Transcript Highlights:

• Why I care so much about our Phoenix Union Maryvale High School students.
• Members, while the clerks are taking care of reports, thank you.
• And there is direct linkage to CARE and the Muslim Brotherhood that's been established by the FBI and
• That direct support to Hamas was outlined in the FBI report as well.
• That direct support to Hamas was outlined in the FBI report as well.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Victoria Tannenbaum as Doctor of the Day, Lutheran Day at the Legislature, a veterans treatment court judge, and Adrian Ace Stubbs Day. Attendance was recorded at 56 present, one absent, and three excused. The chamber then moved through communications, committee reports, and first/second readings before beginning a long third-reading calendar. Members considered and voted on a wide range of bills covering tax administration, groundwater and water rights, licensing timeframes, homicide, school employee transparency, mining, retirement system cleanup, utility regulation, AI and digital privacy, sexual extortion, adult protective services, salvage vehicles, veterinary board changes, geological survey reorganization, court fees, real estate licensing, probation, and several education-related appropriations and policy measures. Many bills passed on largely party-line votes, while others passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. Several members explained votes on issues such as superintendent contract transparency, ESA administration funding, mining reclamation, water supply and drought policy, motorcycle safety, AI and adult-content verification, and abortion-pill coercion. The House also passed multiple concurrent resolutions and memorials, including measures on election administration, Judea and Samaria, Route 66, and a memorial to rename State Route 69. Election-related debate was especially pointed, with supporters arguing for precinct-based voting and opponents warning of cost, reduced access, and logistical burdens. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to begin consideration of measures on Calendar No. 1, starting with HB 2174 and related amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each year their dedicated staff and volunteers provide direct services to tens of thousands of people
• So today, we honor Steve's memory, his legacy of service, and the countless lives.
• Dedicated to public service, Greg.
• . service.
• Forms should be submitted electronically, questions may be directed to Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• and non-civil service departments.
• General Law Section 31 civil service. The PFFM represents 237 local unions.
• these locals are civil service departments.
• Direct payments have been $2.9 million over the last three years.
• In fact, it has one section where it gives direction to the Board of Trustees. ...where it gives direction

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The committee opened its hearing with procedural remarks, including a strict three-minute testimony limit, livestream instructions, and a July 1 deadline for written testimony. Chairs Lewis and Rauch then heard testimony on a wide range of municipal home rule petitions and related bills, with many local officials and advocates being taken out of order because of the large turnout. A major topic was firefighter residency. Representatives of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and Sen. Keenan supported H. 2260/S. 1449, which would replace the current 15-mile residency rule for non-civil-service fire departments with a negotiable standard, generally allowing residency within 15 miles and permitting expansion through collective bargaining. Supporters said the change would improve recruitment and retention amid the housing crisis and create parity with civil-service departments. Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnhum and Sen. Senna also backed H. 4168 for Acton, making similar arguments about recruitment, paramedics, and the need for local flexibility. The committee also heard strong support for charter overhaul petitions for Somerville and Lynn. Somerville officials, including Rep. Barber, Mayor Ballantyne, Councilor Jake Wilson, and charter committee member Beverly Schwartz, described a years-long public process to replace an 1890s-era charter with a modern document emphasizing transparency, public participation, clearer governance, and a possible change to the mayor’s term length. Lynn Mayor Nicholson similarly supported a charter update to modernize city operations and financial procedures. Cambridge-related charter and procurement reforms were also briefly endorsed by Rep. Cabral. Other bills discussed included a proposal by Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Scarsdale to create a state grant program for municipal sustainability directors, and regional school finance bills supported by Rep. Lanatra and Jason Frazier to expand special education reserve funds and create a regional school assessment reserve fund. Acton witnesses also supported library governance changes and a checkout bag charge proposal. The committee heard sharply divided testimony on Quincy’s H. 3897, a 50-year lease extension for Quarry Hills/Granite Links: Quincy officials and business supporters praised the public-private partnership and future investment potential, while residents argued the lease was too long, should be competitively bid, and deserved more oversight and auditing. The hearing also included testimony on Boston trash truck noise restrictions and a PEG access/cable funds bill supported by Mass Access, as well as a Southwick petition to elect part of the Conservation Commission, which one select board member opposed as contrary to current law and good governance.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I need to be direct.
• </c> on medical cannabis to manage service on medical cannabis to manage service connected<00:43:28.720
• It's alarming to think that from care.
• :50.800><c> Cannabis</c><01:42:51.199><c> Management</c> direct the Office of Cannabis Management direct
• Uh and in regards to the direction.

Transcript Highlights:

• Navy in September 2023 after 39 and a half years of service.
• holistic, community-centered models of care.
• And this cold case team is truly a group of caring, concerned, talented, and tenacious people.
• Second, I don't care how much we try to sweep this inconvenient fact under the rug. It remains.
• Public service has a way of testing you.

Bills: HCR1026 , SB1130 , SB1134 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1142 , HR1049

Summary: The House convened, called the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions and presentations. Members honored Vice Admiral Jeff Trusler as Veteran of the Week, recognized the Prague Kolache Festival royalty and candidates, unveiled an artwork for the Capitol’s Hall of Heroes, and introduced the Doctor, Psychologist, and Nurse of the Day, along with the OSBI cold case team. The House also adopted HCR 1026, a resolution tied to Earth Day and “Lights Out Day” in Oklahoma, aimed at reducing light pollution and protecting migrating birds. A major portion of the meeting consisted of farewell remarks from Representatives Mike Osborne and Kevin West. Both reflected on their years of service, thanked family, staff, colleagues, and constituents, and emphasized themes of public service, hard work, conviction, and working across differences. Osborne’s remarks focused on freedom, immigration, service, and doing good in public life, while West stressed standing on principle, listening to others, and choosing courage over convenience. After the presentations and personal privilege speeches, the House moved into consideration of legislation. Chairman Caldwell presented the joint committee report on Senate Bill 1130, relating to the University Hospitals Authority, saying it would help ensure Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma have one of the world’s leading pediatric cardiology units. The transcript ends as members begin considering the bill, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:07.480><c> of</c> have chosen to do that in service of have chosen to do that in service of
• </c> Community yet we have no direct Community yet we have no direct representation<00:59:47.359><c>
• If we pick a team and go in that direction, one compact over the other, we're going in that direction
• If we pick a team and go in that direction, one compact over the other, we're going in that direction
• If we pick a team and go in that direction, one compact over the other, we're going in that direction

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it that it it it takes care of that. it that it it it takes care of that.
• </c> would otherwise take default service would otherwise take default service supply.<01:06:54.720><
• services services entitlements<04:11:38.880><c> along</c><04:11:39.199><c> with</c><04:11:39.439><c>
• </c> get us going in the right direction get us going in the right direction um<05:12:59.600><c> at</
• </c> different in every utility service different in every utility service territory,<05:41:34.958><c

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Summary: The committee met on April 14 and began by welcoming a new member, Representative Samban Denier, who briefly described his background as a Clarkson University environmental engineering graduate and Air Force veteran. The committee then moved into a work session on five energy-related bills, starting with Senate Bill 65 on stormwater management for solar arrays. Representative McGee presented amendment 1594H, which would exclude projects in shoreland areas from the bill’s permit-by-notification process and require the standard alteration-of-terrain permit review instead. Members asked for clarification, and McGee explained the amendment was requested by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and others to preserve the fuller review process for shoreland projects. The committee appeared satisfied with the explanation and moved on. The committee next discussed Senate Bill 230 on electric utility restructuring and investment in distributed energy resources. Members concluded that section one was unnecessary because a better definition of advanced nuclear resources had already been added to House Bill 710, and that section two would allow investment in advanced nuclear resources in a way they had already rejected in another bill due to ratepayer risk. Several members agreed the bill was redundant and supported an ITL motion. They also discussed Senate Bill 232 on net metering terms and conditions, focusing first on whether hydroelectric generators could be listed in ISO New England while also taking net metering credits. Granite State Hydropower Association representative Heidi Kroll testified that generators are subject to checks and balances, that double-dipping is not occurring, and that rules and tariffs already require participation in one market arrangement or the other. Discussion on Senate Bill 232 then shifted to section two, which would bar retroactive changes to net metering tariffs in place as of January 1, 2025. Representative McGee proposed alternative language to protect existing customer generators, group hosts, and municipal hosts from retroactive changes, while others said the language was needed to provide stability for current participants operating on thin margins. Some members supported the clearer wording; others argued the committee should not tie the hands of the PUC and DOE, noting future circumstances could require regulatory flexibility and that conflicts could be resolved in court if necessary. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just really appreciate him and his service.
• Our enrollment trends continue to go in the positive direction.
• I am prohibited from saying that that's a direct correlation yet, right?
• , food service, and maintenance.
• , food service, and maintenance.

Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system with State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, 34 colleges serving more than 307,000 students, relatively low tuition, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, and strong outcomes such as more than 46,000 credentials awarded last year. They also highlighted system initiatives including guided pathways, I-BEST, dual enrollment, tribal partnerships, a new program search tool, and six colleges named Aspen Prize finalists. At the same time, they emphasized major challenges: high rates of student food, housing, and homelessness insecurity; sharply rising emergency aid requests; and federal funding disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, adult basic education, Carl Perkins, NOAA-related tribal work, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP impacts, declining high school graduates, and how BFET and TANF interact with other aid programs. The presenters also discussed system priorities such as AI, Workforce Pell, capital planning, nursing accreditation alignment, and the Washington College Grant. The committee then heard testimony from AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education on faculty and staff conditions in the community and technical college system. Jackie Kane and Suzanne Sutherland argued that classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty are essential to student success but face low pay, instability, and weak retention, and they urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. They said working conditions for faculty and staff are student learning conditions, and that underfunding leads to reduced services, shortened advising, and program instability. Marina Parr of the Workforce Board presented on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell provisions and the updated Career Bridge website. She explained that Workforce Pell would allow federal aid for short-term training programs of 8 to 15 weeks, with high completion, employment, and earnings thresholds and a requirement that credentials be stackable and portable. She said Washington is well positioned to implement the program because of its existing eligible training provider evaluation system and Career Bridge, which now has a redesigned public portal, digital portfolios, multilingual access, and performance data on programs. Members asked about rulemaking, possible gaps in state services, and how the wage and completion standards would be applied. The Washington Student Achievement Council then briefed the committee on the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. Staff described an advisory board with statewide representation, a pilot that used microgrants and other supports at 25 priority schools, and a new goal of 46,000 FAFSA or WASFA completions this year. They reported that completion rates were tracking slightly ahead of last year, with 24% of high school seniors having completed a FAFSA by the end of November, and they showcased a public dashboard with subgroup data and a WIAA-based leaderboard. Members asked about outreach to rural and homeschool students, legislative communications, Pierce County representation, and barriers to FAFSA completion, and staff said they would provide toolkits and continue expanding outreach. The committee then began hearing from student presenters about affordability, access, equity, and student experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think there's a reason, you know, it's, and I think we need to be careful.
• And I would say we even need to be careful about some general statement about have you ever violated.
• And going forward, they're going to be way more careful on who they partner with.
• And going forward, they're going to be, you know, way more careful on who they partner with.
• There are a lot of people who go in and then direct said person.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Administrative Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• about that, but if you go to traffic school, by God, the The Republicans don't care about that, but
• a dementia care telemonitoring program.
• to provide a grant to implement a dementia care to mentoring program.
• Are they going to cut disability services? Are they going to cut support for veterans?
• It shows up in rent, groceries, utilities, and child care.

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bernie made sure our youngest were taken care of from the very first days.
• And thank you for all your service.
• And thank you for all your service.
• to continue to care and to make a difference in people's lives.
• To care and to continue to care and to make a difference in people's lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do believe that when I talk to my lawyers, I give them direction, clear direction.
• But I will caution each and every one of you, be careful. Be careful.
• Be careful about the actions you're taking.
• They take care of themselves, and they take care of their buddies, and they take care of their donors
• Every time we say, where is our health care?

Bills: HB4 , HB4

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> shorter time frame of that direct shorter time frame of that direct supervision<02:09:44.639><c>
• </c> Military Affairs and Veteran Services Military Affairs and Veteran Services and<03:44:04.160><c>
• Thank you for your service. service. service. &gt;&gt; Thanks,<03:48:32.640><c> ma'am.
• And I again want to be careful.
• </c> who runs our veteran service portfolio. who runs our veteran service portfolio.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• It feels like there's really good direction and energy.
• It feels like there's really good direction and energy.
• But just to let you know, Pocatello residents have submitted 1,644 acts of service.
• We have the service challenge. This morning, I thought, you know, you can't keep up with it.
• And we'll continue to take care of that.

Summary: The America 250 Council met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on commemorative fund finances, the celebration fund, and several planning efforts tied to Idaho’s America 250 observance. Staff reported returned or pending reimbursements, a donation for Liberty Bell restoration, and that the celebration fund would likely have about 7% remaining after pending grants are approved. The committee approved the March 13, 2026 minutes without objection. Members then approved $12,992 to fund commemorative “I Voted” stickers for the primary and general elections, with Secretary McGrane describing them as a way to reach many Idahoans and highlight the America 250 commemoration. The council also discussed the upcoming America 250 Capitol Celebration, including naming, vendor contracts, logistics, and the need for legal guidance on who has authority to sign contracts. Treasurer Ellsworth and others requested that an Attorney General’s office representative, identified as Yvonne, come to a future meeting to clarify the contracting process. Additional updates covered the ambassador program, service challenge participation, quilt displays, the Declaration of Independence rotunda display, and the Liberty Bell carriage and school fundraising materials. Director Gallimore reported on the “Surveying the Past, Mapping the Future” event at Initial Point and the Old Pen, and noted website/calendar changes to align local events with the federal America 250 calendar. The committee also approved a large slate of grant disbursements to cities and counties, and tentatively scheduled the next meeting for April 6 at 10:00 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our services for local governments are optional.
• Our services for local governments are optional.
• We have to take care of... Supreme Court OMB office.
• And then things are really starting to move in a different direction.
• Committee discussion directives.

Committee: Joint Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum and approved the prior minutes. Staff reviewed the interim work schedule, noting that most assigned studies were complete and that the final meeting would be September 29, with remaining work focused on economic development tax incentives, the stripper well exemption, and property tax reform items such as the primary residence credit. The committee then took up a referral on political subdivision compliance with state law, especially reserve limits and levy calculations. State Auditor Josh Gallion explained the audit standards used for local governments, the state auditor’s limited authority to force compliance, and the practical challenges created by a shortage of auditors. He used Stark County and Mountrail County examples to show how reserve balances affect levy calculations, including Stark County’s 2023 general fund levy issue and Mountrail County’s zero-levy approach. Stark County Commission Chair Neil Messer defended his county’s decision to keep reserves for major projects and volatility in oil-related revenues, while acknowledging the county remained out of compliance with the 75% reserve rule. Committee members and staff discussed possible enforcement mechanisms, the role of county auditors, and whether the law should be changed to better fit current fiscal conditions. Linda from the Association of Counties and Matt Gardner from the League of Cities said both organizations have been heavily training local officials on the new tax cap and reserve rules. Linda said counties and cities are using standardized worksheets for the 3% cap and levy limitations, and suggested that an affidavit certifying compliance could be attached to levy submissions. She also clarified that the primary residence credit does not reduce mill levies; it only reduces the taxpayer’s bill. Gardner said city auditors receive required finance training and that his organization was unaware of current city reserve noncompliance. The committee did not take action on the issue and planned to revisit it at the September 29 meeting. The final portion of the meeting moved into a subcommittee report on the property tax statement, where Representative Headland introduced a bill draft to remove the legislative property tax relief line from the statement for further committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then lastly, subdivision four provides for enforcement, and it does direct the Senate and House to
• :03:56.480><c> does</c> provides for enforcement and it does provides for enforcement and it does direct
• :57.800><c> and</c><00:03:57.960><c> House</c><00:03:58.800><c> to</c><00:03:58.920><c> adopt</c> direct
• the Senate and House to adopt direct the Senate and House to adopt rules<00:03:59.760><c> to</c><00:
• </c> got that taken care of a few years ago. got that taken care of a few years ago.

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• , and health care.
• Within two blocks of me, three businesses have reduced hours and services.
• after they stopped caring for them.
• And thank you for your service, too, on behalf of the committee and the legislature.
• They skip doctor's appointments, delaying the care they need.

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the state who offers delivery services the state who offers delivery services it<00:09:59.959><c
• have shown that 52% of the population making less than $10,000 annually use such services.
• I think it's the right direction.
• I think it's the right direction.
• I think it's the right direction.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, the state of Minnesota provides critical services every day for the security, benefit, and
• As you know, the state of Minnesota provides critical services every day for the security, benefit, and
• And with that, I will turn it over to the Department of Human Services. Good morning.
• The growth in autism services has been growing across the state, creating increased demand for services
• Services has been growing across the Services has been growing across the state<00:12:48.160><c> creating

Transcript Highlights:

• They provide a different scope of services to each individual that receives the services.
• and direction.
• cap of 365 days possible, whereas the other services under DWS, or unit-based services or day services
• The other services under DWS, or unit-based services or day services, are where a person doesn't live
• The other services under DWS, or unit-based services or day services, are where a person doesn't live

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy