Transcript Highlights:

• Willard of Westport moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Willard of Westport moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Kearney of Scituate now moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Question is on suspension of Joint Rules. Rules are suspended.
• Kearney of Scituate moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you'll look right there, such terms of suspension may be modified by the district superintendents
• A law requiring the suspension and expulsion of eight-year-olds under particular circumstances?
• At issue within this bill is suspension versus expulsion. There are differences.
• Suspension is a short-term out-of-school expulsion as you're gone.
• It is not suspension as we're defining this, and I just think we take a really big risk with painting

Bills: HB2987 , HB3026 , HB3076 , HB3288 , HB3315 , HB3467 , HB3711 , HB3885 , HB4427 , HB4359 , HB4363

Committee: House Education Oversight

Summary: The Education Oversight committee heard and advanced several bills, with most receiving due pass recommendations by voice vote. HB 4359, by Speaker Pro Tem Moore, would move the annual testing window to the last three weeks of the school year; members asked about district scheduling and possible cost impacts, but the bill passed 10-0. HB 4363 updated outdated statutory references tied to OSU’s early development and also passed unanimously. HB 3467 would extend school-teacher maternity leave protections to include adoption of newborn children, and it passed without opposition. HB 2987 would change how academic standards are handled if the legislature takes no action within 30 legislative days, deeming them disapproved rather than approved; supporters said it preserves legislative oversight, while concerns were raised about leaving outdated standards in place, but it passed. HB 376, as amended, would create a new alternative teacher certification pathway through third-party certifiers; debate centered on whether easier pathways would weaken traditional teacher-prep programs or help fill vacancies, and it passed after extended discussion. The committee also advanced HB 4427, which adds guardrails to the adjunct teacher program by limiting adjuncts in core subjects in grades K-4 and requiring them to work toward certification. HB 3026 would let children of U.S. military allies stationed in Oklahoma start kindergarten according to their home-country timelines, and it passed. HB 3288 would restore physical education emphasis in schools, and HB 3315 would direct a feasibility study on 90-hour bachelor’s degree programs; both moved forward. HB 3711 would require schools to post the percentage of spending devoted to instructional expenditures on their websites and bond applications, with the sponsor declining to extend the same requirement to private schools receiving public tax-credit dollars. HB 3885 drew the most debate. It would establish suspension and expulsion standards for students who physically attack teachers or school employees, with supporters arguing it gives administrators clearer authority to protect staff and students and opponents warning it could conflict with existing protections for students with disabilities and create legal risk. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address intentional violence and allow case-by-case judgment, while critics cited prior civil-rights concerns over disproportionate discipline. Despite the objections, the bill passed on a due pass recommendation. The committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I move suspension of the regular order.
• Three-day rule suspension. That's my motion. Secretary will call the roll.
• You have a motion to suspend the regular printing order and the suspension.
• Members, Senator Bettencourt moves suspension of the three-day rule.
• President, I move suspension.

Bills: SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3

Transcript Highlights:

• Worrell of Westport moved suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Garcia of Chelsea moved suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Question now is on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, nay.
• Garcia of Chelsea moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Garcia of Chelsea moves suspension of the rules.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed student guests from Chelsea High School’s AVID program and from Espiritu Santo School in Fall River. The chamber then took up several noncontroversial matters, including congratulatory resolutions honoring Fire Chief Gregory Burns of Reading and recognizing Thomas Brough and Michael Mosher for achieving Eagle Scout rank. The rules were suspended and the resolutions were adopted. The House also concurred in a Senate petition to extend MBTA service to Foxborough, which had been referred to the Committee on Transportation under suspension of Joint Rule 12. In addition, the House suspended Joint Rule 12 for three petitions: one authorizing the Dracut Water Supply District to sell water to certain communities, one establishing a sick leave bank for a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office employee, and one concerning the distribution of certain gaming revenue. The House then concurred in a Senate order calling a joint session of the two branches to consider constitutional amendment proposals. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned to that time in informal session. No recorded roll call votes or substantive debate occurred in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vieira of Falmouth moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Gobbley of Arlington moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Gobbley of Arlington moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• The question now is on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye.
• Gobbley of Arlington moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye.

Summary: The House first adopted a Rules Committee resolution congratulating the Sport Fish Restoration Program on its 75th anniversary. It then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a Senate petition for a sick leave bank for Carlos Borges, a Department of Corrections employee, to be referred to the Committee on Public Service. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several local bills for consideration, including measures for Quincy, Arlington, Maynard, and Hudson. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills through second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The bills included a Quincy lease extension, an Arlington town clerk appointment and management change, and additional alcohol license authorizations for Maynard and Hudson. The House also took up House No. 801, a bill relative to the town of Cheshire’s special election, and passed it to be engrossed. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no.
• Question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• The House has concurred in the suspension of Joint Rule 12 and has nonconcurred in the reference to the
• Several petitions come from the House under the suspension of Joint Rule 12 and are referred to their
• Question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.

Summary: The Senate took up several committee reports and local bills, with repeated motions to suspend the rules so matters could be considered immediately. The Committee on the Judiciary reported ought to pass on a bill establishing a sick leave bank for Robert Tiro, a Trial Court employee, and the Senate ordered it to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed. The Committee on Public Service similarly reported ought to pass on a sick leave bank bill for Irene O’Rourke, an employee of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and that bill was also advanced to a third reading. The chamber also acted on local legislation, including House No. 4004 validating the results of a special election in Hardwick, which was read a third time and passed to be engrossed after a title change by the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. Another local bill, House No. 801 concerning Cheshire’s special election, was passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. In addition, the Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 on several House and Senate petitions so they could be referred to the appropriate committees, including a House petition on applied behavioral analysis reimbursement rates that was referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn and to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m., with the clerk directed to dispense with printing a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Such terms of suspension may be modified by the district superintendents on a case-by-case basis.
• School suspension so they're actually inside the school with their suspension so they can receive some
• We're acquiring the suspension and expulsion of eight-year-olds under particular circumstances.
• Suspension is a short-term out-of-school expulsion as you're gone.
• It is not suspension as we're defining this.

Bills: HB2987 , HB3026 , HB3076 , HB3288 , HB3315 , HB3467 , HB3711 , HB3885 , HB4427 , HB4359 , HB4363

Committee: House Education Oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill is to increase the allocation that is contained in what we call warrants, which is the payment
• Representative Jordan [member_2785]: ...or any other similar benefit for which payments or assistance
• And for us to go out of order, there would have to be a suspension of the rules.
• And for us to go out of order, there would have to be a suspension of the rules.
• You're talking about the entity that would receive the payment through that card? Uh-huh.

Bills: HCR41 , HB11 , HB227 , HB243 , HB278 , HB335 , HB424 , HB454 , HB455 , HB492 , HB623 , HB641 , HB660 , HB708 , HB719 , HB940 , HB1029 , HB1053 , HB1069 , HB1077

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up H.C.R. 41, which would direct the ATC to allow electronic rebates for beer purchases and clarify that rebates are the manufacturer’s responsibility. The author and supporters said it would align beer with wine and other liquor rules. With no opposition, the resolution was moved forward. The committee then advanced H.B. 1029, which extends a moratorium on certain alcoholic beverage permits in House District 3 to give Shreveport and the MPC more time to revise local ordinances; it also moved forward without objection. The committee next considered two related bills by Rep. Egan on district attorney funding. H.B. 660, as amended, raises the state warrant amount used to support assistant district attorneys from $50,000 to $60,000 and sets district attorney salaries at $65,000 effective July 1, 2026. The Louisiana District Attorneys Association and several DAs supported the bill, saying it would help recruit and retain prosecutors. H.B. 719, also amended, increases the number of assistant district attorney warrants in many judicial districts statewide, with supporters describing it as a response to crime, population changes, and local workload needs. Both bills were reported favorably as amended. Rep. Ventrella’s H.B. 227, allowing court filings on letter-sized paper instead of only legal-sized paper, was also moved favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.B. 335 by Rep. Henry, which would expand citizenship verification requirements for entities administering public benefits. Supporters said it was meant to ensure state dollars go to U.S. and Louisiana citizens and to add accountability for NGOs; opponents, including farmers, food-access nonprofits, and health providers, argued it would create administrative burdens, chill participation in SNAP-related programs, and discourage vulnerable people from seeking food or medical help. After an amendment exempting nonprofit food distribution was adopted, the bill was reported favorably by a 12-5 vote. Finally, the committee took up H.B. 623, a tobacco and vapor products permitting bill. After adopting a three-minute rule, the committee accepted an amendment removing tobacco products from the proposed three-tier permitting system and excluding lawful marijuana products authorized by LDH. The amended bill was then reported favorably. The transcript ends as the committee was beginning H.B. 708.

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill is to increase the allocation that is contained in what we call warrants, which is the payment
• I'm going to do. ...or any other similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided to an
• And for us to go out of order, there would have to be a suspension of the rules.
• And for us to go out of order, there would have to be a suspension of the rules.
• You're talking about the entity that would receive the payment through that card? Uh-huh.

Bills: HCR41 , HB11 , HB227 , HB243 , HB278 , HB335 , HB424 , HB454 , HB455 , HB492 , HB623 , HB641 , HB660 , HB708 , HB719 , HB940 , HB1029 , HB1053 , HB1069 , HB1077

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Owens of Watertown moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.
• Owens of Watertown moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.
• Question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.
• Wong of Sagas moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.
• Owens of Watertown moves suspension of the rules so the House can take up Senate 2152.

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up a series of committee reports and routine legislative actions. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of several congratulatory and honorary resolutions, including recognition of Grupo Nosa Senora Das Candiaas, Karen Dejean, and Dr. Michael F. Fitzpatrick; the House suspended the rules and adopted them. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer two petitions, one on school library standards to the Committee on Education and one on damages for employees aggrieved by Massachusetts Wage Act violations to the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. The House then considered several bills and special matters. It approved a sick leave bank bill for J.O. Charlatan of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, ordering it to a third reading, and later passed to enactment a Senate bill establishing a sick leave bank for Andrew Satera of the Trial Court after adopting the required emergency preamble. The House also advanced and enacted Senate 2152, as amended, designating June 7 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, again first adopting the emergency preamble and then passing the bill to be enacted. In addition, the Committee on Steering, Policy, and Scheduling reported the Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day bill for House consideration, and the House suspended the rules to take it up. The Speaker welcomed guests from Weymouth High School’s Scrap Robotics Team. At the end of the session, the House adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, members, I urge a green vote on the suspension of the rules to move this forward.
• >> We are on discussion on the suspension of rules for House File 3843.
• Members, as a reminder, we are discussing the suspension of rules for House File 3843.
• </c> &gt;&gt; We are on discussion on the suspension &gt;&gt; We are on discussion on the suspension
• I suppose this is bringing a suspension of the rules. So slightly different.

Summary: The House debated a motion to suspend the rules so House File 3843 could be recalled from committee and given second and third readings for final passage. The bill, carried by Representative Baker and supported by Representative Niska, would create a subcommittee of the governor’s workforce development board to vet nonprofit and other applicants for workforce development dollars, with the legislature retaining final authority. Supporters argued the proposal would add an extra layer of scrutiny, reduce fraud risk, and help prevent problems like those highlighted in recent reporting and past nonprofit funding scandals. Supporters repeatedly tied the bill to concerns about fraud in state grantmaking, citing the Feeding Our Future scandal and other nonprofit cases as examples of why more oversight is needed. Representative Baker said the committee process can be overwhelmed by many direct-appropriation requests at the end of session, and that a board-based vetting process would help identify red flags. Representative Enen and Representative Schultz also backed the motion, saying the bill would improve accountability and protect taxpayer dollars. Representative Pinto opposed the urgency motion, saying he supports moving toward more competitive grants but not adding another layer of bureaucracy without a fiscal note or fuller committee process. He argued the bill would not do what supporters claimed and that the legislature already makes funding decisions. After debate, the House took a roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules. The motion failed by one vote, 67 yeas to 66 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Definitions of probation, retraining, revocation, and suspension are added.
• The standards for teachers for revocation of licenses and suspensions only is clear and convincing.
• The standards for teachers for revocation of licenses and suspensions only is clear and convincing.
• It's only for suspensions and revocation of licensing.
• How many have actually resulted in a revocation or a suspension?

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held public hearings on House Bill 2220, which would change Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) certification hearings for peace and corrections officers. The bill would raise the standard of proof for suspension or revocation from a preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence, expand the hearing panel from five to six members by adding another law enforcement representative, and require biennial reporting by law enforcement agencies and the CJTC on officer certification, training completion, and decertifications. Sponsor Rep. Mari Leavitt and supporters argued the bill would improve fairness, transparency, training compliance, and recruitment/retention, while CJTC staff said they support objective hearings but opposed the burden-of-proof change and parts of the definitions, especially probation. Opponents, including police accountability advocates and several CJTC commissioners, argued the current system is working, there is no demonstrated problem, and the bill would weaken civilian oversight and make decertification harder. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2362, which would lower Washington’s per se blood alcohol concentration threshold for impaired driving from 0.08 to 0.05, require a public information campaign, and direct an evaluation of the policy’s impacts by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy. Rep. Brandy Donaghy said the bill is intended to reduce traffic deaths and improve public safety. Supporters, including several prosecutors and victims’ family members, said lower BAC limits can deter impaired driving and save lives, and argued the change would educate the public and reduce crashes. Opponents from the hospitality, brewing, and wine industries said the bill would not address the main causes of fatal crashes, would burden businesses and responsible consumers, and pointed to Utah’s experience as evidence the policy may not reduce fatalities. Prosecutors also raised concerns about the toxicology lab backlog, though some said the bill could eventually reduce cases and improve safety. The hearing on HB 2362 ended with public testimony; no committee action or vote was taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was the impact of a payment delay, cost avoidance, as well as additional denied claims.
• </c><00:32:04.880><c> delay,</c><00:32:05.519><c> cost</c> the impact of a payment delay, cost the impact
• of a payment delay, cost avoidance,<00:32:06.399><c> as</c><00:32:06.559><c> well</c><00:32:06.720><
• </c> repeal the sunset on the new payment repeal the sunset on the new payment withholding<01:26:06.400
• </c><01:27:28.159><c> that</c><01:27:28.400><c> the</c> Lengthy enrollment suspensions that the bill

Bills: HF3676 , HF3683 , HF3395

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I mentioned receiverships, and then things like license suspension, revocations, and loss of suitability
• Training programs, and that's specifically tied to the amount of civil monetary penalties, denial of payment
• How many CCRCs receive payments from Medicare and Medicaid?
• has been raised related to future use for CCRC residents, one of the concerns is that large down payment

Summary: The Special Commission on Continuing Care Retirement Communities met for its third meeting, focused on regulations, oversight, and enforcement. Staff and agency presenters reviewed the current framework: the Executive Office of Aging and Independence explained that assisted living regulations generally do not apply to CCRCs unless an assisted living component markets itself separately, and that CCRCs must submit marketing materials, contracts, and disclosure statements for public posting. The Attorney General’s office described Chapter 93A consumer protection standards and noted it is working on draft assisted living-specific regulations. DPH outlined its oversight of licensed nursing facilities associated with some CCRCs, including routine surveys, complaint investigations, and enforcement tools such as admissions freezes, fines, receivership, and license actions, along with federal CMS sanctions for certified facilities. Commission members and presenters then discussed gaps and ambiguities in how CCRCs are defined and regulated, especially whether communities without on-site skilled nursing should still be treated as CCRCs, how assisted living-like services within CCRCs are classified, and whether residents have enough clarity about the services they are buying. A major theme was disclosure: members raised concerns about entrance fees, refund timing and conditions, whether skilled nursing is on-site or provided by contract, and how residents can compare communities. Several participants suggested more standardized disclosure and possibly broader consumer protection rules, while others cautioned that overly rigid requirements could affect community finances and development. The commission also explored enforcement and resident protections. Some members argued that independent living residents are already covered by landlord-tenant law and that existing complaint systems and community education may be sufficient, while others said residents in supported or assisted settings within CCRCs should have clearer access to ombudsman services and oversight. The discussion turned to closure and ownership transfer, with members citing recent national examples of sales and bankruptcies that changed resident terms. DPH explained its closure process for licensed nursing facilities, and members noted that Chapter 197 of 2024 adds oversight for facility transfers and financial disclosures. The meeting ended with logistics for the next session at Brookhaven at Lexington on June 2, a public hearing on June 16, and a request to circulate the hearing notice broadly to residents and stakeholder organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• 73 by Senator Miller, to repeal certain prior acts of the legislature relative to the assessment, payment
• Senate Bill 85 by Senator Miller, Title 13, payment of group insurance premiums for retired sheriff's
• Senate Bill 85 by Senator Miller, Title 13, payment of group insurance premiums for retired sheriff's
• Jordan, consumer loans, maximum loan finance charge, provide for origination fee assistance program, suspension

Bills: HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR45 , HCR22 , HCR23 , HCR24 , HCR25 , HCR26 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR29 , HCR30 , HB894 , HB983 , HB984 , HR39 , HR40 , HR41 , HCR19 , HCR20 , HCR21 , HB2 , HB3 , HB15 , HB441 , HB976 , HB977 , HB978 , HB979 , HB980 , HB981 , HB982 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB521 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB670 , HB672 , HB797 , HB854 , HB952 , HB207 , HB300 , HB331 , HB428 , HB464 , HB587 , HB618 , HB629 , HB801 , HB853 , HB891 , HB474 , HB487 , HB503 , HB606 , HB633 , HB707 , HB720 , HB728 , HB733 , HB846 , HB852 , HB856 , HB868 , HB875 , HB112 , HB657 , HB221 , HB149 , HB901 , HB148 , HB354

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is on the suspension of individual school board members.
• know, other individuals in this room may be dealing with school districts that are facing lawsuit payments
• Dear Chair, referring to settlement payments, I believe the settlement payments are paid out from the

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Galvin of Arlington moved suspension of the rules.
• Hamilton of Methuen moved suspension of the rules.
• Hamilton and the Thorn moved suspension of the rules.
• Diggs, I now move suspension of the rules to take the bill up.
• Representative Decker of Cambridge moved suspension of the rules.

Summary: The House convened for a floor session that began with routine actions, including suspension of the rules and adoption of several committee-reported resolutions and orders. Members adopted a congratulatory resolution for Yolanda Kruger’s 100th birthday and approved orders extending the Public Health Committee’s reporting deadlines on House documents 4984 and 4988. The chamber also moved through a number of local bills, including measures authorizing additional alcohol licenses for Hudson and Cohasset and a charter amendment for Plymouth, all of which were passed to be engrossed. The House then took up several major bills on third reading. House 3417, designating Domestic Workers’ Rights Day, was debated at length by Representative Sousa, who described domestic workers as essential but often invisible workers and argued the designation would raise awareness of existing protections and help prevent exploitation. The bill passed to be engrossed on a roll call vote of 156-0. The House also passed House 4992, authorizing Barnstable County and the town of Bourne to convey land, and House 4994, the “Paths Act,” which would require a phased-in apprenticeship participation standard on large public construction projects and establish a commission to study apprenticeship issues. Supporters emphasized workforce development, union apprenticeship pathways, and long-term economic opportunity. Another major measure, House 4993, the Preston Settles Every Minute Counts Act, would require automated external defibrillators and trained personnel at sporting facilities and events. Representative Decker described the bill as a response to the death of a young athlete from sudden cardiac arrest and said it would close a safety gap outside schools. Representative Frost offered amendments to create a state fund to help communities pay for AEDs and to allow exemptions for remote locations without permanent power, but both amendments were rejected on roll call votes. The bill itself later passed to be engrossed by roll call, and the House also enacted a Hingham land-use bill allowing municipal property to be used for a center for active living. The session included several recesses, introductions of visitors and constituents, and ended with the House adjourning to meet the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Garballey of Arlington moves suspension of the rules.
• Hamilton of Methuen moves suspension of the rules.
• Hamilton and the Thorn move suspension of the rules.
• Hamilton and the Thorn move suspension of the rules.
• Diggs now moves suspension of the rules to take the bill up.

Transcript Highlights:

• That results in a license suspension while the criminal case is pending.
• <01:22:10.639><c> of</c><01:22:10.800><c> driving</c> suspension of driving suspension of driving privileges
• It certainly could have an impact on DVS and the issuance of suspensions. Mr.
• ><c> involving</c><01:25:52.600><c> suspension</c><01:25:53.400><c> or</c> um bills involving suspension
• Vanck, was the conviction for driving after suspension in this case?

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Roy of Franklin now moves suspension of the rules.
• Meridian of Grafton now moves suspension of the rules.
• Mikeowitz of Boston moves suspension of the rules.
• Roy of Franklin moves suspension of Rule 47 to take up House 4799.
• Roya Franklin, who's suspension of Rule 47 to take up House 4799.

Summary: The House opened with ceremonial activities, including the Pledge of Allegiance and recognition of several student athletic teams and guests, then took up a series of routine matters. Members adopted a resolution congratulating the William Diamond Jr. Fife and Drum Corps on its 25th anniversary, suspended Joint Rule 12 for a petition concerning lease authorization for Eastern Mountain State Forests, and enacted several bills, including measures related to the Sandwich town charter and Springfield tax relief. The House also passed a bill authorizing charity alcohol auctions after adopting a substitute amendment, and passed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a specific applicant. The main policy debate centered on Senate Bill 2581, amended and retitled as an act promoting safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth. Supporters described the bill as a response to classroom distraction, bullying, and mental health harms associated with cell phones and social media, and said it would require bell-to-bell restrictions on personal devices in schools, provide guidance and a model policy for districts, and limit social media access for children under 14 while requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. Several members cited educator testimony, school district practices, and concerns about anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and online predators. Opponents and amendment sponsors argued for more local flexibility and warned about implementation costs, but amendments seeking to preserve district-specific policies or prohibit unfunded mandates were rejected. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill by roll call, then passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 129-25. Earlier, the House also accepted a conference committee report on legislation modernizing cannabis laws by a vote of 155-0, after debate focused on restructuring the Cannabis Control Commission, expanding licensing and ownership rules, and addressing equity and social justice provisions. The chamber recessed several times, briefly lost quorum during proceedings, and adjourned to meet again in informal session the following day.