Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules reports recommending that the following resolutions ought to be adopted.
• Resolutions filed by Mrs.
• Rules are suspended. Question comes on adoption of the resolutions. All those in favor say aye.
• Rules are suspended. Question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12.
• Rule 7A is suspended.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several reports from the Committee on Rules. It adopted a series of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including recognitions for All Out Adventures, Alex Gillen, Marianne Labarge, the New England chapter of the National Kidney Foundation, and Sergeant Christopher McDermott. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of two petitions, including one on Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System creditable service and another to designate a portion of Route 20 in Oxford as the Brodor Curve. The Committee on Steering and Policy recommended a number of bills for House consideration, including measures on insurance benefits for certain Blackstone officials, highway namings in Lenox and for Bill Russell and Bob Cousy, container safety, coal rolling, right-of-way violations known as Cecilia’s Law, recognition of the Honor and Remember flag, several Boston Police age-waiver bills, a Pittsfield charter amendment, and a littering bill. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House then took up engrossed and third-reading bills, passing several to be engrossed, including measures for Beckett and Swampscott, a Boston Police age-waiver bill for Angela C. DePena, a civil service examination bill for Anthony Morales, a Westrow charter bill, and a Revere ordinance enforcement bill. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolutions. Senator from Summers: Thank you, Mr. President.
• Clerk: Read the resolution. Senate Resolution 65, recognizing West Virginia.
• Senator from Summers: Clerk will read the resolution.
• The resolution before us today is non-binding.
• If not, the question is on the adoption of the resolution.

Summary: The Senate first suspended Rule 54 to allow guests on the floor, then took up and adopted Senate Resolution 65. The resolution recognized West Virginia as a global hub for critical mineral processing and encouraged lawful private-sector dialogue and commercial engagement between West Virginia businesses and rare earth/critical mineral institutions abroad, beginning with institutions in Somalia. The sponsor emphasized that the measure was nonbinding and intended to open conversation about minerals, processing, and advanced materials, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then recessed briefly to receive and introduce a visiting delegation from Somalia, including the deputy prime minister, ministers of petroleum/mineral resources and commerce/industry, parliamentary leadership, and diplomatic representatives, along with other guests involved in the visit. After the recess, the Senate received several Finance Committee reports and advanced multiple House bills on first reading: HB 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia program; HB 4006 creating the West Virginia Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Act; HB 2009 creating the Portable Benefit Account Act; HB 5412, the Future Ready Education Act; HB 5453 modifying the school aid funding formula; and HB 5510 removing the acreage/location requirement for private wedding venues. Each bill was reported as amended by Finance and taken up immediately without objection. During remarks, a senator from Randolph spoke about the death of Riley Wingfield in a side-by-side accident and praised students and administrators at Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Tucker County High School for wearing orange and black in solidarity with grieving Elkins High School students. The remarks were ordered placed in the Journal appendix. The Senate then announced adjournment until the next day at 10 a.m., with the Rules Committee scheduled to meet at 9:45 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eighth order of business: Presentation of resolution.
• The resolution is adopted.
• President, rising in strong support of this resolution.
• Rising in support of the resolution, it is so important that Ukraine survive, because although the resolution
• The resolution is adopted.

Summary: The Senate approved the previous day’s Journal and referred committee reports and newly introduced measures as designated. Among the introductions, Senate Bill 6354 was read and sent to the Committee on Ways and Means. The chamber then moved to resolutions. Senate Resolution 8692, recognizing Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week/Month, was adopted after remarks emphasizing motorcycle safety, the charitable work of riders, and the need for drivers to watch for motorcycles and use caution. Senate Resolution 8675, recognizing the shared democratic values of Washington State and Ukraine, was also adopted. Supportive remarks highlighted Ukraine’s endurance, the impact of the war on civilians and soldiers, and solidarity with Ukrainian Americans and the people of Ukraine. After adopting the Ukraine resolution, the Senate welcomed members and representatives of the United Ukrainian community in the gallery. The session then adjourned without objection until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eyes 40, noes 0; the resolution is adopted.
• This resolution is not just about remembrance.
• The resolution is adopted. Secretary, if you could put that resolution back on the board, please.
• The resolution is adopted. Now I'm going to be returning to motions and resolutions.
• The resolution is adopted. Now I'm going to be returning to motions and resolutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:17:04.400><c> and</c> owner's care, training, and rules, and owner's care, training, and rules
• Thank you, Vice Chair. resolution. Well, I think we would work resolution.
• </c> Resolution 130 and House Resolution 126.
• Resolution 130 and House Resolution 126. and<00:34:01.279><c> I'm</c><00:34:01.440><c> here</c><00:34
• house resolution 130 including house resolution<00:35:22.920><c> 126.

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• Question comes on adoption of the resolutions. Question comes on adoption of the resolutions.
• The ayes have it, and General Rule 12 is suspended.
• Rambo's with rules be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith. Rule 36. No, no.
• The rules, General Rule 37. The rules be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.
• Without objection, the rules are suspended. Senator... The rules are suspended.

Summary: The Senate adopted two resolutions: one honoring the Honorable David T. Donnelly for his service to the Commonwealth, and another commending amateur radio operators for Amateur Radio Week and ARRL Field Day. The chamber then took up several House measures, including two bills establishing sick leave banks for Massachusetts Department of Transportation employees Daniel Yende and Mark Kratman; both were advanced to a third reading after the rules were suspended. The Senate also suspended General Rule 12 and referred a House petition by James J. O’Day concerning access and continuity of care to specialists in hospital services for eligible individuals to the Committee on Public Health. Later, the Committee on the Judiciary reported a bill, Senate No. 2522, related to strike and health care protection in the Commonwealth, ought to pass, and the Senate referred it to the Committee on Ways and Means after suspending the rules. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in a formal session with a calendar, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report of the Rules Committee is accepted.
• Let's move on to take up some resolutions.
• Resolution, so many other members want to speak on it.
• Senator Weber on the resolution. CATHOLIC CHURCH, ST.
• The resolution is open for co-sponsorship.

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a budget extender. Senator Serrano’s appropriation bill was recalled from the Assembly, reconsidered, amended, and sent through Rules to the floor. During debate, senators discussed the ongoing delay in finalizing the state budget, the 13th extender, school aid payments, the Yonkers school district payment, and unresolved issues such as Tier 6 retirement changes and other budget policy items. The extender was passed 57-2 after debate, with senators pressing for more transparency about the budget negotiations and the majority responding that those issues were not germane to the extender. The chamber then recognized several resolutions and guests. Senators spoke in support of Resolution 1948 honoring New York State 4-H and its Capital Days participants, Resolution 2054 commemorating Italian American Day, and Resolution 1620 mourning Denis Michael Troy of Rockland County. The Italian American Day resolution drew extensive remarks from many senators about family histories, immigration, cultural contributions, scholarships, and community traditions, and the Senate welcomed honored guests from the Italian American community. The Rosalyn Yalow Charter School fencing team was also introduced, along with the family of Denis Troy. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing measures on public service, city administrative code, municipal law, correction law, criminal procedure, real property tax, education, social services, public health, executive law, parks, judiciary, and alcoholic beverage control, among others. Several members explained votes on bills related to ratepayer protection, hip-hop lyrics in criminal cases, sovereign nations and gaming compacts, and the Traveling with Dignity Act requiring adult changing stations in public facilities. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew notable negative votes. The Senate completed the calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• a rule, or to amend a rule, and that's all laid out in section 28-32.18.
• Committee, the rule is void.
• The rule will be voided.
• $1,500 entry fee rule would... ...the $1,500 entry fee rule would go into effect.
• those rules to be forwarded to the House and Senate Rules Committee.

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Transcript Highlights:

• February 5, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that the Senate Journal, the proceedings
• In the Senate, Senate Joint Resolution 103 by the State Affairs Committee, a joint resolution proposing
• Senate Joint Resolution 103 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing.
• The Judiciary and Rules Committee reports out Senate Bill 1239 and recommend that it do pass.
• House Bill 518 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Rule 521 and recommend that it do pass.
• House Concurrent Resolution 27 was filed and referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee
• It allows the legislature to set up a resolution if they think that there's rules in conflict with how
• Rule 80, I do own a short-term rental.
• A declaration of Rule 80 as well, as they were going around.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I oppose this resolution.
• The resolution states that this resolution declares the legislature strong and unequivocal opposition
• And that is why this resolution is so vital. This resolution is that public pressure.
• The resolution passes. Moving on to file item 1. 27, noes 0. The resolution passes.
• The resolution passes. Ayes 36, noes 0. The resolution passes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eighth order: presentation of resolutions. Eighth order: presentation of resolutions.
• President, I move adoption of Senate Resolution 8694.
• President, rising in support of the resolution.
• The resolution is adopted.
• The resolution is adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• honoring this day be read the resolution honoring this day be read the resolution honoring this day
• house joint resolution resolutions house joint resolution resolutions house joint resolution number
• clerk see the resolution resolution clerk see the resolution resolution clerk see the resolution house
• resolution number 104 by the house house resolution number 104 by the house house resolution number
• 104 by the house rules committee the special order rules committee the special order rules committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The rule of law is the guiding star of our civil society.
• The rule of law is the guiding star of our civil society.
• The rule of law is the guiding star of our civil society.
• In the Senate, Senate Joint Resolution 102 by the State Affairs Committee, a joint resolution proposing
• Senate Joint Resolution 102 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to entertain a motion on House Joint Resolution 7. House Joint Resolution 7.
• Not, you punch somebody or you broke a rule, a school rule.
• Rule 74 is a rule of civil procedure which applies to appeals of administrative agencies.
• You will actually not find Rule 74 in this bill. Rule 74 is the administrative process.
• You will actually not find Rule 74 in this bill. Rule 74 is the administrative process.

Bills: HJR6 , HJR7 , HB120 , HB60 , HB151 , HR1 , HM13 , SB40 , SB104

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard two related House Joint Resolutions sponsored by Representative McQueen. H.J.R. 6 would equalize the legislature’s 60-day and 30-day sessions into two 45-day sessions, remove the germaneness requirement from the second session of a biennium, and clarify veto-override language. H.J.R. 7 would keep the current 60-day and 30-day session lengths but make the same germaneness and veto-override changes. Supporters argued the measures would modernize the legislature, improve internal control of the agenda, and make the flow of work more efficient; opponents warned of more bills, lobbying fatigue, and reduced public participation. Both resolutions were moved on due pass and passed the committee 8-0. The committee then heard House Bill 120 on limiting student restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor and LESC staff said the bill arose from a stakeholder working group and would clarify definitions, prohibit dangerous practices such as mechanical, chemical, and prone restraint, require training and school safety plans, improve reporting to parents and the Public Education Department, and strengthen oversight. Testimony from educators, disability advocates, parents, and state officials strongly supported the bill, describing harmful and sometimes underreported restraint and seclusion incidents and emphasizing the need for clearer rules and de-escalation training. Some members raised concerns about implementation, definitions, teacher safety, and whether the data were sufficient; the sponsor and staff said the bill was meant to give teachers tools and minimum standards, not to require intervention in every situation. The bill passed on a due pass motion 9-1. Next, the committee considered House Bill 60, which would add certain crimes against peace officers to the Victims of Crime Act so officers injured in the line of duty would receive the same notification, participation, and restitution-related rights as other victims. The sponsor and the district attorney supporting the bill said it was a public safety measure with negligible cost and would also extend protections to affected family members. Support came from law enforcement, business, and public safety groups. Members asked about whether the officer must know the assailant is a peace officer, how the rights would work if the officer is also a witness, and how restitution interacts with workers’ compensation; the sponsor said the bill applies when the officer is acting in the lawful discharge of duties and the defendant knows the person is an officer. The committee passed HB 60 unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 151, a committee substitute on the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations. The sponsor said the bill, called the Survivor’s Justice measure, would extend the time for survivors to file claims from age 24 to age 58, add public actors to the bill’s scope, and create an administrative compensation fund supported by an appropriation, with $12.5 million already in the budget and a request for another $12.5 million. The sponsor explained that the change reflects the average age at which survivors come forward and that the bill is part of a long-running effort to address childhood sexual abuse claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate also passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, Senate Concurrent Resolution 215, Senate Concurrent
• Resolution 217, Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, and requests the
• be read by resolution number only.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 214, Senate Concurrent Resolution 215, Senate Concurrent Resolution 21,
• Resolution No. 16, Senate Joint Resolution No. 17, Senate Joint Resolution No. 21, and request the concurrence

Summary: The House received a series of Senate communications and committee reports, then took up a long consent calendar and several individual measures. Early actions included passing consent calendar items, recognizing Freedom of Speech Week and Juneteenth, and hearing numerous introductions and tributes, including remarks honoring House fellows, Father’s Day, and Representative Mara Gorman. The chamber also adopted several procedural motions and recesses, with roll calls recorded throughout. Among the bills considered, the House passed House Bill 134 on animal cruelty, increasing penalties for repeat offenses; House Bill 131 with Senate Amendment 1 on pet stores and animal welfare; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320 on technical corrections to the Delaware Constitution; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407 on technical updates to the Hazardous Substance Control Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 on salary supplements for certain school employees; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 450, the Road Delaware Act, on land use and permitting reform; House Bill 459 on restricting energy drink sales in schools; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 439 on electric moped and motorcycle disclosures; and House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, after amendment delaying its effective date to July 1, 2027. House Amendment 1 to House Bill 459 was adopted, and House Amendment 1 to House Bill 444 was adopted before final passage. The House also rejected House Amendment 1 to House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 after debate over salary supplement policy for school-related certifications, then passed the substitute bill itself. House Bill 407 prompted questions about the increase in civil penalties, which DENREC said was intended to update outdated fines and align the penalty structure with other laws. House Bill 444 drew floor speeches emphasizing voting rights protections and concerns about voter suppression and dilution. The session ended with the House moving to recess after continuing consideration of House Bill 355, the Speaker Truth Act, which had just adopted an amendment changing damages language to attorney’s fees and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118.
• I request to suspend Joint Rule 62A and Assembly Rule 56 to allow the Labor and Employment Committee
• We're going to move on to item 48, House Resolution 25 for the Assembly's.
• I rise in support of House Resolution 25 on behalf of the Legislative Women's Caucus.
• Resolution is adopted. commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 16 should pass, a concurrent resolution continuing the work of the Air Mobility
• House Joint Resolution 50 should pass, a joint resolution directing the Auditor of Public Accounts to
• Resolution 16 should pass, a concurrent resolution<00:07:31.680><c> continuing</c><00:07:32.560><c> the
• House joint resolution, amendment.
• The Rules Committee has met and posted the following bills and resolutions to the regular orders for

Summary: The House convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and approval of the prior day’s journal. Committee reports were read for a range of bills and resolutions, including measures on privacy protection, theft by deception, social work, licensed occupations, an adult workforce diploma pilot program, parole board changes, alternative high school diplomas, campaign finance, child care, mental health treatment, gubernatorial transitions, unclaimed property, and state contracts. Those items received first reading and were placed on the calendar. The chamber then considered House Bill 253, relating to reading and language arts instruction. Supporters said the bill follows the earlier Read to Succeed law by requiring instruction grounded in the science of reading and phasing out the three-cueing system, which they argued encourages memorization rather than phonics. A member from House District 93 opposed the prohibition, saying teachers need flexibility and that some district-approved methods remain useful in classrooms. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 94-1, then laid a motion to reconsider on the table. House Bill 508, relating to the protection of veterans benefits, was also debated and passed unanimously 93-0. The sponsor said the bill regulates paid veterans-claims services, requires clear disclosures about free services, limits fees, bars certain practices, and adds annual reporting, while exempting attorneys and law firms. Several members spoke in support, citing personal experiences and the need to protect veterans from bad actors, though some also expressed concern about access to help and urged future federal accreditation language. House Concurrent Resolution 44, urging Congress to create a VA accreditation pathway for private claims companies, was adopted 95-0, and House Bill 436, creating a PGA HOPE-related state parks benefit for veterans and active-duty military participants, passed 94-0. At the end of the session, the House received Senate Bill 172, relating to utility fuel adjustments and declaring an emergency, for first reading and return to committee. Members also made announcements about upcoming breakfasts, meetings, guest groups, and other events.

Transcript Highlights:

• This resolution is about making that sustained commitment clear.
• The resolution is adopted. All those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.
• I request unanimous consent to suspend Joint Rule 62A, the file...
• I request you now as consent to suspend Joint Rule 62A, the file.
• He pushed back on rules that prevented him from buying a hungry player a meal.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules reports recommending that the following resolutions ought to be adopted.
• The Committee on Rules reports recommending that the following resolutions ought to be adopted: Resolutions
• Rules are suspended. Question comes on adoption of the resolutions. The resolutions are adopted.
• Rules are suspended.
• Rules are suspended.

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.