Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the United States, right? the United States, right? &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.
• </c><00:43:08.960><c> Um</c> United States? Um United States?
• </c> you get almost 20% of the state economy. you get almost 20% of the state economy.
• </c> state or federal funding. state or federal funding.
• </c> spending is is rising across the state. spending is is rising across the state.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hampshire and uh said hey we are state Hampshire and uh said hey we are state representatives<03
• </c> um very very unlikely uh in this state um very very unlikely uh in this state in<03:43:43.520><c
• </c><04:33:29.439><c> I</c> protected and open the United States I protected and open the United States
• We work with our state police partners and other partners in the state to help us identify the operators
• </c> could better plan at the state could better plan at the state level<05:41:32.638><c> um</c><05:41

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the state of Louisiana, that's 4,400 outlets.
• There are a number of states that have asked for that.
• states using the PSS model within the treatment works. and it is a positive. nine different states using
• Is this model set in any other state presently?
• That would be a state question.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So here, so this is not Washington State, it's Georgia.
• I'm the managing director for the State Building Code Council.
• I'm the managing director for the State Building Code Council.
• You have to go to the state register site and see the specific filing.
• From my experience on the State Building Code Council, we're reactive.

Summary: The committee heard first from Ferndale city officials and a representative of FutureWise on annexation planning. Ferndale described its “annexation blueprint” or phased annexation plan as a way to tie urban growth area planning, capital facilities, and eventual annexation together earlier in the process. Speakers argued that counties often allow incremental development in urban growth areas without city-level standards, impact fees, or coordinated infrastructure planning, which can leave cities and taxpayers with higher future costs and make annexation less likely. Members raised questions about fire districts, county revenue loss, and whether annexation incentives or interlocal revenue-sharing agreements could help. FutureWise supported requiring annexation phasing in countywide planning policies, using pre-annexation agreements, and applying city standards in urban growth areas to make annexation more predictable and less contentious. The committee then received a primer and update from the State Building Code Council (SBCC). Staff explained the council’s composition, standing committees, technical advisory groups, and rulemaking process, including normal, expedited, and emergency rulemaking. They described the ongoing 2024 code cycle and the separate work underway on Senate Bill 5491 and related legislation concerning single-stair residential buildings and multiplex housing. Members discussed how the legislature can better direct the SBCC, the difference between prescriptive and performance-based code approaches, and the importance of involving technical experts early. The SBCC also addressed concerns about the wildfire urban interface code, noting that problems arose when code language and maps were developed on different timelines and applied to urban areas in ways that were not anticipated. Several members asked about regional differences, especially energy code impacts in eastern Washington and the role of natural gas. SBCC representatives said the council can use climate zones and appendices for some regional variation, but statewide statutory targets still constrain the energy code. They emphasized that the council is largely reactive to legislative direction and public proposals, and that clearer legislative intent would help avoid ambiguity in future code development. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Page two, lines 18 through 20, it states, of the county in the jurisdiction.
• Page two, lines 26 through 29 state, 'Nothing in the section shall be construed to diminish, impair,
• I worked with now Congressman Burleson on that legislation and State Representative Jared Taylor.
• To the representative from Texas, really quick, your House committee substitute...
• or any county within the state, from saying, 'Hey, we don't want automatic weapons on our streets.'

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• Secretary of State from 1959 to 1961.
• The Senate from First Texas and Middlesex, Mr.
• Welcome to the State Senate.
• Welcome to the State Senate. One matter comes before the Senate for its final passage.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Lenz Arthur Joseph, a five-year-old Hyde Park child whose death was described as a tragic loss to his family, school, and community. Senators offered condolences and a moment of silence was observed. The chamber also recognized several guests, including students and scholarship recipients from the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program and visitors from River Valley Charter School and Fall River’s Green School. The main legislative business was Senate 2521, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing about $189 million for early education and care providers so they could receive June child care financial assistance payments. The minority leader questioned why the deficiency had arisen so late in the fiscal year and asked about preventing similar shortfalls. The Ways and Means chair responded that the bill was time-sensitive, that such supplemental appropriations are common for caseload-driven accounts, and that the House had already passed the measure. He also reported that FY25 revenues were about $1.1 billion above benchmark, though most of that was restricted Fair Share revenue or excess capital gains. The Senate took a roll-call vote on engrossment, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 39-0. The Senate then agreed to a conference committee on the FY26 budget bill, House 4001, after insisting on its amendment. It also adopted resolutions recognizing the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister-state relationship and the Concord-Nani sister-city anniversary. The chamber suspended rules to advance a petition to ban DEHP in IV bags and tubing, and it agreed to a House referral change for Senate 2522, a health care petitions bill, sending it to the Judiciary Committee. Finally, the Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed Senate 2521 to be enacted before adjourning to meet again the following Monday in memory of Lenz Arthur Joseph.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education and the State Board of Education.
• And the State Board of Education. Yield for questions and move for adoption.
• Wants to attend Texas A&M to study oil field engineering.
• Ian is a junior from Tulsa, placed second at the State Academic Bowl in speech and debate.
• He is speech and debate state champion. Wants to attend OU to study economics.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education and the State Board of Education.
• She received a doctoral degree. from Oklahoma State University.
• He wants to attend Texas A&M to study oil field engineering.
• She is a two-time cheer state champion and a one-time national champion.
• She is a soccer state champion and defensive MVP.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week First Sergeant Jeff Osterdock, Nurse of the Day Madison Lehman, Psychologist of the Day Dr. Jennifer Steber, and a large group of student pages and visitors. Members also made personal announcements and welcomed guests from schools and community groups. On the floor, the House considered and adopted Senate amendments to House Bill 1484, a schools measure, and passed it 96-1; the emergency clause also passed 96-1. The House then took up House Bill 1085 on contracts, which would standardize service warranty fees with a delayed phase-in schedule, adopted the Senate amendments, and passed the bill 8-1. The House also considered Senate Bill 133 on groundwater permits. After an amendment and debate, members discussed how the bill would apply to commercial water wells and how it would interact with marijuana-related licensing and notification to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The bill passed 85-12, and the emergency clause also passed by the same vote. The chamber then adjourned until February 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dustin Manwaring, State Representative from District 29.
• Dustin Manwaring, State Representative from District 29. Senate Bill 1272 is a Code Cleanup Act.
• the state.
• Because we don't do that in the state, that was eliminated in 2013 for state registration for pilots.
• We're not the only state that's grappling with this issue right now.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1272, a transportation code cleanup measure presented by Representative Manwaring. He said the bill repeals outdated provisions on aircraft pilot registration, antiquated livestock-movement notice language, and obsolete special license plate statutes, while also making conforming amendments to remove references to those repealed sections. There was no testimony from the public, and the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 508, which Representative Green described as follow-up legislation to prior-year bills affecting bike and pedestrian funding and related enforcement language. He said the bill would allow government entities receiving federal grants or funds to make standalone bike and pedestrian improvements, and would narrow a violation provision so it applies to elected officials or officers rather than consultants. After a brief question about how federal funds could be used, and with no public testimony, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 880, also presented by Representative Green, dealing with e-bike definitions and regulation. He said the bill would add a new classification for certain motorbike-like electric bikes, require licensing and registration for those vehicles if used on public roads, and address safety concerns raised by law enforcement about fast, motorcycle-like devices being ridden by children on streets and shared-use paths. Members raised concerns about the bill’s 750-watt threshold and whether it might unintentionally affect ordinary e-bikes used by adults and seniors, and several discussed the need to avoid overbroad restrictions while addressing safety issues. At Representative Green’s request, the committee sent HB 880 to general orders for further work, and the meeting adjourned after that action.

Transcript Highlights:

• and pull up this map, and it will show them where we have active maintenance work going on in the state
• I would imagine the majority of the budgeted dollars that ARDOT spends, whether federal or state, would
• Yeah, I paid those for my kids when they were in Texas. They'd send you a bill.
• And then lastly, this Litter initiative: You know, our state is so beautiful, the Natural State.
• mark because we're the Natural State.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley, who introduced Highway Commission members and reported that the agency has completed the final five recommendations from its long-running efficiency review. He highlighted new public-facing maintenance and construction dashboards on the agency website, and noted quarterly reports on land conveyances, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, annual revenue expenditures, and major projects were provided with no major questions or objections. Members asked about ARDOT’s budget priorities, project delivery, and specific corridors. Wiley said roughly 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system, with additional maintenance and operations funding also directed to upkeep; he said Arkansas has about 16,300 centerline miles, nearly 40,000 lane miles, and about 73,700 bridges. He gave updates on Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings in northwest Arkansas, passing-lane projects on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, widening plans for Interstate 40, the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, and Highway 82 improvements in south Arkansas. The director also discussed ARDOT’s litter control efforts, saying the agency spends about $8 million annually on litter pickup and is exploring future legislation. He said work-zone safety tools such as cameras and mobile work-zone enforcement are helping reduce dangerous driving, though distracted driving remains a problem. Wiley also announced new agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for staff, a “Street Smart” traffic-safety education program for students, and a spring cleanup effort in which ARDOT crews and some office staff will collect litter statewide. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a former state senator, but it was only 12 years.
• But New Mexico is really driving a lot of developers, like our company, into the state.
• I was a member of The first EPSCOR executive committee for the state committee, as well as the first
• Two-year institutions in New Mexico or even in West Texas feed into Eastern.
• So, we're going to explain the role of CHECS within higher education and the state of New Mexico.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• In a state like Minnesota, having reliable power during dangerously cold winter weather can mean life
• In a state<00:04:36.960><c> like</c><00:04:37.199><c> Minnesota,</c><00:04:37.680><c> having</c><00:04
• :38.000><c> reliable</c> state like Minnesota, having reliable state like Minnesota, having reliable
• I think a lot of us remember, oh gosh, a couple years ago, two, three years ago, when the state of Texas
• I think a lot of us remember, oh gosh, a couple years ago, two, three years ago, when the state of Texas

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um, as it relates to this state um, as it relates to this state geologist<00:25:33.600><c> and</
• </c><00:27:12.240><c> geologist</c> within 2100 as to the state geologist within 2100 as to the state
• </c> now would be unregulated by the state. now would be unregulated by the state.
• </c> happening on a on a state level at all. happening on a on a state level at all.
• </c> state that we're dealing with currently. state that we're dealing with currently.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To begin, we are a nonprofit state corporation. We are not a state agency.
• We're not Texas, which is a state that has a separate grid.
• and out-of-state.
• And it happens within the larger context of protections that the state and priorities that the state
• We're in 14 states.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held an oversight hearing with leaders from the CPUC, Public Advocates Office, CAISO, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and the Energy Commission. Chair Petrie-Norris framed the hearing around high utility bills, wildfire risk, grid reliability, clean energy buildout, and the state’s long-term decarbonization goals, and also noted it was CPUC President Alice Reynolds’ final week at the commission. Each agency gave an update on its role: the CPUC described efforts to reduce rate increases while maintaining reliability and clean energy procurement; the Public Advocates Office focused on affordability and the need to control underlying utility costs; CAISO discussed transmission planning, market operations, and the upcoming extended day-ahead market; Energy Safety reviewed wildfire mitigation oversight and inspections; and the Energy Commission highlighted clean energy growth, EV adoption, storage, efficiency, and gasoline price monitoring. A major theme was affordability versus the costs of the clean energy transition. Reynolds said the CPUC has lowered utility revenue requests, reduced utility returns, adopted a base services charge, and reworked net metering, while also continuing to manage wildfire-related costs and support resource adequacy and demand flexibility. Sarazawa argued that recent rate decreases may not be durable because billions of dollars in wildfire and other utility costs are still pending or unbilled, and she urged tighter use of general rate cases, lower-cost financing, program reform, and more equitable rate design. Members pressed the agencies on whether state policy is sufficiently accounting for labor, local economic development, and the cost impacts of transmission and procurement decisions, especially where out-of-state resources are being considered. CAISO and the Energy Commission emphasized that the state’s planning and market reforms are helping lower costs and improve reliability. CAISO said the Western Energy Imbalance Market has produced billions in benefits, the extended day-ahead market is on track to launch, and transmission planning is being aligned with long-term resource needs while reducing queue delays. The Energy Commission said California is now getting roughly two-thirds of its power from clean sources, has added massive amounts of storage and renewables, and is seeing strong EV and charger growth that can help spread fixed grid costs. Energy Safety reported thousands of inspections, hundreds of notices of non-performance, and a decline in reportable ignitions, while noting that major fires show more work is needed. Members also raised concerns about the SB 100 report delay, memo and balancing accounts, the future of battery storage, and whether decarbonization zone pilots will affect residential and commercial customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• To begin, we are a nonprofit state corporation. We are not a state agency.
• We're not Texas, which is a state that has a separate grid.
• and out of state.
• And it happens within the larger context of protections that the state and priorities that the state
• We're in 14 states.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or compared to the state average.
• or compared to the state average.
• Were we influenced by the mid-decade redistricting advocates in states like Texas, California, or Virginia
• Please state your name.
• Let's not have him destroy our state, our great state of Florida. We are better than this.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an area of the state in the southern part of the state that's very difficult for a map drawer
• or compared to the state average.
• or compared to the state average.
• Were we influenced by the mid-decade redistricting advocates in states like Texas, California, Virginia
• Let's not have him destroy our state, our great state of Florida. We are better than this.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard a Governor’s Office presentation on a proposed congressional reapportionment map. The governor’s counsel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be considered at all in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection law and should be treated as non-severable. The presentation also discussed the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Callais and the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision as part of the legal rationale for the map. Jason Parada, who said he drew the map alone, described the map as based on 2020 census block data, with county-level population estimates used only as a guide to identify faster-growing areas. He said the plan keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores similar to the current benchmark map, and uses traditional geographic and political boundaries such as roads, railways, county lines, and municipal lines. He walked through regional changes, emphasizing a race-neutral redesign that significantly altered South Florida, including changes to districts in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Everglades, while leaving several northern districts largely unchanged. Members questioned the witnesses extensively about the legal theory, the use of partisan data, the role of race, population growth, and the timing and review of the map. The witnesses said partisan data was considered along with other traditional redistricting criteria, but race was not used. They also said they could not speak to who else reviewed the map beyond EOG staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns about the map’s compactness, county and city splits, the apparent partisan effects, and the fact that the map was released shortly before the special session. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As stated, it is a revision bill.
• As stated, it is a revision bill.
• bypass Arizona state law.
• , and in our state...
• any state agency.

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills. SB 1668, dealing with funeral and disposition timelines and related requirements for unborn children and minors, drew emotional testimony from funeral industry representatives and a parent about burdensome deadlines and problems obtaining signatures from an ex-partner; it also drew opposition over language referencing abortion clinics and reproductive freedom. The committee adopted a due-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. SB 1286, on veterinary telemedicine prescription limits, was amended to shorten non-antimicrobial prescriptions to 30 days and allow antimicrobial prescriptions for up to 14 days without an in-person exam; veterinarians and industry representatives were neutral with caution or supportive, while opponents warned about overprescribing and inadequate diagnosis. The amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then passed SB 1235, joining the emergency services personnel licensure interstate compact, on a 7-0 vote, with the sponsor describing it as a reciprocity measure for EMTs and paramedics. SB 1446, which changes dialysis social worker documentation from monthly to quarterly to match federal and most state practice, also passed unanimously after support from DaVita. SB 1515, an Industrial Commission cleanup bill that renames positions, removes obsolete private employment office oversight language, and shifts publication of fee schedules online, was amended and passed 7-0. SB 1678, concerning documentation and oversight in health care institutions and group homes for vulnerable adults, was amended to remove a patient-form requirement and instead require DHS investigation when EMS personnel complain that a DNR was not provided; providers moved to neutral or support after the amendment, and the bill passed 6-0 with one not voting. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1747, which would require social media platforms to terminate accounts for minors under 14 and certain 14- and 15-year-olds without parental consent and impose age-verification and harmful-content restrictions. Opponents from NetChoice, TechNet, and Meta raised privacy, security, and constitutional concerns and argued for app-store-based parental controls instead, while a parents’ advocate supported the bill as a starting point for child safety. The transcript ends during that hearing without a final committee action on SB 1747.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, Bennie Cook, State Representative for the 143rd District, Maries, Phelps, and Texas County.
• State Representative for the 143rd District, Maries, Phelps, and Texas County.
• And if you look at the other 50 states on that sheet that I gave you, 26 states have done this, 24 states
• in a different manner than other states and haven't had to sue our PBM, which most other states are
• See, we don't—people that are the state, the state who works the people in here, they don't have that

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first took testimony on House Bill 1681, which would require health carriers and pharmacy benefit managers to count amounts paid by or on behalf of an enrollee for certain medications toward out-of-pocket maximums when no generic substitute is available. The sponsor described the bill as helping patients with serious illnesses afford needed drugs. The committee then adopted a substitute that rolled HB 1681 together with House Bills 1941 and 2279, including an ERISA-related labor exemption, and passed the combined committee substitute by a vote of 15-2. The committee next heard House Bill 2365, which was also combined with related bills through a substitute that changed terminology to “delivery systems.” That substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the House Committee substitute for House Bills 2365, 2490, and 2249 was then approved unanimously, 18-0. After that, the committee heard House Bill 2149, the dementia care coordinator bill. The sponsor and supporters from the Alzheimer’s Association and family caregivers argued the state needs a central point person to coordinate resources, improve early detection, support caregivers, and connect rural residents to services. Members raised concerns about the fiscal note, whether the work duplicates existing Area Agencies on Aging and Alzheimer’s Association services, and whether two FTEs would be effective statewide. No vote was taken on HB 2149 during the portion provided. The committee also heard House Bill 2309, which would prohibit Missouri insurance coverage for organ transplants or related services involving organs taken from prisoners of conscience in China. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a human-rights measure aimed at condemning organ harvesting and abuse of Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. Members asked whether there was documentation of such transplants in Missouri and whether federal oversight exists; the sponsor said there is no reporting mechanism and no known opposition. No action was taken on the bill in the excerpt. Finally, the committee began testimony on House Bills 1975 and 1850, pharmacy benefit manager reform bills. The sponsors said the measures are intended to protect local pharmacies, improve transparency, limit harmful audit practices, and create a critical access pharmacy program. Supporters, including a pharmacy business group, argued PBM practices drive up drug costs and close pharmacies. Opponents, including a carpenters’ health plan representative, warned the bills could increase costs for self-funded plans, limit network and mail-order arrangements, and shift more administrative burden onto plan sponsors. The hearing continued with questions and testimony, but no final vote is shown in the provided transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is a busy day in the State House.
• Today is a busy day in the State House.
• Other states.
• I'm in Texas as well.
• And in particular, a New Jersey state Supreme Court case has found that insurance a New Jersey state

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a lengthy hearing on June 18 focused on workers’ compensation, independent contractor and classification issues, workplace safety, warehouse worker protections, extreme temperature protections, retaliation against injured workers, and workplace bullying. Committee chairs outlined procedures for the hybrid hearing and noted that members would be leaving intermittently for floor votes. Testimony also touched on a bill to expand workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits by removing the current $15,000 cap and extending coverage beyond scars on the hands, neck, and face. A major theme was workplace safety in warehouses and in extreme heat or cold. Teamsters, warehouse workers, and labor advocates described high injury rates, strict quotas, lack of water, inadequate ventilation, frozen or missing safety equipment, and pressure to work through heat waves and snowstorms. Supporters urged favorable reports on bills protecting warehouse workers and requiring employers to adopt heat- and cold-safety plans, while the NFIB opposed the temperature bill as overly prescriptive and burdensome for small businesses. Sen. Edwards, Sen. Roche, Rep. O’Day, and others argued that the measures are needed to prevent heat illness, provide shade, water, rest breaks, training, and emergency plans, and to cover all workers regardless of immigration status. Another major subject was the “Act to Protect Injured Workers,” backed by labor groups, immigrant worker centers, legal services organizations, and individual workers. Witnesses said employers often retaliate after injuries by threatening deportation, lying about how injuries occurred, delaying care, or firing workers, and they supported stronger anti-retaliation enforcement, multilingual notices, and a rebuttable presumption of retaliation within 90 days of protected activity. The Mass AFL-CIO and immigrant advocacy groups supported the bill and opposed measures they said would weaken employee classification standards. Testimony also supported a funeral-benefits bill to raise workers’ compensation death-benefit reimbursement for burial and funeral costs, based on a family’s experience after a workplace fatality. The committee heard additional testimony on workplace bullying bills, with some witnesses urging a new legal duty for employers to prevent and respond to bullying, while others described the harms of toxic workplaces and the lack of effective remedies.