Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred a Senate order granting
• The Committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred a Senate order
• The Committee on Rules, acting concurrently, to whom was referred a Senate order granting the Committee
• The Committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred a Senate order

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate resumed debate on An Act Fostering Agricultural Resilience in Massachusetts and considered a series of amendments focused on farm economics, land preservation, energy, labor, and agricultural education. Senator Tarr’s Amendment 5, allowing local-option tax exemptions for newly constructed farm buildings for up to five years, was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-0. Several other Tarr amendments were debated but not adopted, including proposals on APR criteria and climate resilience, a one-stop permit and grant portal, a foreign-ownership farmland registry, horse-riding instructor licensing, expanding farm-based renewable energy, a farm stand waiver process, non-agricultural conversion notice requirements, and a health and wellness amendment. Senator Mark’s Amendment 20, creating a Massachusetts Food Tourism Task Force to support marketing and procurement of agricultural goods, was adopted. Senator Gomez’s Amendment 41 on farmworker fairness and wage protections was withdrawn after discussion, with Senators Eldridge and Comerford speaking in support of continued work on the issue. Senator Fattman’s Amendment 34, directing a study of agricultural schools and regional workforce needs, was adopted by roll call vote 37-0. The chamber also took up several procedural matters and extension orders. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means amendment and then ordered the agricultural bill to a third reading before passing it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39-0. Separately, the Senate adopted extension orders for the Committee on Revenue and the Committee on Financial Services, with Senators Eldridge and Feeney explaining the need for additional time on revenue and financial services bills; Senator Tarr raised concerns about the scope and duration of some of the extensions. The Senate also approved an extension for a financial technology services bill. In addition to legislative action, the Senate observed a moment of silence in memory of Mark K. Harris after a motion by Senators Collins and Miranda, and recognized guests for Youth Mentoring Day and the Mass Mentoring Program. The chamber also passed a memorial overpass designation for U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville and a local alcohol-license bill for the town of Topsfield. The session concluded with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m., with the adjournment also dedicated to the memory of Mark K. Harris.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do Senate Concurrent Resolution 29. Okay, SCR 29, Ms. Winkler, please.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox, Ms. Winkler. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox creates a task force.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox creates a task force on illegal dumping.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of natural resources, wildlife, environmental, and infrastructure measures. HCR 79 by Chairman Butler, which memorializes Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow dog hunting in Kisatchie National Forest, drew testimony in support from hunters and a former NRCS official describing it as a rural Louisiana tradition, and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which said it supported hunting with dogs generally but opposed the deer/hog hunting portions while favoring the recovery-of-wounded-deer component. The committee reported HCR 79 favorable. It also reported favorable on SB 419, allowing pre-charged pneumatic devices for deer during primitive firearms season, and on SCR 29, creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality and sediment impacts, and SB 111, setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would monitor the effects through sampling and creel data. Several resolutions and bills focused on environmental management and state property. SB 174 authorized transfer of certain state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board and was reported favorable. SB 189, a preemptive ban on intentional release or dispersion of fuels or chemicals to affect temperatures, was also reported favorable after discussion of geoengineering-related additives. SB 99, which updates DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices for permits and public notifications, was supported by DEQ and reported favorable. HCR 104, from Rep. Coates, asked the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study and recommend improvements to subsurface data collection and access; testimony described efforts to modernize core and well-log records and build a statewide 3D subsurface model, and the resolution was reported favorable. The committee also considered river, boating, and wildlife-related measures. SB 331 would temporarily remove portions of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River, including dredging and channel realignment, while prohibiting commercial development and reservoir construction; environmental groups opposed it as a bad precedent and urged a shorter sunset, but the bill was reported favorable. HCR 54 urged a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior and was reported favorable after support from the Flyway Federation and Louisiana Wildlife Federation. HCR 94 would require annual Wildlife and Fisheries reports on boating safety data, and HCR 87 expressed support for a U.S. senator’s correspondence on migratory flyways; both were reported favorable. SB 505, dealing with the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Dedicated Fund, was reported favorable after testimony that it would expand grant capacity, create a two-cycle application process, and address LLC-related issues. The committee also advanced several measures on public policy and cleanup issues. HCR 85 created a task force on illegal dumping; after amendments added Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Louisiana Police Jury Association, members discussed statewide tire dumping problems, DEQ staffing, and cleanup funding, and the resolution was reported favorable as amended. HR 216, as substituted, was changed from a repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan to a resolution authorizing the committee to hold a hearing and receive input from agencies and stakeholders on the plan; after reconsideration and adoption of the substitute amendment, it was reported favorable. One item, SB 243, was voluntarily deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do Senate Concurrent Resolution 29.” “Okay, SCR 29, Ms. Winkler, please.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox, Ms. Winkler. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox creates a task force.
• House Concurrent Resolution 85 by Representative Knox creates a task force on illegal dumping.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts. Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context. The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move that House Concurrent Memorial 2005 be returned with a do-pass recommendation, and staff
• Members, House Concurrent Memorial 2005 urges the United States Congress to consider studying and enacting
• The motion before you is that House Concurrent Memorial 2005 be returned with the do-pass recommendation
• Members, by your vote of five ayes and three nays, you have given House Concurrent Memorial 2005 a do-pass

Bills: HB2167, HB2168, HB2169, HB2171, HB2790, HB2905, HCM2005

Keywords: attorney general, nuisance action, consumer fraud, damages, civil penalty, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks, residential district

Summary: The House Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs considered several measures related to foreign ownership of land, historic preservation administration, and limits on the Attorney General’s nuisance authority. HCM 2005, urging Congress to study restrictions on property ownership by foreign governments operating under communism or authoritarianism, was amended unsuccessfully and then passed on a 5-3 do-pass recommendation. HB 2171, which would prohibit sales or leases of Arizona real property to persons acting on behalf of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea and assign enforcement duties to state and county officials, also passed 5-3. HB 2790, which would restructure the State Historic Preservation Office’s reporting and budget process and provide a $1 million appropriation, drew testimony from Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Arizona Preservation Foundation; supporters said it would improve autonomy and efficiency, while critics warned it could create administrative conflicts and affect federal funding. It passed 5-3 after discussion of possible clarifying amendments. The committee then took up three similar bills aimed at curbing the Attorney General’s use of public nuisance actions. HB 2168 would require county board of supervisors approval before the AG could bring such an action in Superior Court; supporters argued it would add local control and protect rural industries, while opponents said it would block needed enforcement and give local officials veto power over statewide concerns. HB 2169 would make the AG liable for defamation per se if a nuisance action is filed without a reasonable basis and publicized; supporters framed it as accountability, while opponents said it would chill enforcement and transparency. HB 2167 would impose damages, attorney fees, lost profits, and treble penalties on the AG for unsuccessful nuisance actions; supporters said it would deter overreach, while opponents said it would intimidate the office and shield powerful corporations. All three bills passed on 5-3 do-pass votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• announce the passage by the House of the following Senate file as amended by the House, in which concurrence
• amendments<00:07:16.319> the House in which amendments the House in which amendments the concurrence
• :16.880> of<00:07:17.039> the<00:07:17.120> Senate<00:07:17.360> is concurrence
• of the Senate is concurrence of the Senate is respectfully<00:07:18.160> requested.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:50.160> After<00:35:50.480> that, After that, concurrent with storms that caused
• through 1554 as listed on pages 2 through 12, and that the accompanying House Resolutions and House Concurrent
• and 1563 as listed on pages 12 through 14, and that the accompanying House Resolutions and House Concurrent
• and 1563 as listed on pages 12 through 14, and that the accompanying House Resolutions and House Concurrent

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules and the Committee on Rules of the Two Branches are acting concurrently.
• The Committee on Rules and the Committee on Rules of the Two Branches, acting concurrently, report recommending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then acted on a Rules Committee report recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, including proposals on LGBTQIA+ parent advisory councils in public schools, school safety, and ivory and rhinoceros horn trafficking. The House voted to suspend the rules and Joint Rule 12, allowing those petitions to proceed to the named committees. Members also recognized the Weston High School Girls Swim and Dive Team, introduced as guests of Representative Peisch, for winning their third overall and second consecutive MIAA Division 2 state championship. The chamber then observed a moment of silent tribute for Margie Claussen Burgess of Plymouth, honoring her long record of community service, including 23 years on the Plymouth School Committee and work with several local civic organizations. The House adopted an order to adjourn on Thursday at 11 a.m. and approved a special adjournment in memory of Nicholas J. Costello, who served in both the House and Senate. The House then voted to adjourn and will next meet Thursday at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules and the committees on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, report recommending
• The Committee on Rules and the committees on rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, report recommending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the third grade class of the Moore School leading the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then adopted two resolutions from the Committee on Rules: one congratulating Sophia Schneider on achieving Eagle Scout rank, and another honoring Autistic Pride Day on June 18, 2025. Both were taken up under suspension of the rules and adopted without objection. The House also received a gubernatorial message authorizing the Town of Situate to grant four additional all-alcohol on-premises licenses; the message was referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection. In addition, the Rules Committee reported and the House agreed to suspend Joint Rule 12 on several petitions from Representative Colleen M. Garry, including proposals related to inflation estimates for social service programs, requiring establishments to accept cash, and requiring beer menus to list alcohol by volume, sending them to the appropriate committees. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in full formal session. The House then adjourned, and Democratic members were notified of a caucus at 12 noon on Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 2040, subject to voter approval, amends the Arizona Constitution to prohibit
• House Concurrent Resolution 2048 amends the Arizona Constitution to withhold elected state officer salaries

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:23:51.120> of and respectfully requests concurrence of and respectfully requests concurrence
• concurrence of this honorable body. concurrence of this honorable body.
• Clerk, please report. >> House Concurrent Resolution 125, Representative Layman, a concurrent resolution
• Clerk, please report. >> House Concurrent Resolution 125, Representative Layman, a concurrent resolution
• 34:20.239> 107,<03:34:21.200> and House Concurrent Resolutions 107, and House Concurrent

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Concurrence and Senate amendments, file item 43, will be passed and retained for reconsideration.
• The clerk will read: Assembly Concurrent Resolution 176 by Assembly Member Elhawary relative to Second
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 119 by Assembly Member Ta, relative to Black April Memorial Month.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then handled several procedural motions, including a successful roll-call vote to suspend rules so the Public Safety Committee could set SB 73 for hearing; the motion passed 41-14. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including Placer County Sheriff’s Office leaders for its 175th anniversary, John Muir Charter Schools students, youth art contest winners from the 24th District, Oak Ridge High School’s national champion cheer team, and Casa Grande High School seniors visiting for civic education. On the floor, the Assembly adopted ACR 176 by Assemblymember Elhawary, recognizing April as Second Chance Month. Supporters emphasized rehabilitation, reentry barriers, and the importance of trauma-informed services, housing, education, and employment for formerly incarcerated people; the resolution received 55 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also adopted HR 109 by Assemblymember Schiavo, honoring California’s janitorial and cleaning workforce, with members speaking about the essential, often unseen work of janitors and state building staff; it received 58 coauthors and passed by voice vote. Members then adopted ACR 119 by Assemblymember Ta, marking the 51st anniversary of Black April and honoring Vietnamese refugees, the fall of Saigon, and the sacrifices of Vietnamese and American service members. Speakers reflected on the trauma of displacement and the contributions of Vietnamese Americans in California; the resolution received 63 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly passed and retained numerous other file items, continued some measures, and adjourned until Monday, May 4 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1667, with information that the Senate has passed the same with amendment, in which the concurrence
• House Bill 1667, with information that the Senate has passed the same with amendment, in which the concurrence

Keywords: Scheduler, 973, house, all

Summary: The House convened at noon with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded to routine floor business. The chamber accepted committee reports on several bills, including Transportation Committee reports on House Bill 2227 and Senate Bill 1377, and Judiciary Committee reports on House Bill 1434, House Bill 2273, Senate Bill 45, Senate Bill 111, Senate Bill 1235, and Senate Bill 1259. In each case, the House agreed to the committee action, with some bills reported as amended and others as committed. The House also referred a number of measures to committees, including Senate Bill 482, House Bills 2671-2674, House Resolution 580, Senate Bills 1206, 1212, 1273, and 1400, and House Resolution 581. Several reports were received and read into the record, including a Joint State Government Commission report on recruitment and retention challenges for police, corrections, and prosecutors, annual reports from the Pennsylvania Ireland Trade Commission, the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, the General Building Contractors Association, the Affordable Housing Center of Pennsylvania, and the Judicial Conduct Board, plus reports under the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authorities Act. The House also received notice that the Senate had amended House Bill 1667 and requested concurrence. The Majority Leader moved to recommit House Bill 2460 to Appropriations and to remove House Bill 2146, Senate Bills 971, 972, and 1259, and House Resolutions 165 and 462 from the tabled calendar to the active calendar. Finally, on motion of Representative Ledbetter, the House adjourned until Saturday, June 27, 2026, at noon, unless sooner recalled by the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• The question comes on concurrence. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no. The ayes have it.
• The Committee on Rules and the Committees on Rules of the two branches acting concurrently report, recommending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first took up several Committee on Rules reports and adopted a series of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including recognitions for Eagle Scouts, a 2025 Commonwealth Heroine, a 100th birthday, a retirement, and a resolution designating August 9 and 10 as the 2025 sales tax holiday. The House also concurred with a Senate paper referring a petition on assault and battery by means of bodily substance upon a transit worker to the Judiciary Committee, and it suspended Joint Rule 12 on a petition concerning access and continuity of care to specialists and hospital services, sending it to the Committee on Public Health. The chamber recognized visiting fifth-grade students from the Neary School in Southborough. It then proceeded to third-reading matters and passed two House bills to be engrossed: House No. 4104, establishing a sick leave bank for Daniel Yender of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and House No. 4161, establishing a sick leave bank for Mark Cratton of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Report of a committee: The Committee on Rules, acting concurrently, to whom was referred the petition
• The petitions will be referred to the committees on rules of the two branches acting concurrently.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up several committee reports and procedural motions. The Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight reported favorably on Senate No. 252, a bill to designate June 7 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, and the Senate suspended the rules to order the bill to a third reading. The Committee on Rules also reported on a proposal to establish an Office of Legislative Research and Fiscal Analysis, and the Senate suspended Senate Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12 to allow the matter, along with several House petitions, to be referred to the appropriate committees acting concurrently. The chamber then recessed briefly and returned to adopt a motion that the Senate adjourn in memory of Ellen M. O'Donnell Morrell of Dorchester and South Boston, who died on May 26, 2025, at age 74. The transcript included a brief tribute to her life, family, and career, and the Senate observed a moment of silence in her honor. Before adjourning, the Senate ordered that it reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., and that order was adopted without objection. The Senate then adjourned to meet again at that time in memory of Mrs. Morrell.

Transcript Highlights:

• We stand on our written testimony in support of this House concurrent resolution. Services.
• We stand on our written testimony in support of this House concurrent resolution.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations met on April 15, 2025, and took up only one measure, HCR 59. The resolution requests the Department of Accounting and General Services to study the feasibility of limiting project and construction management costs on state construction projects to 10% of total project cost. Vice Chair Keith Regan, speaking for DAGS, said the department stood on its written testimony in support of the resolution. Frank Schultz also testified in support. After a brief recess while waiting for quorum, the committee returned for decision-making. The chair noted that the issue is also being discussed in a bill and said adopting the resolution would help keep the matter in focus. No objections were raised, and the committee voted to adopt HCR 59 as is. Senators Morwaki and Favilla were excused from the vote. The measure passed, and the hearing was concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in that order of business concurrence.
• If I can have all members of the body just listen in, is this the first concurrence that have done this
• If you just give us a moment, the members of the body are getting the concurrence calendar handed out
• it's a split concurrence.
• Seeing none, Senator Maestas to close on the concurrence. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think things like the two plus two and the two plus one idea and the dual concurrent enrollment
• 00:52:58.319> the<00:52:58.640> dual<00:52:59.119> current<00:52:59.359> concurrent
• idea and the dual current concurrent idea and the dual current concurrent enrollment<00:53:00.480
• some<01:07:56.559> of<01:07:56.640> the<01:07:56.960> you dual and concurrent
• and some of the you dual and concurrent and some of the you know<01:07:57.280> application<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review the annual report on collaboration between the University System of New Hampshire and the Community College System of New Hampshire, and the meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing the community college system’s 80th anniversary. Both chancellors praised the proclamation and described the report as a statutory follow-up to the public higher education task force. They said the two systems have built a close working relationship and that the collaboration is intended to continue, though progress may be limited by resources and staffing changes. Much of the discussion focused on transfer pathways and new academic models. The chancellors said House Bill 1530 helped drive the creation of more than 100, and possibly about 130, “universal pathways” between the systems, with a reported 30% increase in community college associate-degree graduates transferring to the university system in the last academic year. They also discussed direct-admit outreach for community college graduates, early college and CTE-to-workforce pathways, and the development of three-year bachelor’s programs at Plymouth State and in some health-care fields. Members asked about nursing, allied dental health, and radiologic technology, and the chancellors said they are exploring whether some programs can be streamlined, while noting that nursing’s requirements may limit how short a pathway can be. Members also raised concerns about whether transfer pathways could affect university enrollment, but the university chancellor said declining enrollment is more likely due to a smaller pool of college-age students and broader competition, not the transfer programs. Another topic was the ERP/technology platform recommendation from the task force: the university system is moving to Workday, while the community college system is working to align business practices and move from an on-premises system to a cloud-based solution. Officials said a shared enterprise system could create efficiencies in the future, but it is not expected in the short term; student-facing tools like Canvas are already shared. The committee also discussed House Bill 112, which would require passing a civics test for graduation, and the chancellors said they support civic education but see implementation challenges. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee on rules of the two branches acts concurrently.
• The committee on rules of the two branches acts concurrently to report several Senate petitions, recommending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate met briefly, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up several routine matters. It considered final passage of H. 4364, an act authorizing the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to grant certain easements to the town of Bourne, requiring a standing vote for adoption of an emergency preamble. The chamber also adopted a resolution honoring Knights of Columbus Leo Council 508 on its 125th anniversary. The Senate then advanced two Marblehead local bills to third reading: one authorizing the town to amend its parking violations law under Chapter 37 of the Acts of 2004, and another increasing the membership of the town’s board of health from three to five members. The committee on rules reported several Senate petitions and recommended suspension of Joint Rule 12; the Senate also suspended Senate Rule 36 to allow matters to be considered forthwith, and Joint Rule 12 was suspended. The Senate adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Thursday at 11 a.m., with the calendar printing dispensed with. Before adjournment, the chamber voted to adjourn in memory of Edward F. Kenney of South Boston, a World War II Navy veteran and retired Boston firefighter, and observed a moment of silence in his honor.

Transcript Highlights:

• that a shark attack is an event which a wireless emergency alert can be transmitted in, which the concurrence
• A WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERT CAN BE TRANSMITTED IN WHICH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE HOUSE IS REQUESTED.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In our first item, we will present House Concurrent Resolution 148.
• Our first item we will present will be House Concurrent Resolution 148, presented by Representative Cam
• morning I stand before you to present something that is very near and dear to me, which is House Concurrent
• If you wish to comment on House Concurrent Resolution 148, please use the raise hand function in Zoom
• I will now call the roll on House Concurrent Resolution 148. Representative Chcocha, yes.

Bills: SB274, SB301, SB249

Keywords: healthcare, life-sustaining treatment, patient preferences, POLST, advance directive, medical orders, hospital discharge, pregnancy, patient care, discharge planning, healthcare policy, substance use, harm reduction, syringe services, needle exchange, overdose prevention, naloxone, opioid antagonist, drug paraphernalia, syringe

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several measures related to health care, public health, and patient protections. House Concurrent Resolution 148, urging a statewide educational strategy on menopause, was presented as a workplace awareness measure and received supportive comments from members before being released. Senate Bill 274, updating Delaware’s MOST program to POLST and clarifying capacity determinations and documentation for end-of-life orders, also drew supportive testimony from medical and nursing groups and was released. House Bill 458, limiting local backflow preventer requirements for certain low-hazard buildings, was presented as a cost-relief measure for homeowners and small businesses; DHSS expressed concerns but said it was willing to work on amendments and a sunset provision, and the bill was released. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and ordering flags at half-staff, was released after brief supportive remarks. The committee then considered Senate Bill 339, a technical correction to the advance health care directive form clarifying that an agent’s authority for voluntary mental health admission cannot exceed 72 hours, consistent with existing law. Members asked detailed questions about how the 72-hour limit works and whether it applies to voluntary directives; the sponsor and a Disability Rights Delaware witness explained that the bill only aligns the form with current statute and does not expand authority. The bill was released. House Bill 301, requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients discharged while showing signs of labor, prompted extensive discussion. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve safety, transportation planning, and aftercare, while some members noted Delaware hospitals already do much of this work and questioned whether codifying it was necessary; supporters emphasized maternal mortality disparities and the need for guardrails. The bill was released. Senate Bill 196, creating ownership disclosure requirements for long-term care facilities and resident notice rules after ownership transfers, was presented as a transparency measure for seniors and families and was released after supportive testimony from the Delaware Nurses Association and elder-care advocates. Senate Bill 320, expanding pharmacists’ independent prescriptive authority for certain non-controlled medications and allowing opioid use disorder medications under standing order, with added malpractice reporting requirements in Senate Amendment 2, was supported by pharmacists and nurse practitioners as an access-to-care measure and was released. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 161, establishing a unified licensing and oversight framework for adult behavioral health providers under DSAM, was presented as a patient-protection measure; providers supported the goal but cautioned that regulations must be workable, and the substitute was released. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was released with a note reflecting concerns about broadening the analysis to include additional cost drivers and alternatives. Finally, Senate Bill 249 with Senate Amendment 2, modernizing harm-reduction programs and paraphernalia laws, generated the most extended debate: supporters framed it as life-saving public health policy, while opponents raised concerns about needle litter, community impacts, and whether the approach facilitates addiction. Despite the objections, the bill was released.