal “big beautiful bill” on households, especially single-parent and Black women-led households, and on whether the state could develop more timely data systems instead of relying on federal numbers. Officials said the impacts were still being monitored, but warned that Medicaid and SNAP changes would likely hit lower-income households and community institutions hard. Members also asked about unions and apprenticeships, microbusiness definitions, supplier diversity, pay equity, and degree inflation; the administration said registered apprenticeships and skills-based hiring are key tools, and noted that wage equity reporting is still in its early stages. Later testimony from BECMA’s Nicole O’Bean stressed that tariffs, DEI rollbacks, immigration enforcement, capital gaps, and federal funding cuts are constraining Black-owned businesses and inclusive procurement, while Gastón Institute researchers described severe Latino homeownership and rent burdens, educational inequities, and the need for housing, labor, and education policy changes to close the wealth gap.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite federal requirements, studies show that a third of commercially insured PrEP users still face
• urge the committee to favorably report this bill so that all Bay Staters using state-regulated commercial
• We have a national provider identifier taxonomy code, and we have athletic training-specific current
• procedural terminology codes.
• practices can often result in rejected claims and billing errors, especially when PrEP is not clearly coded

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• less ability to finance a startup, survive a slow year, purchase equipment, secure a lease, buy commercial
• That weakens entrepreneurship, local commercial corridors, and the long-term competitiveness of the Commonwealth
• Without a real strategy to address affordability, strengthen the social safety net, and fix the tax code
• What remains lawful, however, are things like race-neutral criteria such as zip codes, tying admission
• But having What remains lawful, however, are things like race-neutral criteria such as zip codes, tying

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our way of doing things, which we have codified in our investment policy statement and also in our code
• policy statement, which dictates our investment philosophy, and then we also have our internal employee code
• We’re trying to get new commercial grills and new commercial refrigerators and freezers.
• Since then, they have engaged 289 providers across 250 of their zip codes.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met on January 28 and heard several bills, beginning with introductions of members and staff. The committee first considered HB 2056, which would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites. Sponsor Rep. Gail Griffin argued the state should explore use of large brackish groundwater reserves amid Colorado River concerns, while one speaker opposed the bill on aquifer-protection grounds. The committee voted 11-6-1 to give HB 2056 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2798, as amended, which appropriates $100,000 to the Arizona Geological Survey to compile data on materials relevant to nuclear energy, including thorium and other non-uranium fuels. Rep. Carbone and others framed the bill as an economic development and national security measure, while opponents questioned whether Arizona has meaningful deposits and whether the state should fund the research. The University of Arizona testified that the Geological Survey could do the work. The committee adopted the Livingston amendment and then approved the bill 11-5-1. Next, the committee considered HB 2303, which codifies investment standards for the State Treasurer, emphasizing safety and principal preservation and prohibiting speculative investments and insider misuse. The Treasurer’s Office supported the bill, saying it reflects existing policy and ethics rules, though members asked for clearer definitions of “speculative” and how the bill would interact with other statutes. The committee passed HB 2303 15-0 with two members present and one not voting. HB 2344, which directs the Treasurer to manage the local government investment pool internally and allows a third-party contract only for emergency backup, also passed after questions about local control and whether the bill was necessary; the vote was 12-2-3 with one not voting. The committee later heard HB 2759, a $500,000 appropriation to the Department of Veterans’ Services to partner with an educational institution in Yavapai County for veterans programs. Retired Navy SEAL Chief Richard Rodriguez testified about Embry-Riddle’s veteran population and emergency assistance needs for housing, travel, and equipment, while opponents objected to using state funds for a private institution and argued veterans services should be broader and statewide. The bill received a due pass recommendation 11-6-1. The committee also approved HB 2207, which funds the prison Braille transcription program at $300,000 and was described as a successful rehabilitation and service program, and HB 2224, as amended to $1 million, which funds the Double Up Food Bucks produce incentive program through SNAP; supporters said it helps families, farmers, and local economies, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• our way of doing things, which we have codified in our investment policy statement and also in our code
• policy statement, which dictates our investment philosophy, and then we also have our internal employee code
• We're trying to get new commercial grills and new commercial refrigerators and freezers.
• Since then, they have engaged 289 providers across 250 of their zip codes.

Bills: HB2056 , HB2202 , HB2207 , HB2224 , HB2303 , HB2344 , HB2532 , HB2759 , HB2798

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• people from um assaulting law enforcement, which is reprehensible, not knowing when someone's out of uniform
• knowing when someone's out of um out not knowing when someone's out of um out of<00:16:52.639><c> uniform
• > and</c><00:16:54.079><c> you're</c><00:16:54.480><c> basically,</c><00:16:55.440><c> you</c> of uniform
• and you're basically, you of uniform and you're basically, you know, know, know, creating<00:16:58.320
• Sometimes they're wearing a uniform, sometimes they're not.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• already processed through hospital labs and Medicaid billing systems, and Florida already has an ICD code
• , billing code 8249, for a combined total and direct bilirubin test.
• It requires certain residential and commercial properties within the Indian River Lagoon Basin area to
• It requires certain residential and commercial properties within the Indian River Lagoon Basin area to
• limit building height on qualifying projects, clarifies agriculture-related uses or otherwise non-commercial

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So starting off with E-code P001 administration.
• And back to Emily for the next P code. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Sky.
• And 66 in your LFC budget document, Volume 2, as well as tab 3, agency code 308 in your binders.
• In your books, it's agency code 370, Secretary of State.
• of Superintendent of Insurance, agency code 440, so it should be behind tab 4.

Bills: HB1

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• I am proud to support this bill to establish uniform storage requirements for firearms on school property
• The bill establishes clear, uniform storage requirements for firearms lawfully permitted on school property
• </c><00:24:54.320><c> allows</c><00:24:54.640><c> for</c><00:24:54.720><c> a</c><00:24:54.880><c> uniform
• So this allows for a uniform board.
• So this allows for a uniform policy<00:24:55.760><c> throughout</c><00:24:56.159><c> the</c><00:24:56.320

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is one of those benefits that should be uniform across all of our workforce.
• And I think having a uniform and equitable medical benefits is important for not only recruitment and
• AC across all of that should be uniform AC across all of our<00:38:00.640><c> workforce.
• And I I think having a uniform<00:38:03.520><c> and</c><00:38:03.760><c> equitable</c><00:38:04.640><
• c> medical</c><00:38:05.040><c> benefits</c> uniform and equitable medical benefits uniform and equitable

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2122, which would tie public service flexible spending account contribution and carryover limits to the annual IRS cafeteria plan caps. DEER supported the bill and said it would help the state keep pace with federal limits, though it suggested deleting the words “inflation/adjusted” and “for that calendar year” as unnecessary. HGA and UPW strongly supported the measure, saying state limits lag the IRS amounts and that higher caps would help employees offset rising health care costs. In response to questions, DEER said the plan has a fund balance of about $1.6 million but noted some risk if employees leave before contributing enough to cover reimbursements. The unions agreed to DEER’s suggested wording change so long as the bill still clearly required future increases to track the IRS limits. The committee then took up SB 2116, which would create a confidential process in the Attorney General’s office for anonymous complaints against public employees, with complaints forwarded to the appropriate agency and annual reporting required. DLIR and the Attorney General opposed the bill. The AG’s office said anonymous complaints cannot truly be guaranteed to remain anonymous, that existing laws already provide confidential complaint processes in specific areas, and that the AG would effectively be only a repository without meaningful authority over how complaints are handled. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying it would begin a conversation about protecting complainants while discouraging frivolous complaints. In questions, senators raised concerns about how anonymous complaints would be investigated and whether the AG could serve as an appeal body; the AG said the proposal would likely require broader changes to existing complaint laws. The committee also heard SB 218, which would amend the amount a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee’s wages to repay indebtedness to the state. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying it would create a more lenient repayment process for employees who were overpaid and should not have to repay large amounts in a single pay period. UPW said the bill would eliminate a provision allowing recovery of debts of $1,000 or less in one pay period, which it described as problematic for members. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii was listed in opposition, and additional comments were submitted by the state controller and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly. Finally, the committee heard SB 2114, which would repeal the prohibition on certain exempt employees grieving suspensions or discharges and allow bargaining-unit members to grieve disciplinary actions. DHRD and the City and County of Honolulu opposed the bill, arguing exempt employees are at-will employees who serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and already have other legal remedies for discrimination or harassment; they also said the issue is a negotiable matter under collective bargaining agreements. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying exempt positions have increased in number and that just-cause protections would improve recruitment and retention. Senators questioned how unions would represent exempt employees and whether the bill would change the at-will nature of those positions; no vote or final action was taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• operating geothermal generation, over 4,000 megawatts of geothermal reservoir potential, two permitted commercial
• lithium projects, and planning for an integrated... ...of our potential to permitted commercial lithium
• federal and state funds and connecting every Californian to the internet, regardless of their zip code
• Connecting every Californian to the internet regardless of their zip code and income.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .opportunity for folks to review local school district boundaries and really boundary-heavy, their codes
• These help us know exactly where your addresses are in the census, but they're from a commercial source
• , so where the commercial source was incomplete, we also create building footprints using machine learning
• So you can see, sort of by these lines and the diagram and some of the color coding, how congressional

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on census preparation, focusing first on testimony from U.S. Census Bureau staff James Whitehorn and Andrea Grace Johnson. They described the Bureau’s decade-long geographic and redistricting programs, including the Boundary and Annexation Survey, School District Review Program, Participant Statistical Area Program, and Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA), along with the Block Boundary Suggestion Project and voting district collection. They emphasized that Massachusetts has been a strong partner in these efforts and explained how the Bureau is using updated street data, building footprints, machine learning, and change detection to improve address lists and track new housing. Whitehorn also reviewed the 2030 redistricting data program, the legal basis for it under PL 94-171, the role of state nonpartisan liaisons, and the expected timeline for data delivery. He noted that OMB’s revised race and ethnicity standards will merge those questions into one and add a Middle Eastern/North African category. Committee members asked about the new standards, state contacts, and how boundary updates are submitted, and the witnesses said they would provide the slide deck and contact information. Wendy Underhill and Helen Brewer of NCSL then testified about why census preparation matters for states, stressing its impact on data, federal funding, and political representation. They outlined optional steps states can take before 2030, including staying in touch with Census Bureau staff, identifying state and local personnel involved in census work, supporting local participation in Bureau programs, and creating complete count committees or commissions. They cited Massachusetts’s prior complete count committee and grantmaking efforts as an example and said such efforts can improve self-response and overall accuracy. They also noted that state legislatures can act as conveners and trusted messengers, and they discussed broader issues such as privacy protections, differential privacy, budget uncertainty, and the possibility of future litigation or a citizenship question. Secretary of State William Galvin then gave extended remarks on Massachusetts’s 2020 census experience and the need to prepare early for 2030. He said the state faced major challenges in 2020 from the pandemic, litigation, and rhetoric about citizenship, and that Massachusetts relied heavily on local records, university data, and community outreach to document residents, especially students and non-native-born populations. He argued that the state should strengthen local recordkeeping now through LUCA, annual resident lists, assessors’ and zoning records, and other local data sources, and he urged support for a proposed $500,000 appropriation for census-related grants and technical assistance. Galvin said better preparation is needed because housing patterns, population shifts, and local administrative capacity have changed since 2020, and he emphasized that the goal is to improve the completeness of the records the Census Bureau will use in 2030.