Transcript Highlights:

• Pay applications, invoices, what have you, those are drawn at the Board of Finance because we float a
• I think the recent changes have prompted us to make those decisions maybe to move a little hastily through
• Many school districts that have implemented this program pay for their energy management teams, their
• Our funding structure and the way that we pay for capital outlay in schools in New Mexico is so labyrinthine

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not a lawyer, but, uh, the fact is that if we're really concerned about patient safety, we want prompt
• Y'all have heard this before, but the US pays twice as much for our medical costs, uh, for about the
• In a 2022 study, uh, 27% of American patients have undergone care with uncertainty that they can pay
• As far as, uh, what the patient is required to pay. That has nothing to do with us, honestly.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:53.839><c> and</c><00:42:53.960><c> fair</c> division staff The Prompt and fair division staff
• The Prompt and fair resolution<00:42:54.760><c> of</c><00:42:54.960><c> family</c><00:42:55.280><c>
• Maybe in a particular emergency, they give you a certain impression of facts, but it really pays to slow
• I'll just say this: when we talk about other tools that we have in our arsenal for really trying to pay
• close attention to Alternative pay close attention to Alternative dispute<01:00:53.000><c> resolution

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee on the Children and Family Law Committee met organizationally to continue work on family court issues, building on a prior special committee’s report and taking a collaborative approach with the Judiciary. The chair said the group would focus on solutions rather than rehashing public complaints, and identified three main topics for early study: specialization and training of family court judges, the extent to which judges should be bound by the rules of evidence, and whether mediation in family cases should be mandatory or voluntary and what qualifications mediators should have. A fourth concern was also raised about overlap between superior court domestic violence cases and family court custody/support matters, and whether one judge should hear both. Members discussed whether to divide into smaller subcommittees, but the prevailing view was to work as a committee of the whole at first. Most members agreed that additional public testimony was unlikely to add much, though recent concerns could still be emailed to the committee. The committee then heard from Attorney Erin Krian, general counsel for the judicial branch, and Judge Michael Mace. Krian said the judicial branch could provide additional witnesses on mediation and judicial training, including Judge Kissinger, and noted the branch was preparing materials on how other states handle the issues. Mace described the history of the Family Division and said he had reviewed older reports going back to the 1990s. He also outlined current judicial branch efforts, including expanded shadowing for new judges, monthly family-law trainings, and a year-long focus on family law topics. He reported that court rules had been updated to clarify notice requirements for minor guardianship changes, and that the branch had received positive feedback on the family access motion, which provides a statutory timeline and listed remedies for parenting-time disputes. Members also discussed prior committee work on rules of evidence and family court procedures. One member recalled recommending quiet review of any judges who appeared to apply evidence rules inconsistently, and Krian said the administrative judge can review complaints even if they come from a single person. The committee also received a status update on prior initiatives, including a federal grant for guardian ad litem services for indigent litigants in four locations, testing of redesigned court forms, and continued training improvements. The chair scheduled the next subcommittee meeting for April 1 and the full Children and Family Law Committee for April 8, with further documents from committee research and NCSL to be circulated.

Transcript Highlights:

• MassHealth pays for the core outpatient services that are critical to support long-term recovery and
• Currently, MassHealth covers and pays for preventive behavioral health services.
• To prevent individuals from paying out of pocket or waiting months for critical care...
• Individuals from paying out of pocket or awaiting months for critical care.
• Again, that's full health insurance coverage without co-pays, deductibles, or other cost sharing.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on a large group of behavioral health and insurance-related bills. Topics included expanding access to mental health services by allowing physician assistants to authorize Section 12 emergency holds and be recognized as licensed mental health professionals (H. 1131/S. 773); improving coverage for community behavioral health centers so commercial insurance matches MassHealth’s bundled outpatient and crisis services (H. 1276/S. 703); eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services (S. 718); extending detox and clinical stabilization coverage from 14 to 30 days and adding transitional support services (H. 1319/S. 772); requiring coverage for dual-diagnosis treatment in psychiatric facilities (H. 1277/S. 771); and preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness through coverage of coordinated specialty care and assertive community treatment (H. 1135/S. 709). The committee also heard bills on preventive behavioral health services for children (H. 1228/S. 802) and post-pregnancy mental health care, including postpartum depression and pregnancy loss-related care (H. 1314/S. 823).

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I guess my question is: are you concerned that we might be double paying the SNAP administrative
• ><00:04:23.320><c> might</c><00:04:23.680><c> be</c><00:04:24.000><c> double</c><00:04:24.600><c> paying
• </c> that we might be double paying that we might be double paying the<00:04:26.000><c> snap</c><00:04
• So if you cut today to try to save a couple positions or whatever it may be, you may end up paying an
• So how much are we paying in addition? threshold. threshold. Yes,<00:25:36.200><c> ma'am.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The county could not identify the source of funds that it used to pay that use tax.
• Could not identify the source of funds that it used to pay that use tax.
• He's opted out of our system, and they're paying the freight for that.
• They're paying for their own school system. I couldn't even tell you what it is, Mr.
• He's opted out of our system, and they're paying the freight for that.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:55:18.119><c> their</c><00:55:18.280><c> ability</c><00:55:18.680><c> to</c><00:55:19.119><c> pay
• </c><00:55:20.119><c> the</c> regardless of their ability to pay the regardless of their ability to pay
• CBOs are not able to provide competitive wages; our workers choose higher-paying jobs or places with
• choose higher paying jobs or places<02:13:57.079><c> with</c><02:13:57.239><c> a</c><02:13:57.360><c
• and and later on it it it goes on to pay and and later on it it it goes on to<02:35:17.600><c> say</

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• accusations of ballot fraud, harassment, and death threats aimed at two 2020 Georgia election workers prompted
• 00:52:57.280><c> workers</c> two 2020 Georgia election workers two 2020 Georgia election workers prompted
• 59.920><c> to</c><00:53:00.240><c> enact</c><00:53:00.640><c> or</c><00:53:00.880><c> update</c> prompted
• many states to enact or update prompted many states to enact or update protections<00:53:01.839><c>
• This will prompt greater discussion of relevant issues and positions instead of a broad choice between

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's what prompts that question, because that would be great to sell off there.

Summary: The committee considered several Senate bills related to religious freedom, agriculture, tourism, wildlife, research and development, public safety, and economic development. SB 1307, presented by Rep. Lepak, would align state statutes with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings by removing language that could bar religious organizations from receiving taxpayer funds in certain programs; it passed 6-1. SB 985, presented by Rep. Newton for Rep. Piper, would require ODAF to operate the Oklahoma Local Foods for Schools program through a revolving fund to help local producers supply schools; it passed unanimously. SB 1405 would allow taxpayers to donate part of their refund to the Wildlife Diversity Program, and SB 1530 would create a research and development ecosystem to better connect universities, businesses, and industry; both advanced after brief discussion, with SB 1405 passing 9-1 and SB 1530 passing 8-2. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 248, which would create a guardrailed fund for proceeds from the sale of certain Department of Tourism land so the money could only be used for deferred maintenance rather than general expenses. The author said the bill was intended to help address roughly $191 million to $200 million in deferred maintenance and emphasized that the measure did not target any specific state park for sale. Members asked about who would oversee property sales, whether legislative oversight existed, how the proceeds would be prioritized, and whether the bill would affect CLO-related acreage rules; the author said Tourism’s board would still handle decisions, CLO rights of first refusal would remain where applicable, and the bill would not impose acreage requirements on Tourism land. SB 248 passed 9-1. The committee also amended and advanced SB 1319, with Rep. Sneed explaining an amendment that changed mandatory language to permissive language so a city or county may, rather than shall, acquire property. He described the bill as a public safety measure creating a revolving fund, and it passed 9-0 after the amendment was adopted. Finally, SB 1919, presented by Rep. Townley, would increase the Tourism Development Act inducement cap from $30 million to $60 million for qualifying projects; after brief discussion it passed 6-3. The chair then adjourned the meeting and said no meeting was anticipated the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I appreciate that question, and one of the things that really prompted me to do this was several

Summary: The committee took up several business- and workforce-related bills. House Bill 381, which lowers the age requirement for fire extinguisher inspection licensing from 21 to 18 to match sprinkler and alarm installation rules, passed 8-0. House Bill 3127, with a PCS adopted, would restore an employer’s ability to use a written zero-tolerance drug policy for safety-sensitive positions; supporters said it would give employers clarity and flexibility, while questions focused on workers’ compensation and HIPAA concerns. It passed 6-2. House Bill 3128, also with a PCS adopted, creates a task force called Arise, Oklahoma to study workforce readiness, barriers to employment, and business competitiveness; the author said it would help identify gaps without overloading the new Workforce Commission, and it passed 6-2. The committee also heard House Bill 3498, a lengthy modernization of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and LLC statutes. The author said it would update outdated corporate law, strengthen shareholder agreements, and make Oklahoma more competitive with states like Delaware to encourage investment and keep businesses in the state. Members asked for clearer examples of the bill’s effects and whether it would have prevented recent employer relocations; the author said it would not guarantee a different outcome but could improve Oklahoma’s ability to retain and attract businesses. The bill passed 7-1-1. Finally, House Bill 2035, requested by the funeral industry, would provide clarification and structure for service agreements covering transportation of human remains. The author said the agreements are already used and are not insurance, but rather prepaid service arrangements that can reduce costs for families. Members raised concerns about out-of-state transport and insurance-code exemptions, and the author said the bill was intended to clarify that these agreements are treated consistently and provide consumer value. The bill was moved forward, and the chair noted it was the last bill of the day before adjourning, with many laid-over bills expected next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think we brought good questions, but I also want to make sure that we're paying attention to the
• Commerce certifies applications and utilities pay the incentive to the building owner.
• ask the state to pay for a cost of carbon allowances.
• We would probably turn around and ask the state, the legislature, to pay for it.
• Anything we can do to avoid being fined and paying money that we don't have. We hear you.

Bills: HB2330, HB2338

Keywords: energy systems, capital funding, state campus, school infrastructure, sustainability, weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, environment, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The decline of the dairy industry has prompted our family to diversify.
• This is a fixed cost that we cannot absorb and must pay.
• That is a cold comfort for the one-third of licensees that will be expected to pay anywhere between a
• So could you compare that to what they would be currently paying under the current license fee schedule
• They're paying the $350 fee, and even if we don't go and inspect.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution 154 by Representative Bayham to commend Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church and School
• This amendment will entirely pay off the LASERS IUAL, the unfunded accrued liability that can be traced
• This amendment will entirely pay off the LASERS IUAL, the unfunded accrued liability that can be traced
• Because no matter what happens to the economy or REC forecast, we will have $60 million less to pay for
• The $18.3 million increase funds the following: $5 million for FINS, $6.5 million for staff pay plan

Bills: HR159, HR160, HR161, HR162, HR163, HR164, HCR60, HCR61, HCR62, HCR63, HCR64, HR153, HR154, HR155, HR156, HR157, HR158, HCR57, HCR58, HCR59, SB124, SB399, SB441, SB447, SB460, HCR4, HCR47, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB175, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB628, HB786, HB909, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1052, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1154, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1231, HB1241, SB244, HB1, HB2, HB3, HB312, HB313, HB383, HB314, HCR3, HB983, HB1126, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HB27, HB71, HB214, HB225, HB241, HB244, HB306, HB345, HB366, HB446, HB511, HB514, HB655, HB730, HB743, HB1027, HB1037, HB1043, HB1082, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1167, HB1174, HB1175, HB1230, HB1237, HB1238, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, HB51, HB58, HB140, HB750, HB911, HB982, HB1010, HB151, HB180, HB192, HB193, HB310, HB635, HB690, HB961, HB1003, HB1146, HB864, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB615, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB9, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1113, HB1234, HB1236

Keywords: occupational therapy, healthcare, medical professionals, recognition, professional day, property transfer, public records doctrine, bad faith, Louisiana State Law Institute, real estate law, Black Maternal Health Week, maternal health, racial disparities, healthcare access, culturally competent care, Louisiana, community health, motorcycle safety, awareness month, motorcyclists education

Transcript Highlights:

• That can't be emphasized enough: the surplus lines broker who collects the premium and pays taxes here
• Who will pay? The load-serving entities, retail electric providers, municipals, and co-ops.
• It's called the LSC Reliability Obligation; they're the ones that need to pay for it.
• And how will they pay for it? They should pay for it with bilateral contracts.
• If they're paying for insurance, what's the point of paying for it if you're not going to use it?

Bills: SB388, SB455, SB917, SB925, SB1006

Keywords: dispatchable generation, electricity, natural gas, ERCOT, energy credits, utilities regulation, renewable energy, arbitration, insurance contracts, surplus lines, Texas law, insurance policy, boiler inspection, boiler safety, inspection report deadline, certificate inspection, authorized inspector, inspection agency, Health and Safety Code, board of boiler rules

Transcript Highlights:

• I forgot to pay my property taxes on my office.
• That's lost wages, lost income, and lost pay.
• We pay almost a billion dollars to the Department of Corrections, so taxpayers are paying in addition
• Chairman, the question about how we were going to pay for this: it says that the state shall pay for
• Chairman, the question about how we were going to pay for this, it says that the state shall pay for

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he is not trying to make them spend one more penny, but they do have a group of people who pay
• do have a a group of people<00:38:22.800><c> that</c><00:38:23.160><c> actually</c><00:38:23.599><c> pay
• </c><00:38:23.800><c> attention</c><00:38:24.079><c> to</c> people that actually pay attention to people
• that actually pay attention to these<00:38:24.440><c> things</c><00:38:25.240><c> they</c><00:38:25.400
• </c><01:19:04.960><c> me</c> the idea what did somebody prompt me the idea what did somebody prompt me

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's what prompted the initial flooding.
• We only pay for them for the time that we're using them.
• It's based on ability to pay.
• So we would not pay for nor facilitate doing those cleanups.
• Water's not paying $2 million; they're paying a small portion of that. But y'all do that, right?

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are giving a payment from the state of a massive $162,000 a year, I believe, one time to help pay
• They are giving a payment from the state of a massive $162,000 a year, I believe, one time to help pay
• But this would basically be a general fund appropriation to pay each of the plans the estimated cost
• </c><01:03:07.839><c> But</c> prompt us, it likely won't happen.
• But prompt us, it likely won't happen.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wouldn't you want that person, the private pay person, to come from an agency?
• Forty percent of older adults here don't have the resources to pay for basic needs.
• They don't have enough savings because of low pay throughout their working lives.
• Medicare, despite people's misconceptions, does not pay for long-term care.
• And MassHealth only pays Does not pay for long-term care, and MassHealth only pays if you have low enough

Summary: The Senate took up a series of local and statewide measures, including bills on parking fines in Scituate, a conservation restriction in Middleton, park and field dedications in Boston, toxic-free medical devices, a regional school district vote, and several local personnel and land-use matters. It also approved or engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District, fire and police employment in Conway, reclassifying Beverly fire alarm operators, a Waitley Water District dissolution, a Dighton conservation land/public way issue, Milton liquor licenses, Billerica bike path land transfer, and an easement exchange involving Eversource. Several of these were advanced by suspending rules, ordering third readings, or concurring in House amendments; the Senate also accepted a committee report consolidating S. 545 with H. 899 and passed the consolidated park-dedication bill to engrossment. A major focus was the bill requiring health care employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs. Senators and sponsors described the measure as a compromise aimed at protecting health care workers through annual risk assessments, prevention plans, paid leave, reporting requirements, privacy protections, and a narrow warrantless-arrest provision for assaults on health care workers. The Senate adopted a number of amendments, including changes to employee definitions, complaint protections, disfigurement language, paid leave coverage, federally qualified health center exemptions, de-escalation and community-based response language, mental health treatment coverage, and a one-year pause for certain DDS-related provisions. Some proposed amendments were adopted, while others were rejected or withdrawn, and the bill was ultimately ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also considered the home care and long-term services bill, with members emphasizing home care licensure, oversight, and planning for long-term care financing. Amendments added or modified provisions related to home care training, evacuation procedures, minority-party representation on commissions, MassPACE participation, and representation for people living with dementia; one amendment on family caregiving was withdrawn after discussion. The chamber likewise advanced an economic development bond and appropriation package through a Ways and Means substitute and adopted a conference committee process on a separate energy affordability bill after the House disagreed with the Senate’s version. The session included ceremonial moments honoring guests and memorializing Jane Yolen and Charlene M. Naylor, and it ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are things that are working, and those funding efforts are paying off, and I would encourage you
• With the Healthy Universal School Meals Act, the state is essentially paying for students who do not
• This just takes off all of the stigmas as to whether you're a full-pay student or a part-pay student.
• They did ask us to mention that you have to get here, and I think you have to pay for your travel.
• In the past, they would still have to pay for those meals.