Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to clause 12 of rule one, the House declares the House in recess until 2 p.m.
• The House will clause six of rule 20.
• the rules and pass the the House suspend the rules and pass the bill<03:10:56.319><c> HR8466</c><03:
• </c> the House suspend the rules and pass the the House suspend the rules and pass the bill<03:32:21.840
• </c> the house suspend the rules and pass the the house suspend the rules and pass the bill<05:21:39.680

Bills: HB8428 , HB8466 , HB5248 , HB6338 , HB7668 , HB8665 , HB7037 , HB6230 , HB6297 , HB1744 , HB3429 , HB2505 , HB6028 , HR428 , HB8107 , HB8340 , HB8467 , HB6916 , HB8463

Keywords: fraud prevention, improper payments, anti-fraud training, government oversight, federal program administration, grants management, internal controls, waste and abuse, Treasury Department, Office of Management and Budget, Office of Personnel Management, GAO fraud framework, OMB Circular A-123, Do Not Pay, data analytics, payment integrity, state and local governments, tribal governments, federal grants, program integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Several petitions come from the House under the suspension of Joint Rule 12 and are referred to their
• The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred House Bill 3388, designating Veterans Suicide Awareness
• Paper from the House. Paper from the House.
• with an endorsement that the House has House Number 4615 comes from the House with an endorsement that
• as legislative director for the House Committee on Rules under Chairman Bill Galvin.

Summary: The Senate first adopted an emergency preamble for H. 4521, establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roder of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, by standing vote, with 8 in favor and none opposed. The chamber also suspended rules to refer several petitions to committee, including a resolution to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications and a petition on officer training related to stage suicides. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including legislation clarifying the duties of the Adjutant General and enhancing access and support for military-connected families, both with new drafts, and a bill designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which was ordered to a third reading. A major portion of the session focused on the House’s nonconcurrence in the Senate’s amendment to the fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget and the appointment of a conference committee. Senators from both parties debated how to respond to the federal government shutdown and the threatened lapse in SNAP benefits, with repeated calls for the Commonwealth to use available state resources to prevent hunger, protect vulnerable residents, and seek federal reimbursement. Several members criticized the governor’s use of taxpayer-funded communications on the issue, while others defended the administration’s limited initial response and emphasized fiscal constraints. The Senate ultimately insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee consisting of Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. The chamber also passed several local and special bills, including measures exempting Natick’s assistant fire chief from civil service, authorizing sewer service in Sharon, changing the term of the elected moderator in Holden, updating Medford’s linkage exaction program, and establishing sick leave banks for Candy J. Pike and Kathleen Roder. The Senate later adopted amended resolutions calling on the President of the United States to release contingency funds for SNAP during the shutdown, adopted an order to adjourn to the following Monday, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• James—I'd like to welcome to the House our Rocks Group, which stands for Ruling Our Experiences.
• House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3035 and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2335 will
• Louis County has moved for the approval of the title of House Committee sub for House Bill, no, House
• Staying on that same order of business, House Bill 1771 and House Committee Substitute for House Bill
• for House Bill 2050. his motion for the perfection and printing of House Committee sub for House Bill

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the previous day’s journal by a 122-0 vote, and numerous introductions of special guests, including Special Olympics participants, occupational therapy and social work students and professionals, teachers, social workers, local officials, and community groups visiting for Hill Day and other advocacy events. Members also made announcements about committee meetings before the chamber recessed until 2 p.m. On the floor, House Bill 2974 was perfected and printed with little debate. Supporters said it would codify telehealth access in Missouri’s licensure reciprocity framework, helping seniors and rural residents continue to receive care. House Bill 2934, a bipartisan St. Louis convention center governance measure, also advanced after adoption of an amendment changing governor-appointed board seats to two city, two county, and one at-large member. The bill would merge existing entities managing the convention center and Dome, create a new board structure, and authorize a convention district tax framework and related financing rules; members discussed local control, revenue use, and the length of agreements under the bill. House Bill 2057, a technical fix for Osage Beach entertainment district authority, was adopted and perfected and printed. Supporters said it corrects an error from a prior bill and would allow Osage Beach to create an entertainment district similar to those in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Branson to support tourism and economic development. The chamber also took up House Bill 1839 and related bills on age verification for pornographic websites. Proponents argued the measure is needed to protect minors from online pornography and exploitation, citing the Supreme Court’s upholding of a similar Texas law and Missouri’s existing attorney general enforcement efforts; opponents raised privacy, enforcement, and unintended-consequences concerns, including whether less-scrupulous sites could become more accessible. After a motion for the previous question, the House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed House Bill 1839 by a 104-16 vote with 20 present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testimony on House Bill 1734 is now open.
• To my house to do the evaluation.
• against House Bill 3376.
• That's my rule; the uniform format, by the way, is my rule. And so today...
• We have established local rules and divisional rules for each of the...

Bills: SB1538 , SB2883 , HB1734 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB3376

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules and Administration to which was Rules and Administration to which was re-referred<00:06:07.520>
• The house file go ahead. I'm numbers. The house file go ahead.
• We'll read the house file sorry.
• House file number 688. numbers. House file number 688.
• opinion under our rules 55.2.

Transcript Highlights:

• March 11, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports out House Bills 521, 615, 684, 695, and Senate
• House Bill 822 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• In the House of Representatives, In the House of Representatives, House Bill 623 by Education Committee
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 686 by Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee.
• in the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• McCumber, Clerk. two of the rules of the US House of two of the rules of the US House of Representatives
• The House will clause six of rule 20.
• the rules and would the House suspend the rules and pass<04:25:00.080><c> Senate</c><04:25:00.720><c
• , will the House suspend the rules and is, will the House suspend the rules and pass<05:21:23.520><c>
• the rules and will the House suspend the rules and pass<05:32:31.360><c> HR4544</c> pass HR4544 pass

Bills: HR1299 , HB5317 , HB4544 , HB3234 , HB1993 , HB3726 , HB2954 , SB2393 , HB3482 , HR1352 , HB4684 , HB2252 , HB6506 , HB7432 , SB4530

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, homeownership, rental assistance, HUD, Department of Housing and Urban Development, zoning reform, land use, building codes, single-stair buildings, point-access block, infill development, housing supply, housing affordability, HOME Investment Partnerships, CDBG, Community Development Block Grant, FHA, Federal Housing Administration, small-dollar mortgage

Transcript Highlights:

• The House took extensive...
• JRH 12 to the House forthwith.
• . >> Yes. >> In order to... >> I would like to suspend the rules. >> I would like to suspend the rules
• House forthwith.
• I would ask that we suspend the rules to message our actions just taken on H. 949 to the House forthwith

Transcript Highlights:

• from the House under suspension of Joint Rule 12 and is referred to the Committee on Financial Services
• The order, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 or any other rules to the contrary, concerns the Senate bill
• The order, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 or any other rules to the contrary, concerns the Senate bill
• The order, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 or any other rules to the contrary, concerns the Senate bill
• The order, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 or any other rules to the contrary, concerns the Senate bill

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted an emergency preamble for Senate No. 2799, establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education employee. The chamber also adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring the Warren Public Library on its 150th anniversary. Several local bills then advanced, including Senate No. 2509 on filling mayoral vacancies in New Bedford, House No. 4171 on vacancies among town meeting members in Milford (as amended), and House No. 4233 amending the Charter of the City of Malden, which was passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. Senate No. 2799 was also passed to be enacted. The Senate adopted a committee report extending the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure’s reporting deadline to March 5, 2026. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition concerning the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code to the Committee on Financial Services. Multiple Senate orders were then adopted setting expedited procedures for Ways and Means consideration of several bills, including campaign finance reporting by state ballot question committees (Senate No. 507, new draft 2898), property tax bill shocks (Senate No. 1933, new draft 2899), municipal tax relief (Senate No. 1935, new draft 2900), property tax deferral (Senate No. 2713, new draft 2901), a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption (Senate No. 2036, new draft 2902), and honoring Blue Star Families (Senate No. 2903). The Senate also adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m. and dispense with printing a calendar. At the close of business, members moved to adjourn in memory of Mary Ann Lomba of Dorchester, with remarks noting her community service and family, and the motion prevailed. The Senate adjourned in her memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip, members, as passed the House, House Bill 2016 removes the penalty due to the Department of
• Madam Whip, members, as passed the House, House Bill 2028 removes an exemption for an application to
• Madam Whip, members, as passed the House, House Bill 286 prohibits governmental entities, special health
• Madam Whip, members, as passed the House, House Bill 2439 exempts public and semi-public cold plunges
• Madam Witt, members, as passed the House, House Bill 2189 requires the nursing board to adopt rules to

Summary: The Republican caucus reviewed a long list of House bills with Senate amendments, mostly hearing brief staff summaries and sponsor comments on whether they concurred. Topics included tax filing penalties, water and court procedures, vaccination and mask rules, bullion investment, nursing care complaint timelines, privacy protections for property and voter records, medical-record access, professional licensing procedures, school and family law changes, public records access for legislators, AI procurement, fingerprint clearance for traffic survival school instructors, development fees, infrastructure districts, distracted driving penalties, health aide scope of practice, eviction record sealing, backyard structure rules in planned communities, inmate transition services, nuclear-ready community designation, DCS parent-rights notices, domestic-violence evidence standards, inmate mental health study committee, legislative subpoena enforcement, trade office oversight, public power reporting, Native American language proficiency, mental health judicial review timelines, mobile food vendor licensing, medical-intervention requirements in schools, and school board training and meeting transparency. In most cases, the sponsor or a representative indicated concurrence with the Senate amendments, and the caucus generally moved through the bills without extended debate. A few bills drew brief explanation from sponsors about the policy purpose, such as aligning nursing-facility oversight with federal requirements, improving access to medical records, clarifying rules for licensed health aides, and adjusting school-related provisions. Some bills were noted as being sent back to the Senate or otherwise set aside, including HB 2035 and HB 2249. No formal votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting functioned as a caucus review of Senate amendments and sponsor concurrence before floor action. The caucus concluded after HB 2380, with members thanked for attending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the five-day rule. Pardon me.
• I move that the five-day rule. Pardon me.
• The housing provider provides housing, but the RCTT, the residential community transition team, is the
• When the provider of the housing or the monitor of the housing and the LRA placement have a direct stake
• Directly across from my house are three schools.

Summary: The Human Services Committee met on policy cutoff day and first completed executive action on several bills. Members advanced Senate Bill 6224 on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Leadership Council to Ways and Means, Senate Bill 6255 on the poverty task force/council changes to Rules, Senate Bill 5977 on DCYF near-fatality reports to Rules, Senate Bill 5979 on in-home dependency procedures to Rules, Senate Bill 6249 on DOC supervision of stalking convictions to Rules, and Senate Bill 6007 on WISIP’s evaluation of child welfare screening tools to Ways and Means. The committee also confirmed gubernatorial appointee Angela Ramirez. Several proposed amendments were debated, mostly offered by Senator Christian, but most failed; one technical amendment to SB 6184 was adopted, and an amendment to SB 6007 removing the risk-assessment portion of the study was adopted before the bill advanced. The committee also moved to waive the five-day notice rule for Senate Bill 6339 so it could be heard that day. The public hearing on Senate Bill 6339 focused on a proposed requirement that a less restrictive alternative (LRA) placement for sexually violent predators be owned and operated by the same individuals. Senator Torres and Senator Banke argued the bill would improve accountability, transparency, and community safety, citing a proposed Kennewick placement near schools and children. Supporters from the city of Kennewick and community members said the current process lacked transparency and that owner-operators should have a direct stake in safe operation. Opponents, including DSHS, the Washington Defender Association, the Office of Public Defense, and Disability Rights Washington, said the bill would create conflicts of interest, be difficult or impossible to implement, and could undermine the constitutional LRA process by making community placement unattainable. Committee members asked about liability, supervision, and the difference between LRA placements and unconditional release, and the chair said more work was needed on the issue. No final action was taken on SB 6339 during the hearing. The chair closed the hearing after noting the committee was at cutoff and that further discussion would continue later.

Transcript Highlights:

• He could have sent the email earlier, but he played by the rules, our Senate rules that prescribe the
• ...this ruling?
• Pareda at the Rules Committee yesterday, Mr.
• Regardless of what the ruling said.
• Now it comes to this floor and to the floor of the House. The House has already acted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip, members, as passed the House, House Bill 2016 removes the penalty due to the Department of
• Madam Whip, members, as passed the House, House Bill 2028 removes an exemption for an application to
• Madam Whip, members, as passed the House, House Bill 286 prohibits governmental entities, special health
• As amended by the Senate, House Bill 2592 removes the emergency or temporary rule that states AI systems
• Madam Witt, members, as passed the House, House Bill 2189 requires the nursing board to adopt rules to

Summary: The Republican caucus reviewed a long list of House bills returned from the Senate with amendments, generally asking staff to describe the changes and then confirming whether the sponsor concurred. Many measures were accepted with little or no debate, including bills on tax filing penalties (HB 2016), court-ordered restitution for homeless or indigent defendants (HB 2028), vaccination and mask restrictions (HB 286), bullion investments by the state treasurer (HB 2140), nursing care complaint timelines (HB 2195), privacy protections for county records (HB 2327), cold plunge regulation (HB 2439), medical records access timelines (HB 2557), licensing board procedures (HB 2660), school and public records provisions, AI governance (HB 2592), fingerprint clearance temporary work authorization (HB 2916), development fees (HB 2946), affordability infrastructure districts (HB 2999), distracted driving penalties (HB 2109), health aide scope of practice (HB 2189), eviction record sealing (HB 2244), backyard structure rules in planned communities (HB 2342), inmate transition services (HB 2440), nuclear-ready community designation criteria (HB 2456), address confidentiality protections (HB 2594), groundwater/medical reimbursement changes (HB 2932), traffic citation signature authority (HB 2369), advanced math enrollment (HB 2423), school district training and intervention requirements (HB 2435), job order contracting limits (HB 2482), special education and placement rules (HB 2621), DCS parent rights notice changes (HB 2661), domestic violence expert testimony standards (HB 2662), inmate mental health study committee provisions (HB 2673), legislative subpoena enforcement (HB 2745), ACA trade office oversight (HB 2752), utility reporting changes (HB 2756), Native American language proficiency credit (HB 2895), mental health judicial review timelines (HB 2923), mobile food vendor licensing (HB 2118), medical intervention/school attendance rules (HB 2248), school board finance training (HB 2379), and school board meeting access/video requirements (HB 2380). Sponsors repeatedly stated they concurred with the Senate amendments, and no roll-call votes were taken in the transcript. A few items were set aside or sent back, including HB 2035 and HB 2249, and one bill (HB 2594) was left pending because the sponsor had not yet responded.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 959 lies over.
• , House bill 354 favorably, house bill 354 favorably, house bill 355 with amendments, 655 with amendments
• House Bill 358 favorably; House Bill 384 with amendments; House Bill 657 with amendments; House Bill
• House and Government.
• And Representative Boreak moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of adding House Bill 129 and House

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up introductions of several resolutions and bills. Resolutions introduced included measures to recognize Funeral Directors’ Day, commend the crew of Eve, recognize Crime Stoppers of Greater New Orleans, honor Nurse Practitioner Day, and express condolences for several deceased public figures and former members. Several resolutions were adopted immediately by suspension of the rules, including condolences resolutions and commendations for Bernardo de Gálvez, Codafield Day, Drew Brees, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, and support for continued National Guard operations at Camp Beauregard. The House also received multiple bills and committee reports. Introduced bills included appropriations measures to pay consent judgments, a property tax exemption bill for certain trusts involving property owners age 65 or older, a nursing medication administration bill, and a prisoner transfer notification bill referred to the Committee on Justice. Committee reports were read showing numerous House bills reported favorably or with amendments from Civil Law and Transportation. No floor votes on those bills were taken in the transcript, and many items were noted as lying over. During personal privilege remarks, members discussed PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) data and transparency, with concerns about foregone revenue and local taxing authorities. The chamber also recognized visiting 7th grade students from Trinity Episcopal School and held a moment of silence honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson. Announcements were made for upcoming committee meetings, an ethics training after adjournment, and a Bible study event. The House then agreed to adjourn until 2:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the rules be suspended, that engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508 be advanced to third reading
• Senator Dhingra has moved that the rules be suspended, and engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508 be advanced
• I move that the rules be suspended, that engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408, as amended, be advanced
• I move that the rules be suspended that in gross substitute House Bill 1408 be amended, as amended to
• I move that the rules be suspended, that House Bill 2254 be advanced to third reading.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House bills, often suspending the rules to move measures directly to final passage after brief debate. Messages from the House reported signed bills being transmitted, and the Senate later signed several measures in open session. The chamber also excused a few members from voting on specific bills. Among the first major actions, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508, clarifying the scope and authority of the Office of Independent Investigations, passed 44-4 after supporters described it as a technical housekeeping bill and opponents raised concerns about overlapping investigations. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408, which dedicates 20% of sales tax revenue from the two large stadiums to a community preservation and development authority in South Downtown/Pioneer Square/Chinatown International District, passed 47-1 after supporters emphasized reinvestment in historic buildings and neighborhood safety. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500, requiring more complete resale certificates for common interest communities and homeowners associations, passed 39-9 after a successful amendment clarifying litigation language. Substitute House Bill 1570, allowing collective bargaining for certain student employees at public institutions, failed an amendment to remove the emergency clause and then passed 29-19 despite objections that it blurs student and employee roles. The chamber then debated Substitute House Bill 1390, which repeals the Community Protection Program and directs DSHS to transition participants into other developmental disability services. Numerous amendments sought to preserve restrictions, add assessments, or create liability protections, but most were rejected; the committee striking amendment updating agency names and dates was adopted. The bill passed 29-20 after a lengthy, emotional debate over whether the program protects public safety or unfairly restricts people with developmental disabilities, with supporters citing civil rights concerns and opponents warning about risks to vulnerable residents and the lack of a detailed transition plan. Other measures passed with broad support, including Substitute House Bill 2114 on defective license plates (48-0), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2471 on collective bargaining if the NLRB loses authority (31-18), House Bill 1069 on bargaining over supplemental retirement contributions for Department of Corrections employees (31-18), House Bill 2441 expanding medical premium reimbursements for surviving spouses of line-of-duty deaths (49-0), and Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1710 adding preclearance requirements under the Washington Voting Rights Act, which drew debate over local control and litigation but had not yet reached a final vote by the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hour to which the House adjourned having arrived, the House will be in order.
• House bill relative to housing court jurisdiction, House No. 5031.
• Rule 7A is suspended.
• to housing court jurisdiction, House No. 5031.
• The House will be in a brief recess. The House will be in order.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Committee on Rules, House Joint Resolution 237 naming the bridge on U.S.
• </c> From the Committee on Rules, House Joint Resolution 215 commending Ron Ingram, House Joint Resolution
• On page 62, House Bill 238 by Representative Garrett &gt;&gt; We just voted to pass the rule.
• </c> on rules. on rules.
• </c> at my house. at my house.

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received House messages referring House Bill 614 on supplemental appropriations and House Bill 224 on the distribution and use of tax funds to the Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Committee reports followed on several bills, including favorable reports for House Bills 169, 542, 593, and 13, with HB 542 amended in committee. The Senate also referred Senator Orr’s proposed rules change to the Rules Committee. A series of resolutions were taken up and adopted, including Senate Resolution 109 creating the Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, Senate Joint Resolutions 102 and 103, House Joint Resolutions 237, 215, 216, 218, and 235, Senate Joint Resolution 88 supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear life cycle innovation effort, Senate Joint Resolution 93 creating a rural EMS and volunteer fire department study commission, Senate Joint Resolution 94 commending Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa Officer of the Year honorees, and Senate Joint Resolution 110 commending William Riley Hawkins Jr. on his retirement from AARP Alabama. The Senate also recognized several guests in the gallery, including local school superintendents and a student visitor. The chamber then moved through local legislation, adopting BRs and passing numerous local bills and constitutional amendments, including measures for Mobile, Prichard, Class 2 municipalities, Mingo County, Talladega County, Perry County, Wilcox County, Clay County, Washington County, and Madison County. Senate Bill 376 on Mobile County and Senate Bill 379 on Madison County were both passed and transmitted. Most local bills passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes using the previous roll. The Senate also adopted Special Order Calendar Resolution 111, setting a special order calendar for the 27th legislative day that prioritized a long list of appropriations, education, retirement, dam safety, and higher education bills. On that calendar, House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, and Senate Bill 380 were taken up. HB 235’s committee substitute was tabled, a floor substitute was adopted restoring funding to the McQuain Center and removing some arts grants, and the bill passed. HB 236 passed after a language amendment. HB 237 passed as the Education Opportunities Reserve Fund bill. HB 238 passed after a floor substitute that shifted arts grants, added Voices for Alabama’s Children, adjusted RAISE Act weights, and increased funding for poverty, special education, and gifted students, along with a small amendment. HB 239 passed as the public education employee pay raise bill, with a substitute adding a retiree bonus and members discussing that the bonus would also be carried through SB 380. HB 240, HB 241, HB 242, and HB 565 all passed. SB 380 on the teachers retirement system received committee amendments and was being advanced as the vehicle for the retiree bonus, with Senator Orr explaining the bonus would be about $33 million and based on $1 per month of service for eligible retirees with at least 10 years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules are suspended. The question now is on suspension of Joint Rule 12.
• On January 18, 2025, printed in House No. 4004. Mr. Wong or Sargis now move suspension of Rule 7A.
• Rule 7A is suspended.
• Rules are suspended.
• Rules are suspended.

Summary: The House met in joint session, suspended Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, and then took up a series of local bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. Those bills included authorizing the town of Avon to appoint a town clerk, allowing the City of Revere to pay a sum to Denise Manatra, widow of school committee member Anthony Manatra, and validating the results of a special election in Hardwick. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second readings, ordered them to a third reading, and later passed House No. 972, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District, to be engrossed. The major substantive action was on Senate No. 2540, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The Committee on Ways and Means recommended passage with a full substitute amendment contained in House Document No. 4265, totaling $536,832,564. The House adopted the amendment, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed as amended. When the Senate returned the bill with notice that it had nonconcurred in the House amendment and appointed a conference committee, the House voted to insist on its amendment and also appointed its own conference committee members: Mr. Mike Woods of Boston, Ms. Ferrante of Gloucester, and Mr. Smola of Warren. The House then adopted an order to adjourn until Wednesday at 11 a.m., with notice of a Democratic caucus at noon and roll calls at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, bring this House together and let your peace rule in this place.
• Bring this House together, and let your peace rule in this place.
• Representative Sam McFarland moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of adding House Bill 646, House
• Representative Muscarello moves to suspend the rules to add House Resolution 160, House Resolution 161
• Representative Boreat also suspends the rules to add House Bill 1081 to that agenda.

Bills: HR179 , HR180 , HR181 , HR182 , HR183 , HR184 , HR185 , HR186 , HR187 , HCR75 , HCR76 , HCR77 , HCR78 , HCR79 , HR165 , HR166 , HR168 , HR169 , HR170 , HR171 , HR172 , HR173 , HR174 , HR175 , HR176 , HR177 , HR178 , HCR65 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR68 , HCR69 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR73 , HCR74 , SCR34 , SB34 , SB43 , SB52 , SB56 , SB165 , SB173 , SB189 , SB190 , SB260 , SB322 , SB345 , SB374 , SB387 , SB401 , SB448 , SB449 , SB455 , SB487 , SB496 , SB502 , SB505 , HB362 , HB893 , HB990 , HB1007 , HB1153 , HB1243 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HCR4 , HCR47 , 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 , HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB330 , HB364 , HB414 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB786 , HB1008 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1041 , HB1062 , HB1070 , HB1079 , HB1112 , HB1118 , HB1139 , HB1151 , HB1176 , HB1182 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1241 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB368 , HB433 , HB441 , HB447 , HB466 , HB481 , HB741 , HB1242 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , SB127 , SB244 , HB977 , HB181 , HB31 , HB664 , HB9 , HB192 , HB225 , HB306 , HB310 , HB366 , HB635 , HB911 , HB1230 , HB1236 , HB615 , HB864 , HB1103 , HB1175 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1003 , HB1082 , HB1113 , HB1234

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and several personal privileges recognizing guests and special observances, including Junior League Day, Renewable Energy Day, Wholesalers Day, and Sin Law Day. Members also introduced and adopted a number of commemorative resolutions, including condolences, recognitions of schools and community figures, and resolutions related to LSU, ALS Awareness Month, and local festivals. Several Senate and House measures were referred or laid over, and the chamber announced upcoming scheduling changes for House and Senate bills. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 385, which would require certain TOPS scholarship recipients to repay one semester of aid if they fail to meet academic requirements, subject to listed exemptions and an option to avoid repayment by entering certain high-demand career and technical programs. Opponents questioned the bill’s impact on students, its possible constitutional issues, administrative costs, lack of a fiscal note and implementation details, and whether it would worsen brain drain or convert a merit scholarship into a loan. The motion to recommit the bill to Appropriations failed 34-16, but after continued questioning and criticism, the author later moved to return the bill to the calendar, and that was agreed to. The House then passed House Bill 55, which restricts public disclosure of juror information, after adopting an amendment clarifying that juror interviews are still allowed if jurors choose to participate. The chamber also passed House Bill 394 extending the conditional parole programming period from nine months to 24 months, House Bill 396 making autopsy photographs admissible in criminal proceedings, House Bill 406 directing the Department of Education to study whether it should supervise interscholastic high school athletics, House Bill 622 aligning state criminal history record handling with federal requirements, and House Bill 676 creating the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or body brokering, with amendments clarifying lawful marketing arrangements. House Bill 1030, concerning reimbursement for non-emergency medical transportation for certain mental health-related services, was taken up with amendments and then temporarily returned to the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules are suspended. Question now is on suspension of Joint Rule 12.
• The ayes have it; Joint Rule 12 is suspended. Joint Rule 12 is suspended.
• The House concurs as amended. House concurs as amended. House Bill 5478.
• The House will be in order. The House will be in order.
• The House will be in brief recess. The House is now in order.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two congratulatory resolutions: one honoring Douglas Fire Chief John J. Furno on his retirement and another recognizing the Appalachian Mountain Club’s 150th anniversary and its conservation and outdoor recreation work. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including a creditable service petition for Thomas Brooks, a retirement-related petition for Springfield Empowerment Zone teachers, and a bridge designation petition for a bridge in Gardner. The House then took up several bills on the calendar. It ordered to a third reading bills authorizing Berkeley to increase its Board of Selectmen, banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops, and relating to land interests in West Brookfield. It later passed to be engrossed bills authorizing South Hadley to grant additional all-alcohol licenses and Westford to grant an additional off-premises all-alcohol license. After a recess and a moment of silence honoring Constance “Connie” Ellen Kruger of Amherst, the House returned to consider House Bill 5478, a bill creating a temporary summer 2026 pilot allowing municipalities to opt in to extended liquor-license hours and public consumption in designated districts. The House adopted a further amendment, concurred with the Senate as amended, adopted the emergency preamble, and then passed the bill to be enacted. The House also adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the next formal session on Wednesday at 11 a.m.