Transcript Highlights:

• President, I request a moment of personal privilege. >> Granted. >> I would like to start by introducing
• /c> immediately applicable after high immediately applicable after high school.<00:32:54.880><c> Budgeting
• Budgeting, banking, credit, school.
• Budgeting, banking, credit, interest,<00:32:57.120><c> debt,</c><00:32:57.519><c> and</c><00:32:58.000
• Committee will be joining the health committee today and presenting the governor's budget.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So agencies weren’t budgeting for wide use of AI.
• I would say our current budget cycles are very long.
• , I don’t know what to budget for, how to budget for today, if it’s going to hit next biennium or if
• I would say our current budget cycles are very long.
• , I don't know what to budget for, how to budget for today, if it's going to hit next biennium or if

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sunset provision, which is customary within the committee, and the legislature voted in the FY22 budget
• So, in closing, we respectfully request that the committee report favorably on Senate Bill 1963 and House
• And this is something that the... ...pro bono case, and this is something that is in the state budget
• every year in Massachusetts and is in no other state budget in the country.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on bills related to income and estates, with Chairs James Eldridge and Adrian Madaro presiding and members participating in person and virtually. The committee explained hearing procedures, written testimony deadlines, and the new joint rules for acting on bills. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was increasing Massachusetts 529 college savings deductions, through House Bill 3151 and Senate Bill 2066. Brad Freeman of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts testified in support, saying the current deduction has encouraged more families to save for college and should be expanded to match other states. He argued the change would help middle-income families and noted the original deduction was designed with a revenue offset and later made permanent. The committee also heard support for House Bill 3010 and Senate Bill 1963, which would exclude the federal Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from Massachusetts taxable income. Beth McGuinness and Lindsay Rooney of the Massachusetts Service Alliance said the tax creates a burden for AmeriCorps members, many of whom have low incomes and use the award directly for tuition or student loans, and that removing the tax would aid recruitment and retention. Another bill, House Bill 3062 on settlements of tax liability, drew testimony from a taxpayer, a tax practitioner, and a legal aid attorney who described the current offer-in-settlement process as too restrictive and underused; they urged changes to make tax debt resolution more equitable and more consistent with federal practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to read a statement and request that it be put under the journal.
• is my right and obligation to engage the lawmaking process, from bill drafting to protesting the budget
• These unethical, unjust... ...budget negotiation.
• Where's the fire on this budget and this bill? There's no fire. This doesn't need an emergency.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through introductions of guests and several ceremonial recognitions. Guests included a local justice of the peace, the doctor of the day, McDonald’s representatives visiting for the All-American Games, and AFL-CIO members at the Capitol. Senators also read proclamations recognizing Lobo Week in support of the Mexican gray wolf and McDonald’s All-American Games Week, highlighting the economic and charitable impact of McDonald’s in Arizona and the importance of wolf recovery efforts. During floor business, Senator Gonzalez submitted a statement criticizing Senate rules as undemocratic and unconstitutional, particularly in relation to House Bill 2072 and broader chamber procedures. The Senate then took up a motion by Senator Mesnard to reconsider House Bill 2874, which had previously passed third reading. After a division vote, the motion to reconsider passed 16-12. House Bill 2874, relating to campaign contributions and expenses, was then brought back for third reading. Senator Gonzalez spoke against the emergency clause, arguing there was no emergency and objecting to the bill’s reconsideration process. The Senate voted to pass HB 2874 on reconsideration without the emergency clause and ordered it transmitted to the House. The chamber also noted that Senate Bills 1125 and 1415 had been transmitted to the governor, announced upcoming caucus and committee meetings, and adjourned until Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This sends a message to Washington that declares opposition to Medicare privatization and requests that
• Both these programs have been funded through proviso and the state budget for some time: the one with
• Lakewood since 2002, the one with the City of Medical Lake since 2017, a particularly good operating budget
• The City of Medical Lake since 2017, a particularly good operating budget that year.

Summary: The committee first approved moving Senate Bills 5067 and 5758 from the X-file to the white sheet. It then advanced a long series of measures from the white sheet to the floor calendar, including SB 5067 on impaired driving (lowering the per se BAC threshold from 0.08 to 0.05), SJM 8002 opposing Medicare privatization, ESSB 5061 on annual prevailing wage adjustments for public works contracts, SB 5855 restricting unlawful face coverings by law enforcement, SB 5865 updating garnishment forms for variable pay schedules, and SB 5081 clarifying remote vehicle starting on streets. Also advanced were ESSB 5268 on 12 months of community custody for unlawful firearm possession, SB 5272 on school event safety and interference penalties, SCR 8406 on civic health, SB 5000 making “the Evergreen State” the official nickname, SB 5500 modernizing Working Connections Child Care reimbursement rates, ESSB 5105 addressing digitally altered sexually explicit depictions of minors, and SSB 5156 on elevator standards. Additional measures moved forward included SJM 8006 asking the state Supreme Court to reinstate and expand the limited licensed legal technician program, SB 5325 designating the Columbia Plateau cactus as the state cactus, SB 5286 creating a community partnership policing program for Medical Lake and Eastern State Hospital while recognizing the existing Lakewood/Western State Hospital partnership, and SB 5937 concerning smart access systems in residential properties under the Landlord-Tenant Act. Several members briefly explained their bills, with some noting bipartisan support, prior committee approval, or existing budget provisos. The only recorded substantive opposition came from Senator King, who said he had concerns that SB 5067 might not achieve its intended safety outcomes. Most other motions were adopted by voice vote with no further debate. The meeting ended after a brief clarification that one motion should have been to the second-and-third-reading calendar, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• inspect food establishments in counties that do not have health districts, or in health districts that request
• There have already been budget components previously approved earlier in the session for both NDA and
• Finally, with the approved budget piece already in place, the NDA will receive additional staff who are
• Agriculture to determine the appropriate mix of revenue sources, such as reviewing current fees, state budgets

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did a public information request, For example, from 2018 to 2023, we did a public information request
• Show us how you're going to budget this.
• They have a $0 budget.
• So, at the Chairman's request, I'll be brief.
• Um, worth 11% of your budget?

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DCF now, this is the budget that moved from DHS, so it's not their entire budget.
• </c> employees um DCF now this is the budget employees um DCF now this is the budget that<00:04:44.000
• That's about 6% of our budget.
• That's about 3% of our budget.
• The governor's budget says this.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are, at the request of the sponsors, holding a few bills, three to be exact. Stand by.
• Some have even labeled police departments as violent and urged rejecting police budgets that prioritize
• We are also now holding, per the sponsor's request until next week, HB 2415, the Kratom Products Bill
• If you show you've done everything, if you've met all these requirements... ...in request to be removed
• Arizona voters have requested we have more timely, secure, and accurate election results.

Bills: HB2109 , HB2168 , HB2198 , HB2226 , HB2415 , HB2440 , HB2665 , HB2805 , HB2811 , HB2825 , HB2857 , HB2874 , HB2966 , HB4067 , HB4117 , HCR2001 , HCR2016 , HCR2051

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, attorney general, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks

Transcript Highlights:

• periods ending on or after January 1st, 2027. >> At DRA's request. >> At DRA's request.
• </c> &gt;&gt; at DRA's request &gt;&gt; at DRA's request &gt;&gt; at<01:51:10.800><c> DRA's</c><01:51
• :11.440><c> request.
• ,</c> response to a Senate senator's request, response to a Senate senator's request, so<04:43:54.400
• </c> basis so that the state can budget. basis so that the state can budget.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a bonding request trying to help them out.
• So I guess my first question... bonding request trying to help them out bonding request trying to help
• I mean, this is going to be a tough year for the budget.
• </c><01:15:35.480><c> I</c> to be a tough year for the budget I to be a tough year for the budget I don't
• Uh, I don't really have a question much—maybe just more of a request.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , considering that your budget, when is your budget implementation?
• So the budget process is year-long. We submit a tentative budget to the state in August.
• The budget process is year-long.
• We submit a tentative budget to the state in August and our final budget in September.
• We've seen the governor's budget proposal, the House budget proposal, and the Senate's budget proposal

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with several measures that were amended and reported favorably, including a strike-all to SB 4 on child protective investigations and specific medical diagnoses, SB 1570 restoring a statewide missing-persons project for individuals with special needs, and SB 182 creating a teacher training and mentoring program for schools needing improvement. Members also advanced SB 794 on APD background screening and support coordination standards, SB 1168 on background screening for athletic coaches and related entities, and SB 214 to let rural special districts pay verified invoices directly for state- and federally funded work. Supporters emphasized improved child welfare investigations, help for families of vulnerable individuals, teacher retention, and better administrative efficiency; the APD bill drew especially strong testimony from waiver clients and providers about the importance of competent support coordinators and stable services. The committee also favorably reported SB 1376 on grants for genetic counseling education, SB 1574 requiring newborn screening for biliary atresia, SB 1510 as the DEP agency package with environmental, septic, water quality, solar, and permitting changes, and SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery licensing and consumer protections. SB 688, after a delete-all amendment, would create licensure for naturopathic doctors and a board of naturopathic medicine; it drew strong support from naturopathic advocates and sharp opposition from a critic who argued the bill would authorize diagnosis and treatment beyond appropriate limits. SB 1318 made a technical change to scholarship account reversion language, with senators clarifying that remaining funds would return to the scholarship funding organization for future use rather than to the state. Later, the committee approved SB 682 on domestic violence and protective injunctions, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local Act iteration expanding affordable housing options and limiting local barriers. It also reported favorably SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria after extensive debate about constitutional issues and modern gang activity, SB 762 allowing cross-jurisdiction assignment of capital cases among regional conflict counsel offices, SB 1332 strengthening career offender registration requirements, SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, and SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The most contentious discussion came on SB 1226, which would overhaul Public Employee Relations Commission rules, require majority support for union certification, and impose new limits on union activities and dues-related practices; members debated constitutional concerns, differences between first responders and other public employees, and the bill’s impact on union representation and public-sector labor rights. Most bills were reported favorably by roll call, with SB 536 drawing several no votes and SB 1226 still under active debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We only give out what people request and want to know because it's not really beneficial to our budget
• They were 75% of our budget when we were founded, and that budget has grown substantially.
• today. uh they were 75% of our budget today. uh they were 75% of our budget<00:40:25.599><c> when</c
• when we were founded and that budget when we were founded and that budget<00:40:27.680><c> you</c><00
• </c> building built um on time and on budget building built um on time and on budget uh<00:47:43.839>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:19 Signage Value & Tourism Growth Along the Hatfield-McCoy Feud Trail 00:03:12 Building a Stronger Community Through Sports 00:32:03, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard a presentation from Pike County/Pikeville tourism officials about improving signage for the Hatfield-McCoy historic sites. Bob Scott, Tony Tacket, and Jay Shepard said visitors increasingly come to the area but often cannot find the sites because cell service and GPS are unreliable in the mountains. They argued that clearer signage along routes 119, 319, and 1056 would help visitors navigate the historic loop, strengthen branding, and increase dwell time and local spending. The Pike County presenters emphasized the economic importance of tourism, citing growth in tourist spending from $72.93 million in 2017 to $103.2 million in 2023 and $114.6 million in 2024. They said tourism helps offset the decline of coal, supports local mom-and-pop businesses, and benefits from partnerships with nearby West Virginia sites such as Matewan and other Hatfield-McCoy-related locations. Members asked about cross-state promotion, lodging capacity, and the possibility of a dinner show in Kentucky; the presenters said lodging is up 33% but more is needed, a new Crown Plaza hotel is planned in Pikeville, and a dinner show would require local investment and community buy-in. Committee members from the region spoke in support of the tourism effort and the need to preserve and teach local history. The chair and others said signage would help visitors and noted that a business without signs is no business. The committee then moved on to a separate presentation from the Louisville Sports Commission, introduced by Senator Jason Howell, which began with an overview of the commission’s role in sports tourism and economic development in Louisville.

Transcript Highlights:

• And more specifically, is there part of the upcoming budget request?
• So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
• So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
• Has this just been through their regular budget that they've just been building this in?
• Other thoughts, committee, or other requests, data?

Summary: The committee met on the Minot State campus for a presentation from President Shirley and several university leaders on enrollment, academics, workforce initiatives, and partnerships. Shirley reviewed the university’s financial audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings in recent years, and highlighted Minot State’s major programs, specialized accreditations, and ties to Minot Air Force Base and NCAA Division II athletics. Members asked about education workforce shortages, athletic tuition waivers, dual credit incentives, and the university’s in-state tuition policy for all students. Shirley also discussed the university’s recruitment efforts, including the Hometown Pride and Academic Excellence scholarships, campus visit growth, and the Emerging Scholars dual-credit reimbursement program. A major focus was workforce development and new academic offerings supported by legislative Workforce Education Innovation Funds. Shirley described the new Innovation Engineering program, which was developed with industry input to train broadly skilled engineers for western North Dakota, and said it had already drawn more applicants than expected. Dr. Crystal St. Peter presented a new master’s program in counseling that integrates mental health and addiction counseling to address statewide provider shortages, with a hybrid format to reach rural students. Members asked about licensure requirements, internship hours, and job placement for graduates. Shirley also outlined a new nursing simulation center and health sciences space in downtown Minot, made possible by state support and the purchase of the former Trinity Health Center West building. The committee also heard about Minot State’s efforts to build pipelines into education and special education, including the Aspire program for rural high school students and an online paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Shirley said these programs, along with new articulation agreements and a large Bush Foundation grant, are intended to address teacher shortages and keep students in North Dakota. No formal committee votes or actions were taken during the presentation; the session consisted of informational updates and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• analyzed the spending of the Fayette County public schools after news of a $16 million projected budget
• shortfall. in the last budget cycle.
• This year, my in the last budget cycle.
• </c> of a $16 million projected budget of a $16 million projected budget shortfall.<00:08:51.120><c>
• Um, how much of a district's budget should go toward administration?

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• will be focusing on discussing the fiscal impact that these bills before us will have on the state's budget
• These bills before us will have on the state's budget and not on the merits of the bill itself.
• I believe it has been provided for in the budget. Thank you. Questions by committee members.
• The fiscal note is near $3 million, and it's not in the budget, so we've asked for a delay in implementation
• We request your help in supporting the fiscal investment needed in primary care reform.

Bills: SB219 , SB9

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: military pension, military retirement pay, veterans, retiree tax relief, income tax exemption, pension exclusion, Delaware income tax, retirement income, state tax subtraction, armed forces retirement, National Guard, Space Force, Coast Guard, NOAA, Public Health Service, taxable income, Title 30, Section 1106, wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met to hear several bills, with members repeatedly reminded to focus on fiscal impacts rather than policy merits. The committee first considered SB 9 on freshwater wetlands, which would combine tidal and non-tidal wetlands programs into one permitting framework; supporters said the bill resulted from a two-year consensus process and that the governor’s office and DENREC would absorb a significant share of the cost. Public testimony was largely supportive, emphasizing flood control and ecosystem services, though one speaker opposed the spending. The committee voted to release SB 9. The committee then heard SB 278 on child care assistance, which would preauthorize summer camp for eligible school-age children and create a separate lower co-payment for half-day care. The sponsor and the YMCA of Delaware said the change would better align family co-pays with provider reimbursement and make before- and after-school care more affordable for working families. The committee also released SB 278, SB 168 on alcohol delivery for package stores, SB 120 on health insurance coverage for certain testing and treatment, and HB 4, a pilot program for artificial intelligence and extended reality in schools; HB 4 was described as having a near-$3 million fiscal note and a one-year implementation delay because it was not funded in the budget. Later, the committee approved SB 219, which gradually increases the military pension income tax exclusion from $12,500 to $25,000 over three years and includes related joint-filing and residency changes. Supporters argued it would help attract and retain military retirees and bring federal dollars into the state. The committee also released SB 1, a major primary care reform bill that would increase primary care spending and implement hospital payment reforms, with projected long-term savings to the state employee health plan, and SB 325, which expands background checks and wrap-back monitoring for fire service personnel and adds an investigator position for the Fire Prevention Commission. In each case, public commenters and committee members generally supported the bills, and all were released from committee by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:09.760><c> records</c> says that you can request records says that you can request records
• </c> or the State offices you can request or the State offices you can request records<00:37:19.480><
• </c> the some school board will get a request the some school board will get a request for<00:43:11.040
• </c> get these records requested get these records requested electronically<00:51:35.720><c> and</c><
• request request but<01:40:54.920><c> there</c><01:40:55.080><c> is</c><01:40:55.199><c> a</c><01:40:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first corrected a procedural issue by revoting on House Bills 98 and 164, which had already been reported out unanimously. HB 98, concerning professional limited liability company assistant managers, was again voted ought to pass by a 16-0 roll call and placed on the consent calendar. HB 164, concerning local records, was reopened because of a fiscal note amendment; the committee adopted Amendment 2025-0087 unanimously and then voted ought to pass as amended 17-0. Because HB 164 goes to Finance, it will not go on consent, and the chair asked for the updated report that night. The committee then took up HR 6, a resolution condemning the judicial doctrine of disparate impact. Representative Manos moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing the resolution overreached because disparate impact is a judicial doctrine and the legislature cannot bind the courts. Representative Cordelli also supported ITL, citing drafting problems and the need for substantial revision, including an outdated reference to the New Hampshire governor. The committee voted 15-2 to ITL the resolution, and it was placed on consent; the chair asked for the report by the end of the day and noted there would be no minority report. Finally, the committee discussed HB 111, which extends the right-to-know ombudsman position. Representative Kuttab offered an amendment to address concerns raised in testimony about discouraging use of the office and shifting attorney-fee burdens; the amendment was adopted 16-1. The committee then voted 15-2 to ought to pass as amended. Supporters said the ombudsman saves money by reducing court filings and should be continued, while opponents argued the office needs restructuring and that additional funding was not justified. The bill will go to Finance, and the chair requested the report by the end of the day. The committee also began discussion of HB 66 and related bills on right-to-know access, with the chair outlining a proposed amendment to limit remote records requests to people with a New Hampshire connection, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here today to request approval to repeal docket number 24-09-01-25.
• With that, I respectfully request approval... ...rules prepared for your consideration.
• I am here today to request approval to repeal docket number 24-1901-2501, starting on page 446 of your
• If there are no questions, I respectfully request the committee's approval to repeal docket number 24
• We have Senator Groh coming in to present on the health and welfare budget sections of it for us.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a reasonable request and it's the appropriate request given the status. >> Recognizing
• Hold on one second. appropriate request given given the appropriate request given given the status.<00
• We really, in this budget crisis with a $70 billion budget and a looming massive deficit, this is not
• budget.
• </c> budget cliff. budget cliff.

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I request the unanimous consent for an expert witness.
• There's a, there's a consent request. There's a request to adopt Senate floor Amendment number 2.
• There's been a request for.
• I wasn't aware of the IPRAA request last year.
• There's been the request by show of hands.