Transcript Highlights:

• into detention in this year were detained as a result of detainers, are marked by ICE as yes for statements
• into detention in this year were detained as a result of detainers, are marked by ICE as yes for statements
• So, having made statements to the agents, I think that's the end of the data that I pulled from the deportation
• ICE as yes for statements made. So um ICE as yes for statements made.
• So um having<00:22:33.840><c> made</c><00:22:34.080><c> statements</c><00:22:34.480><c> to</c><00:22:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on findings from the deportation data project and possible policy responses to increased federal immigration enforcement in Hawaii. In opening remarks, the chair said the committee was concerned about changing federal executive orders, policies, and enforcement actions, and framed the issue as one involving due process and public safety. The chair and presenters described reports of ICE activity on multiple islands, including raids, courthouse presence, and fear in immigrant communities, and said the committee was considering whether state policies should be advanced more quickly. Mandy Fernandez of the ACLU of Hawaii presented updated deportation data and argued that increased immigration enforcement is creating fear, reducing crime reporting, and potentially making state and local agencies extensions of the federal immigration agenda if they accept federal funding with conditions. She said the deportation data project, housed at UC Berkeley Law with UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy, uses FOIA requests and its latest data runs through late July 2025. She reported 153 ICE arrests in Hawaii from January through July 2025, up from 41 in the same period in 2024; 96 removals, up from 15; a federal detention center average daily population of 91 in June 2025 versus 31 in June 2024; and 111 ICE detainers issued in Hawaii from September 2023 through July 2025, with 49 issued in 2025. She also cited an immigration court backlog of 1,144 pending cases as of August 2025 and noted that about one in five Hawaii residents were born outside the United States. Haley Chang of the Office of the Public Defender said her office is seeing a marked increase in ICE presence around courthouses and more ICE contacts with clients, including reports of people being detained after court appearances or while on supervision. She emphasized that the office is not an immigration law office and that much of its information is anecdotal, but said the pattern appears new compared with prior years. In response to committee questions, she explained that ICE detainers are requests, not judicial warrants, and said local law enforcement is generally not required to honor them unless accompanied by a judicial warrant or other legal authority. She also said the public defender’s office had not yet seen new criminal charges arise solely from an ICE detention or failure to appear tied to immigration enforcement, though cases could be affected if defendants are removed from the criminal process.

Transcript Highlights:

• May I make an opening statement? The gentleman is recognized for such purpose. Thank you.
• Under the logic and reasoning of Peddoway, this statement is simply incorrect.
• That's a very strong statement.
• When we already are underrepresented, that's such an important statement and question.
• Mine is really more of a statement.

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I will tell you that I would strongly disagree with that statement that this body should not allow
• So I will tell you that I would strongly disagree with that statement that this body should not allow
• So I will tell you that I would strongly disagree with that statement that this body should not allow
• </c><00:09:58.560><c> that</c><00:09:58.959><c> this</c> disagree with that statement that this disagree
• with that statement that this body<00:10:00.160><c> should</c><00:10:00.399><c> not</c><00:10:00.560

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:15 Office of the Secretary of State 00:01:59 Office of the Attorney General 00:12:40 Department of Agriculture 00:22:44, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I first start out with a statement, I guess.
• I have one more statement, if I could.
• this is about is employers in the UI system, employers who, if you read the language, make false statements
• this is about is employers in the UI system, employers who, if you read the language, make false statements
• without good faith or um uh statements without good faith or um uh knowingly<00:45:50.560><c> fail</

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a statement I was going to make, and the support staff mentioned to me that it was from nonpartisan
• planning to testify today but is unable to due to illness, so I am reading some key points from her statement
• You should have a copy of her full statement as well as the policy analysis in your packets.
• </c><01:04:48.240><c> from</c><01:04:48.440><c> the</c> Requested closing statement from the author,
• Before my closing statement, I just would note that on line 6.31 of the bill is the beginning of the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I I hope that maybe I misheard this a step statement that someone said earlier, but.
• So that was more of a statement.
• Unless you can speak to that, it was more a statement of the tools we still have. need to have in the
• So unless you can speak to that or make a statement or I think you're obviously speaking more broadly
• And would it be a fair statement to say that?

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do have a question, but I just want to make a quick statement that at that point that's when they
• And I do have a question, but I just want to make a quick statement that at that point that's when they
• And I do have a question, but I just want to make a quick statement that at that point that's when they
• uh gets certified mail to the statement uh gets certified mail to the uh<01:30:31.280><c> the</c><01
• </c> Equity firms priv include your statement Equity firms priv include your statement right<01:53:43.280

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The only thing I would add is I think there were some statements about solar panels being required for
• Okay, so, um, follow if, yeah, if I may on this, so I, uh, wondered if you would respond to the statements
• about solar panels being some statements about solar panels being required<00:43:06.520><c> for</c><
• about how other states the statements about how other states are<00:44:11.119><c> are</c><00:44:11.400
• it's kind of of a derogatory statement it's kind of something<01:29:40.800><c> that</c><01:29:41.000

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Murray: Yes, but 21-N1 is also enumerated, um, a policy of finding statement, so in the
• superintendent salaries aren't the main drain on that property tax effort, but I digress on that statement
• superintendent salaries aren't the main drain on that property tax effort, but I digress on that statement
• superintendent salaries aren't the main drain on that property tax effort, but I digress on that statement
• when I first uh saw the statement when I first uh saw the proposal<03:12:12.960><c> it</c><03:12:13.239

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 362, which would give the Department of Education rulemaking authority over educator licensing and testing requirements, including professional education assessments. Representative Ladd argued the bill is meant to preserve New Hampshire’s higher standards for teacher preparation and to avoid lowering requirements for licensed educators, while also allowing flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) instructors who may have strong industry experience but not traditional classroom credentials. Members discussed whether the bill should preserve industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing while exempting CTE teachers from content exams; DOE Director Steven Appy said an amendment would clarify that the bill applies to initial licenses, exempt CTE teachers from the content-testing requirement, and keep current administrative practice on basic skills and industry credentials in statute. The committee also noted that an executive session would be scheduled later, likely the following week, to act on the bills and amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 90, dealing with the definition of part-time teachers. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is intended to let university and community college faculty teach limited hours in high school concurrent enrollment settings, especially in subjects like math and STEM where some schools cannot find locally certified teachers with a master’s degree. He said the measure is designed to expand student access to college-level courses, not to replace fully certified teachers or reduce standards, and emphasized that the bill is limited to faculty employed or contracted by the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire, with criminal background checks and ethics/conduct rules still applying. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the discussion ended with the understanding that further action would come in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• [music] DFL caucus leader Zach Stevenson said in part of a statement, "Both Shelley and Meg are going

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the oath or affirmation, then check the box to swear or affirm this statement.

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the registration process for individuals wishing to participate in legislative committee hearings. Attendees were guided through the steps to start their registration, including the option to save contact information in a profile for future use. They were instructed to find the relevant committee agenda and select the item they wished to register for, with options to indicate their position on the bill and whether they intended to testify in person. Key points included the importance of verifying personal information and the agenda item before submission. Participants were required to read and affirm an oath or statement as part of the registration process. The meeting concluded with instructions on how to finalize and submit their registration, ensuring all details were accurate before closing the confirmation summary.

Transcript Highlights:

• ANY MEMBERS WISHING TO MAKE A STATEMENT? PLEASE WATCH FOR OUR ONE HOUR NOTICE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any members wishing to make a statement?

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources met briefly for a conference committee discussion on the budget spreadsheet and conforming bill. Representative Esposito presented the House’s first offer to the Senate, noting highlighted changes on the spreadsheet intended to narrow differences between the chambers. Senator Broder thanked the House for the offer and said the Senate would review it and return with a response. No public comment or member statements were offered. The committee reminded members to watch for the one-hour notice, and Chair Mayfield moved to adjourn. The motion was adopted without objection, and the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we got it out of the Senate with the exact number of votes, and yet it made a clear statement
• I think we got it out of the Senate with the exact number of votes, and yet it made a clear statement
• And it really, the statement that was made by the Legislature and the governor when that bill was passed
• The second document was the signing statement from Governor Newsom that also foreshadowed issues and

Summary: The committee heard a series of natural resources bills, with several measures accepted on committee amendments and moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 2461 on oil and gas bonding and well-closure financial assurance drew strong support from environmental groups and some legislators, while an industry representative was neutral and warned about unintended consequences and reduced transfers. Senators Laird and Cabaldon supported the bill as a clarification of AB 1167, and the committee voted do pass as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar of 10 bills, which was moved and held on call. AB 53 by Assemblymember Ramos, as amended, would expand tribal eligibility for conservation grants and loans and express legislative intent to create a process for returning ancestral lands to federally recognized tribes. Tribal and environmental supporters argued the bill recognizes tribal stewardship and helps remove barriers to conservation participation, while county, farm bureau, and habitat league witnesses raised concerns about long-term land management, public accountability, easements, and jurisdiction if lands are transferred. Committee members emphasized the importance of preserving conservation protections and continuing work on the land-return framework; the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations and held on call. AB 2679 on Lake Tahoe corridor safety and access was supported by local officials and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, who described dangerous parking, pedestrian conflicts, and a successful shuttle pilot, and the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 1666, creating biomass innovation parks and other incentives for non-combustion uses of forest and agricultural biomass, received broad support from business, conservation, and local government witnesses, with senators framing it as a way to address wildfire debris and create rural jobs; it also advanced do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 2494, which would modernize the demonstration state forest system and elevate biodiversity, recreation, carbon storage, and tribal stewardship over maximum sustained production, drew strong support from environmental and tribal advocates but significant opposition from forest industry, county, and research witnesses who warned it could undermine research, sustainable forestry, and local economies; the author said he would continue negotiations, and the bill was moved do pass to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2234, which updates the definition of geothermal exploratory projects, and AB 2521, which seeks to use the California Council on Science and Technology for watershed-wide water availability analyses to help identify excess water for groundwater recharge. Both bills had support from sponsors and some stakeholders, while AB 2521 drew concerns from agricultural water interests about agency reliance, public trust considerations, and funding. Both measures were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2410 would extend a CEQA exemption for certain fuels-reduction projects in high fire-risk areas; local government groups supported it as a wildfire-prevention tool, while environmental and other opponents argued the remaining exemption still weakens habitat protections and public review, and one witness sought to remove conventional herbicides from the exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• and he always had, and they always had time, all these task forces always have public, you know, statement
• and he always had, and they always had time, all these task forces always had public, you know, statement
• Permission for a brief statement. Granted. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• Permission for a brief statement. Granted. Thank you.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, opened with a moment of silence for Ted Williams, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then accepted the previous day’s minutes and moved into a series of recognitions, beginning with House Resolution 27 designating June 24, 2026 as Staff Appreciation Day. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber spent much of the meeting honoring legislative staff across both caucuses, with members and staff introducing themselves and being recognized for years of service and behind-the-scenes work. The House also recognized staff member Justin, who is leaving for a position with the Delaware State Board of Education, and later gave farewell remarks for Representative Kevin Hensley and Representative Charles Postles, both of whom are retiring. Numerous members spoke in tribute to their service, constituent work, and personal character, and both Hensley and Postles offered remarks thanking colleagues, staff, and family. The House then received communications from the Senate, including several bills and resolutions passed and returned, and a notice of Senate concurrence on other measures. Representative Wilson-Anton made a brief statement explaining her vote on Senate Bill 100 and reaffirming support for marriage equality and related civil rights issues. The chamber also took up Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, which set the official revenue estimates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027; both were read, called to roll, and passed by constitutional majority votes of 37-4 and 40-1, respectively. Finally, the House considered Senate Bill 335, the operating budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Representative Williams presented the budget on behalf of the Joint Finance Committee, describing major funding items including raises for state and education employees, health insurance and retiree benefit funding, developmental disability services, Medicaid growth, purchase of care, and maintenance of reserve funds. Several members praised the committee’s work, while Representative Shupe said he would vote no, citing concerns about the budget’s 6.3% growth despite appreciating the committee’s effort. After the budget presentation and comments, Leader Harris moved that the House recess for party caucuses, and the House stood in recess until the call of the bell.

Transcript Highlights:

• would also, just to clarify some things that were said, I believe one of the witnesses had made a statement
• Assuming, member, do you have a closing statement? I appreciate your time this morning.
• Through legislation like AB 1138, this body made a powerful statement that we are committed to keeping
• Every funding decision is a statement about who and what we are willing to support.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• discussion about why this person had threatened to peel off my daughter's fingernails with pliers, a statement
• And the victim impact statement is the one time in the court case that is actually about the victim.
• Employers are also not well-versed in how to read CORI, and so this bill would also create a statement
• where officers would have the chance to review their body-worn camera footage before an official statement

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a wide range of criminal justice, victim services, and records-sealing bills. Early testimony focused on H.1811, the Clean Slate automated record-sealing bill, with supporters arguing that automatic sealing after existing waiting periods would remove barriers to jobs, housing, and education without changing eligibility rules. Advocates from legal aid, business, and housing organizations said the current petition-based system is underused, burdensome, and costly, while opponents of expanding surveillance-related laws urged the committee to preserve privacy protections. The committee also heard testimony on H.1693, which would immediately seal records in cases ending without conviction and clarify the presumption of innocence, with speakers describing how dismissed cases still create lasting collateral consequences and prevent people from moving forward. No votes were taken during the hearing. Several bills centered on victim safety and domestic violence. Senator Michael Moore testified for S.1201, which would keep child-protective orders in effect even if the parent or guardian who filed them dies, and for S.1204, which would update the wiretap statute. Multiple survivors and advocates supported S.1215 and S.1222, arguing for a narrow wiretap defense for recordings made to document threats or abuse and for making GPS tampering a separate felony offense. Testifiers described situations in which GPS devices were cut off or disabled and said current law leaves victims at risk and gives abusers too much leeway. The committee also heard emotional testimony on H.1685/S.1238, a bill prompted by the suicide of Stavri Yanka in custody, with the sponsor, his mother, and the sheriff describing the need for better information-sharing so suicide-risk information follows a person into custody. Law enforcement and prosecutors supported several due-process and dangerousness-related bills. MassCOP, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the State Police Association backed H.1828/S.1039/S.1235, which would require de novo Superior Court review for POST Commission suspensions over two weeks or decertifications, arguing officers need a meaningful appeal beyond administrative review. The committee also heard support for H.1691, expanding the dangerousness statute to additional offenses; Bristol County District Attorney Quinn said the changes would let prosecutors seek detention in serious cases such as child rape and manslaughter when facts warrant it. In contrast, the Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed expanding dangerousness detention, warning that pretrial detention causes serious harms and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic defendants. The hearing also included testimony on H.1654/S.1063 to enhance victims’ rights and H.1525, which would rename and expand community corrections into community justice programs, with supporters emphasizing reentry, reduced stigma, and broader service access.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a statement that it values inclusion and sustenance.
• Also, it is a statement that values inclusion and accessibility.
• I just want to take a couple of minutes to share some statements that I think are very thought-provoking
• I just want to take a couple of minutes to share some statements that I think are very thought-provoking

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of bills, with testimony first focused on H. 1315/S. 824, which would require insurance coverage for pain management options during IUD insertion. Representative Sabadosa, Planned Parenthood clinicians, and policy advocates said sedation can reduce fear and trauma, improve access to effective contraception, and should be reimbursed so providers can continue offering it. A Tufts OB-GYN resident also testified that pain control should be standard care for intrauterine procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee then heard extensive testimony on firefighter health bills, especially H. 1230/S. 690 requiring insurance coverage for cancer screenings for firefighters. Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts leaders, a Dana-Farber oncologist, and firefighters themselves described occupational exposure to carcinogens and personal stories of late-stage cancer detection, arguing that early screening can save lives and reduce long-term costs. Representative Crichton and Representative Howitt also spoke in support, and Representative Ayers testified for H. 4012, which would require neurological disorder screenings for firefighters. Committee members expressed support and sympathy, but no action was taken. The hearing also covered H. 3946/S. 756 on hearing aid coverage, with testimony from students, adults with hearing loss, disability advocates, and HLAA representatives describing the educational, social, and financial barriers caused by lack of coverage and urging broader insurance mandates. Later, Representative Donahue and Representative Vargas testified for H. 1337 to expand insurance coverage for opioid antagonists and related medications, including naloxone dispensed at discharge. The committee additionally heard testimony on H. 1134 to improve chronic pain care coordination and non-opioid access, and H. 4162 to improve ostomy supply coverage and access to certified ostomy care, with patients and clinicians describing denials, quantity limits, and non-medical switching. The transcript ends while testimony on H. 1315/S. 824 is still ongoing; no votes or formal committee actions are recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to make a statement. Thank you. Thank you very much for your testimony today.
• I heard a statement earlier that the sky isn't falling. We are way beyond the sky falling.
• That statement should alarm every citizen in this Commonwealth.
• Those statements were definitely designed to manipulate what your vote would be.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused heavily on firearms legislation, especially bills to repeal Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 (including H. 2618/S. 1671 and related repeal measures) and bills on firearm industry accountability (H. 2672/S. 1653). Supporters of repeal, including Senator Peter Durant, Rep. Ken Sweezey, gun owners, instructors, sportsmen, and women’s gun-rights advocates, argued that Chapter 135 overreaches, creates confusion in licensing and training requirements, burdens lawful gun owners, restricts pepper spray and semi-automatic firearms, and is being enforced in ways they said criminalize responsible conduct. Committee members defending the law said it was the product of years of work, public listening sessions, and multiple drafts, and argued that Massachusetts remains the safest state for gun violence and that implementation issues, such as live-fire training, had been delayed to allow time for regulations and infrastructure. Several witnesses also testified on H. 2672/S. 1653, which would create firearm industry standards of conduct and allow civil actions against manufacturers, distributors, and dealers that engage in unsafe or unlawful practices. Supporters from the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown, Brady, Giffords, and survivors described the bill as a way to hold the industry accountable, reduce the flow of crime guns, and give victims and the Attorney General a path to sue bad actors. They cited data on crime-gun traces, disproportionate impacts on communities of color, and examples from other states that have enacted similar laws. Opponents, including gun dealers and industry representatives, argued that existing law already punishes illegal sales, that most crime guns are stolen or diverted after lawful sale, and that the bill would improperly target manufacturers for the actions of others. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to remove the non-resident ban on semi-automatic firearms for hunting (H. 2710/S. 1676), with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers supporting the change as a way to restore access for returning residents, veterans, and hunting programs that had been displaced. Later testimony returned to repeal and related gun-law bills, with sportsmen’s groups arguing Chapter 135 was rushed, confusing, and harmful to youth hunting and lawful ownership. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; it was a public testimony session with extensive questioning by committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I don't know, but I guess that's where I'm trying to benchmark that statement because it seems
• like a lot of positions, but when we don't really know that to benchmark that statement because it seems
• differently, and it's completely fair to be looking at the specific positions and what those duty statements
• differently, and it's completely fair to be looking at the specific positions and what those duty statements

Keywords: 987, senate, all