Transcript Highlights:

• She is on remote, and uh, this is a good time for me to remind testifiers to please limit your comments
• ><00:02:38.280> on interventionist from oana she is on interventionist from oana she is on remote
• 02:39.959> good<00:02:40.120> time<00:02:40.239> for<00:02:40.360> me remote
• and uh this is a good time for me remote and uh this is a good time for me to<00:02:40.680> remind

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She'll be here remotely to present on the items of 5A and six loans and one grant requiring action.
• Williams<00:12:27.800> she'll<00:12:28.040> be<00:12:28.199> here<00:12:28.399> remotely
• <00:12:29.480> to Williams she'll be here remotely to Williams she'll be here remotely to

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the January minutes and then received several informational reports on school district tax levies, revenue bonds, lease advertisements, and previously rejected lease transactions. Members were told that one rejected lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Hardin County would be canceled and rebid, while a Perry County lease modification for the Energy and Environment Cabinet would proceed. The Kentucky Communications Network Authority also submitted its quarterly capital projects report, and Eastern Kentucky University reported revisions to asset preservation projects. Janice Thomas, Deputy State Budget Director, presented four capital project action items. These included a Kentucky State University Betty White Building renovation funded by USDA grant money, a Department of Education state schools dormitory and cottage renovation appropriation increase because bids exceeded estimates, a restricted-funds scope increase for the Elizabethtown CTC science building expansion, and a pool project report for the Department of Corrections’ KCIW kitchen drain line repair and replacement. Representative Petrie asked about how often the statutory authority for midstream project increases is used and whether bids are typically competitive; Thomas said the increases are used often when bids come in above estimates and that bids are generally competitive, though construction costs have been difficult to gauge. The committee unanimously approved the first three action items, and the KCIW project was reported with no action required. H. Sandy Williams of the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority then presented six loans and one emergency grant. The items included loans for Frankfort’s East Frankfort Interceptor wet weather facility project, Sturgis wastewater improvements, Scottsville inflow and infiltration work, Morganfield wastewater treatment plant planning and design, Western Pulaski County Water District transmission improvements, and Springfield water system planning and replacement work, plus an emergency Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville following a sewer treatment plant failure and local emergency declarations. After no questions, the committee unanimously approved the seven KIA transactions. Chelsea Couch then presented a Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for $38.4 million to finance a multifamily rental project in Jefferson County; members asked how the committee participates and were told it was a conduit issuance rather than state debt. The committee approved that item. Finally, the committee heard an informational Turnpike Authority refunding issuance of about $53 million for present value savings, then approved four SFCC debt issues for Henderson, Pulaski, Scott, and Trimble counties to finance school renovations and construction. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and location.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Kozlowski, go ahead. Lee can't hear it.
• the clerk will call the name of the member<00:06:37.280> voting member voting member voting remotely

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's remote. Is Leslie Scantz Hodgson online, or Annie Murphy, or Lynn Simmons?
• Okay what about the next and it's remote is Leslie Scantz Hodgson online or Annie Murphy or Lynn Simmons
• Is Leslie Hodgson remote? And Lynn Simmons? I'm here. Can you hear me? Yes, go right ahead, please.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of public retirement and municipal health insurance bills. Mass Retirees and the American Federation of Teachers supported House 2890/Senate 1848 on transparency in municipal health insurance, arguing that broker and consultant roles should be clearly defined, commissions disclosed, and dual roles prohibited to reduce conflicts of interest and costs. They also supported House 2799/Senate 1848 on protecting municipal retirees from future premium contribution increases, House 2854 on voting rights for surviving spouses in retirement board elections, and Senate 1917 on updating the definition of veteran for retirement purposes. Committee members discussed whether the veteran definition should simply conform to the federal definition going forward. Educators testified in support of House 2769/Senate 1921, which would allow teachers with at least 20 years of service to buy back creditable service for periods when they worked part-time while raising children. Multiple teachers described the financial and retirement penalties they experienced after stepping down to part-time work for child care, calling the current system inequitable and a “mom tax.” Sponsors and supporters said the bill is intended to correct that disparity and help retain teachers, while one committee member noted it appeared neutral on an actuarial basis. The committee also heard strong support for Senate 1908, which would raise the cap on outside income for public pension recipients, from retired State Police troopers who said the current limit is outdated and unfair to those forced into disability retirement after line-of-duty injuries. Another State Police representative supported House 2910 on state police pensions, citing recruitment and retention problems under current pension rules. In contrast, Hampden County Regional Retirement System officials and the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems opposed House 2745, a bill to restructure the Hampden County system’s governance, arguing it would weaken PERAC oversight and create an unworkable local system. They instead supported House 2813, which would extend the time to fill a vacant fifth member seat on retirement boards. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted to adjourn the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely: Olsen.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. House File 14, Olsen votes no.
• The member participating remotely: Olsen. House File 5. Olsen votes no. Olsen votes no.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chief Clerk will call the names of the people participating remotely today. Angan.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Hill. Go for it. Hill, yes.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Hill. Go ahead.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Senate Bill 2615 seeks to ensure consistency in remote work policies across Texas public institutions
• Current remote work policies vary widely among institutions.
• The intention is for the institutions to retain flexibility to approve remote work in limited cases where

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard Senate Bill 1961, which would expand reporting on post-secondary outcomes and workforce data, including employment, earnings, regional labor demand, and credentials of value. Senator Bettencourt said the bill is intended to close data gaps and improve alignment between education programs and workforce needs. Witnesses from Opportunity Austin, Texas 2036, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, and the Fort Worth workforce community testified in support, saying better data would help students, parents, schools, employers, and regional economic development efforts. After questions from members about regional workforce pipelines and semiconductor talent needs, public testimony closed and SB 1961 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably, including SB 1325, SB 604, SB 1832, SB 747, SB 2185, and SB 2395, with committee substitutes adopted where needed. SB 1325 was amended to remove the DSHS commissioner’s authority to issue standing orders for respiratory distress medication in schools. SB 1832, relating to school transfer or private-school funding options for students victimized by a public school employee, and SB 747, relating to intimate visual material policies, were both advanced on recorded votes. SB 2185, on the bilingual education allotment, was initially moved to a local calendar but was later backed up and reported to the full Senate after a fiscal note was noted. SB 2395, on school district general obligation bonds, was also reported favorably and then moved to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 646, which would expand the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to additional professions, increase award amounts, and add stipends for rural and bilingual service. Senator West said the bill responds to mental health workforce shortages and inflation. The Texas Counseling Association supported the measure, and a Hogg Foundation representative said participation has grown sharply since prior changes. SB 646 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2647, which would create a Texas state accrediting agency and interim oversight system for higher education accreditors; supporters from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a massage school owner argued it would improve accountability and reduce accreditor overreach, while Senator Menendez raised concerns about effects on law and medical school accreditation and student opportunities. SB 2647 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2786, which would exempt first responders from the Texas Success Initiative entrance exam, and SB 2615, which would standardize remote-work policies across public higher education institutions. The Texas State Association of Firefighters supported SB 2786, saying it would remove an extra step for career advancement; the bill was left pending because the committee substitute had not yet been adopted. SB 2615 was presented as a way to ensure more consistent in-person staffing expectations while preserving exceptions for illness, disability, and some non-teaching roles; it too was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:52.160> Um, remotely from Fairmont, Minnesota.
• Um, remotely from Fairmont, Minnesota.
• <01:05:20.880> Ethan will be testifying remotely. Ethan will be testifying remotely.
• Uh, we have Michael Wjic who will be testifying remotely.
• And we have MJ testifying remotely.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have one remote testifier as well. So we'll start with Maya Grim.
• And we have one remote testifier as well. So we'll start with Maya Grim.
• <02:28:09.439> So,<02:28:09.600> we'll remote testifier as well.
• So, we'll remote testifier as well.
• <02:46:54.399> tour, guess, or were offered a remote tour, guess, or were offered a remote

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to the hybrid nature of this hearing, those wishing to provide remote testimony were required to
• Grigoratus We will call up Melrose Mayor Jennifer Grigoratus from the city of Melrose, testifying remotely

Keywords: 995, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] [Music] [Music] Let's call the names remotely.
• 18.400> call<00:04:18.639> the Let's call the Let's call the names<00:04:20.720> remotely

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have two remote testifiers, and so I'll have you two step aside.
• And then we do have one testifier remotely, so Ms.
• from teach our remote testifier from teach Minnesota<01:25:45.400> um<01:25:45.639> chair<
• I’ll follow up with the testifier that was remote.
• it sounds like they do tier two remote it sounds like they do tier two so<01:42:32.639> I<01:

Bills: HF846, HF1538, HF1959

Keywords: education, special education, apprenticeship, funding, grants, intermediate school districts, teacher apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, teacher licensure, teacher shortage, workforce development, education finance, K-12 education, higher education, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, Tier 3 license, teacher preparation, mentor teacher, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is this committee able to meet remotely? Would that help? We can.
• We do have remote participation, and often people who are based in Durham actually are participating
• remotely, but with the number of members we have, even if we don't count the seats that aren't filled
• Um, is this committee able to meet remotely? Would that help? We can.
• We do have remote participation, and often people who are based in Durham actually are participating

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here remotely.
• This was simply because we understood the option to be remote as an option that was equal to being there
• <01:29:34.719> option<01:29:35.120> to<01:29:35.360> be<01:29:35.600> remote
• understood the the option to be remote understood the the option to be remote as as as an<01:29:
• option uh of of uh doing it remotely. option uh of of uh doing it remotely.

Keywords: This meeting will take place Upon Adjournment of both Chambers. An exact time is not given or known at this time., 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met for its first 2026 meeting, approved the December 9 minutes, and reviewed 337 contracts totaling about $71.8 million. After a motion to consider the routine contract lists without objection passed, the committee pulled several items for discussion, including contracts from the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Department of Highways, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, and Kentucky State University. Most items were ultimately approved by roll call votes. For the Council on Postsecondary Education item, members discussed why the contract was not handled through the usual Finance Cabinet bidding process. Staff explained it stemmed from House Bill 200 and the healthcare workforce incentive fund, which uses a separate competitive award process and steering committee under different statutory standards. The committee accepted that explanation and approved the contract. Department of Highways staff then explained the difference between scour assessments, which evaluate erosion and foundation risk around bridge piers, and load ratings, which assess the bridge structure itself. Members also questioned a larger engineering contract increase; staff said it reflected progression from preliminary engineering to final design on a phased project and estimated the funding split at roughly 80% federal and 20% state. Those highway contracts were approved. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission presented a legal services contract. Officials said the new corporation had identified legal needs, issued an RFP, and awarded four firms to create a pool of counsel to avoid conflicts as the agency now licenses racing, sports betting, and charitable gaming. They also said an emergency contract was needed after a temporary restraining order was issued in litigation involving charitable gaming machines and alleged losses to charities. The committee asked about the litigation and the affected organizations, and the contract was approved. Kentucky State University then defended a marketing/enrollment contract despite financial concerns, saying the work was intended to raise awareness of the university, improve enrollment, and support financial stability. University officials also said they were tightening student payment enforcement and collection practices, including payment plans and holding students accountable for balances. That contract was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• What was the final count for remote sign-ins?
• Thanks. 44 individuals signed in remotely in support and 1,732 individuals signed in opposition.
• In fact, we heard what happened when other states did it. um count um count for<00:58:58.200> remote
• 59.600> I<00:58:59.760> have<00:59:00.480> the<00:59:00.600> last for remote
• I have the last for remote sign-ins?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one was remote work, and number two was communities that were actually creating programs and incentives
• gonna work itself out and as he stated the population is changing, people are working from home, remote
• 33:07.200> home changing people are working from home changing people are working from home remote
• <00:33:09.039> So<00:33:09.200> this remote work and other things.
• So this remote work and other things.

Bills: HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354, HB517, HB520, HB233, HB354

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing law requires state boards and commissions that utilize the remote meeting option to maintain
• a quorum at a single location, keep their cameras on, and provide remote testimony options.
• Advisory boards without decision-making authority may meet fully remotely.
• Advisory boards without decision-making authority may meet fully remotely.
• SB 50 will prevent abusers from controlling and remotely harassing victims when instances of abuse are

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a long floor file with many Senate bills. Early procedural actions included unanimous-consent motions, a successful roll-call to rescind prior action on SB 351, and a 54-vote suspension of Joint Rule 61(a)(3) to allow floor amendments on SBs 80, 351, and 415. The chamber also made several referrals, moved one item to the inactive file, and welcomed new Assembly Member Natasha Johnson and other guests. The bulk of the meeting consisted of concurrence and third-reading votes on a wide range of measures, many of them passing with little or no opposition. Topics included tribal gaming grants (AB 221), State Bar fee and bar exam changes (SB 253), AI guardrails in community colleges (SB 241), consumer arbitration clauses (SB 82), due process for law enforcement in Racial Justice Act cases (SB 734), dental payment fee disclosures (SB 386), HOA balcony inspection reports (SB 410), farmland protection and EIFD rules (SB 5 and SB 516), emergency shelter zoning (SB 340), HIV confidentiality (SB 504), election signature-cure reforms (SB 3), contractor workers’ compensation compliance (SB 291), fire training funding (SB 345), wage theft enforcement (SB 355 and SB 261), food allergen disclosures (SB 68), ride-share insurance coverage (SB 371), housing and disaster recovery measures (SB 233, SB 625, SB 21), midwifery education (SB 520), mobile home insurance access (SB 525), epinephrine in schools (SB 568), health facility emergency licensing (SB 582), hair relaxer enforcement (SB 236), wastewater surveillance (SB 317), and several tax, transportation, and public health bills. A number of bills drew brief policy debate or opposition. SB 388, creating a California Latino Commission, prompted criticism from some members who argued the money should go directly to community needs rather than a new commission; it still passed. SB 50 on digital safety for victims of abuse, SB 20 on silicosis prevention, SB 306 on prior authorization reform, SB 373 on oversight of out-of-state special education placements, and SB 437 on reparations descendant-status verification were among the more substantive and discussed measures. Most bills passed by wide margins, often unanimously, and several urgency or tax-levy measures required 54 votes and were approved. The session ended with continued passage of remaining file items and multiple items retained or passed temporarily for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• definition of telework to be, quote, a flexible work arrangement where employees divide time between remote
• I still work 100% remote.
• They were hired remotely and have never interacted with their colleagues.
• It's a cost to the employees because now the employees who have been remote workers are going to have
• and no one has said a thing about productivity being down because of RTO okay I perform my job via remote

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to have trained people, and frankly, in a remote area, In a community like this, you're going
• You know, this isn't a community that's remote in the sense that Mosquero is remote, but it's on I-25

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to discuss H. 303, which is an act of remote community development planning.
• I'm here today to discuss H. 303, which is an act of remote community development planning.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses held a brief hearing on several housing and planning bills. Testimony focused on Senate Bill 176 and House Bill 313, which would update Chapter 40R smart growth zoning incentives and double municipal payments for adopting qualifying zoning districts, and Senate Bill 177, a technical correction to Chapter 40S so starter-home districts created under Chapter 40Y would also qualify for school cost reimbursement. Benjamin Fierro, representing the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts, strongly supported the bills, arguing that the current incentives are too modest, that starter homes are needed for young and first-time buyers, and that the school reimbursement fix is necessary to align the statutes. Nally Soto of the Massachusetts Housing Coalition also supported the bills, saying the higher incentives would help municipalities approve more housing and address the housing shortage. Representative Kassner testified on House Bill 303, a remote community development planning bill modeled on Executive Order 418. She said it would restore and expand statewide comprehensive planning for land use, transportation, housing, open space, infrastructure, and climate resilience, with regional planning agencies playing a key role. Committee members asked about how Chapter 40S reimbursement is calculated and how the planning bill would interact with existing regional planning commissions. One member also spoke in support of the housing bills and described local challenges with affordability, land costs, and compliance with the MBTA Communities law. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chair closed testimony after a final call for additional witnesses and announced that the committee would continue working on the bills and hold one more hearing in September on additional measures and late-filed bills. The committee then adjourned by motion and second.