Transcript Highlights:

• At<00:10:16.640> the<00:10:16.800> same<00:10:16.959> time,<00:10:17.200> the
• That's all I have. the tax savings, what are the you know the tax savings, what are the you know the<
• And so um I think it is really hard for people to save money to save enough to you know get a down payment
• <00:21:31.360> to<00:21:31.840> you<00:21:32.000> know save money to save enough
• to you know save money to save enough to you know get<00:21:32.480> a<00:21:32.640> down

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 2499, as amended by the DE1, which would expand Minnesota’s renters’ credit by nearly doubling the income cutoff and increasing the maximum credit, with the bill laid over for possible inclusion in the tax bill. Representative Lee explained that the DE1 updated tax years and amounts after a new forecast, and argued the bill would bring the renters’ credit closer to parity with the homestead credit. She cited Department of Revenue data showing that recent changes to the renters’ credit increased participation and average refunds, and said the proposal would help more renters, including middle-income households and more seniors and people with disabilities. Testifiers Michael Dah of Homeline and Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the bill. Dah said renters face rising housing costs and a shortage of affordable homes, and described how renters use the credit for basic needs like school supplies, clothing, eyeglasses, dental care, groceries, and car repairs. Madden said the credit refunds property taxes paid through rent, helps workers, families, seniors, and people with disabilities, and noted that more than 310,000 households received the credit in 2023 across every part of the state. She also said recent filing changes made the credit easier to claim and increased participation. Members broadly discussed the fairness of treating renters and homeowners similarly, the role of property taxes in housing costs, and whether the bill should be viewed as helping low-income or more middle-income households. Representative Abeler, Smith, Howard, and Huitt expressed support, while Representative Roach argued the broader problem is rising property taxes driven by mandates on counties and said the bill is only a temporary fix. Representative Anderson questioned extending the credit to higher-income renters and said policy should prioritize homeownership, while Representative Lee responded that many renters are middle-class, that renters often cannot save for a down payment, and that the bill would help them stabilize financially. The bill was then laid over as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time. Thank you.
• , that saves money.
• In these times of threats to our human rights, a way for our people, In these times of threats to our
• The cost savings would multiply; the more that we have, the more money that we're saving.
• To address this concern following my time at the crisis line, my husband and I used all of our own savings

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy, who outlined procedures for the hybrid public hearing, noted the committee would hear testimony on 15 bills related to treatment settings, and recognized members present. The first major bill discussed was H. 4200, authorizing a pilot program for psychedelic-assisted treatment in licensed facilities. Representative Jim O’Day and witnesses from Control Z supported the bill, describing it as a tightly controlled, medically supervised pilot with DPH oversight, limited sites, and screening requirements. Committee members asked about the number of sites and whether Column Health still existed; witnesses said the bill contemplated three separate pilot programs and that Column Health no longer existed after being purchased by another company. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1405 to make the drug stewardship program permanent by removing its 2026 sunset date. Senator John Keenan and others said the program helps collect and safely dispose of unused medications, reduces diversion, and should remain in place because manufacturers should bear disposal costs. A member from Boston added support based on local concerns about people searching through bags for drugs, and Keenan explained the original sunset reflected pilot status and industry pushback. A large portion of the hearing focused on S. 1394 and H. 2193, which would strengthen implementation of the 2023 Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform. The Children’s Mental Health Campaign, Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, and Elliott Community Human Services testified that the roadmap’s helpline, community behavioral health centers, and crisis services are important but unevenly implemented. They urged a single point of accountability within EOHHS, regular strategic planning, a public data dashboard, and financial analysis of the behavioral health system and the access and crisis intervention trust fund. Witnesses said commercial insurance often does not fully reimburse community behavioral health center services, making sustainability difficult, and asked for better coordination across agencies and crisis response systems. Committee members asked whether the roadmap includes substance use disorder; witnesses said it is intended to cover behavioral health broadly, including mental health and substance use. The committee also heard testimony on bills to ban aversives and on suicide prevention signage. Lisa Jean Graff testified in support of S. 1394 by urging a statewide ban on aversive practices, including electric shock, withholding food or bathroom access, and other painful interventions, arguing disabled people deserve the same protections from harm as others. Fonda Bryant and Carol McLean supported a bill requiring suicide prevention signs on tall parking garages, describing personal experiences and saying the signs could create a brief pause and connect people to 988 or other help. McLean said her son died by suicide from a parking garage and that signage might have made a difference. The committee also heard strong testimony in support of creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within DMH facilities (S. 1398/H. 2204), with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and a DMH nurse arguing that highly assaultive patients need specialized, more secure units to protect staff and other patients and to improve care. Additional testimony supported creating a dedicated board for licensed mental health counselors (H. 4696/S. 1382), with Rep. John Badger, the Mass Mental Health Counselors Association, and others saying LMHCs are a large and growing workforce that needs its own licensing board, clearer standards, and faster implementation of existing licensure reforms. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H. 2223 regarding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Survivors and advocates described severe withdrawal, lack of informed consent, cognitive harms, and long-term disability, while a physician supported the bill as a way to improve disclosure of risks. Finally, the committee heard multiple witnesses in favor of H. 2231/S. 1383 to establish peer-run respite centers statewide. Advocates and people with lived experience said peer respites provide non-coercive, home-like alternatives to hospitalization, can reduce trauma and repeated admissions, and may be especially important for marginalized communities; they also cited cost savings and existing positive outcomes from current respite programs. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing portion reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• went into cardiac arrest multiple times. went into cardiac arrest multiple times.
• have the best co-chair at the same time. have the best co-chair at the same time.
• Time is of the essence. Sir, apologize. Time is of the essence.
• Time time families already in Minnesota.
• of time here. So, sorry about that. of time here. So, sorry about that.

Bills: HF2135, HF776, HF1581, HF1158, HF2226

Keywords: child welfare, fiscal analysis, third-party consultant, program evaluation, Minnesota, HF776, Minnesota Family Assets for Independence Initiative, family assets for independence, FAI, asset-building, matched savings, financial literacy, family savings, economic mobility, children youth and families, general fund appropriation, family support, low-income families, financial stability, budget bill

Transcript Highlights:

• This is something that's repeatedly gone on in our local community time and time and time again where
• money, save time.
• We're saying this is a waste of time because we're not doing it, but you want to do it somehow and save
• So if we were to clarify it, maybe that would save those taxpayers a bunch of money and not wasted time
• Also, it saves time, and I don't think there's been a lot of emphasis on the time that it saves right

Transcript Highlights:

• So you mentioned savings.
• as opposed to part-time.
• a part-time legislature.
• full-time.
• It is time to rein it in. It's time to put it behind an elected, independently elected...

Summary: The committee heard and approved several measures. HB 735 expanded Florida’s boating improvement program to fund parking for boat trailers at public ramps and offered a 10% sovereign submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best management practices; it passed unanimously. HB 4021 expanded the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District in Manatee County by 640 acres and was reported favorably. CS for HB 371, which promotes nature-based methods and green/gray infrastructure for coastal resilience, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from resilience and environmental groups and committee members. The committee then took up HJR 1325, a proposed constitutional amendment to create an elected Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE) with authority to audit, investigate, and report on waste, fraud, and abuse in state and local government. The proposal would eliminate the lieutenant governor position, the Government Efficiency Task Force, and the legislature’s current auditor appointment, with many implementation details deferred to a future bill. Members debated the scope of the new office, its relationship to the Auditor General and inspectors general, whether it should cover the legislative and judicial branches, staffing, and the comparison to federal DOGE efforts. An amendment making a minor wording change was adopted, and the resolution passed 23-? with a favorable report after a split vote. The committee also approved two Gulf of America bills. HB 575 redesignated the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and CS for HB 549 required Florida’s academic standards and newly adopted instructional materials to reflect the federal designation for materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Both measures drew criticism from members who argued the renaming was politically motivated, historically insensitive, and potentially confusing for students, while supporters said Florida should align with federal action. HB 575 passed and CS for HB 549 passed 18-7. Finally, HB 4071, a local bill adjusting the boundary between Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County by about 8.7 acres, was amended and reported favorably with support from both cities and the Broward delegation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:07.600> taxpayers some failed projects to save taxpayers some failed projects to save
• Savings are other funds are used.
• <00:37:42.160> Hussein Say it one more time. Hussein I. Hussein Say it one more time.
• Say it one more time. Hussein. ahead. Say it one more time. Hussein.
• Uh they amendment would save us.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I heard them, and I heard many bills many times, multiple times.
• So I heard them and I heard many bills many times multiple times.
• What we're trying to do with this bill is to save people's lives by giving them time, taking a pause,
• giving them time.
• Those are lives saved.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh it's a tough time to be a $22,000.
• time in FY2627. time in FY2627.
• Senator Johnson, there's 80,000 one time Senator Johnson, there's 80,000 one time in<00:15:28.959
• So they can't call you to say thanks for saving that, but they are out there and you have saved lives
• It's not the first time, Mr. It's not the first time, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Charles County, we didn't shut down for a long-term period of time.
• Charles County, we didn't shut down for a long-term period of time.
• But in the end, it opened up and saved thousands of businesses in St.
• It saves the state money and saves individuals money because, like I said, I would have had to drill
• I think that would all go away, and let's save some money. I think it will save the state money.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2809 and, without discussion, voted it do pass by a roll call of 11 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 present. The committee then heard Senate Bills 977 and 1011, sponsored by Sen. Nick Schroer, which were presented as a restatement of the supremacy clause and a prohibition on foreign laws, foreign treaties, and certain foreign or religious legal systems superseding the U.S. Constitution, the Missouri Constitution, or state law. The bills included carve-outs for voluntary business arrangements, ecclesiastical matters, federal preemption, and the Hague-related custody framework; members and the sponsor also discussed how the language would affect arbitration, family law, adoption, custody, inheritance, and tribal jurisdiction. Supporters said the bills were needed to prevent courts or local governments from relying on outside legal systems or recommendations, while critics raised concerns about unnecessary legislation, private contracts, and possible targeting of religious or international bodies. No vote was taken on the Senate bills during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2589, which would require only a rear license plate on vehicles. Rep. Mike Jones said the change would modernize Missouri law, save money for the state and drivers, and align Missouri with many other states. Members discussed law enforcement concerns, including the ability to identify vehicles from the front, the effect on cameras and traffic enforcement, and possible exceptions for commercial vehicles or rideshare cars. Several members said they supported the idea, while others said they wanted more input from the Highway Patrol and worried about impacts on public safety. The hearing on HB 2589 concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:52.399> for and people I believe do in Saving for and people I believe do in Saving
• that was spent on other one-time that was spent on other one-time Investments<00:41:33.920> and
• cost but also a lot of it was one time cost but also a lot of it was one time and<00:42:11.680><
• <01:23:42.560> has longer than I have how many times has longer than I have how many times
• billion and four trillion of savings billion and four trillion of savings which<01:24:09.120>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Last time we did this was the first time Last time we did this was the first time I<00:09:44.800
• I have people email me stories about how earned sick and safe time has saved them, saved their jobs,
• saved their family.
• saved and safe time has saved them, saved and safe time has saved them, saved their<00:13:39.840>
• their jobs, saved their family. their jobs, saved their family.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And each time he found his way back up into a plane and went up there to, in some people's minds, save
• struggle he has had uh since that time. struggle he has had uh since that time.
• today and for your time. today and for your time.
• If they can administer it by that student enough time until paramedics get there, we can save lives.
• Thank you for your time.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At a time when California is facing significant budget uncertainty, now is not the time to put the tax
• At the same time, access to affordable and timely veterinary care has dropped.
• That will take time and investment.
• Again, homeowners don't have time to wait for those savings to build up over a period of time.
• That's going to take time to address.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met under suspense-file procedures, with the chair explaining limits on testimony, position letters, and that bills with fiscal impacts of $150,000 or more would generally be sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. Several bills were pulled from hearing, and a consent calendar of committee bills later passed 4-0. AB 761 by Addis, the only item initially slated for a vote, was ultimately held over to the next hearing. The committee heard testimony on a series of tax-related proposals. AB 232 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax money for wildfire, flood, or earthquake-related expenses; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, but was sent to suspense. AB 1443 would exempt tips from state income tax for five years and was supported by the California Restaurant Association and a restaurant owner, but also went to suspense. AB 1435 would provide relief to businesses and property owners facing cleanup and security costs from unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping; it received broad support from business, real estate, trucking, retail, and local government representatives, and was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1428, which would create a California Affordable Child Care Fund financed by a 0.5% tax on income above $10 million; child care workers and SEIU-backed witnesses supported it, while taxpayer and business groups opposed it as harmful to competitiveness and affordability. AB 691 proposed a tax credit for adopting shelter pets and covering veterinary costs, AB 1219 proposed a middle- and low-income personal income tax cut, AB 1354 proposed a credit for increased homeowners insurance premiums, AB 19 proposed an education savings account/voucher-style program, and AB 567 proposed insurance rate stabilization and related tax/fund changes; each drew testimony for and against where present, but all were referred to suspense. The meeting ended with the committee adjourning after the held-over AB 761 item was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• No one wants to harm students at a time like this.
• Sometimes that takes a little bit of time.
• The issue here is that the debt savings... debt service savings associated with those original aid projects
• The last time we got a GO bond was 2006.
• The required lead time includes The required lead time for the pilot program is about nine months.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time.
• By doing this program, they've identified those projects that have then saved them energy, saved them
• money, and save energy.
• Time to call the bill.
• Many times. Yes, sir. Many times. Because this is what happened to all of them in that climate.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to make sure Terry has her time as well. Carrie, let's go. Has her time as well.
• What do you save for? I'm saving for a lift seat. I'm saving for a loveseat. A lift seat?
• I'm saving for a lift seat. Where's your savings at? An ABLE account, I think it is. Yes, Kyle.
• and be there on time and stuff.
• I seriously miss working full-time.

Summary: The meeting was a 14(c) Task Force hearing focused on employment experiences of Oklahomans with disabilities and the state’s use of subminimum wage. Numerous self-advocates and workers testified about their jobs, accommodations, pay, transportation barriers, and the importance of community integration. Several speakers described positive experiences in competitive or community jobs, while others recounted being underused, fired without explanation, or paid by piece rate or minimum wage in sheltered or enclave settings. Many emphasized that fair pay, independence, ABLE accounts, and supportive employers matter to them, and several said they want future careers, promotions, or even to own businesses and help others with disabilities find work. Task force members discussed recurring themes from the testimony: transportation as a major barrier, the importance of community and self-advocacy, employer misconceptions and stigma, the need for better transition services from school to work, and the difficulty families face navigating benefits and employment systems. Members also raised concerns about people being fired without explanation and about the need for meaningful options for those not ready for competitive employment. Suggestions included more employer education, reverse job fairs, job coaching, benefits planning, better coordination between DDS and DRS, and stronger transition supports in schools and through programs like Project SEARCH. Staff then presented research on how other states have phased out or eliminated 14(c) certificates. Examples included Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington, with common approaches such as phase-out timelines, technical assistance, provider transition plans, and support for competitive integrated employment. The presenters noted that Oklahoma still has 40 entities using 14(c), most of them DDS providers, but many providers are already moving away from it. Members discussed potential unintended consequences, the need for a clear timeline, the possibility of blending or braiding services, and whether Oklahoma should create a more one-stop, employer-friendly system. No votes were taken, and the group agreed to continue gathering information and return in June to begin shaping priorities and possible policy directions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, very timely.
• And that's where you get the savings.
• And we provide those savings. And we provide those savings.
• But, as was mentioned multiple times, and I think we all realize and recognize, this does take time.
• That gives us the time to talk to the customer. That gives us the time to implement this.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations. Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals. Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It helps their family save a lot of time, and we all know that time is extremely precious when you have
• > helps their family save a lot of time helps their family save a lot of time and<01:27:28.520> we
• on that in terms of how much time it saves parents.
• is Saving Time<01:28:59.080> saving<01:28:59.560> money<01:29:00.520> and<01:29
• saves time saves money energizes them it saves time saves money and<01:29:15.520> especially<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In office space, maybe this time... Maybe this time is different. I doubt it.
• If you take earnings, times...
• a hard time getting financing.
• So these savings are increasing.
• What we've always shown is the cost savings. What we've always shown is the cost savings.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I asked for your aye vote at the appropriate time.
• Thank you for your time. Thank you, sir.
• of peak demand by shifting their usage times to times when renewable and low-carbon resources, again
• We really don't have time to wait anymore. These smart meters have been used for a long time.
• We think the time to act is now.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on grid reliability, affordability, clean energy infrastructure, and industrial decarbonization. AB 222, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require more data reporting on data centers and aim to prevent ratepayers from bearing related grid costs; supporters said better information is needed to plan for rapidly growing electricity demand from AI and data centers, while opponents warned about privacy, security, trade-secret, and cost-shifting concerns. The bill passed the committee on a 13-4 vote, with the roll left open for absent members. AB 941, by Assemblymember Bonta, would impose a 270-day timeline for CPUC review of priority transmission projects to speed clean-energy infrastructure buildout. Supporters argued that transmission delays are slowing California’s climate goals and raising costs, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA process, staffing, and prioritization. The bill passed 15-0. AB 1191, by Assemblymember Tangipa, would make existing large hydroelectric facilities eligible for the Renewable Portfolio Standard; supporters framed it as a way to lower rates and ease affordability pressures, while opponents said it would undermine the purpose of the RPS by substituting existing resources for new renewable development. That bill failed on a 4-11 vote. AB 1280, by Assemblymember Garcia, would expand state grant programs to support thermal energy storage projects for industrial decarbonization. Supporters said it would help modernize manufacturing, cut pollution in disadvantaged communities, and preserve jobs, with broad support from environmental and clean manufacturing groups and no opposition testimony. The bill passed 17-0. AB 1117, by Assemblymember Schultz, would require the CPUC to offer optional dynamic electricity rate tariffs for customers to shift usage away from peak periods; supporters said it could lower bills and improve grid efficiency, while utilities said they were not opposed to the concept but wanted more flexibility and time in the regulatory process. That bill passed 14-0. The committee also approved its consent calendar and other noncontroversial items, with several measures moving forward unanimously.