Transcript Highlights:

• Current law requires tax preparers to register with the California Tax Education Council, but exempts
• CPA firms, including their employees, are not subject to the requirements under the California Tax Education
• This mistake was hidden from the parents, only coming to light when I resumed the child's care.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several bills, including SB 788 by Senator Niello, which clarified that CPAs and CPA firms, including employees and out-of-state CPAs authorized to practice in California, are regulated by the California Board of Accountancy rather than subject to Tax Preparation Act registration requirements. Supporters said the bill would reduce duplicative regulation and confusion; there was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 351 by Senator Cabaldon, aimed at strengthening enforcement of California’s corporate practice of medicine rules as they relate to private equity and hedge fund involvement in medical and dental practices. The author and physician supporters argued that private equity can interfere with clinical decisions and patient care, while opposition from the American Investment Council said the bill could sweep in legitimate business practices and requested a narrow amendment. The bill passed to Judiciary. SB 312 by Senator Umberg was heard next and would require health certificates for imported dogs sold in California to be submitted to CDFA and made publicly available, with supporters describing it as a transparency and consumer protection measure to combat puppy mills and misleading online sales. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Agriculture. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 291, SB 387, SB 517, SB 602, and SB 773, all moving to their respective committees. The meeting ended after additional roll calls and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• to early education and care.
• The Office of Private Occupational School Education.
• And that's what this public education is all about.
• And 60,000 young people with no education, with no public education. AAA donated the curriculum.
• And, but we need to educate. ...we need to educate young people more because gas station, believe it

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agricultural Education Promise Act.
• <00:32:09.240><c> and</c><00:32:09.440><c> Agricultural</c><00:32:10.080><c> Education</c> Yes.
• Promise Fund is to advance agriculture fairs and agriculture education in the state.
• education and to the Maryland FFA Association for agriculture education and career development.
• House Bill 1428, Somerset County Board of Education Alterations, favorable.

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, March 21, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank also my neighbors who are educators and my own former educators, including Ms.
• Other teachers were on parental leave and missed the enrollment entirely.
• the opportunity for our hardworking educators to be able to get back into this.
• It provides $1.35 billion in meaningful education and transportation investments.
• number of important educational programs in addition to rural aid, special education being perhaps the

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions: one recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States and another congratulating Zachary Erich on earning Eagle Scout. The chamber then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions and adopting extension orders giving the Committee on Financial Services additional time to report on credit union and mortgage financing bills, with members emphasizing the extensions were limited and needed to complete ongoing work. The Senate then took up House No. 4361, a bill relative to benefits for teachers, which was amended by Ways and Means and passed to be engrossed after extensive support from members. Senators described the measure as a long-delayed fix to the Retirement Plus program, creating a one-time window through June 30, 2027 for eligible teachers to buy in, with required back payments of missed contributions. The bill passed by a roll call of 39-0. The chamber also passed S. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and S. 3107 on advancing the profession of commercial interior design, both after supportive floor debate. The Senate later adopted a conference committee report on the FY26 supplemental budget, H. 5470, after debate over its major spending items. Supporters highlighted municipal winter relief, MBTA operating and capital support, education funding, housing incentives, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents criticized MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax-related provisions. The report was approved by roll call, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The Senate also enacted several local bills, including measures for Berkeley recall elections, a Milton school construction deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate concurred in a House amendment to S. 2563, a broad bill revising laws affecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by replacing outdated and offensive terminology in 346 sections of the General Laws. Members described it as a dignity and language modernization measure. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday, and the day’s adjournment was dedicated to the memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ran Kusumoto, of Parents and Children, together, can support Peter Dames, Pacific.
• Ran Kusumoto, of Parents and Children, together, can support Peter Dames, Pacific.
• Ran Kusumoto, of Parents and Children, together, can support Peter Dames, Pacific Inc.
• We are developing programs to educate the administration about how can we use AI.
• </c><00:59:38.520><c> experience</c> been a tremendous educational experience been a tremendous educational

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of Governor’s messages for confirmation to several boards and councils, with the chair noting the meeting would continue on Monday and that testimony would be limited due to the large volume of submissions. For Governor’s Message 660, Kelly Oka was nominated to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Oka described her work in workforce development and technology, emphasizing equitable access to tech jobs for local residents, keeping young talent in Hawaii, and using HTDC to attract major technology firms and support cybersecurity and startup growth. Testimony from multiple individuals and organizations was strongly supportive, and members asked about HTDC’s challenges, federal funding, and how to attract more tech investment; no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then considered Governor’s Message 529, nominating Fono Cafi Mei to the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board. Mei said he had 20 years of crane-operating experience, including work on rail projects, and union representatives and labor organizations testified in support. Next, Governor’s Message 502 nominated Ken Louie to the Workforce Development Council. Louie highlighted his four years on the council, including two as chair, his family business, and his goal of expanding opportunities for younger and adult workers. DBEDT, council members, and labor representatives supported him, and members questioned him about the council’s priorities, staffing, federal funding uncertainty, apprenticeships, and military-to-private-sector transition programs. The committee also took up Governor’s Messages 581 and 690 together, both relating to Jared Gashi’s nomination to the Workforce Development Council for different terms. Gashi, from the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, said he would bring the tourism industry’s perspective to workforce development, citing workforce shortages, internships, scholarships, and the need for a broader tourism voice on the council. Support testimony came from state officials and community members, who praised his reliability and leadership; a member asked how he would broaden the council beyond tourism, and Gashi said HLTA represents a wide range of tourism-related sectors and partners. The committee then heard Governor’s Message 571 for Eric Noi to the Deferred Compensation Plan Board, with Noi citing his fiscal and budgeting background; DHS, the board chair, and others supported him. Finally, Governor’s Message 667 nominated Ty Noara to the same board, and Keith Regan testified in strong support, citing her public service, intelligence, and ability to handle difficult situations. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Governor’s Message 560, nominating David Louie to the Employees’ Retirement System Board, with Louie, the ERS executive director, the finance director, and former Governor Abercrombie offering strong support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip and members, House Bill 4161 is the Higher Education Budget Bill for fiscal year 2027.
• Madam Witt members, House Bill 4161 is the Higher Education Budget Bill for fiscal year 27.
• Madam Whip and members, House Bill 4163 is the K-12 education budget bill for fiscal year 27.
• for the parents of students enrolled in the participating schools, as well as a uniform child sexual
• Chairman Livingston, do we still have the education rollover? Yes, the education rollover, we do.

Summary: The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members. Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board. The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to keep three vacant education positions temporarily filled as they search for replacements.
• This is to keep three vacant education positions temporarily filled as they search for.
• Three vacant education positions temporarily filled as they search for full-time employees for those
• Contract number three, Higher Education Division with ASU-BB. This is a new We're on page two now.
• Contract number three, Higher Education Division with ASU-BB.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is a retired hand surgeon, and she is the proud mother of four young men who all followed in their parents
• After high school, Brody is exploring higher education at the University of Arizona, or a career in the
• After high school, Brody is exploring higher education at the University of Arizona, or a career in the
• After high school, Brody is exploring higher education at the University of Arizona, or a career in the
• Chairman, your Committee on Education has under consideration Senate Bill 1009 and respectfully recommends

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have parents; they're alive. They love me.
• I have parents; they're alive. They love me.
• I have parents; they're alive. They love me.
• I have parents; they're alive. They love me.
• </c> struggling with caring for aging parents struggling with caring for aging parents and and and siblings

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Higher Education. Oh, we're not on yet. Am I good now? Okay.
• The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee will come to order. Sarah, please call the roll.
• First up, the Department of Education.
• Today we have Suzanne Pridgen, the Deputy Director of the Department of Education. Ms.
• , workforce education. nursing education, and various instructional enhancements such as mentoring.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, talks about varying expenditures. 667 relative to health 667 relative to health education. education
• . education.
• The note on this is education.
• That's a bill that you're Education.
• And so I'm education trust fund.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The overarching theme for these two days is to be educational.
• Sorry about that, but the Supreme Court came out and ruled that a child's public education could not
• Sorry about that, but the Supreme Court came out and ruled that a child's public education could not
• States all ran back in legislators for To equal education, states all ran back, and legislators for a
• number of years looked at how they were going to run public education with our Constitution and with

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for an educational session focused on how Florida funds public schools and how property taxes are assessed and levied. Dr. Jim Zengali of the Department of Revenue explained the FEFP school funding formula, noting that it is built on weighted student counts, a base student allocation, and programmatic add-ons such as transportation, exceptional student education, school safety, and mental health. He said school funding is roughly split between state general revenue and local property taxes through required local effort, with additional discretionary and capital outlay millages contributing to total school funding. He also described the Department of Revenue’s role in certifying property rolls at fair market value and reviewing them for substantial compliance, including the so-called “nuclear option” if a roll is not approved. Members asked about trends in millage rates, county-by-county funding differences, the effect of growth and enrollment changes, and how property appraisals are reviewed. Zengali said aggregate millage for school funding has declined over the last decade while revenues have still increased, and he agreed to provide additional data on county trends, parcel strata, student growth, and enrollment impacts. He also clarified that school funding is equalized so students receive similar resources regardless of county wealth, and that federal funding plays only a small role in the FEFP. Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research then discussed existing homestead benefits. She said about half of Florida’s parcels are homestead properties, most fall in the $250,000 to $500,000 value range, and many seniors without mortgages pay property taxes in lump sums rather than through escrow. Baker explained that Florida’s homestead tax burden is middle-of-the-pack nationally and that the main benefits are Save Our Homes and portability on the differential side, plus the $25,000 homestead exemption and related exemptions on the exemption side. She said these benefits reduce taxable value substantially, with homestead properties receiving a large share of the reductions, and noted that the committee requested follow-up data on exemption usage, portability timing, senior exemptions, and county-level patterns. The final presentation, by Lizette Kelly of the Department of Revenue, covered millage rates and the TRIM process. She reviewed the history of truth-in-millage notices, required taxpayer mailings, public hearing notices, and later changes that tied local millage resets to rollback and majority-vote rates. Kelly explained the difference between proposed and adopted millage, the rollback rate, and the majority-vote rate, and described how taxing authorities include counties, cities, special districts, and MSTUs. She also outlined how county taxable value is calculated from just value through assessment differentials and exemptions, and how certain exemptions, such as the additional senior exemption, apply only to the taxing authority that adopted them. No votes were taken during the meeting, but members requested several follow-up data reports for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trisha Kajimura, Parents and Children Together, in support. >> Chair, I'll send my written testimony
• Trisha Kajimura, parents and No. Okay.
• ,</c> mo it sounds mostly educational, mo it sounds mostly educational, right?
• </c><01:11:30.800><c> the</c> doctors, it is basically educating the doctors, it is basically educating
• So it's a a huge educational &gt;&gt; right.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS and LBT meeting opened with accessibility concerns, as several blind attendees arrived after the general public had already been seated. The chair apologized and said future hearings would try to seat blind members earlier. The committee also announced the hearing was being streamed on YouTube, testimony would be limited to one minute, and written testimony was available online. The first bill heard was SB 2281, relating to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Department of Health supported transparency for patients but preferred disclosure through provider websites and office signage rather than a new regulatory program. The Hawaii Medical Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about administrative burden and suggested a working group or model policies. Hawaii Pacific Health said it already uses AI for note-taking and patient portal functions and worried that written notice requirements could create too much consumer information. In response, the chair emphasized that patients should be informed when AI is used, especially if it affects diagnosis or consequential decisions, and said AI should not be making medical decisions. The committee later voted to recommend SB 2281 pass with amendments, including narrowing the definition of consequential decisions, removing certain language requested by DOH, adding a two-year implementation period, and setting a far-future defective date for further discussion; both committees adopted the recommendation, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting with reservations. The second major bill was SB 2852, a civil rights measure focused on digital access for people with disabilities. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii all supported the bill, arguing that existing law clearly protects physical access but should also make digital access explicit. Blind testifiers described how accessible technology, such as VoiceOver on iPhones, allows them to participate independently in public processes and warned that inaccessible digital systems can create barriers for thousands of blind residents. One testifier, an attorney with disability-law experience, supported the bill’s intent but said the draft had flaws, including no exceptions for archived materials, no distinction between small and large businesses, and concerns about the timing and choice of accessibility standards; he suggested delegating regulatory authority to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. The bill’s sponsor said he supported DAB’s proposed amendments, and the committee indicated those amendments would address many of the concerns raised. No final vote on SB 2852 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 2751, which defines compounded prescription drugs for workers’ compensation purposes. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments to keep pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in licensed pharmacies and to limit any physician compounding authority to the physician’s own patient. Supporters included the Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, while Solera Integrated Medical Solutions opposed the measure, arguing the current definition was already broad enough and warning about cost inflation, especially with 503B bulk compounding facilities and physician dispensing. In questioning, members asked about rural access, reimbursement for 503B products, and late testimony suggesting definitions for 503A and 503B facilities, limits on physician dispensing to 30 days post-injury, and pre-approval for non-FDA-approved drugs. DLIR said not every rural community has licensed pharmacists available, that products with a national drug code are reimbursed at 140%, and that 503B facilities raise concerns because they are bulk manufacturers rather than patient-specific compounding operations. The meeting then moved into decision-making on SB 2281; the chair’s pass-with-amendments recommendation was adopted by both committees, with the vice chair voting with reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reform Act to ensure that all students receive an equitable education.
• They picture a parent that is picking up a kid from school.
• spent and where it is all going, this budget proposes to aim to invest $2.7 billion toward both education
• Towards both education and transportation needs.
• Some of the highlights for the Fair Share include, on the education side, $360 million for C3 Early Child

Summary: The House opened with routine procedural actions, including suspension of Joint Rule 12 for two petitions and suspension of Rule 7A to take up several bills immediately. Members advanced multiple Ways and Means bills to third reading, including measures on campaign finance reporting for statewide ballot questions, tax-free medical devices, fairness for Massachusetts Water Resources Authority employees, releasing land use restrictions in Revere, and authorizing a land taking in Norwood. Several engrossed local and special bills were then passed to be enacted, including measures affecting Boston police age waivers, the Hudson charter, Plymouth’s land acquisition account, Falmouth sewer-related costs, and Randolph’s charter. The House also considered Senate Bill 2916 on campaign finance reporting for ballot questions. Supporters said the bill would strengthen disclosure, close reporting loopholes, and improve transparency around ballot question committees and signature gathering, while also creating a commission to review the initiative petition process. Amendments were adopted, including changes to the commission’s membership and a separate amendment related to signature-gathering provisions. After debate, the bill passed to be engrossed by roll call vote 149-0. Members then took up the fiscal year 2027 budget conference report, House No. 5555, totaling about $63.4 billion. Supporters highlighted funding for Chapter 70 education aid, local aid, Fair Share investments in education and transportation, MBTA and regional transit support, housing and homelessness programs, food assistance, and immigration legal aid. The conference report was adopted by roll call 142-6, the emergency preamble was adopted, and the budget bill was passed to be enacted by the same vote. The House also declined concurrence on Senate Bill 3064, “to build resilience for Massachusetts communities,” and appointed a committee of conference, and later appointed a conference committee on House Bill 4646, enhancing child welfare protections. The session ended with a moment of silence for community figures and adjournment to the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• graduation requirement without providing a uniform alternative has undermined the goal of the 1993 Education
• Reform Act to ensure that all students receive an equitable education.
• They picture a parent that is picking up a kid from school.
• Towards both education and transportation needs.
• Some of the highlights for the Fair Share include, on the education side, $360 million for C3 Early Child

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I want to thank you again for taking the time to show us around today and to educate us.
• What we're hoping to do, though, is provide more education and awareness...
• What we're hoping to do, though, is provide more education and awareness... 6 through the 7th where they'll
• What we're hoping to do, though, is provide more education and awareness... Levels.
• What we're hoping to do, though, is provide more education and awareness about the importance of racial

Summary: The House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee held a field hearing on the Puyallup Reservation, where members first received an overview of sports betting in Washington. Tribal casino representatives and the Washington State Gambling Commission explained that sports betting became legal in 2020 under HB 2638 and is currently limited to tribal casinos through sportsbook, kiosk, and on-premise mobile wagering. Testimony covered how odds are set, compliance with federal anti-money-laundering rules, and the role of third-party vendors. Tribal representatives said sports betting supports tribal economic development and asked to expand betting to include Washington college teams, while warning that prediction markets and other unregulated products pose a threat. Committee members asked about geo-fencing, betting limits, in-state college betting restrictions, and regulatory oversight. No votes were taken. The committee then heard from Vicki Lowe of the American Indian Health Commission on tribal data sovereignty and health data. She described tribal sovereignty and the federal trust responsibility, and said tribes should have equitable access to their own health data and control over how it is used. She explained that during COVID, tribes often lacked direct access to state health data, which complicated case tracing and other public health work. Lowe said the Department of Health stopped collecting tribal affiliation in some contexts because of Public Records Act concerns, and she argued that this is inconsistent with tribal data-sharing principles adopted through the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council. Members asked for clarification about what counts as tribal data and how public records concerns affected data collection. No formal action was taken. Finally, Lucy Smartlut gave an update on the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force. She reported on the task force’s structure, its extension through 2027, and progress on recommendations including a fully funded cold case investigation unit in the Attorney General’s office, an updated missing persons resource, and forensic genetic genealogy work on unidentified remains. She said the cold case unit has active investigations, has helped locate missing Indigenous people, and made its first homicide arrest. She also presented data showing Native people are disproportionately represented among homicide and missing persons cases, and noted survey findings that many law enforcement agencies rely on officer observation for race data and have limited consultation with tribes. Committee members asked about funding, interagency coordination, and whether the task force is shifting toward prevention. The presenter said sustainability, continued awareness, and stronger collaboration remain priorities, and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The one thing that the state really hasn't spent down is that working parent child.
• I have is I think there were requests to change the inflators for educators.
• Chair, but something tells me that we killed that study in our education bill.
• I mean, I'm not, I think it should be in education. Yeah, but it's okay.
• I mean, I'm not, I think it should be in education.

Bills: SB2399

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Keywords: mental health, psychiatric treatment, reimbursement, medical assistance, legislative report, 908, all

Summary: The committee reconvened and first reconsidered House Bill 1612, the aerospace medical and mental health support center bill. Senator Cleary offered an amendment to reduce the general fund appropriation from $500,000 to $250,000 and require the university or project sponsors to find the remaining funding from other sources. The amendment passed, and the bill was then recommended do pass as amended, with members citing concerns about university funding, but others supporting the project as a one-time seed investment. The committee also discussed a possible future FMAP increase beginning October 1, 2026, which could reduce general fund costs by roughly $9 million, though members noted the figures were still preliminary and could be addressed later if needed. The committee then returned to Human Services budget items, including early childhood and child care funding, a community cultural center grant, and several other adjustments. Members discussed reducing the “best in class” amount, changes to child care grants and quality/infrastructure funding, and clarifying that prior child care assistance appropriations were in fact being spent. They also agreed to reduce the 1915(i) Medicaid waiver line by $2 million, with the understanding that the entitlement would still be funded as needed. The committee also considered taking guardianship funding out of House Bill 1012 because a separate bill, Senate Bill 2029, would move that funding elsewhere; members agreed that removing it from the budget could help the overall bill and could be restored if the separate bill failed. Several study amendments were discussed. Senator Cleary proposed adding a maternal health study related to prenatal services, doulas, midwives, and Medicaid, and members expressed support. The committee also discussed a software/case-management study proposal, but the department said it had not requested it and would not support it as presented, so members leaned against advancing it unless the department first evaluated it. Another amendment would authorize the department to work with the city of Grafton on a long-term plan for the LSTC campus and require a report back to the legislature; members supported that as legislative intent. The committee also agreed to remove a truancy study section for later conference discussion, and it reviewed other possible study ideas, including assistive technology, before adjourning to await updated long sheets and bill text.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, it revives the educational requirements.
• And then I would have liked it to say the Department of Education will interpret no response as a no,
• so that parents understand that they need to respond or if they don't respond it's a no, and that's
• And then I would have liked it to say the Department of Education will interpret no response as a no,
• Something like, 'I would like the Department of Education blah blah blah receiving summer EBT.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:57.559><c> Institute</c> higher education Institute higher education Institute not<00:28:58.919
• just our higher education not just our higher education institutions<00:29:00.600><c> but</c><00:29:
• </c> their uh economic and educational their uh economic and educational opportunity<00:42:58.319><c>
• </c> that further and on educational that further and on educational attainment<00:57:34.640><c> 13th
• </c> where businesses and education where businesses and education institutions<01:08:12.920><c> and<

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been serving the citizens of the Commonwealth throughout our history through our educational
• doesn't prevent them from using drone images, but what it does is harness the value of those images to educate
• came to fight because I believe in freedom of speech, and I grew up—my father's from Europe, both my parents
• It's at the fire scene, giving the homeowner the right amount of education, letting her make a decision
• So where are your parents from? My dad's from Slovakia. I speak Slovak, and my mother's from Italy.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on affordable housing insurance, homeowners insurance practices, climate resilience, and consumer protections after property losses. Senators and representatives testified in support of a resolve to create a commission on affordable housing insurance (S. 768/H. 1279), arguing that rising premiums and deductibles are threatening the viability of affordable housing properties and new development. Supporters also backed bills to establish private flood insurance standards (S. 719), create climate-resilient home retrofit grants (S. 720), expand the MVP climate resilience program (H. 1310/S. 686), and protect urban trees and limit insurer-driven tree removals (H. 1316). Several lawmakers and advocates said these measures would help reduce risk, preserve insurability, and address the effects of increasingly severe storms and flooding. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing insurer use of aerial imagery (H. 1242/H. 2142) and notice periods for nonrenewals or repairs (H. 4042 and related measures). Supporters said insurers should be allowed to use drones and satellite images but with stronger guardrails, including current photos, disclosure of risk factors, an appeals process, and time to cure defects. They argued that homeowners are sometimes blindsided by nonrenewals based on inaccurate aerial photos or given too little time to make repairs. Opponents from the insurance industry said aerial imagery is already regulated by the Division of Insurance, that additional statutory requirements could create confusion and litigation, and that existing notice rules already provide 45 days for nonrenewals and 60-day limits on cancellations. Industry witnesses also warned that some proposed timelines conflict with current law and could restrict useful underwriting tools. Another major topic was H. 1077, which would restrict solicitation by restoration companies and public adjusters at fire scenes. A homeowner described being approached immediately after a house fire by restoration and public-adjuster representatives and said the experience was intrusive and overwhelming; supporters said homeowners need time and space to make informed decisions after a disaster. Public adjusters and restoration contractors opposed the bill, saying they provide needed guidance, emergency mitigation, and claims assistance when homeowners are under stress, and that some existing protections already allow consumers to cancel contracts. The hearing ended after all listed witnesses testified, and the committee voted to close the hearing; no bill dispositions were taken during the session.