Video & Transcript : 'forest practices' :
Page 384 of 500
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So I believe it is their practice to encourage the children to speak and involve their parents.
- This really follows best practices for policing.
- Obviously, I'm trained in less-lethal force and lethal force, and I do practice and I do carry.
- In practical terms, this means someone in Idaho could face felony criminal penalties simply for using
- In practical terms, this means someone in Idaho could face felony criminal penalties simply for using
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Emerging Issues Feb 16th, 2026
Emerging Issues and Professional Registration
Transcript Highlights:
- you should get together in the room and say, okay, what are the pieces that really are the best practices
- I live in Forsyth, Missouri, where I have a solo practice as a psychotherapist, a clinical supervisor
- Since 2022, in addition to my private practice, I have worked on psychedelic clinical trials, mostly
- I'm a founder of Thrive and Be Well, which is a mental health practice in Springfield, Missouri.
- I've been practicing for 17 years, citizens of Missouri.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 3037, House Bill 2760, House Bill 1778, and House Bill 2830, each by recorded roll call. HB 3037, HB 2760, and HB 1778 all passed 8-4, while HB 2830 passed unanimously 12-0. The committee also said it would not take up HB 1746 and HB 1769 yet, because more work was needed on an amendment.
The public hearing began with House Bill 3005, sponsored by Representative Justice, which would require public and school libraries to adopt and post reconsideration policies for challenged materials, limit requests to local residents or parents/guardians, extend the process to digital materials, and prohibit tracking or retaining personalized user data from digital library resources. Justice said the bill was developed with the Secretary of State’s office and library groups and was intended to add transparency, local control, and privacy protections. Testimony from EBSCO Information Services and the Missouri Library Association supported the bill as a codification of existing library practices and a way to create clearer procedures.
The committee then heard a group of similar bills on AI-generated or digitally altered depictions, including measures by Representatives Lucas, Farnan, Gallick, Schmidt, Williams, Houseman, and Dolan. The sponsors described the bills as closing loopholes in child pornography, revenge-porn, and digital impersonation laws, creating civil remedies, criminal penalties, and in some versions platform takedown requirements for nonconsensual altered images. Members raised questions about how to combine the bills, whether sunsets should be included, and how the proposals relate to existing revenge-porn law. No votes were taken on these bills during the hearing.
Finally, the committee heard House Bills 2817 and 2961 on ibogaine research for veterans and other trauma-affected populations, followed by House Bills 1717 and 1643 on psilocybin and other alternative therapies. Supporters, including veterans, first responders, clinicians, and family members, described severe PTSD, TBI, addiction, and suicide crises and said these treatments had helped them when conventional care had not. Opponents, including the Missouri State Medical Association, said they did not support non-FDA-approved drugs. Members questioned the cost and structure of the proposed studies, the role of the FDA, and whether similar research is already underway. The hearing ended without a vote on these bills.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
- It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
- comprehensive measure of global economic activity, whereas Water's Edge is more about drawing a practical
- And it is, as I understand it, practice for these big corporate...
- And it is, as I understand it, practice for these big corporate And it is, as I understand it, practice
Summary:
The joint informational hearing examined California’s taxation of multinational corporations, especially the Water’s Edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. Chairs opened by framing the issue as a review of whether current rules fairly and sufficiently tax foreign subsidiary income, given profit shifting concerns, budget pressures, and the long history since Water’s Edge was adopted in the 1980s. The first panel from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Franchise Tax Board explained the mechanics of unitary taxation, apportionment, and the Water’s Edge election, and provided filing data showing Water’s Edge filers are a small share of returns but account for a large share of corporate tax liability. FTB witnesses said the agency already administers both methods and could handle a shift to mandatory worldwide reporting with education and outreach, though revenue estimates are difficult because foreign affiliate information is not directly available.
Committee members asked about foreign government pushback, administrative burden, industries with more profit shifting, revenue uncertainty, and whether companies would leave California. LAO and FTB witnesses said pushback from foreign governments was plausible, but they did not expect major business flight because California’s tax is largely based on sales rather than physical presence. They also said worldwide reporting could reduce profit shifting but might increase revenue volatility and litigation risk. A second panel of academic and tax policy witnesses argued that Water’s Edge is a loophole that rewards aggressive tax planning, that worldwide combined reporting would better capture income tied to California, and that modern federal and international rules such as NCTI/GILTI, CAMT, and Pillar Two reduce compliance concerns and make a return to worldwide reporting more feasible. They also said California’s current system can create selection effects and may under-tax large multinationals.
In the next panel, a California Budget and Policy Center witness urged eliminating the Water’s Edge election, calling it a costly loophole that benefits large global corporations over smaller domestic businesses and deprives the state of billions in revenue that could support health care and other services. A Silicon Valley Leadership Group witness gave historical context for why Water’s Edge was adopted and began outlining concerns about compliance, double taxation, and the risk of overreaching beyond income truly connected to California. No bill was voted on or advanced; the hearing was informational only, with members using the testimony to weigh the policy trade-offs and possible transition periods if the Legislature were to change the current rules.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
- It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
- a It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
- comprehensive measure of global economic activity, whereas water's edge is more about drawing a practical
- And it is, as I understand it, practice for these big corporate And it is, as I understand it, practice
Summary:
The joint informational hearing examined California’s taxation of multinational corporations, especially the state’s water’s-edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. The LAO and Franchise Tax Board explained the basic mechanics of unitary taxation, apportionment, and how water’s-edge generally excludes most foreign subsidiaries while worldwide reporting includes the full unitary group. FTB officials said water’s-edge filers are a small share of corporate filers but account for a large share of tax liability, and they described filing trends, industry mix, and the administrative steps needed to administer either system.
Members and witnesses debated the policy trade-offs. Supporters of moving away from water’s-edge argued that it enables profit shifting, especially for large multinational and IP-heavy firms, and that eliminating it could raise significant revenue and improve fairness for smaller domestic businesses. They cited estimates of billions in potential revenue and said California already has the audit and reporting infrastructure to handle worldwide reporting, though some transition time would be needed. Opponents argued that worldwide reporting would tax foreign activity unrelated to California, create double taxation, increase compliance burdens and litigation, and could be difficult for foreign-based multinationals to document. They also warned that some of the revenue estimates are highly uncertain because foreign affiliate income is not directly observable.
Committee members asked about foreign government pushback, the risk of companies leaving California, the effect on intellectual property shifting, and whether federal or Supreme Court action could block a change. Witnesses generally said major firms would be unlikely to leave because California taxes sales rather than physical presence, but some costs could be passed on to consumers. The panel also discussed alternatives such as conforming to federal international tax rules like NCTI/GILTI and adding anti-abuse rules. No vote or bill action was taken; the hearing was informational only.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee and Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
- It's a very practical trade-off between reaching a broader tax base on one hand, but also maintaining
- comprehensive measure of global economic activity, whereas water's edge is more about drawing a practical
- And it is, as I understand it, practice for these big corporate...
- And it is, as I understand it, practice for these big corporate And it is, as I understand it, practice
Summary:
The joint informational hearing focused on California’s taxation of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. corporations, especially the state’s water’s-edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. Committee members and witnesses discussed how unitary taxation and sales-factor apportionment work, why multinational corporations are a small share of filers but a large share of tax liability, and how foreign income, profit shifting, and double taxation concerns affect policy choices. The Franchise Tax Board explained current filing rules, the seven-year water’s-edge election, and recent filing statistics showing about 21,562 water’s-edge returns in 2023, roughly 6% of C corporation filers but about half of corporate tax liability.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office and FTB staff emphasized that revenue effects from eliminating water’s edge are uncertain because foreign affiliate income is not directly observable, and they noted possible revenue volatility and administrative complexity. Several committee members asked about foreign government pushback, the burden on FTB, whether certain industries are more likely to shift profits, and whether companies would leave California; witnesses generally said there was no strong evidence that firms would exit the state because tax liability is driven mainly by California sales. They also discussed how California already administers both methods, how the election can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on a firm’s facts, and how federal reforms like GILTI/NCTI, CAMT, and OECD Pillar Two may affect the issue.
The second panel presented sharply contrasting views. One professor and a tax policy advocate argued that water’s edge creates unfairness, encourages profit shifting, and leaves California with billions in lost revenue, while a Tax Foundation witness argued that mandatory worldwide reporting would tax the wrong income, create double taxation and litigation risk, and impose heavy compliance burdens, especially for foreign-based multinationals. A later panel from the California Budget and Policy Center supported closing the “water’s-edge loophole,” saying it would raise needed revenue for public services and level the playing field between large multinationals and smaller domestic businesses. No vote or formal action was taken; the hearing was informational only.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Jan 29th, 2026 at 11:10 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Her students demonstrate strong academic and practical skill growth, and many go on to pursue agricultural
- How to use evidence-based practice for English learners by literacy, differentiation, culturally and
- The Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Act to provide for state
- , amending the Social Work Practice Act to provide for state and federal criminal history background
- agreements, enacting the Physician Assistant Licensure Interstate Compact, amending the Medical Practice
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The lead attorney has been practicing redistricting law for over 40 years, and they came, through their
- State what is already the practice in those.
- And not only is it a good practice, what we don't want is a bad officer.
- It's not good practice, but it does occasionally happen, and then they go to another department.
- And obviously, in practical effect, it's going to make very little difference.
Bills:
SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3, SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3
Keywords:
education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 29th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I grew up having to practice atomic bomb drills in elementary school.
- It is a compassionate and practical step that recognizes the service of our retired military members
- It is a compassionate and practical step that recognizes the service of our retired military members
- and practical step that recognizes the service of our retired military members and will make it more
- Second, it directs the Department of Water Resources to develop best management practices for efficient
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file with numerous guest introductions and recognitions, including tributes to outgoing University of California President Michael Drake, student and community advocates, and visitors connected to foster care, military appreciation, and college savings. The chamber also took up several procedural items, including concurrence in Senate amendments to ACR 75 on California Farm Week, which passed 59-0.
Members then adopted AJR 7 on protecting federal special education funding and services for students with disabilities, with broad bipartisan support and a 65-0 vote after 63 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 82 recognizing Foster Care Month and ACR 85 recognizing 529 College Savings Day by voice vote after adding co-authors, and ACR 89 recognizing Military Appreciation Month, also adopted by voice vote after co-authors were added. These resolutions featured testimony and remarks emphasizing support for vulnerable children, foster youth, military families, and access to higher education.
On policy bills, the Assembly passed AB 929 on groundwater and managed wetlands (41-14), AB 1026 on utility connection timelines for housing projects (52-0), AB 1332 on direct shipment of medicinal cannabis under specified conditions (55-0), AB 1356 on follow-up reporting in DHCS death investigations at treatment facilities (54-0), and AB 671 on streamlining restaurant openings through self-certification of certain plans (62-0). The chamber also approved AB 715 on anti-Semitism and school climate after extensive debate and cross-caucus support, 64-0, and AB 33 on autonomous vehicle deliveries requiring a human safety operator, 52-6. Later, AB 5 on election ballot-counting timelines passed 66-0, AB 27 and AB 28 addressing the Chiquita Canyon landfill disaster passed 61-0 and 44-6 respectively, and the Assembly began consideration of AB 43 to extend state authority over wild and scenic rivers.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Firefighters work to protect life and property, but practicing with PFAS foams puts their lives and the
- But prac practicing with PFAST foams puts their lives and the lives 34 of nearby community members at
- I've been in private practice since, representing a variety of clients on environmental permitting and
- Have there been any conversation about what that means in practicality?
- What they, I believe, are likely referring to is the property, which is common practice within...
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House.
The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending.
The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House panel hears bill proposing constitutional amendment to return surpluses to taxpayers 2/11/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's silent as to the order that that happens in, whether there's a standard practice of the House is
- happens in whether there's<00:19:43.960><c> a</c><00:19:44.159><c> standard</c><00:19:44.679><c> practice
- ><00:19:45.000><c> of</c><00:19:45.120><c> the</c><00:19:45.280><c> house</c> there's a standard practice
- 00:24:58.440><c> as</c><00:24:58.799><c> as</c> know as as soon as as as know as as soon as as as practical
- um and and likely what would practical um and and likely what would happen<00:25:03.159><c> is</c><00
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Housing and Community Development
Transcript Highlights:
- It is a long-standing practice to disclose environmental hazards.
- activate. ...practical backstop so that if a unit has been vacant for too long, providers can act to
- AB 2415 provides a practical, balanced solution by allowing the city to transfer those obligations to
- And just to note that these are new practices for California, and certainly everything comes with new
- And just to note that these are new practices for California, and certainly everything comes with new
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/15/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- terminate existing vegetation prior to planting, which is especially important for conservation practices
- terminate existing vegetation prior to planting, which is especially important for conservation practices
- terminate existing vegetation prior to planting, which is especially important for conservation practices
- and best practices and protective gear. gear. gear.
- applications that that it does practical applications that that it does get<00:58:51.560><c> used</c
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (09/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- These grants are $10,000 grants that allow farmers to address these climate-resilient practices on their
- Um and one of the practices Hampshire.
- Um and one of the practices that<00:59:49.680><c> they</c><00:59:50.079><c> implemented</c><00:59:50.799
- And because of that rotational grazing practice, that farm specifically had a better system of grass
- ,</c><01:00:39.920><c> that</c> that rotational grazing practice, that that rotational grazing practice
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard. Representative Bose explained that the bill would modify class one definitions, eliminate class two, reduce the utility obligation for class one thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjust alternative compliance payments for classes one, three, and four. He said the changes were intended to save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, would not materially harm the renewable portfolio standard, and would have little effect on class two because that market is already saturated. Members questioned the impact on consumers, the state budget, and the renewable energy fund; Bose said the fund had already been redirected in the state budget, and another member noted an amended fiscal note showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue. The committee also discussed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and later removed by the Senate, and Bose said the Senate’s eventual action was hard to predict.
The committee then heard House Bill 164 on local records retention from Secretary of State David Scanlan. He said the long-standing local records manager position had never been funded, but that the need for it had grown as towns increasingly digitize records and must ensure accessibility, including ADA compliance. He described the bill as a way to provide state support and expertise to municipalities, especially smaller towns with limited resources, and said the fiscal note for hiring the position remained accurate, though broader website and storage costs could rise over time. Members asked about retrieving lost records, the cost of a public website, and whether records should remain local or be stored at the state level; Scanlan said the state would serve as a resource rather than take control of local records.
Finally, the committee began work on House Bill 365, also with Secretary Scanlan, concerning proof of U.S. citizenship for indigent voters. He said the bill would help voters who may lack required documents under the new voter registration law by allowing the state to verify qualifications through federal, private, or other state databases and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to earlier voter ID accommodations and said the goal was to help qualified voters meet the new requirements without weakening them. Members raised questions about defining “indigent,” how out-of-state birth records would be handled, and the practicality of the verification process; Scanlan said the term would likely need further discussion and that the state would try to assist voters before election day whenever possible.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (01/28/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> to try laws are sound legal practice. to try laws are sound legal practice.
- </c><01:01:43.200><c> and</c> This is now a sound legal practice and This is now a sound legal practice
- </c> which might just be a medical practice which might just be a medical practice or<04:31:00.159><c
- </c> only about 15 to 20 of these practices only about 15 to 20 of these practices in<04:46:26.638><c
- And that is primarily other practices.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Transportation (04/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- If you score 80% or practice final exam.
- This positive amendment aligns with the best practices in other states.
- </c> with the best practices in other states. with the best practices in other states.
- across the country for best practices across the country for three<01:19:52.960><c> years.
- a</c><02:04:30.719><c> charging</c> practical difference between a charging practical difference between
Summary:
The hearing began with SB 12, which would let certain veterans who already qualify for a disabled veteran license plate use that VA disability determination to obtain a walking disability placard without having to undergo a second physical or submit additional proof. Senator Waters, the prime sponsor, said the bill was prompted by a constituent and would reduce redundant paperwork. Melinda Sims of United Spinal and Leo Pacquin of the State Veterans Advisory Committee both supported the bill, saying veterans already go through an extensive VA certification process and should not have to repeat it for the state. A DMV representative said the department had no known objection and explained that the change would let the placard travel with the veteran in another vehicle. The hearing on SB 12 was then closed.
The committee then took up SB 40, which would allow safe boater education certificates to be completed and tested online, rather than requiring an in-person final exam. Representative Coker and Senator Tim Lang described the bill as a cleanup measure to make a COVID-era online process permanent and said it would improve convenience and keep more revenue in New Hampshire. Tom Praol, representing the vendor, said the state lost significant revenue when the online option ended and argued that online proctoring can verify identity and prevent cheating. The New Hampshire Marine Trades Association supported the bill, saying it would help boaters learn New Hampshire-specific laws and keep dollars in-state. The Department of Safety Marine Patrol was neutral: Captain Tim Dunlvy said the current system includes classroom and online coursework followed by an in-person proctored final exam, and he raised concerns about safety, exam integrity, and lower scores in computer-only testing, while noting New Hampshire’s strong boating safety record. Committee members asked about reciprocity, proctoring methods, costs, and crash data, but no vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Human Services - 04/02/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So anyway, I think this is the only practical answer, sadly. All is well.
- So anyway, I think this is the only practical answer, sadly.
- </c> um we are just in a world of practical um we are just in a world of practical hurt<01:42:18.280>
- And then, practically speaking, I don't know. The governor has three priorities.
- And then, practically speaking, I don't know. The governor has three priorities.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/21/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> coverage on paper fails them in practice coverage on paper fails them in practice when<00:57:12.400
- Thank you. but does not meet them in practice. Uh but does not meet them in practice.
- I practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 40 years in Concord.
- So practically speaking, what does that mean?
- 35:41.600><c> that</c> practically speaking, what does that practically speaking, what does that mean
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- need and what are the places that you do those skills and how can we get you there to learn and practice
- We really want people up and moving around and practicing skills in the places where they need them.
- So these managers are really opening their eyes and changing their hiring practices before our students
- So these managers are really opening their eyes and changing their hiring practices before our students
Summary:
The meeting began with a presentation from Run the Gamut, a new two-year transition program for young adults with autism ages 18 to 24. Staff described the program’s focus on person-centered planning, independent living skills, social connection, and experiential learning, including a teaching kitchen, laundry room, community-based instruction, and job shadowing. They said the program is intended to complement existing Massachusetts services and partnerships rather than duplicate them, and that it is inspired by the founders’ experience helping their daughter transition to adulthood and employment.
Committee members asked about employment outcomes, employer readiness, funding, eligibility, and whether students with intellectual disabilities could participate. Run the Gamut said the program is currently private-pay tuition-based, but a grant is covering tuition for the first cohort while they explore additional funding sources, including possible school-district or insurance pathways. They said students with intellectual disabilities would not be automatically excluded if they meet admissions criteria. Staff also emphasized building employer relationships in advance, using job shadowing and industry partnerships to improve hiring practices and create real opportunities for students. They noted partnerships with programs such as PYD, JBS, Aspire, and Boston University, and said the program is opening soon with about eight students enrolled and an open house planned for September 18.
After the presentation, the committee shifted to planning its proposed workshop for the Massachusetts APSE conference, “Employment Matters,” themed “Partners in Progress.” Members discussed submitting the application by the August 31 deadline, selecting a second presenter, and shaping interactive questions for attendees using a live polling tool. Suggested audience questions focused on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and the barriers or challenges employers and employment advocates face, with an emphasis on connecting responses back to commission resources and partnerships. The committee also approved the minutes from the prior meeting unanimously and ended with a discussion of future fiscal year goals, including interest in a possible veterans-and-disability-focused event or resource effort.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- So really our focus is research that helps shape policies, helps shape programs and practices to improve
- Practice that other states could adopt.
- And identify effective systems change initiatives and other promising practices that reduce community
- somebody with a disability and as a person of color and looking at how we can enhance or recommend best practices
Summary:
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University. Monica Mitra introduced the institute’s work on disability health equity and long-term services and supports, and staff described several research centers focused on community living policy, disability and pregnancy, and parents with disabilities. The presentation emphasized participatory research, accessible dissemination, and the connection between health equity and access to home- and community-based services.
Joe Caldwell discussed the Community Living Policy Center’s work on Medicaid HCBS, the direct care workforce crisis, housing, and policy advocacy, including efforts related to the Money Follows the Person program and the Medicaid access rule’s interested parties advisory group. Sid Pickern highlighted a workforce study interviewing direct care workers, a forthcoming policy brief on the access rule, and housing research including Massachusetts’ Alternative Housing Voucher Program. Teresa Nguyen described the Community Living Equity Center’s focus on disparities in community living for people of color, especially a study on self-direction and community living outcomes, and asked for help recruiting participants.
Lauren Bixby demonstrated the community living data dashboard, which compares adults who need LTSS with those receiving Medicaid LTSS using ACS and TMSIS data. She explained that the dashboard can be filtered by state and demographics, but noted major race and ethnicity data gaps for Massachusetts and other states. Commissioners praised the dashboard and the institute’s work, asked questions about data sources and the 1115 waiver, and discussed possible connections to the Health Equity Compact. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with an invitation for follow-up, including a forthcoming direct care workforce brief and the institute’s October 28 lecture.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Public Health Effects of Xylazine Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing none, let's go through best practices for oversight and enforcement, which, as we've done, we've
- So moving into best practices, I think... Mostly non-substantive clarifying edits.
- And I think that is it for best practices for oversight and enforcement.
- time to... ...make sure that it is timely, not necessarily real-time to account for the kind of practical
Summary:
The Special Commission on the Public Health Effects of Xylazine held its fifth and final public meeting to review and approve the final draft of its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Keenan’s absence due to National Guard deployment, approved the prior meeting minutes, and explained the process for incorporating final edits and late votes into appendices. Commissioners then voted to allow staff to make agreed-upon language changes after the meeting, and later voted on the final report itself.
Staff walked commissioners through the report’s redlines and substantive updates. Changes included clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than simply a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” removing or revising references to “hotspots” in favor of more accurate language about local trends, and refining language on wound care to refer to medical consequences and financial costs. The report also added or strengthened discussion of harm reduction measures such as drug checking, mobile health services, overdose prevention centers, oxygenation and airway support during overdose response, and the importance of naloxone remaining available while recognizing its limits for xylazine exposure. Commissioners also discussed data collection, legal protections for drug checking, and the role of the Attorney General in guidance and coordination on emerging drug threats.
The commission then took a final vote, with the members present voting to approve the report. A letter from Senator Velis, who was also absent due to active duty orders, was read into the record expressing support for the report and its recommendations. In closing comments, commissioners and staff thanked one another for the collaborative work and described the report as a useful public health resource. Chair Domb adjourned the meeting at 11:11 a.m., noting that the final report would be submitted and posted online for public access.