Transcript Highlights:

• <02:09:04.760> regular done one damn thing to support regular done one damn thing to support
• Speaker Johnson voted remotely 39 times, and he voted remotely so he could go home early.
• Speaker Johnson voted remotely 39 times, and he voted remotely so he could go home early.
• <02:57:39.880> the rules for them to vote remotely the rules for them to vote remotely the
• <05:23:44.958> to along I40 and pledged his support to along I40 and pledged his support to

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to the hybrid nature of this hearing, those wishing to provide remote testimony were required to
• I come before you in strong support of a bill...
• We have Representative Michael Soder, who is here to testify and joining us remotely.
• to testify in support of both bills.
• PACE specifically is an innovative financing mechanism that we're fully supportive, that not only supports

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on several housing-related bills, with chairs Adrienne Madaro and James Eldridge framing the discussion as part of the Legislature’s broader response to the state’s housing crisis and noting that many of the bills build on the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. The chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including the three-minute oral testimony limit, the option to submit written testimony, and the hybrid format. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony began with support for H. 3278, a bill to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Representative Worel argued that higher-end real estate transactions should contribute more to fund affordable housing production, saying the measure would not burden working families and would help address racial inequities in homeownership and displacement. Representative Soder then supported H. 3247, which would promote redevelopment of abandoned buildings through expanded tax incentives for renovating vacant properties for sale or rent, arguing that it would bring blighted units back into use and generate future tax revenue. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3040/S. 1969, residential improvement or R-PACE legislation. Robert Giles of Home Run Financing and Nicole Steele of Amalgamated Bank described the program as a voluntary, assessment-based financing tool that could help homeowners pay for energy efficiency, resilience, and other major repairs without upfront costs, and said it could complement existing Mass Save programs while expanding access to more homeowners. In contrast, Judith Lieben of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute opposed H. 3039/S. 1946, the Housing Development Incentive Program bill, arguing it would expand subsidies for market-rate and luxury housing in Gateway Cities instead of directing resources to low-income renters. Representative Hawkins also testified in support of H. 3121, which would end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts by imposing an excise tax on large owners of small residential properties and using the revenue for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance. After testimony and a few member questions, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• support for this this part. support for this this part.
• would hope for everybody's support. would hope for everybody's support.
• 36.480> it's supported by the agencies, it's supported by the agencies, it's supported<02:14:37.080
• support the amendment. support the amendment.
• I would appreciate your support. I would appreciate your support.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received the House message on Senate File 4807 concerning benefits for veterans of the secret war in Laos, and voted not to concur in the House amendments, appointing a three-member conference committee. The chamber also received a batch of House files, laid several of them on the table, and adopted committee reports and other routine motions. Senate Resolution 84 was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration, and Senator Murphy designated special orders for immediate consideration. The main floor debate centered on Senate File 4059, the supplemental finance omnibus bill. Senators described the bill as a slim, supplemental budget focused on urgent affordability needs, including $52 million for state grants in higher education, $15 million for LIHEAP, school district compensatory revenue adjustments, support for public television stations facing federal cuts, Medicaid fraud enforcement, and consumer restitution for scam victims. The Jobs article was presented first, with roughly $4.9 million in Workforce Development Fund appropriations for workforce and job-training programs, including support for rural oncologist training, homelessness-related employment programs, youth training, local news talent development, transportation-related employment assistance, and manufacturing support. Several amendments were offered and debated. Senator Farnsworth offered the A14 amendment to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off Iron Range miners, but withdrew it after being told it would unbalance the bill and after receiving a commitment to continue working on the issue in conference committee. Senator Draheim offered the A18 amendment to redirect Cookie Cart funding to rural hospital maternity training grants; after debate, the Senate rejected the amendment by a roll call vote of 32 ayes and 34 nays. The discussion emphasized competing priorities between youth workforce programs and rural health care needs. The Senate then moved into Article 1 on K-12 education, where Senator Kunesh outlined provisions including anti-grooming language, a district health insurance reporting requirement, extension of a gender-neutral bathroom grant, compensatory hold-harmless aid, operating capital flexibility, literacy aid hold harmless language, and several cost-neutral district fund transfers. Senator Nelson offered the A29 amendment to require school sports teams and participants be designated by biological sex at birth; debate on that amendment began near the end of the transcript, but no final vote was shown before the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will also have some individuals joining us remotely and testifying remotely.
• Together, we’re pleased to lend our support to Together, we’re pleased to lend our support to several
• I'm also in support of the polystyrene ban. I'm also in support of the polystyrene ban.
• We support this bill because it prioritizes accessible and equitable We support this bill because it
• past support.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a heavily attended hybrid hearing focused primarily on plastics reduction bills, along with a few local and related waste-management measures. Chair Rauch and Chair Barber outlined strict testimony rules because of the large number of speakers. Before the plastics docket, the committee heard support for a local Sharon sewer-extension bill for a Sunrise Senior Living project, and the bill’s proponents said the project would help address senior housing needs and would still require MWRA and local approvals. The chairs also noted a separate local matter involving Sharon and the MWRA. A major portion of the hearing centered on the Plastics Reduction Act and related bills addressing single-use plastics, including plastic bags, polystyrene, black plastic, plastic beverage bottles, non-flushable wipes, skip-the-stuff provisions, and truth-in-labeling. Sponsors and supporters said the bills would reduce litter, microplastics, greenhouse gas emissions, and municipal waste costs, while creating statewide consistency and supporting environmental justice communities. Several speakers cited local bans already adopted by many Massachusetts cities and towns, and many urged the committee to advance comprehensive statewide action. The committee also heard testimony on a boat wrap recycling bill, a mattress recycling bill, and a bill to prohibit hotels from providing small plastic toiletries. Municipal officials and waste professionals supported extended producer responsibility for paint and labeling for non-flushable wipes, saying these measures would shift costs away from cities and towns and reduce strain on wastewater systems. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, Mayor Ruth Ann Fuller of Newton, and a Franklin County waste official all backed paint EPR and wipes labeling. Fire Chief Brian Nardelli testified for the Fire Chiefs Association in support of lithium-ion battery legislation, citing fire safety and disposal concerns. Other speakers, including environmental groups, local activists, and business representatives, supported bag and polystyrene bans, though the Retailers Association of Massachusetts urged any bag policy to be truly statewide and said any bag fee should be retained by retailers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh Senator members on remote as well.
• Similar to how your committee is supported by nonpartisan staff, LCCMR is likewise supported by its own
• Um so ask for your support. bill. Um so ask for your support.
• we have a remote up.
• <01:36:12.719> Finally, support for manufacturers. Finally, support for manufacturers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We asked for your support. Is there any further discussion?
• Remote means that a human being is actually remotely, wirelessly, if you will, making the robot do a
• I'd just as soon our Department of Agriculture focus on supporting farmers and supporting ranchers, not
• Support their health care.
• And on a personal level, I can't stand here and not support this.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 46 members present. It then took up multiple House messages and amendments, appointing conference committees on several measures, including SB 2007, SCR 4007, SB 2374, SB 233, and House bills 1029, 1218, and 1022. The chamber also considered a series of House bills on the sixth and 14th orders, often adopting committee amendments before final passage or, in some cases, rejecting the bill outright. Among the major policy items, the Senate passed HB 1524 on regional planning council grants, HB 1143 increasing a food bank appropriation to $10 million, HB 1126 modernizing cosmetology licensing and inspections, HB 1542 making student applications for admission exempt records, HB 1613 regulating law enforcement use of robots, HB 1582 directing a study on false reports and accusations, HB 1214 revising school transportation funding, HB 1448 creating a study on advanced technologies, HB 1280 on drainage project voting rules, HB 1499 protecting records related to federal judges, and several Senate bills returned from the House, including SB 2221, SB 2117, SB 2198, SB 2120, and SB 2214. The Senate also adopted amendments to HB 1541 on septic systems before rejecting it on final passage. Several high-profile bills failed after debate. HB 1566, dealing with kratom regulation, saw an amendment to convert it to a study fail on a 21-25 vote, after which the chamber laid the bill over for one legislative day rather than take final action. HB 1283, which would have eliminated cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams in the state employee plan, was defeated 22-24 after extensive debate over cost, precedent, and insurance impacts. HB 1527, requiring Holocaust education in statute, also failed 22-24, with supporters emphasizing the importance of the subject and opponents arguing curriculum belongs in standards rather than statute. The Senate adjourned after announcements, scheduling its next meeting for Monday, April 14, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Phillips School and the remote as well.
• remote as well. So, we'll go to the remote as well.
• So, we'll go to the remote<00:02:27.120> testifiers.
• It's also more supports within the school for students.
• It's also more supports within the school for students.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 3492, which would create a $25 million grant program for school safety and security improvements, funded by a reduction in a prior appropriation for the Northern Lights Express rail project. The bill would allow grants of up to $500,000 through the Department of Education for school districts, charter schools, cooperative units, tribal contract schools, and nonpublic schools. Staff explained that the bill uses the language of clause 7 of the safe schools revenue statute, focusing on facility security enhancements such as laminated glass, public announcement systems, emergency communication devices, and related equipment and modifications. Testifiers and members generally supported the goal of improving school safety, but there was disagreement about the bill’s scope. Supporters, including a superintendent and a nonpublic school principal, said the bill would help pay for one-time hardening costs like secure entrances, door locks, redesigned offices, and other physical security upgrades, and argued that all schools and students should be eligible. Several members raised concerns that the bill is too narrow and too competitive, could disadvantage districts without grant writers, and should also allow broader uses such as counselors, social workers, SROs, or mental health supports. Others said the bill should prioritize physical security and that one-time dollars are best used for one-time facility improvements. No vote was taken. The chair indicated the bill would be laid over, and the discussion ended with the author saying the proposal is not a fix-all but a starting point for school safety investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they were begging for ongoing mental health supports.
• Make sure you keep that remote testimony. Because that matters. It matters that our voice is heard.
• Make sure you keep that remote<00:15:24.040> testimony. remote testimony. remote testimony.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Keeler delivered an emotional farewell speech reflecting on her six years in the House, describing her experience as part of the “Corona Class,” her first day in the chamber, and the challenges of campaigning and governing during the pandemic and after George Floyd’s murder. She emphasized that she came to the Legislature as a mom and community member committed to doing good, and said her work focused on representation, Indigenous visibility, mental health, homelessness, and helping families and children who lacked stable housing or support. She thanked colleagues, staff, and allies for their support, especially Chair Gomez, Melissa, her legislative staff, and others who helped advance work such as the Pathway Home Act and efforts to prevent homelessness. She also spoke about the importance of allyship, tribal-state relations, and the need for more Indigenous and queer voices in public office, saying Minnesota is better because of their presence and urging others to make room for more diverse leadership. Keeler closed with advice to colleagues and future legislators to care for themselves, find common ground across party lines, keep greater Minnesota and remote testimony in mind, and continue working together. The speech ended with thanks to her family, including her children, and a statement that it was time to rest, followed by applause.

Transcript Highlights:

• Support we received from Dr.
• It supports military families.
• arose for him to move to another state a few hours away, to live with a supportive person in a supportive
• I wholeheartedly support both of these bills.
• I'm here in support of Senate Bill 1481.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• who night and day stand guard in the midst to protect us and urge all Minnesotans to recognize and support
• peace officers in their and support peace officers in their communities.
• We rise to ask for your support motion.
• She said they look forward to everyone's support.
• the members who are voting remotely. the members who are voting remotely.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up a resolution commemorating Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week in Minnesota. Members read a series of “whereas” clauses honoring fallen peace officers, including the addition of three names to the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Honor Roll, and recognizing the service of the state’s more than 10,000 peace officers. The resolution was adopted without objection. The chamber then moved to conference committee reports and calendar actions, including a Rules and Legislative Administration report placing several bills on the calendar for the next day. The main substantive item was the conference committee report on House File 4252, the higher education finance and policy bill. Supporters said the bill included $3 million for identity verification systems to combat enrollment fraud or “ghost students,” $2.7 million to cover a shortfall in the Fostering Independence grant program for foster youth, and $5,000 for tree replacement at Bemidji State University. They also noted the bill did not address the larger state grant shortfall, which several members described as a structural problem. During debate, supporters emphasized the need to stop enrollment fraud and protect foster students’ access to higher education, while also praising the conference committee process and public deliberations. Opponents criticized the bill for failing to fix the state grant deficit and argued that Minnesota students were not being prioritized. After discussion, the House adopted the conference committee report, gave the bill its third reading, and then repassed House File 4252 as amended by conference by a vote of 101 yeas to 33 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• farmers and those that are supporting farmers and those that are supporting the<00:15:15.199>
• She's coming to us remotely.
• It's great to be here remotely.
• <01:10:14.159> that of supporting that of supporting that transition<01:10:16.159> this
• <01:10:22.239> thank fully support thank fully support thank you<01:10:25.040> thank

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> support.
• Thank you for bipartisan support.
• members voting remotely. members voting remotely.
• Um I'm in support of it.
• members voting remotely. members voting remotely.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House received several Senate messages returning House File 3426 on natural resources and House File 4252 on higher education with Senate amendments, and in both cases the House refused to concur and moved to conference committee. The House also acceded to the Senate’s request for a conference committee on Senate File 4612, which concerns state government and Department of Health and Human Services provisions. Speaker appointments to the conference committees were announced for all three bills. The House then concurred in Senate amendments to House File 3522, a veterans bill allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to temporarily close state veterans homes under a CMS order. Representative Duran said the Senate had bundled several veterans-related bills into HF 3522, including measures on SGU veterans, National Guard pay, grant requirements in the MDBA process, burial eligibility in veterans and National Guard cemeteries, honor guard eligibility, and codifying a commandos task force. The bill passed 134-0 and was read to pass. On the floor calendar, Senate File 3210, a human rights bill on disability accommodations, was laid on the table by agreement for later consideration. House File 4017, a study bill on unlawful shipments of infectious or pathological waste, was presented as a worker-safety measure; an A6 technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 126-8. House File 4138, dealing with social media platforms and minors, was amended with A10 and A11 changes emphasizing transparency, privacy defaults, limits on data use, and a shift from “child” to “minor” in the age provisions; Representative Bonner argued for extending protections to age 18, while Representative Scott said the bill was a first step and opposed the amendment. The A11 amendment was adopted, and debate on the bill continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• looking for work for us to um support looking for work for us to um support this<00:28:52.399>
• will not be supporting this amendment. will not be supporting this amendment.
• > for support self-employment pathways for support self-employment pathways for workers<05:16:
• to figure out how best to support to figure out how best to support flexibility<05:28:27.040>
• I'm a huge supporter of AHPs.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with procedural announcements about report turnaround, amendment submission methods during split operations, a possible January 29 session, the governor’s State of the State on February 5, parking, cafeteria opening, and the plan to finish work by February 10. It then moved into executive session on HB 1123, which would require certain companies to post salary ranges on public job listings. Representative Granger moved ITL, arguing the bill would interfere with negotiations, especially for higher-level jobs, and raise compelled-speech concerns. Supporters, including Representatives Schultz, Sullivan, Cahill, Staub, and others, said salary ranges help applicants avoid wasted time and travel, improve transparency, and are already a common workplace disclosure. The committee voted 10-9 to ITL HB 1123. The committee next took up HB 177, concerning a definition of remote work in labor law. Representative Murphy moved ITL, saying the bill could burden employers, create vague obligations, duplicate existing protections, and potentially require intrusive compliance measures. Representative Sullivan described a proposed amendment that would narrow the bill to a definition of remote work and remove broader requirements, but the committee ultimately voted 11-9 to ITL HB 177. Members also noted that the amendment had not been fully circulated in time and that the issue might merit further review. Finally, the committee opened HB 1352, a workers’ compensation bill focused on repricing and payment practices. The sponsor withdrew an initial ITL motion and moved OTP after amendment review. Members discussed concerns raised at the hearing about delayed payments, third-party administrators, and the need for better accountability. Representative McKenzie’s amendment would define good faith, create a voluntary three-year dispute-resolution pilot, restore fines to prior levels, and add reporting/accountability requirements for carriers that miss the 30-day payment deadline. Several members supported the amendment as a way to help small businesses and providers, while others said repricing needed broader study through the workers’ compensation advisory council. The Department of Labor explained that the amendment would require carriers and related payers to report missed determinations to the department and would increase oversight of payment timeliness.

Transcript Highlights:

• having the tax base to support yourself. having the tax base to support yourself.
• <00:39:06.000> the prevention aid program supports. the prevention aid program supports. the
• Thank you very much. support over the last 10 years and has support over the last 10 years and has had
• <01:23:40.800> um regarding um uh remote sales tax. um regarding um uh remote sales tax. um
• This committee has already voted unanimously in support of the SAF tax credit bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first testifier is joining us remotely. Um, it looks like Sarah Florky is with us.
• Um, it looks is joining us remotely.
• <00:05:09.920> HF here day today to urge you to support HF here day today to urge you to support
• I respectfully urge you to support HF 60.
• <00:07:13.000> Right better support these students. Right better support these students.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We stand in strong support of HB 1660 HD1. stand in strong support of HB 1660 HD1. stand in strong support
• Rehabilitation in support. Rehabilitation in support.
• support of HB 1563. support of HB 1563.
• support of House Bill 1563. support of House Bill 1563.
• OPSD in support. Thank you. Thank you. OPSD in support.

Bills: HB2614, HB1660, HB1704, HB1563, HB1573, HB1777, HB1749

Keywords: cosmetics, returns, refunds, consumer protection, high-pressure sales, transparency, accountability, HB1660, Hawaii, county labor standards, counties, contractors, building permits, permit denial, permit suspension, permit revocation, wage theft, wages, benefits, hours

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported. Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• have is on remote with two other remote have is on remote with two other remote testifiers.<01:03
• So we're looking to you for support. We want, we need support.
• We do counselors to provide support. We do academic<01:13:32.719> support.
• <01:15:36.960> Um support. We we want we need support. Um support.
• We we want we need support.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• dollars for Medicaid which supports dollars for Medicaid which supports pregnant<00:38:26.200>
• > women<00:38:26.760> which<00:38:26.960> supports pregnant women which supports pregnant
• women which supports elderly<00:38:28.760> which<00:38:28.960> supports<00:38:29.720><
• c> disabled elderly which supports disabled elderly which supports disabled individuals<00:38:31.640
• remotely remotely Gander<00:39:39.520> Gander<00:39:40.000> votes<00:39:40.640> nay

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• bugget that's just not going to support bugget that's just not going to support the<00:42:16.480
• <00:46:26.480> for those Advocates Provide support for those Advocates Provide support for
• to presentation by Survivor support to presentation by Survivor support groups<00:55:38.000>
• Miss Holberg, welcome to the committee. committed to supporting survivors are committed to supporting
• <01:17:37.199> system Minnesota and I had no support system Minnesota and I had no support

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's salaries and benefits of the people providing the support of those services.
• There's also mission-critical support tool sets.
• So in order to support a remote desktop, you need a remote tool in order to be able to log into that
• desktop remotely.
• Desktop support is similar to that.

Keywords: 908, all