Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, earlier last year, HUD released guidance that changed funding streams.
• There's been a lot of good push from Republicans and Democrats working with HUD to try and iron this
• Uh, basically, most of our supportive housing providers all across the state have contracts with HUD
• </c><00:10:05.120><c> And</c><00:10:05.279><c> so</c><00:10:05.519><c> that</c> hub HUD um to do this
• And so that hub HUD um to do this work.

Transcript Highlights:

• of this amendment would require annual certification for any municipality or public agency receiving HUD
• President, Madam President, I'm sorry, there are times when HUD, the Housing and Urban Development Agency
• municipalities require municipalities to notify the Attorney General and the Board within 30 days if HUD
• of this amendment would require annual certification for any municipality or public agency receiving HUD
• It would also require the Attorney General to monitor municipalities' compliance with HUD and requests

Summary: The Senate opened with recognitions of several young climate advocates visiting the State House and then adopted an adjournment in memory of Nancy Driscoll, with remarks honoring her long public service and family legacy. The chamber then took up Senate No. 2947, An Act Regarding Fair Housing Practices in the Commonwealth, after a Ways and Means redraft. Senators supporting the bill described housing discrimination against voucher holders and Black applicants, emphasized the need for stronger enforcement, transparency, and fair housing education, and noted the bill’s goal of increasing penalties and public reporting for discriminatory brokers. Several amendments were debated. Senator Tarr offered an amendment to require annual HUD-related compliance certifications from municipalities and public agencies, notification to the Attorney General of federal findings, corrective action plans, and possible enforcement consequences; it was defeated on a roll call, 6-30. Senator Kennedy’s gender-neutral language amendment changing “salesmen” to “salespersons” was adopted. Senator Payano’s amendment to require publication of license suspensions as well as revocations for discriminatory conduct was also adopted. Senator Edwards withdrew an amendment that would have expanded housing protections for returning citizens. Senator Keenan’s amendment to anonymize complaint summaries while preserving publication of revoked licensees’ names was adopted. After the Ways and Means amendment, as amended, was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll-call vote of 37-0, later clarified as 38-0. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of John Arizian and Nancy Driscoll.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so while the sheltered counts are conducted annually, HUD only requires unsheltered counts to occur
• However, when HUD releases its official numbers for the state of California, it will include those 15
• The first is that the Emergency Housing Voucher Program, which was launched in 2021 by HUD with ARPA
• It's not clear when it will, but HUD has stated that they plan to release those numbers soon.
• We also had only 133 permanent supportive housing beds other than the HUD-VASH beds.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 4 met to hear an oversight discussion focused on homelessness, including the state of homelessness in California, state data systems, and the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HAP) program. In opening remarks, the chair emphasized accountability and the need to focus on families and people at the bottom rung, while the vice chair argued that homelessness and affordability problems stem from policy choices and the state should give counties more flexibility rather than top-down mandates. The committee also announced that the one scheduled vote would be postponed and public comment would be taken later. Dr. Ryan Finnegan of UC Berkeley’s Turner Center presented recent homelessness data, saying California’s homelessness remains high at about 187,000 people in the 2024 point-in-time count, with most still unsheltered, though the unsheltered share has declined somewhat. He explained differences between point-in-time counts and the state’s Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS), noted progress in shelter, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and interim housing capacity, and highlighted declines in youth and veteran homelessness. He also described persistent racial disparities, the large number of chronically homeless people, and risks from federal changes and possible reductions to programs such as Emergency Housing Vouchers and Continuum of Care funding. Members questioned the causes of recent trends, the role of Housing First, Proposition 47, Martin v. Boise, and how funding streams such as HAP and CalAIM are layered together. The California Interagency Council on Homelessness then outlined its data systems and AB 799 implementation. Staff explained that HDIS aggregates HMIS data from all 44 continuums of care and is used to measure outcomes, disparities, and program effectiveness statewide. They said HAP 4 was cost-effective under the State Auditor’s methodology, and that new AB 799 dashboards will provide more public-facing fiscal and outcome reporting by June 2027. Members asked whether the system can better distinguish which interventions work, how self-sufficiency will be measured, how fraud is detected, and whether the council can meet the auditor’s concerns on time. Cal ICH said it has met prior statutory deadlines, that program outcome data already exist, and that fiscal reporting will be built through a web-based tool and aligned with existing departmental reporting systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was pre-HUD code, which HUD stepped in and created the first standards for construction, a few years
• HUD code which HUD 1976 that was preh HUD code which HUD stepped<00:25:08.880><c> in</c><00:25:09.600
• </c> homes uh which again is where HUD homes uh which again is where HUD stepped<00:25:37.200><c> in<
• These are HUD-code manufactured homes. One is a site-built.
• Okay, the one on the left is the HUD-code manufactured home.

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met for its first meeting of the year, established a quorum, and heard two bills. House Bill 211, sponsored by Representative Chris Lewis, would create a definition for cigar bars and allow indoor cigar smoking in qualifying establishments if they meet criteria such as deriving at least 15% of gross income from cigar-related sales, restricting entry to those 21 and older, prohibiting cigarettes and vaping, and requiring a smoke-free area for deliveries. Lewis and Louisville Metro Council member Anthony Pantini described the bill as a small-business and tourism measure modeled on Tennessee law, while the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and a St. Elizabeth physician opposed it, arguing it would undermine local smoke-free ordinances and expose patrons and workers to harmful secondhand smoke. Several members raised local-control concerns, and Lewis said he was open to local governments making decisions on less restrictive approaches. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then approved HB 211 on a roll call vote, with multiple members voting yes and several no votes, sending the bill forward as amended. The committee then heard House Bill 160 from Representative Susan Whitten, with Logan Haynes of the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute. They said Kentucky faces a housing shortage of roughly 200,000 units and that starter homes are increasingly unaffordable, making manufactured housing an important part of the solution. Whitten said the bill would treat manufactured housing more like site-built housing while still allowing local governments to enforce cosmetic standards such as roof pitch, exterior facade, and foundation material, and she emphasized that HOA, deed, and historical preservation restrictions would remain in place. Haynes argued that modern manufactured homes are federally and state inspected, more energy efficient, faster to build, and more affordable than site-built homes, and he said the bill would not open the door to older-style mobile homes or single-wides except in limited narrow-lot situations. Representatives from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Association of Counties expressed concerns about the bill’s current language, saying land-use decisions should remain local and warning that the definition of qualified manufactured home and the bill’s treatment of local standards could have unintended consequences. They said they appreciated Whitten’s willingness to work with them and indicated they hoped to continue negotiating amendments as the bill moved forward. No vote on HB 160 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• HUD instituted all types of new conditions on that grant.
• HUD instituted all types of new conditions on that grant.
• HUD instituted all types of new conditions on that grant.
• HUD instituted all types of new conditions on that grant.
• HUD instituted all types of new conditions on that grant.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts. Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations. CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• What was rescinded was HUD guidance to landlords.
• </c><01:27:36.480><c> That</c> rescion of federal guidance to HUD.
• That rescion of federal guidance to HUD.
• </c> rescended was HUD guidance to landlords. rescended was HUD guidance to landlords.
• What's put in this bill is a HUD.

Transcript Highlights:

• of this amendment would require annual certification for any municipality or public agency receiving HUD
• municipalities require municipalities to notify the Attorney General and the Board within 30 days if HUD
• of this amendment would require annual certification for any municipality or public agency receiving HUD
• municipalities requires municipalities to notify the Attorney General and the Board within 30 days if HUD
• It would also require the Attorney General to monitor municipalities' compliance with HUD and requests

Transcript Highlights:

• care has put in place is that the projects are locally ranked and prioritized and then submitted to HUD
• ><00:09:39.200><c> then</c><00:09:39.400><c> submitted</c><00:09:39.760><c> to</c><00:09:39.880><c> HUD
• </c> prioritized um and then submitted to HUD prioritized um and then submitted to HUD and<00:09:40.360
• care has put in place is that the projects are locally ranked and prioritized and then submitted to HUD
• care has put in place is that the projects are locally ranked and prioritized and then submitted to HUD

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• My last question would be, um, when did HUD start not reinvesting in themselves?
• HUD into something that they artfully called a rental assistance demonstration.
• My last question would be, um, when did HUD start not reinvesting in themselves?
• My last question would be, um, when did HUD start not reinvesting in themselves?
• My last question would be, um, when did HUD start not reinvesting in themselves?

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the entities that HUD accepts may be closely affiliated with a public housing authority, but
• </c> newer HUD programs. newer HUD programs.
• </c> regards to one particular HUD program. regards to one particular HUD program.
• Some of the entities that HUD entities.
• </c><00:46:23.920><c> As</c><00:46:24.079><c> HUD</c> State general obligation bonds.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have affectionately dubbed her HUD Jen, because she is an absolute expert on all of the HUD regulations
• Chairman, is it okay if I call her HUD Jen throughout?
• through HUD.
• That happens per HUD regulation in January, and those are the numbers that we report to HUD, to the U.S
• And HUD Jen back there is my boss.

Committee: Joint Human Services

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• of this amendment would require annual certification for any municipality or public agency receiving HUD
• President, Madam President, I’m sorry, there are times when the federal HUD, the Housing and Urban Development
• request for information, a finding, a determination of noncompliance, or any corrective action from HUD
• municipalities requires municipalities to notify the Attorney General and the Board within 30 days if HUD
• It would also require the Attorney General to monitor municipalities' compliance with HUD and requests

Summary: The Senate began with recognitions, welcoming four young women from Quincy and Lawrence who were at the State House advocating on climate issues. The chamber then adopted an adjournment in memory of Nancy Driscoll of Attleboro, with remarks honoring her long public service at the State House and her family’s legacy of service. The main business was Senate No. 2947, an act regarding fair housing practices in the Commonwealth. Senators Gomez and Payano spoke in strong support, describing housing discrimination against voucher holders and people of color, and explaining that the bill would expand enforcement authority, increase penalties for repeat violations, require annual complaint summaries, and mandate fair housing training for real estate licensees. Senator Lovely also supported the bill, citing her experience in real estate and the need for stronger fair housing education and enforcement. Several amendments were considered. Senator Tarr’s amendment to add HUD-related certification, notice, and corrective-action requirements for municipalities and public agencies was debated but defeated on a roll call vote, 6-30. Senator Kennedy’s gender-neutral wording amendment was adopted, as was Senator Payano’s amendment requiring publication of suspended as well as revoked licenses. Senator Keenan’s amendment to anonymize complaint summaries was also adopted. Senator Edwards withdrew an amendment on housing access for returning citizens, and other amendments were withdrawn. The Ways and Means amendment, as amended, was adopted, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call vote of 38-0. The Senate then adjourned to meet again the following Tuesday, also noting John Arizian and Nancy Driscoll in memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 225, the HUD Transparency Act.
• </c> rise in support of HR225, the HUD rise in support of HR225, the HUD Transparency<05:48:19.840><c
• The HUD Transparency Act of legislation.
• </c><05:51:02.400><c> operates</c> HR225 simply ensures that HUD operates HR225 simply ensures that HUD
• ,</c> 20 states and DC have already sued HUD, 20 states and DC have already sued HUD, citing<05:54:22.480

Bills: HB4423 , HB5348 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4429 , HB3716 , HR225 , HB5349 , HB5346 , HB5345 , HB5284 , HB4313 , HR1262 , SB616 , HR176 , HB2159 , HB4323 , HB2066 , HB4549 , HB4495 , HB4491 , HB3174

Keywords: Burma, Myanmar, World Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, foreign aid, sanctions, military coup, democracy, development financing, multilateral lending, Treasury Department, Executive Director, international financial institutions, human rights, junta, national interest waiver, Social Security, SSN, Social Security number

Transcript Highlights:

• One is from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• I'm not sure if that's what you're referring to, but I did see the HUD report.
• HUD states that we need about 40,000 rental units in the state. How do we compare?
• This was funded with $6.1 million in HUD funds and some ARPA funds for 70 units.
• This is an incentive program to encourage landlords to accept HUD vouchers.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• All across our country, HUD is failing at its core mission.
• Under the Biden administration, HUD spending has soared, but even according to the federal surveys, homelessness
• And we, as a committee, in a bipartisan fashion, can work with HUD to tackle some of these lingering,
• And HUD has a critical and crucial role to play.

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, from HUD, and that mainly right now, the purpose has been to create housing.
• During my time as senior policy advisor to HUD Secretary Ben Carson...
• During my time as senior policy advisor to HUD Secretary Ben Carson, the program continued to receive
• During my time as senior policy advisor to HUD Secretary B.
• Thank you. ...reported on the HUD website, and I'd be happy to go through that in detail with you.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Intel Expert/Expert Works on software intended to help investigators process large volumes of audio, video, and text data more quickly. The presenters said the tool could be adapted for Department of Child Safety work involving neglected, abused, missing, and exploited children by flagging keywords, building link charts, translating transcripts, and aggregating files for faster review. Members discussed possible use with DCS, county sheriffs, DOC, procurement and RFP issues, and whether the software could help triage hotline calls, clear backlogs, and identify trafficking or abuse networks. The presenters said the system is already used in Iowa and elsewhere, and committee members expressed interest in pursuing legislation, appropriations, or a pilot program. The committee then considered HB 2460, which would preempt local ordinances that penalize businesses for theft of movable property, especially shopping carts. The sponsor argued cities were shifting cleanup costs onto victims of theft, while cities and towns opposed the bill, saying local ordinances address blight and public-right-of-way hazards and that businesses should take proactive steps. After testimony from the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and the City of Phoenix, the committee passed HB 2460 on a 4-3 vote. Members also heard HB 2060, which would prohibit public educational institutions and ABOR schools from encouraging or facilitating abortions. The sponsor said taxpayer-funded institutions should remain neutral and not use public resources to promote abortion, while opponents argued the bill would restrict students’ access to constitutionally protected reproductive health care and referrals. Supporters said campuses should provide alternatives such as pregnancy resources and adoption information. The committee passed HB 2060 on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee considered HB 2210, as amended, to prohibit the state, local governments, and private entities from using ADS-B aircraft surveillance data to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators. Supporters said the technology was intended for safety and should not be repurposed for fee collection, warning that pilots might turn it off if used that way; opponents, including the City of Phoenix, said they wanted flexibility to use the system if needed. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 2210 as amended on a 4-3 vote. The transcript then began discussion of HB 2533, which would create an Office of Homeless Services, board, compensation fund, and ombudsman, but the excerpt ends before that bill is fully taken up.

Transcript Highlights:

• By aligning local efforts with HUD guidelines, we provide a unified regulatory framework that prioritizes
• It is our affordable housing driver, the low-income housing tax credit program, and our HUD programs.
• Through HUD, it would be either National Housing Trust Funds, Community Development Block Grant, or HOME
• Have you sought an exemption to the wage requirements with HUD? Mr. Chair, no. Why not? Mr.
• But I can't imagine that if you went to the Trump administration and went to HUD and said, here's what

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Ruby Dylan Williams for Director of the Arizona Department of Housing. Williams described her long career at the department, her work on operational improvements, housing development, manufactured housing, and efforts to expand supply, preserve existing housing, and improve transparency through data and technology. She also said she would work with the legislature, local governments, tribal nations, nonprofits, and private partners, and emphasized the department’s role in addressing housing affordability and homelessness across the housing continuum. Members questioned her about the department’s response to Auditor General findings, including fraud prevention, payment verification, site inspections, and oversight of grantees. Williams said the department had rewritten policies, retrained staff, added stronger controls, and implemented verbal verification steps for wire transfers after a fraud incident. Senators also pressed her on budget priorities, possible cuts, and her view of homelessness policy, with some members characterizing her approach as closer to shelter or transitional housing before permanent placement. Williams said interventions should be individualized and that the department works with local jurisdictions and service providers to match people with appropriate support. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Developers, housing industry representatives, and nonprofit partners praised Williams’ private-sector housing finance experience, her knowledge of LIHTC and the QAP process, and her leadership in making the agency more efficient and business-friendly. After debate, the committee voted 3-2 to recommend her confirmation to the full Senate. Two members voted no, citing concerns about her answers on fraud oversight, cost controls, and homelessness policy, while the majority supported advancing her nomination.

Transcript Highlights:

• By aligning local efforts with HUD guidelines, we provide a unified regulatory framework that prioritizes
• It is our affordable housing driver, the low-income housing tax credit program, and our HUD programs.
• Through HUD, it would be either National Housing Trust Funds, Community Development Block Grant, or HOME
• Have you sought an exemption to the wage requirements with HUD? Mr. Chair, no. Why not? Mr.
• But I can't imagine that if you went to the Trump administration and went to HUD and said, here's what

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• Is data already available from HUD?
• And then there's also HUD puts a requirement for an audit of...
• They just have to, like, pull it from the system, looking at the system performance measures that HUD
• look at those more specifically rather than some of these other items that are different from what HUD
• These system performance reports also have to be submitted to HUD.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, over the past few months, you know, the EEOC and HUD have seen a rollback in the protected
• At HUD, the program that we receive our FAP, or Fair Housing funding, through has seen a 75% reduction
• people in the entire Northeast that are promoting and actually enacting and enabling that program at HUD
• maintenance budget, but have held true to hoping that everyone will be there for us if and when the EEOC and HUD

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 10 bills covering voluntary contributions, sales tax, property tax, and economic development. Chair Adrian Madaro outlined the process, noted the July 12 reporting deadline for House-filed matters, and explained that written testimony would be accepted through July 7. Testimony was limited to three minutes per speaker, with questions from committee members after each witness. Several local and statewide measures were presented in support. Melrose Mayor Jennifer Grigoratus supported H. 3979, which would authorize Melrose to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption tied to the state Senior Circuit Breaker credit; she said the program has helped 209 senior households and provides relief of several hundred to about a thousand dollars per household. Michael Memelow of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination supported H. 3109 and S. 2014, which would create a Massachusetts Against Discrimination Fund allowing voluntary donations, including through tax returns, to help offset uncertainty in federal funding that supports about 20% of MCAD’s operations. Tom Hurley of the Massachusetts Airport Management Association supported H. 3125, which would exempt runway and taxiway infrastructure at privately owned public-use airports from property tax, arguing it would address an economic fairness issue for 10 such airports. Chris Gregory testified in support of H. 3037, a voluntary income tax checkoff for a least developed countries fund administered through Oxfam and the World Bank to support environmental work in the world’s poorest countries. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the number of Melrose households receiving the exemption, the scale and risk of MCAD’s federal funding, dual-filing procedures with the EEOC, the tax burden and local impact of privately owned airports, and the structure and administration of the least developed countries fund. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after testimony concluded.