Transcript Highlights:

• San Bernardino County, for example, San Diego County, for example, Los Angeles County, for example, as
• For these reasons, we respectfully ask for your no vote.
• Thank you in advance for your patience. We hope to resume as soon as possible.
• For item 10.
• For item 26.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissary food items that we purchased for a high price would be molded and expired.
• For construction workers, the benefits are just as important. High-rise housing is complex work.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote. I respectfully ask for your high vote.
• And I hope the outcome of the study will result in some ideas for policies and budget investments that
• And I hope the outcome of the study will result in some ideas for policies and budget investments that

Summary: The committee heard several housing, local government, coastal, and infrastructure bills. AB 306 would create a statewide appeal and code-interpretation process for building code issues at the California Building Standards Commission; supporters said it would reduce inconsistent local interpretations and speed housing delivery, while no opposition testified, and it was moved on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 956 would clarify ADU law to allow up to two detached ADUs on a property and address ADUs in HOAs/common interest developments; supporters framed it as a flexibility and housing-supply measure, while local government and county groups raised concerns about ministerial approval, parking, density, and impacts on neighborhood character. After committee questions, the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the bill remaining on call. Members also considered AB 1751, which would create a ministerial approval path for qualifying townhome projects and allow local inclusionary ordinances for larger projects. Supporters said it would expand attainable homeownership and help produce missing-middle housing, while cities and counties objected to reduced density, by-right approval, and potential housing-element net-loss issues. The bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and remained on call. AB 912, which would revise the governance structure of the Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District board, drew unanimous support from the district, city, and county; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1710, aimed at preserving housing project entitlements from later regulatory changes, also advanced on a 4-0 do-pass-as-amended vote after opponents said they were awaiting the committee amendments. The committee also heard AB 2080, which would make county treasurer investment authority delegations ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal; supporters said it would reduce technical noncompliance and administrative burden without reducing oversight, and it was moved to the Senate Floor. AB 1740, a coastal bill for Santa Monica, would set timelines and reporting for a local coastal program and create an expedited Coastal Commission process for bike, transit, and pedestrian projects; supporters said it reflected a negotiated path forward with the city and commission, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2181, backed by Unite Here, would limit use of hypothetical density bonus value in hotel and motel appraisals; supporters said it would protect hospitality jobs from speculative lease-rent increases, and it was moved to the Senate Floor on a 4-0 vote. Finally, AB 2469 on data centers and water use drew the most extended debate. The bill would require water supply and water use assessments before approval, and shift infrastructure costs to project proponents; supporters said it would improve transparency, protect ratepayers, and ensure local governments have information before approving water-intensive facilities. Opponents, including business, city, county, and tech groups, argued existing law already covers water assessments and fees, warned the bill could create a separate permitting regime, and raised concerns about privacy, security, and investment impacts. The committee had not yet taken final action on AB 2469 when the transcript ended, and members were still asking technical questions about data center cooling and water reuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• For today, we just have a pretty high-level overview of our budget.
• for projects.
• For Mr.
• So now that's the high end. So I think that's going to be, I hope, Right?
• Are these made for long-term residents? No. Typically up to 28 days is the high end.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 10 minutes and then received a DEQ base budget summary and agency overview. DEQ staff explained that the agency is largely federally and special funded, with major ongoing costs in salaries, operating expenses, grants, and continuing appropriations. Director Dave Glatt and accounting director Beth Jacobson highlighted core programs, the move to a new chemistry laboratory, the new state fuel inspection program, wastewater-related funding from HB 1577, and implementation of SB 2267 for on-site wastewater rules. They also noted the agency’s spending patterns, possible federal EPA cuts, and the likelihood of some fee adjustments or program changes if federal support declines. Members asked about DEQ’s travel, field offices, future staffing, and how the agency would respond to reduced federal regulation. DEQ said most staff are based in Bismarck, with field offices in Fargo, Sawyer, and Gwinner, and that travel is driven by inspections and spill response. Glatt said the agency would continue to rely on science and law, and that any future federal retrenchment could mean more state responsibility but likely not a wholesale increase in FTEs. The committee also discussed a feedlot enforcement case in the Minot area, with DEQ explaining its role in ensuring compliance, permitting, and animal-waste management standards. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented on FTE block grant reporting, TANF balances, child care transfers, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Donna Ockland explained that no line-item transfers had occurred yet for the new rural health work, but about 33 positions were planned and some current staff time could be reimbursed through approved cost allocation. HHS also reviewed TANF’s frozen eligibility and block grant structure, the transfer of up to 30% of TANF funds to child care, and recent program changes that increased benefits and raised the income limit. Staff said the department is using TANF more strategically to support child care and other allowable uses, while still carrying over unused funds as many states do. Finally, Pat and HHS staff gave an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying the first funding opportunity was being posted and that the state is on track to obligate the federal funds within the required timeline. They described priorities such as workforce retention, preceptor development, technical assistance for critical access hospitals, community wellness projects, and ambulance upgrades. Members asked about rural versus urban eligibility, immigrant recruitment, evaluation of year-two funding, and how the program would address varied local workforce needs. The meeting then shifted to an Office of Management and Budget update on the new State Hospital project, where Lindsay Ashley reported continued construction progress, updated cost information, and selected alternates, with photos and details showing work underway in multiple building sections.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope that is not the case across the board and at high numbers.
• </c><00:37:21.440><c> million</c> to come in for a request for $5 million to come in for a request for
• ><c> to</c> are you hoping for like a dollar to are you hoping for like a dollar to dollar<00:39:05.920
• </c> to pay for you. to pay for you.
• year for the program for &gt;&gt; this past year for the program for &gt;&gt; uh<01:09:57.360><c> we

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: A joint informational briefing of the House and Senate higher education committees focused on how the University of Hawaiʻi athletics department plans to remain competitive in the new NIL era, including the effects of the House v. NCAA settlement, direct institutional payments, and the need to balance competitiveness with the university’s educational mission. Senators and committee members introduced themselves, and the briefing featured remarks from women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman, football coach Timmy Chang, and Athletic Director Matt Elliott. Coach Beeman said NIL has already affected recruiting and retention in women’s basketball, estimating the program has lost six to 10 student-athletes because it lacks the funding to keep comparable talent. She emphasized that the issue is not greed but retention, culture, and keeping student-athletes who value the university and community, while also using NIL as a way to teach financial literacy, privacy, and adult responsibilities. Coach Chang described similar pressures in football, including transfer portal volatility and competing offers from other programs, and gave examples of players whose personal and family circumstances made NIL support important for staying at Hawaiʻi. Athletic Director Elliott said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the top of the Mountain West, and strengthen community ties. He said the department wants to preserve the educational focus while adapting to a system in which student-athletes can share in revenue. Elliott explained that UH is seeking a $5 million annual NIL fund, is fundraising through the community and the “Boost the Bose” account, and is also pursuing individual NIL deals, corporate sponsorship-related deals, and licensing opportunities. In response to Senator Kim’s question, he said NIL compensation can come through two tracks: institutional payments within the department’s discretion and outside deals that must be reviewed for market value under the new reporting system. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there for for us all to ride in.
• These have much lower than that, and so they're ideal for applications where you're operating at high
• </c> used for shielding EMPs. used for shielding EMPs.
• purity</c> graphite, high, very, very high purity graphite, high, very, very high purity graphite<00
• If I see nothing else in front of our committee, uh, I hope for a motion to adjourn. Motion. Second.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:58 Approval of Minutes 03:05 Member Comments 03:18 Nanotechnologies in Energy 06:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee met and approved the minutes, then heard announcements and introductions from members and guests, including an invitation to an East Kentucky trail ride opening and welcomes for new EPIC and Kentucky Coal Association representatives and several constituents. After the opening business, the committee turned to a presentation on nanotechnology and energy applications by Rodney Andrews of the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research. Andrews explained how nanoscale materials behave differently because of their size and surface area, and described uses in consumer products, batteries, solar panels, catalysts, coatings, sensors, and energy storage. Members asked about the relationship between nanomaterials and coal, and Andrews said carbon nanotubes can be made from coal-derived hydrocarbons, which members noted as an opportunity for Kentucky’s coal and manufacturing sectors. He also discussed work on improved solar coatings, more stable perovskites, fuel-processing catalysts, hydrogen storage, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, electromagnetic shielding, and conductive yarns and fabrics. The presentation also covered more advanced applications such as thermoelectric textiles, power transmission materials, thermal transport composites for aerospace, nanofluids for cooling, and fusion reactor shielding. In the final discussion, members raised questions about electromagnetic pulse protection and quantum computing; Andrews said the materials discussed could absorb and spread energy and that shielding applications may help with EMPs, while quantum computing remains limited by extremely low operating temperatures. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even us, we're reevaluating if that's too high of a number. For contract slots.
• For infant care? For a large family child care home.
• for families.
• However, for needed services that fall outside of RAP, we... ...which will pay for high-fidelity RAP.
• So thank you for having supported that before, and we're hoping that you continue to support it so that

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] Everyone, and thank you for being here. Uh, everyone, and thank you for being here.
• Uh, actually, he has a hearing. the edge of my seat waiting for the DPS the edge of my seat waiting for
• </c> hearing thank you Senator Dibble for hearing thank you Senator Dibble for letting<00:01:02.000><
• This is the five-year roadmap for making Minnesota roads safer, and it is up for renewal.
• </c><00:08:27.479><c> high-speed</c><00:08:28.159><c> rural</c> Target those high-risk high-speed rural

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were hoping that we would have a plan for the seven states, but the upper basin states are not agreeing
• I have a question for Trent. But members, any questions that you guys have for him?
• And then we can do estimates for budgeting purposes for that.
• There's $38 million for capital, $12 million for state building repairs, and $26 million for replacing
• continuing one-time funding for high-need clients in the DD program.

Bills: HB2053 , HB2116 , HB2148

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: stormwater, recharge mapping, water resources, groundwater, appropriation, Arizona, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation, state budget, interstate water compact, Colorado River Compact, water litigation, A.R.S. 45-119, natural resources, water policy, river management

Transcript Highlights:

• high school for four years and I was a first-year showman and showed lambs.
• high school for four years and I was a first year showman and I showed lambs.
• And you have to be ready for that. You have to plan for it. You have to communicate for it.
• Fiscal year 2025 has shown a continued high level of interest in our water quality program for agriculture
• Fiscal year 2025 has shown a continued high level of interest in our water quality program for agriculture

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee began by approving the minutes from February 12, 2026, and then briefly recognized Idaho FFA state officers and Hadley Brown, a Homedale student who had won the national FFA creed speaking contest. The officers described FFA’s classroom, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience model, their statewide leadership events, community service hours, and the value of agricultural education. Brown then recited the FFA Creed and discussed the competition process from chapter to national level, drawing praise from committee members. The committee then heard House Bill 503, which would place the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission within the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Representative Dustin Manwaring said the bill was intended to improve administrative efficiency, reduce duplication, and save about $107,000 while preserving the commission’s non-regulatory, locally led mission. Testimony from the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts said they had initially had concerns but were now neutral or supportive because Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 would reaffirm the commission’s independence and voluntary conservation role. Director Matt Weaver said the process had been credible and that the merger could work if statutory duties and resources were preserved. The committee voted to send HB 503 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, introduced by Representative Steve Miller, who spoke about his long background in agriculture and conservation districts and argued that local control and independence were essential. Members emphasized that the resolution should accompany HB 503 to protect the commission’s mission. The committee voted to send SCR 115 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, committee members received a report from the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts on district services, conservation programs, and budget needs, including CREP, WACPA, and local project funding. The Idaho Wheat Commission also presented its annual update on grower-funded research, market development, education, export activity, and challenges facing wheat producers, including low prices, high input costs, misinformation about wheat, and farmer mental health. The meeting adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that's a high barrier for an employee to know what that is.
• So what was presented to me did not persuade me to want to change that. that's a high barrier for an
• employee that's a high barrier for an employee to<00:50:57.920><c> know</c><00:50:58.319><c> what</c>
• I do, for some reason, it's a lower standard for me.
• I do, for some reason, it's a lower standard for me.

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Brandon Shippey, Senator for District 9, which is Washington County, Payette
• Are there questions for Senator Shippey? Senator Harris. Mr. Chairman, for motion.
• Ask for your introduction of the legislation. Thank you, Pro Tem, Senator Bunt. For a motion?
• So there is a very high likelihood, there's no guarantee, but a very, very high likelihood that...
• I hope that we all have a safe weekend.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We should, if we're being honest, want to protect care for the disabled, for seniors, for those dying
• We must stand for our values and stand for reproductive health care and for healthy communities.
• This change will result in high-cost GLP-1 products being used for weight loss to be removed from the
• Yes, for the freeze on enrollment for Medi-Cal expansion for adults 19 and older in the budget year,
• So for...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and thank you, everyone, for joining us for this meeting.
• I hope it has because more rooms, more space is available for people to occupy.
• But for the community benefit, for the neighbor's benefit, it's not a benefit for them.
• delivering the portal, the downtown rail extension for Caltrain and high-speed rail into downtown San
• rail extension for Caltrain and high-speed rail into downtown San Francisco.

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several housing, water, labor, and local governance bills. AB 1621, by Assembly Member Wilson, would tighten timelines and limit repeated plan checks in post-entitlement housing permitting; supporters said it would reduce delays and costs, while cities and counties opposed or sought amendments over concerns about health-and-safety review and litigation risk. AB 2005 would expand SB 9 lot-split eligibility to certain owners using trusts or LLCs and allow partnerships with small builders; supporters framed it as a homeownership tool, while Realtors and others warned it would weaken SB 9’s owner-occupancy guardrails and invite speculative development. AB 2397 would create a financing tool for rural housing infrastructure districts, with the author and a developer witness saying it would help projects secure roads, water, and sewer funding. The committee also considered AB 2180, which would clarify Proposition 218 rate-setting standards for public water agencies. Water agencies, cities, counties, and other local entities supported the bill as a response to conflicting court decisions and rising litigation, while taxpayer and consumer opponents argued the Legislature should not intervene while the issue is pending before the California Supreme Court and warned the bill could weaken constitutional protections against cost shifting. After debate, the committee voted 3-2 to send AB 2180 to the Senate floor. AB 1838 would require bidders on public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations; labor groups supported it as a transparency and worker-protection measure, while contractors opposed it as burdensome and likely to reduce competition. The committee voted 2-2 on the bill, leaving it open. Members also heard AB 2134, which would allow local elected officials to take parental leave without publicly disclosing private medical or family information in order to avoid removal for missed meetings; it received broad support and passed unanimously to Judiciary. AB 2308 would extend an existing tax-increment financing timeline for the San Francisco Transbay/portal project, and AB 2397 advanced on a unanimous vote. After the hearing, the committee later took up the bills on call and reported most of them out, including AB 1621, AB 2005, AB 2134, AB 2308, and AB 2397, while AB 1838 remained tied and AB 2180 was sent forward on a divided vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The City of Moses Lake is proud to be an emerging center for advanced and high-tech manufacturing, and
• for no-cost allowance reductions. ...that for Ecology to come back in October with recommendations for
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for answering our questions.
• must consider the high capital cost for decarbonization strategies specific to the food processing industry
• For those of you who have come out and visited our facility, we hope you enjoyed the visit.

Bills: SB6172 , SB6246 , SB5932

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: Washington climate policy, greenhouse gas, GHG emissions, cap-and-invest, carbon market, emissions trading, allowances, covered entity, coal-fired power plant, coal plant, electric utility, electric generating facility, fossil fuels, natural gas, imported electricity, emissions leakage, air pollution, renewable energy transition, industrial emissions, railroad emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• "Gentleman from Pennsylvania is recognized for four minutes." 45 and those at high risk.
• for young and high-risisk and education for young and high-risisk women.<03:55:41.840><c> Breast</c>
• Every one of these breakthroughs carries the hope for a brighter tomorrow for individuals living with
• To everyone living with ALS who has advocated for this bill, I hope today's vote shows that Congress
• and big dreams. advocated for this bill, I hope today's advocated for this bill, I hope today's vote

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, what do we have for, who do we have for testifiers?
• Thank you for being here and for sharing.
• As we approach two years, I ask you to do this for me, do this for Noah, and do this for the countless
• And so for now I’m a no, and I’m hoping that we have that conversation to move forward, and my vote could
• Well, that for them and for their clerks, I would presume.

Bills: SB1095 , SB1127 , SB1170 , SB1208 , SB1211 , SB1237 , SB1239 , SB1240 , SB1243 , SB1244 , SB1259 , SB1283

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: gender transition, minors, irreversible surgery, health professionals, puberty-blocking drugs, medical procedures, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, reporting abuse, child neglect, mandatory reporting, child safety, medical treatment, faith exemptions, penalties, narcotic drugs, fentanyl, sentencing, drug offenses, juvenile justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have figures for the number of children that has been tested with high blood levels of lead in
• high um for people have gone up really high um for people entering<02:53:17.000><c> the</c><02:53:17.160
• /c><03:33:41.920><c> I</c><03:33:42.319><c> received</c><03:33:42.600><c> a</c> tested high for lead
• um and I received a tested high for lead um and I received a lot<03:33:42.920><c> of</c><03:33:43.080
• for</c><04:19:18.760><c> the</c> you state your name for the for the you state your name for the for

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division III work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services budget. Department staff said Public Health has a relatively small budget compared with other DHHS divisions, is supported mostly by federal and other non-General funds, and contains nearly 100 accounting units and more than 50 federal grants. They emphasized that the governor’s budget did not include significant cuts, but that federal funding uncertainty and the winding down of pandemic-era resources were major factors affecting the division. The division also explained that some apparent budget growth reflects reorganizations, including moving the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and some programs from other DHHS divisions into Public Health. The presentation described Public Health’s mission as serving the entire state through food and water safety, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, WIC, community health center support, and public health data collection. Members asked about bird flu, and staff explained that human-health response would involve Public Health’s lab, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness units, while animal-health issues are handled with the Department of Agriculture; they also noted ongoing milk testing requested by FDA and USDA. The division said its organizational structure includes bureaus for Family Health and Nutrition, Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Protection, Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Wellness, Statistics and Informatics, and Public Health Laboratories, with about a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members questioned whether the division’s budget and staffing had really grown since pre-COVID, and staff responded that full-time authorized staffing is about the same as in 2018, with the increase largely due to federal pandemic funding that has since receded and to program transfers between divisions. They said Public Health’s General Fund share is about $24 million out of roughly $1.1 billion in DHHS General Fund spending, or about 2.2% of the department total. Members also asked about the 3,000-position cap and unfunded positions; staff explained that the cap remains in chapter law through June 30, 2025, that 394 positions were unfunded in the governor’s budget, and that the division expects flexibility to move money from personnel lines and fill unfunded positions to manage changing needs. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Apologies for running late. We are waiting for Ms.
• But again, recognize and thank all of you for what you are looking for.
• Thank you for that.
• Thank you for that. Thank you very much Dr. Patel for that question.
• Thank you all for being here and for presenting and for answering questions.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that's our hopes for sure.
• California wines and grapes are known all over the world for the unique flavors and high quality, thanks
• California wines and grapes are known all over the world for the unique flavors and high quality, thanks
• our kids, for our communities, and for our visitors.
• With zero hope or expectation of it being granted today, we ask for a no vote on AB 1807.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with extensive testimony and debate. AB 2507 by Assembly Member Wynn would strengthen state consultation with federally recognized tribal governments by requiring clearer tribal liaison roles, a tribal advisory committee, and more consistent early engagement across agencies. Support came from Wilton Rancheria and the California Tribal Business Alliance, with members praising the bill as improving respect, coordination, and outcomes for tribes. AB 2024, also by Wynn, would require the Outdoor Advertising Act permitting process to reach a determination on submitted applications, aimed at reducing delays and uncertainty; it drew support from the outdoor advertising industry and the California Association of Realtors, with members describing it as a technical cleanup measure. Both bills were later moved to Appropriations, along with a consent calendar of several other measures. AB 1585 by Assembly Member Connolly would require wine labeled as American to be made from 100% American-grown grapes, aligning the federal “American” label with California’s existing 100% state-origin standard. Supporters, including California wine grape growers, family wineries, consumer advocates, and several local agricultural groups, argued the bill would improve truth in labeling and help struggling growers. Opponents from major wine companies and industry groups warned it could reduce flexibility, create labeling complications, and limit the ability to list varietal and vintage on some blended wines. After a lengthy debate over labeling standards, consumer expectations, and impacts on interstate wine sales, the committee passed the bill to Appropriations. AB 1605 by Assembly Member Ransom would allow judges to place a no-alcohol-sales notice on the licenses of repeat or serious DUI offenders, restricting their ability to purchase alcohol as a preventive measure. Supporters, including the California Police Chiefs Association, the Safe California Roads Coalition, and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, said the bill would give courts another tool to reduce recidivism and save lives. Retailers and restaurant representatives raised concerns about implementation and ID-checking burdens, but the bill was amended and passed to Appropriations. AB 2211 by Assembly Member Hoover, which would allow craft distillers to operate a second tasting room, also advanced with support from the California Distillers Association. Finally, AB 1578 by Assembly Member Jackson, presented by Assembly Member Solache, would require anti-hate speech training for local and state elected officials; it drew strong opposition over First Amendment and definitional concerns, and members pressed for a clearer definition of hate speech before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks for being...
• Thank you for the invitation to appear before you today and for accommodating my schedule.
• Proximity is critical for the people that they care for.
• seniors, for veterans, for workers, for health care workers.
• Well, thank you so much for your time, and thank you for being with us today and for your partnership

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.