Video & Transcript : 'relative custody' :
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 8th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So how the bill came to us was basically a bill that would punish parents or custodial or non-custodial
- And then we also heard from custodial parents and non-custodial parents alike, both showing us examples
- or non-custodial parents for not following their custody agreement, which on the face of it sounds fair
- And then we also heard from custodial parent and non-custodial parents alike, both showing us examples
- A lot of custody agreements are fairly old.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation.
A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements.
The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 03:04 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- to the type of person that we're... ...redact or not redact relative to the type of person that we're
- And also I'm a bit concerned about the practical impact in the courthouse as relative to the legal aspects
- They become in the custody of the state of West Virginia.
- So what would typically take 18 to 24 months, They become in the custody of the state of West Virginia
- So guardianship is custodial rights, not complete parental rights.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 4198, which would require employers to use E-Verify to confirm new hires’ work authorization and impose escalating penalties for violations, including warnings, debarment from state contracts, loss of business licenses, and other sanctions. Counsel and senators raised extensive drafting concerns, including circular language, conflicts with existing record-retention provisions, unclear references to “seeks to employ,” possible application to babysitters, lawn care, and other casual or household arrangements, and uncertainty about how the bill would work for employers who never actually complete a hire. The bill sponsor defended the measure as a way to strengthen compliance with existing law, protect employers who use E-Verify in good faith, and deter illegal hiring. After debate, a motion to table the bill failed on a roll call vote, 6 in favor and 10 opposed, and the chair then announced the bill would be sent to a subcommittee to be cleaned up, with instructions to resolve the drafting conflicts and other ambiguities.
The committee then turned to House Bill 4710, with an amendment, which would require a person to be registered with a political party or as an independent 210 days before filing a certificate of candidacy. Counsel explained that the change would lengthen the current 60-day requirement and would affect both party-switching and independent candidacies, making it harder for candidates to change affiliation shortly before an election. Senators asked about how the 210-day period would work relative to the primary and general election filing deadlines, and counsel clarified that it would be measured backward from the relevant filing dates. The discussion focused on the practical effect of the bill as a “sore loser” measure and on the timing rules for candidacy filings.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In March of 2025, we collected DNA samples from the relatives.
- What we've seen is that it's a relatively new a new deduction, and so we're hoping that we'll start to
- states is upon conviction to be guilty of a Class D3 offense, punishable by imprisonment and the custody
- Or shall be guilty of a Class D1 felony, punishable by imprisonment in the custody of The department
Bills:
SJR50 , SJR51 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54 , SJR39 , SB1290 , HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , HB1250 , HB2951 , HB2961 , HB3151 , HB3581 , HB3705 , HB3970 , HB3972 , HB3980 , HB3981
Keywords:
Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- It potentially can make the mother the primary custodial parent, and the father is the primary non-custodial
- There's been a lot of look at trying to do joint custody, I.
- One, there is you know true shared custody and shared overnights.
- Joint custody means you jointly make decisions together.
- you know the non-custodial Parent contributes to those.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Losses have been relatively minimal; there have been relatively very few broker-dealer insolvencies.
- Losses have been relatively minimal; there have been relatively very few broker-dealer insolvencies.
- Losses have been relatively minimal; there have been relatively very few broker-dealer insolvencies.
- Losses have been relatively minimal; there have been relatively very few broker-dealer insolvencies.
- Losses have been relatively minimal; there have been relatively very few broker-dealer insolvencies.
Summary:
The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, which would add ski, snowboard, and boat wax containing PFAS to the state’s consumer-product restrictions. The sponsor argued the product is already banned in many places, has PFAS-free alternatives, and is used in ways that can directly contaminate water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and said the bill was a simple extension of prior PFAS legislation. A witness also described a personal experience where a liquid ski wax disappeared from the market and later returned, likely because of PFAS concerns. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167 without a vote.
The committee then opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett said the bill was modeled on New Jersey law and intended to let student-athletes earn compensation from NIL without losing institutional scholarships, while also requiring licensed representation and setting limits on certain endorsements. He described the measure as proactive because NIL rules are evolving and could create conflicts among schools and future lawsuits. Members questioned whether the bill should apply to two-year institutions, whether it should exclude firearms and weapons, and whether the scholarship protections would cover need-based or academic aid as well as athletic scholarships. Moffett said the scholarship language was intended to protect scholarships generally, but not need-based aid specifically, and he acknowledged discomfort with some of the endorsement restrictions.
Public testimony on HB 312 was mixed. One supporter, a former Division III athlete and coach, backed the bill but urged removal of a section allowing institutions or athletic bodies to use an athlete’s NIL without compensation, arguing most New Hampshire athletes do not receive NIL money and should not have to work extra jobs to cover basic expenses. The chair also raised concerns about the bill’s contractual and identity-rights implications, referencing prior committee work on a J.D. Salinger-related identity case and noting the committee had previously declined to get involved in similar contractual disputes. No vote was taken during the hearing.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The county auditor must develop a chain of custody plan, chain of custody procedures.
- The county auditor must develop a chain of custody plan, chain of custody procedures.
- The county auditor must develop a chain of custody plan, chain of custody procedures.
- </c><00:59:09.839><c> plan</c> there is a plan a chain of custody plan there is a plan a chain of custody
- </c><00:59:11.599><c> is</c> but let's say the chain of custody is but let's say the chain of custody
Committee:
Senate Elections
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Mar 2nd, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- thing is, are there individuals currently who can bring these powers, the subpoena powers and the custody
- I personally have done trainings at associations relative to public administrators where we're explaining
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Mar 2nd, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- thing is, are there individuals currently who can bring these powers, the subpoena powers and the custody
- I personally have done trainings at associations relative to public administrators where we're explaining
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2708, which would increase penalties for bringing or possessing unauthorized electronic communication devices in prisons and jails, raising the offense from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony and clarifying the statutory language. Representative Hovis said the bill is intended to deter contraband cell phones and similar devices that can be used to coordinate criminal activity, threaten victims, or continue gang operations from inside facilities. Department of Corrections staff supported the bill, saying cell phones are dangerous contraband and that current administrative sanctions are not always enough. Members asked about notice to visitors, current DOC discipline, whether the bill applies to inmates, staff, and visitors, and whether the language should be tightened to cover devices “capable of” communication; the sponsor agreed to have House Research review the wording and potentially offer a committee substitute. No opposition testimony was presented.
The committee then heard House Bill 3038, which would place the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Special Investigations into statute and give it limited authority to assist investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of eligible adults. Representative Cook said the office already exists and the bill mainly codifies its role, allowing limited subpoena and search warrant authority to speed investigations, especially financial exploitation cases, while preserving local law enforcement and prosecutorial control. DHSS witnesses supported the bill, explaining that their investigators have long worked on vulnerable-adult cases and often need quicker access to records; they said the office has law enforcement experience and coordinates with Adult Protective Services and public safety agencies. Committee members asked about the fiscal note, vacancies, the definition of exploitation, whether the office can investigate public administrators or guardianship cases, and whether investigators have arrest authority; witnesses said the bill is not intended to create a new police force or expand arrest powers, but to formalize existing functions and improve access to records. No witnesses testified in opposition, and the hearing concluded without a vote.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 4th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Resolution 86 by Senator Gonzalez, relative to Cinco de Mayo Week.
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 146 by Senator Laird relative to Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 146 by Senator Laird relative to Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 154 by Senator Umberg relative to Green Star Veterans and Families Day.
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 123 by Senator Umberg, relative to peace officers. Senator.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on floor recognitions. Members welcomed the Far West Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and honored its leadership and civic service, including wildfire recovery work and local chapter anniversaries. The body also recognized the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees, with remarks tied to Cinco de Mayo and Latino resilience, followed by a series of resolutions and guest introductions.
Several resolutions were adopted, including SR 86 on Cinco de Mayo Week, SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day, SCR 123 recognizing California Peace Officers Memorial Day, SCR 164 designating Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, and SCR 103 on Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. Testimony and remarks emphasized cultural heritage, shared struggles for justice, veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention, law enforcement sacrifice, and persistent racial health disparities. Most resolutions passed by unanimous roll call votes.
The Senate also confirmed multiple Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation appointments, including Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson. Senators Grove and others voiced protest over CDCR appointments, arguing for consideration of Frank Silva, but the confirmations still passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The chamber then approved several bills, including SB 1159 on artificial intelligence and public meetings, SB 1416 shortening refund timelines for duplicate medical/dental payments, SB 1273 expanding tied-house advertising rules for winery instructional events, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, SB 1195 expanding tied-house exemptions for certain venues, and SB 990 allowing a highway information sign near Ridgecrest. The session concluded with adjournment memories for labor leader and UCLA Labor Center director Kent Wong and recognition of his family and colleagues.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Last summer, I was part of a child custody and domestic relations task force that traveled across the
- What this bill would do is it sets up penalties for custody interference.
- What this bill would do is it sets up penalties for custody interference.
- What this bill would do is it sets up penalties for custody interference and it clarifies the process
- It has escalating consequences when you violate the law concerning custody interference.
Committee:
House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (2-26-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- And it holds accountable those custody.
- I'll let my two custody proceedings.
- </c> center in any custody proceeding. center in any custody proceeding.
- </c> consideration in all custody orders. consideration in all custody orders.
- </c> other factors when deciding on custody. other factors when deciding on custody.
Committee:
House Families & Children
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 25, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:09:23.319><c> so</c><01:09:23.600><c> thanks</c> who is dead in their custody so thanks who is
- Bank of Hawaii can comply relatively quickly.
- Bank of Hawaii can comply relatively quickly.
- Bank of Hawaii can comply relatively quickly.
- Bank of Hawaii can comply relatively quickly.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard Senate Bill 1322, SD2, HD1, a comprehensive measure revising Hawaii’s mental health code. The bill would clarify emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization procedures for people who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and deemed imminently dangerous, expand notice requirements, allow certain information-sharing for assisted community treatment petitions, and add liability protections for emergency responders and providers. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill as a collaborative update to the law, while the Department of Health asked for a copy of provider-generated emergency transport documentation within five days for data and planning purposes.
Testimony was sharply divided. Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HHSC, and the Institute for Human Services supported the measure or parts of it but requested amendments, including clarifying whether a second psychiatric exam is required, restoring a 72-hour rather than 48-hour stabilization window, and adjusting where patients are taken when an MEO cannot be reached. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi strongly opposed the bill, arguing it weakens due process and civil liberties, especially around involuntary commitment, assisted community treatment, emergency transport by police, and reduced procedural safeguards; it urged the committee to hold the bill and consider an interim working group. Louie E.K. of the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center also opposed the bill, focusing on immunity from negligence, the use of police for transport, and the reduction of a three-provider review to one in state-hospital treatment orders.
Other testimony included support from an individual who said the bill could improve mental health care delivery amid provider shortages, and a comment from Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center warning that the substance use portion of the bill lacks evidence of effectiveness and could be misused. In response to committee questions, the Attorney General’s office said the measure was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including state agencies, hospitals, the ACLU, HHSC, and IHS, and that it aims to make assisted community treatment more accessible and effective by streamlining the legal process and improving consequences for noncompliance. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It specifies the authority to release someone in the custody of DCYF who has an earned release state
- During this period, the jail may continue to accept any person in federal custody for confinement or
- It allows a jail to accept a person in federal custody for confinement at its sole discretion if the
- Just simply keeping the list of the Of the individuals that are holding there in federal custody.
- Let's allow them to stay in custody until there is a contract in place. Easy yes. Senator Frame.
Summary:
The Senate Human Services Committee first held a public hearing on the gubernatorial appointment of Angela Ramirez to serve as Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services. Ramirez described her background in public service and said her priorities would include improving technology, addressing workforce shortages, strengthening relationships with labor, tribes, and community organizations, and protecting DSHS programs and clients during uncertain budget and federal conditions. Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck also spoke in support of her confirmation, and members raised questions about needed improvements at DSHS.
The committee then moved into executive session on six bills. On SB 6062, dealing with juvenile rehabilitation, midpoint reviews, bed capacity, and transfers between DCYF and DOC facilities, all six proposed Christian amendments failed and the committee advanced the Wilson substitute to Ways and Means. On SB 6308, concerning shelter care conditions for children under five in dependency cases, the committee rejected four Christian amendments and adopted a Wilson amendment clarifying that the bill does not supersede the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act; the bill then advanced to Ways and Means. On SB 6319, addressing community-based referrals for high-risk families with children under four and parental opioid use, the committee rejected three Christian amendments and adopted a technical Wilson amendment; the substitute then advanced to Ways and Means.
The committee also considered SB 6286, which would authorize Department of Health inspections of private detention facilities and create a repair account funded by fines for inspection violations. All Christian amendments and one Warnick amendment failed, and the proposed substitute was advanced to Ways and Means. On SB 6080, regarding contracts and conditions for jails holding people in federal custody, all Christian amendments failed and the substitute was advanced to Rules. Finally, on SB 6184, an agency-request bill making technical and program updates, the committee adopted the bill with one amendment and sent it forward subject to signatures. The committee recessed partway through the agenda, returned to vote on the first six bills, and announced that remaining bills and the gubernatorial appointment would be taken up the next day.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (01/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, these are relatively small, about $50 million, $53 million in total of that $2 billion number,
- Again, these are relatively small, about $50 million, $53 million in total of that $2 billion number,
- Again, these are relatively small, about $50 million, $53 million in total of that $2 billion number,
- We invest all of the funds that we have custody of, so we'll talk about those investments, or those cash
- We're voting on House Bill 163, relative to state funds, to reconsider.
Summary:
The meeting featured presentations from the Department of Administrative Services and the Treasury Department on state revenue reporting and unclaimed property. State Comptroller Dana Call explained DAS’s role in compiling statewide revenue reports, including the annual revenue plan set through the budget process and the monthly revenue focus reports that track cash receipts. She noted that unrestricted general fund revenue is about $2 billion annually, while miscellaneous other revenue is a much smaller and less predictable category, averaging roughly $30 million to $32 million a year. She also described two more material internal revenue lines: statewide indirect cost recoveries and post-retirement benefit recoveries, which are billed to agencies and often tied to federal reimbursement rules.
Members asked about the interest line in the revenue charts and about how the figures were presented, and Call clarified that the totals were in millions and that the interest item would be explained by the Treasurer. She also explained that the indirect cost and post-retirement recoveries are internal cost allocations that flow back into the unrestricted revenue pool and are reflected in agency budgets as interagency costs.
Treasurer Monica Meissner then outlined Treasury Department functions, including bank deposits, statewide disbursements, banking relationships, investments, debt management, compliance, the FONA College Savings Program, the ABLE Plan, scholarship programs, and the abandoned property program. In discussing unclaimed property, she said holders report property after a five-year dormancy period, the state uses automated systems and outreach to locate owners, and claim activity has increased. In fiscal year 2024, the state returned about $12.2 million to citizens through roughly 12,000 claims; over the last 10 years, about $72.6 million has been returned. She also said the state escheated $19.9 million to the general fund and $1.8 million to counties last year, and explained that securities-related proceeds are harder to estimate because they depend on market conditions. No votes or formal actions were taken.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (02/03/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not just in abuse cases; it could be in custody cases and things like that.
- cases and things like that so custody cases and things like that so yes<00:16:38.440><c> and</c><00:
- to adding uh restitution 666 FN relative to adding uh restitution payments<00:33:58.000><c> for</c><
- to an award of attorney's FM relative to an award of attorney's fee<03:57:05.040><c> upon</c><03:57:
- If we receive a small set of questions, we may be able to go relatively far back in years.
Summary:
The House Judiciary Committee opened with a hearing on CACR 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to explicitly state that defendants are innocent until proven guilty in all cases and suits brought by the state. The prime sponsor argued the amendment would strengthen due process, prevent government overreach, and extend the presumption of innocence beyond criminal cases into civil and administrative matters such as forfeiture and family court proceedings. In testimony and questioning, the sponsor cited New Hampshire constitutional provisions, historical examples, and concerns about courts shifting burdens onto individuals. Committee members raised questions about the amendment’s wording, its relationship to existing law, and whether it would have practical effect if current statutes already place the burden on the state. The hearing was then closed without further witnesses.
The committee next moved to executive session on House Bill 480, which establishes a procedure for restoring competency and creates a pilot forensic liaison position in Merrimack or Strafford County to assist with that process. After discussion about prior concerns, including an email from the Disabilities Rights Center and whether enough members were present, the committee voted to adopt Amendment 2025-61H and then voted ought to pass as amended. The amendment passed unanimously, and the bill passed on a 10-1 roll call, with Representative Andrew voting no. The chair noted the bill would not go on consent and that no minority report was planned.
Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 666-FN, which would add restitution for violations of library-use confidentiality and expressly include library cards and membership status among confidential records. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen privacy protections after a local dispute and to provide a remedy and deterrent for improper disclosure. Committee questions focused on whether the restitution penalty would apply to accidental disclosures, how the bill interacts with existing exceptions such as court orders or investigations, and whether the language was consistent with current confidentiality law. The hearing remained open at the end of the transcript.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- whether or not to move from a higher paying. job to what is always going to be a lower paying job relative
- It's something that's going to work for my family and it's always going to be a decrease in pay relative
- The committee's charged with the study, review, and then... advice to the Supreme Court relative to the
- developed them on, I believe at this point, about 68 topics. ranging from everything from divorce, child custody
Committee:
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Legal custody, not a presumption of joint physical custody.
- So it does not create a presumption of a 50/50 shared custody time but rather a joint...
- I like the thought process of joint legal custody where kids are...
- But physical custody is a different deal. Yeah.
- parent, that judge may order the non-custodial parent to provide health insurance to their child.
Committee:
House Judiciary
Keywords:
vaccination, parental consent, minors, medical consent, guardian approval, criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, out-of-state warrants, law enforcement, extradition, Alabama Code, arrest authority, interstate cooperation, tax exemption, seafood, retail sales
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 06/01/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- woman as she gave birth demonstrates how our criminal legal system often treats pregnant people in custody
- prohibit the unnecessary shackling of pregnant and postpartum individuals who are in law enforcement custody
- WOMAN AS SHE GAVE BIRTH DEMONSTRATES HOW OUR CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM OFTEN TREATS PREGNANT PEOPLE IN CUSTODY
- I mean, it is relative to the job, and whether BENEFITS.
- gt;> MADAM PRESIDENT, COULD BE, IT COULD BE JUST A DIFFERENCE IN STOCK OPTIONS, I MEAN, IT IS RELATIVE
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then processed a series of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills, which were so ordered. Several bills were also recalled from the Assembly, had reconsideration votes taken, and were restored to the third reading calendar after receiving 58 ayes. Amendments were received on a number of bills, and those measures retained their place on the calendar.
The main business of the day was Privileged Resolution 2318, sponsored by Leader Stewart-Cousins, honoring Senator Michael Gianaris with the President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader’s Legislative Legacy Award. The resolution and floor remarks reviewed his long career in the Assembly and Senate, his role as Deputy Majority Leader and floor leader, and his work on housing, criminal justice, voting rights, labor, environmental, consumer, transit, animal welfare, and other major legislation. Members from both parties spoke at length, praising his strategic skill, mentorship, humor, and influence, while also noting his support for younger members and his commitment to family.
Several senators described personal experiences showing Gianaris’s mentorship and political guidance, and many referenced his Greek American identity, Queens roots, and interests such as Star Wars and the Mets. Senators also emphasized that he was leaving on his own terms to spend more time with his wife and daughters. The resolution was adopted with broad support, and Gianaris then spoke in response, reflecting on nearly 30 years in state government, the major laws passed during his tenure, and the relationships he built in the chamber.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here with my colleague, Representative Fluka Reed, in support of H. 3174, an act relative to a child
- So even my mom, who's a woman of relative means—though I will say we are the working middle class poor
- We now have another bill, an act relative to the sustainability of the family child care center, Senate
- When someone donates a kidney to a relative, a friend, or a stranger, they shorten that transplant waiting
- It turns out we have a relatively high level of functional illiteracy in Massachusetts, which is distinct
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Revenue
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure.
Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> forced to pick up non-custodial forced to pick up non-custodial responsibilities,<00:40:49.040><
- </c> rehabilitate those in our custody. rehabilitate those in our custody.
- That ends up being a benefit in fiscal 26 and relatively flat in fiscal 27.
- We are a relatively fragile positions.
- The PAB agrees rel uh this relationship.
Committee:
Senate Finance