Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests are asked to remain standing and join with me in pledging allegiance to the flag of
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted resolutions honoring the partnership between Quebec and Massachusetts and congratulating Lynx Incorporated on its 75th anniversary. The House also approved orders extending reporting deadlines for the Judiciary Committee and the Revenue Committee, and adopted a special procedures order for consideration of House No. 5151, the energy, affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness bill. The chamber then acted on local legislation. House Bill 4272, authorizing the town of Hudson to grant an additional off-premises wine and malt beverages license, was passed to be enacted. Senate Bill 1898, authorizing the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in Plainville, was also passed to be enacted. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn and set its next meeting for 11 a.m. the following day in formal session. A Democratic caucus was announced for noon in rooms A1 and A2.

Transcript Highlights:

• All members, guests, and staff will please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several orders related to constitutional amendment proposals. It adopted orders calling for joint sessions to consider a proposal on agricultural and horticultural lands (Senate No. 11), a proposal to cap the state income tax (Senate No. 12, reported ought not to pass), and a proposal to require a majority vote to use Rainy Day funds (Senate No. 13, also reported ought not to pass). The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to the appropriate committees. The chamber adopted a resolution offered by Senator Lewis congratulating Fire Chief Gregory Burns of Reading on his retirement. Later, the Senate received a recognition from the Plymouth and Norfolk delegation welcoming the Duxbury High School cheerleading team and coaches, honoring their 2024 MIAA state championship in the large school co-ed division. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael's group to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed St. Michael’s School from Fall River, including its eighth-grade graduating class, as guests. The session then moved through several routine matters from the Committee on Rules, including resolutions honoring the Egan Foundation’s IgA nephropathy awareness day, commemorating Danvers’ 1776 meeting anniversary, congratulating two Eagle Scouts, and recognizing the Swansea Fire Department’s 100th anniversary. All of those resolutions were adopted by voice vote, and the House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a petition on firefighting staffing to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. The House next acted on matters reported by the Committee on Steering Policy and Scheduling, advancing a Senate bill authorizing print-free digital legal notices in Newton and a House bill naming a segment of Route 20 the Broder Curve. Both bills were ordered to a third reading. The House then passed to enact House No. 4842, clarifying the organization of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board. Later, the House passed to engrossment House No. 3645, designating a portion of Route 7A in Lenox as the Ross B. Dindio Memorial Highway. It also considered House No. 4604, which directs the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for Louisa Fernandez; an amendment making the act effective upon passage was adopted, and the bill was then passed to engrossment as amended. The House adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in order, members and guests are asked to remain standing and join me in pledging allegiance to the flag
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted a resolution congratulating Jeffrey P. Lynch on his retirement from the Medway Fire Department, and it also adopted two orders extending until March 18, 2026, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on current House documents. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a group of bills for House consideration, including measures on subprime loans, Registry of Motor Vehicles procedures for surviving spouses and next of kin, motor vehicle distributors, banning tinted license plate covers, councils on aging, and two sick leave banks. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills through second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House then considered House No. 3952, authorizing Dartmouth Fire District Number One to appoint the position of treasurer, and passed the bill to be engrossed. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned to meet then in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• All members, guests, and staff will rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
• “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up several routine matters, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and then considering a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for Antonio Pierce (Senate No. 27). The Senate suspended the rules, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed. The chamber also approved final passage of House No. 4565, an act establishing a special recognition for Marie Lantra, an employee of the Department of Transitional Assistance, and the bill was laid before the Governor for approval. The Senate then received House No. 4814, a bill authorizing the town of Westwood to reissue certain alcohol licenses and grant additional off-premises alcohol licenses. On motion of Senator Tarr, the rules were suspended to consider the matter forthwith, and the bill was ordered to a third reading. No objections were raised to any of these procedural actions. The session also included recognition of two retiring Boxford public safety communications employees, Warren Edward Gould and Ronald, with remarks praising the importance of dispatchers and communications staff in public safety. The Senate adopted an order to adjourn to meet again on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and our guests, please join us in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a resolution congratulating the town of Kingston on its 300th anniversary after suspending the rules. The chamber also recognized the 2025 cheerleading squad captains and coaches for winning the MSAA small co-ed division championship and being named grand champions, as well as the Franklin High School girls’ varsity volleyball team for winning the MIAA Division I championship. The House received a gubernatorial message submitting fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations requests, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition authorizing eminent domain in Norwood, referring that matter to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then placed several local bills on the calendar, including measures for Plainville, Milford, Westboro, Revere, and Hopedale. Those local bills were taken up on second reading and ordered to a third reading. The House also considered Senate amendment House 4171, concerning vacancies among town meeting members in Milford; the amendment was reported correctly drawn, the House concurred, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• All members, guests, and staff will please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up several House messages and routine matters. It ordered to a third reading House No. 360A, designating a bridge in Hoppington as the Major General Frank D. Merrill Memorial Bridge, and referred a House petition on military creditable service for judges to the Committee on Public Service after suspending Joint Rule 12. The chamber also welcomed Brimmer and May School Global Studies Diploma Program students to the State House. The Committee on Ways and Means reported Senate No. 2542, the bill to build resilience in Massachusetts communities, ought to pass with a new draft, Senate No. 3050, authorizing $3,642,645,000 in bonds. The Senate adopted an order setting the bill for second reading on April 15, 2026, with amendments due electronically by April 10, 2026, and providing for immediate third reading and engrossment after amendment. The date in the order was later clarified from April 16 to April 15. The Senate also passed to be enacted Senate No. 859, amending the charter of the Town of Sandwich, and House No. 3233, authorizing Springfield to appropriate funds to help certain residents meet local tax obligations. The session concluded with an order to meet again the next day at 11:00 a.m., followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please remain standing and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Pastor Craig McLean of Grace Church in Eden Prairie, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call establishing a quorum. The journal from the previous legislative day was approved as corrected, and comparison report motions were adopted without objection. The chamber then took up second reading of Senate File 3720 and first reading of House Files 5134 through 5139. A report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration placed several bills on the calendar for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and required pre-filing of amendments for House Files 7474, 5074, and 3067, and Senate File 4282. No substantive debate on the bills occurred in the excerpt. During announcements, Representative Niska said the Rules Committee would meet in Capitol G3 five minutes after recess, and Republicans would caucus immediately afterward. Representative Niska then moved a recess to the call of the Speaker, the motion carried, and the House recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please remain standing and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing to join us in the flag salute.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please remain standing and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America United States of America, and to the

Transcript Highlights:

• Please remain standing and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please remain standing and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands

Transcript Highlights:

• That seems like a red flag to me that we should possibly look at that more.
• Miller did, it raises a flag in the system. So, Mr. Speaker, I'm going to request a roll call vote.
• Miller did it raises a flag in as Ms. Miller did it raises a flag in the<01:59:23.679> system.
• that are challenged have been flagged that are challenged have been flagged because<02:00:23.679
• though they're flagged though they're flagged that<02:00:38.800> they<02:00:39.040> can't

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4240, an elections administration bill, was introduced as a package of updates to absentee voting, statewide voter registration system use, early voting procedures, recordkeeping, removal of outdated statutory language, and reimbursement for municipalities and counties that administer certain special elections. The author, Rep. Freiberg, described the bill as a modernization and efficiency measure that would clarify procedures while maintaining election security. Several amendments were adopted. The A4 amendment, offered by Rep. Freiberg, was described as aligning language with the Senate and passed without objection. The A6 amendment, offered by Rep. Cosnik, would give school districts more direction on polling locations for special elections in multi-county districts; Rep. Lee raised concerns that it could affect many districts statewide and questioned whether it applied to early voting, while Rep. Cosnik said it was narrowly tailored and intended to prevent disenfranchisement. Rep. Freiberg and Rep. Lee both said they would support it as a voter-access measure despite possible costs, and it was adopted. The A5 amendment, offered by Rep. Schultz, would require the Secretary of State to provide voter information to the U.S. Department of Justice upon request for civil-rights and federal voting-law enforcement; it was debated at length, with supporters framing it as election integrity and opponents arguing it would jeopardize voter privacy and could be used by the Trump administration to pressure Minnesota. The amendment was adopted after a roll call request. The debate on A5 was especially contentious, with Republicans arguing the state should cooperate with federal efforts to clean voter rolls and Democrats arguing the DOJ had overreached, mishandled civil-rights investigations, and sought voter data without a lawful need. Members on both sides cited voter fraud, privacy, and federal-state election authority, and several speakers referenced recent DOJ actions and court disputes. The transcript ends during further discussion of the federal role in elections, with no final disposition on the underlying bill shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who's flagging those and when are they flagging them?
• 02:41:39.280> violating says interactions flagged as violating says interactions flagged as violating
• Who's flagging those and this section.
• Who's flagging those and when<02:41:42.720> are<02:41:42.880> they<02:41:43.040> flagging
• I think is when are they flagging them?

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal. Members then made several announcements about upcoming committee meetings, including Appropriations, Agriculture/Water/Natural Resources, State/Civic/Military/Veterans Affairs, and Finance. The chamber also observed a moment of silence honoring the 13 victims of the Columbine High School shooting on its anniversary, with names read into the record. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 19, which celebrates Colorado’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, supports stronger trade and academic ties, supports the double-taxation agreement, and endorses Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Supporters highlighted Colorado exports, especially beef, and the long-standing economic and democratic ties between Colorado and Taiwan. The resolution passed on a 60-yes vote with five excused. The House then moved into special orders, including House Bill 1346, which would allow the Department of the Treasury to use a third-party purchaser to sell remaining insurance premium tax credits. Supporters argued the bill would help fully place the credits and avoid a revenue shortfall, while opponents criticized it as a form of borrowing against future revenue and market gaming. After debate, House Bill 1346 passed. The chamber also began consideration of Senate Bill 40, a Prop 123 cleanup bill related to affordable home ownership and land banking. Amendments L16 and L17 passed, while amendment L18, which would have required more reporting on project costs and outcomes, failed. Debate on the bill centered on housing affordability, program flexibility, and whether the state is effectively measuring results.

Transcript Highlights:

• All members, guests, and staff will please rise to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first took up several local bills and resolutions. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate No. 1831, providing line-of-duty death benefits for the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy of Rutland, and passed to be engrossed House bills concerning police officer age requirements in Haverhill, Newton, and Stoneham, including exemptions for named individuals and a local age-waiver measure. The chamber also adopted congratulatory resolutions for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and for the Italian Consulate in Boston on Italian National Day. The Senate then considered House No. 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in the Senate’s amendment and appointed conferees. On motion, the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a committee of conference. The chamber also referred a House petition on a temporary liquor-license/public-consumption pilot to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology after suspending Joint Rule 12. A major floor debate centered on Senate No. 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide records in the clarified scope while preserving constitutional objections to broader requests; opponents argued the Senate should comply more fully and seek the court’s guidance earlier. After a roll call, the resolution was adopted 33-6. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of William F. “Bill” Howard of Beverly and adjourned until the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests, please rise and join me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of
• Please rise and join me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and received a resignation letter from Rep. Fana Howard of Lowell, effective March 17, 2026, as she transitioned to the Senate. The chamber then took up several procedural orders, including multiple unanimous or voice-vote suspensions of rules and concurrence with Senate petitions, such as referrals on housing and student transportation matters, and a suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition involving children served by DCF. The main substantive item was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. Members discussed its use of Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, including major support for the MBTA, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and child care, snow and ice costs, regional transit authorities, and other deficiencies such as GIC and sheriff costs. Members also explained the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to recent federal tax changes, with debate over whether to delay conformity to limit state revenue exposure. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill and then passed it to be engrossed by roll call vote, 150-3. The House also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Several local bills were advanced, including a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee, a bill waiving the minimum age requirement for a Boston police officer, a Nantucket charter bill, a Stoneham public safety bill, and a Malden special police officers bill, the last of which was amended before being engrossed. The chamber also considered Amendment 43 to redistribute $100 million of Fair Share revenue more evenly to municipalities for roads and education; supporters argued the current distribution favored statewide priorities over local aid, while opponents said the formula would not adequately address rural road needs. That amendment was rejected 128-25. The House then recessed several times, observed moments of silence for local public servants, welcomed visiting youth sports teams, and finally ordered adjournment to meet the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests are asked to remain standing and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America...
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a Rules Committee resolution commending the National Alliance for Children’s Grief for Children’s Grief Awareness Day. It also concurred in several Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including proposals on manufactured home insurance costs, firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program, Medicare coverage for end-stage renal disease, and short-term rental building inspections. The chamber then took up several bills and local matters. It advanced and later enacted measures including a workplace violence prevention bill for health care employers, a bill amending use restrictions at Foxborough State Hospital, a bill authorizing disposal of certain Upton land, a sick leave bank for Amy Tangway, and local bills for Ipswich, Palmer, Wareham, North Carver Water District, Lowell easements, and Westford agricultural preservation restrictions. The House also adopted a resolution rescinding prior Massachusetts Article 5 Convention applications, with Rep. Peisch explaining that the measure would withdraw old state requests for a constitutional convention; the resolution passed 155-3. Much of the floor debate focused on House 4767, the workplace violence prevention bill. Supporters, including Reps. Lawn, Kane, and Fields, described frequent assaults and threats against health care workers, cited injury statistics, and said the bill would require facility-specific risk assessments, prevention plans, training, incident reporting, and paid leave for injured workers. An amendment narrowing language about covered workers was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by roll call 158-0 before later final enactment. The House also heard a commemorative resolution recognizing the Iwagua, Taino, Lukyu, and Cario Tribal Nations and other Taino tribes and their heritage in the Commonwealth, with Leader González and other members speaking in support. Several final passage votes were taken by roll call or voice vote, with the bills and emergency preambles adopted and the House adjourning to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could we all please stand, face the American flag.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing with opening remarks from Senate Chair John Cronin and House Chair Dan Cahill, followed by member introductions and instructions limiting testimony to three minutes. The committee first heard testimony on S. 2743, an act addressing staged suicides. Elizabeth Sherin Feiner of Jewish Family and Children’s Service and later Susan Altman, a domestic violence advocate, described cases in which deaths initially treated as accidents or suicides were later found to be homicides, arguing the bill would improve training, investigation protocols, and accountability in deaths involving domestic abuse. Committee members asked about current police and medical examiner practices, and one member noted that sudden-death determinations are handled by the chief medical examiner in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on S. 2861, a special commission to examine school bus safety, led by Representative Sabadosa and Amanda Taylor, whose daughter Summer Steel was killed in a school bus door incident. Taylor urged adoption of anti-pinch sensor technology on new buses, saying it could have prevented her daughter’s death. Representative Sabadosa and later a Mazur USA representative supported the bill, explaining that anti-pinch and anti-drag technologies are already used in other transportation sectors and could prevent similar tragedies. The hearing also included discussion of costs and the fact that the proposal would apply prospectively to buses manufactured going forward. Finally, the committee heard testimony on S. 3021, updating Massachusetts student transportation. Ever-Driven Technologies and Chamber of Progress supported the bill, saying it would modernize Section 7D requirements for smaller passenger vehicles used for alternative student transportation while keeping core safety standards in place. They argued the change would help districts serve students experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or with disabilities, reduce costs, and expand transportation options amid a statewide transportation crisis. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing to join us in the flag salute.
• bit of American pride and please recite the Pledge of Allegiance with me: I pledge allegiance to the flag
• Beneath every flag and every border, people are looking for the same things: joy, connection, and something

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and completed routine opening business, including the prayer, pledge, journal approval, and several unanimous-consent procedural motions to suspend rules, re-refer bills, and adjust committee notices. Members also introduced guests, including anesthesia residents, a legislator’s son, and a legislative intern. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 118 welcoming the 2026 FIFA World Cup to California; members spoke in support of the event’s international, cultural, and economic significance, and the resolution received 64 co-authors before passing by voice vote. On the daily file, the Assembly passed and retained or continued a number of second- and third-reading items, then adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 193 proclaiming 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Supporters highlighted women’s role in California agriculture, including farm ownership, production, and leadership, and the resolution received 69 co-authors before adoption. The Assembly also adopted ACR 210 establishing a sister-state relationship with Gauteng, South Africa, with members citing economic ties, educational exchange, and existing partnerships such as an MOU with Sacramento State; it received 65 co-authors before passage. The second-day consent calendar was adopted 73-0 after item 46 was removed, and the remaining consent items passed unanimously. The chamber then observed adjournment-in-memory tributes for Norman L. Ford, Jr. and James McCain, Sr., with family members present in the gallery. The session concluded with announcements about budget-related business and the schedule for the next meeting, then adjourned until Monday, June 15, upon the call of the Speaker.