Transcript Highlights:

• So, I don't know if I will just introduce the new staff or have the new staff introduce themselves.
• And welcome to our staff and then we're going to go over to our partisan staff.
• from an equity lens of districts.
• from an equity lens of districts.
• </c> our students and staff. our students and staff.

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Calm anxious hearts and minds and souls, and give these senators and their staffs what they need for
• </c><00:31:50.559><c> and</c> want to welcome members and staff and want to welcome members and staff
• I have to say that Carrie had the utmost respect for our staff.
• I have to say that Carrie had the utmost respect for our staff.
• </c> workplaces into spaces of e Equity workplaces into spaces of e Equity compassion compassion compassion

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But for my staff of 10 and my board, it creates an undue burden on staff time.
• Ethan Moreno, nonpartisan staff to the committee.
• Equity across school boards, school programs, facilities, and outcomes.
• I'm not on WSSDA staff, so I'm just testifying on behalf of WSSDA staff.
• Please reach out to our staff right now.

Bills: HB1662, HB1683

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity equivalent investment into the green bank.
• For instance, agriculture is not a sector where there are equity private venture funds in New Mexico
• We have some flexible debt, along with some non-traditional equity programs.
• That it wasn't just we had one good person on staff, and if that person left, our program fell apart.
• Madam Chair, we have two debt programs in here, and the rest are all equity investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know the president and the pros are here I want to acknowledge that we have the chief of staff
• Counter American Affairs where I lead the Economic Equity Committee and I'm happy to say that Senator
• So there's a big push in this region around equity and opportunity from procurement to multi-lingual.
• I do have one on that, similar to AB 2019, the equity procurement.
• I have a wonderful staff here in the local district. I am happy to engage.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we could get a staff briefing. Thank you. Good morning, Madam Chair.
• Staff could move on.
• Staff, you can begin briefing. Very well.
• Staff, please give us briefings.
• Staff, please give us briefings.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026, and worked through two large groups of bills, hearing staff briefings, caucusing, and then voting each measure out to the Rules Committee. In the first group, the committee advanced bills on state accounts (HB 2675, with an amendment creating an adult day service facilities account), immigrant worker protections (2SHB 2105, after adopting a striker and Amendment 8 while rejecting amendments that would have changed enforcement and private rights of action), voting rights compliance (E3SHB 1710, with all proposed amendments rejected), AI content provenance and notices (E2SHB 1170, with Amendment 19 adopted to exempt state/local/tribal governments and certain video-game and technical uses), public official protections (2SHB 233, with a technical amendment adopted), WOTEC civil service coverage (HB 2249), JLARC work plan changes (HB 2120), LEOFF Plan 1 termination/restatement (E2SHB 2034, with several amendments adopted including creation of a pension surplus holding account and study directives, while proposals to redirect funds to the Climate Commitment Act or provide a lump-sum payment were rejected or withdrawn), supplemental retirement bargaining (HB 1069, with a striker adopted), port employee retirement exclusions (EHB 2179, with a striker adopted), local government revenue flexibility (ESHB 2442, with Amendment 72 adopted to remove a county public utility tax and other amendments rejected), wildfire mitigation funding (SHB 2089), and timberland REET changes (HB 1983). The committee also noted that it would not take action on some items in the packet, including SHB 1833. In the second group, the committee advanced bills on local housing tax remittance programs (ESHB 1717), renewable energy tax incentives and grants (E3SHB 1960, with a striking amendment adopted that adjusted rates, timing, and related provisions), nonprofit fundraising hall property tax relief (HB 2431), food bank sales tax relief (SB 6006), local tax increment financing (E2SHB 2451), temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health entities (SB 6297), school and child care-related sales tax exemptions (SSB 6351, with a substitute adopted and the competing amendment made out of order), behavioral health work group extension and leadership council creation (2SHB 2429), Working Connections Child Care changes (SB 6353, with Amendment 43 adopted), language access guidelines for state agencies (SHB 2475), unpaid wage recovery (2SHB 2479), firearms background check fee authority (HB 2521, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided), public employee information sharing (HB 2091, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided), and Office of Independent Investigations jurisdiction changes (ESHB 2508, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided). Throughout the meeting, members and staff discussed fiscal notes, implementation costs, and whether amendments would increase or reduce state impacts, with several amendments aimed at narrowing scope, delaying implementation, or shifting enforcement and funding responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• :34:29.480><c> up</c><00:34:29.600><c> manufactured</c> equity firms are buying up manufactured equity
• </c><00:57:47.440><c> The</c> Minnesota are not private equity.
• The Minnesota are not private equity.
• I I private equity guys have done wrong.
• of these communities in Minnesota that are owned by private equity?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• process, having served as Chief Tax Counsel on the House Ways and Means Committee and as Chief of Staff
• When he was Republican Chief Tax Counsel at Ways and Means and when he was Chief of Staff at the Joint
• I saw this firsthand during our time working together in the House, whether leading staff discussions
• During my tenure as Chief of Staff, I oversaw the development of major tax legislation, including the
• We have a big problem in Minnesota with the proliferation of private equity in housing.

Keywords: Commerce, International Trade, Tax Policy, Nominees, Inflation, Middle-class, Trade Practices, Economic Concerns

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and nominees, including the critical nominations of William Kimmett for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ken Keyes for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Discussions highlighted the nominees' roles in managing critical trade and tax policies amidst rising economic concerns, particularly focusing on inflation and its impact on American families. Members expressed both support and skepticism, emphasizing the significance of fostering fair trade practices and ensuring tax policies that benefit the middle-class amidst claims of an agenda favoring affluent individuals and corporations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to committee staff, and if you could please call the roll. Assembly Member Addis here.
• staff positions affecting real people and real people's jobs, such as laboratory staff, microbiologists
• So this is just an issue of equity and addressing needs in the small counties.
• Equity drives the mission.
• I want to thank the staff for the background paper.

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the chair and members about recent federal cuts to public health, mental health, family planning, and Title X funding, with strong concern about the impact on California programs and providers. The committee then turned to the Department of State Hospitals, which presented its 2025-26 budget proposal of $3.4 billion, including new positions, capital improvements, and funding tied to increased patient costs and incompetent-to-stand-trial services. DSH reported major progress in reducing the IST waitlist and wait times, said it had met the court’s 28-day treatment benchmark for those without extenuating circumstances, and described workforce recruitment and retention efforts such as residency programs, fellowships, outreach, and hiring streamlining. Members asked about future IST referral trends, SB 1323’s effect on diversion and community treatment, and workforce lessons in high-cost regions; public comment urged reconsideration of county IST growth cap methodology in light of new criminal justice initiatives. The committee next received an informational overview of Proposition 1 and its changes to behavioral health funding and governance. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that Prop. 1 restructured county MHSA funding buckets, expanded the Commission for Behavioral Health, shifted prevention and early intervention responsibilities, and authorized a $6.4 billion bond, including $4.4 billion for behavioral health facilities through BHCIP. DHCS said it had released guidance for county integrated plans and was receiving extensive public comment. Members focused on BHCIP application requirements, especially letters of support and tribal projects, and raised concerns about whether DHCS’s implementation matched statutory intent. DHCS said it had authority to set application requirements and that tribal entities were treated differently because of sovereignty and funding structure. DHCS then updated the committee on BHCIP, the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program, and related bond implementation. The department said BHCIP had awarded about $1.7 billion across five rounds, with more than 130 projects and 223 distinct facilities funded, and that it was preparing to award the new bond funds after receiving nearly $8 billion in applications. The LAO’s assessment found that more than half of awards served at least 80% Medi-Cal enrollees, but also raised concerns that the regional allocation model could reinforce inequities, that the program had not sufficiently addressed the highest-need regions such as the southern San Joaquin Valley, and that smaller counties and less launch-ready applicants faced barriers. For bridge housing, DHCS said more than $1.1 billion had been awarded, serving over 5,000 people and supporting more than 2,000 operational beds, but the Governor’s budget proposes to eliminate Round 4 funding as the administration weighs other statewide investments and Proposition 1 implementation workload. Public commenters and members urged more accountability, better regional equity, stronger labor and community involvement, and caution about funding for for-profit psychiatric facilities. Finally, the committee heard on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. CalHHS and DHCS described CYBHI as a broad prevention- and equity-focused effort with more than 1,300 organizations funded, over $2.1 billion awarded, and multiple work streams spanning schools, community programs, workforce, and digital supports. DHCS highlighted school-based services, the fee schedule rollout, and digital platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna, which it said are reaching users statewide and providing low-barrier access to coaching and support. Members and public commenters raised concerns about delays in school fee schedule implementation, the large share of funding going to digital tools, the need for more in-person services, and whether the initiative is sufficiently tracking outcomes and equity impacts. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee staff, if you could please call the roll. Assemblymember Attas. Here.
• But it was also cuts to staff positions, affecting real people and real people's jobs, such as laboratory
• This raises issues of equity and addressing needs. in the small counties.
• Equity drives the mission.
• I want to thank the staff for the background paper.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to start by thanking you and your staff and accepting the committee amendments.
• AB 1039 increases equity.
• AB 1039 increases equity. January 1, 2026.
• AB 1039 increases equity for nonprofits and ensures they can better serve local communities.
• I want to thank committee staff for their thorough analysis, Madam Chair, for your continued support

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on alcohol licensing, nonprofit funding, tribal grants, public transparency, and tobacco policy. AB 342 (Haney) would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with extended last-call hours on certain days; supporters argued it would boost tourism, nightlife, and major-event readiness, while opponents warned of alcohol-related harms and public safety risks. AB 684 (Patel) would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to open-meeting requirements, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and allow schools time to adjust. AB 1008 (Addis) would authorize up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to meet tourism demand, and AB 1039 (Hart) would require state agencies to offer advance payments on new nonprofit grants and contracts, which supporters said would help cash-strapped nonprofits deliver services. AB 221 (Ramos) would revise the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to provide more predictable annual distributions to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and it drew broad support from tribal representatives and others. AB 795 (Jeff Gonzalez) would create a California commission for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with supporters describing it as a privately funded, nonpartisan planning body. AB 828/AB 28 (Mark Gonzalez, as referenced in the transcript) would expand neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce costs and support restaurant recovery, and AB 1246 (Hoover) would increase craft distillers’ direct sales limits and address barrel-storage rules; both were supported as small-business measures. AB 1428 (Ta) would require reporting of all surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 (Ortega) would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies, with strong public health support. Several bills were voted out on motions to Appropriations, some with amendments, while others were held or left on call until quorum was established; the committee also adopted a consent calendar and left rolls open for absent members on multiple measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering to testify, please see the committee staff.
• And I was remiss in the last hearing and not, uh, recognizing my Chief of Staff Kelly Peterson, who was
• And finally, it also says in litigation if someone's filing a lawsuit based on equity that market value
• Turner, who's with the staff, and we talk and, and, and I say, oh, Mr.
• The faculty and staff of the institute work with the officers and education committees from the various

Bills: HB148, HB203, HJR30

Keywords: HB 148, Texas Education Code, Texas Education Agency, TEA, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, automated scoring, constructed response, open-ended answers, student assessments, state testing, standardized tests, public schools, education policy, assessment instruments, school accountability, test scoring, 2026-2027 school year, ad valorem tax

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:22.720><c> I</c> to CFS that you have great staff. I to CFS that you have great staff.
• </c> well to invest a lot of their own equity well to invest a lot of their own equity into<00:37:30.480
• And so in 2023 through private equity.
• </c><00:48:40.559><c> then</c><00:48:40.800><c> I</c> through private equity then I through private equity
• </c><01:41:06.639><c> the</c> staff well Paul's staff at the staff well Paul's staff at the department

Bills: HF2103, HF4508

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, elk, cervidae, cervid importation, chronic wasting disease, CWD, animal health, livestock, wildlife disease, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, state veterinarian, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, Senator, Representatives, and staff. This is regarding S. 303.
• Others will be targeted by strategic buyers and private equity.
• Staff turnover was low.
• Equity, education, autonomy, and independence, democratic member control.
• Equity, education, autonomy, and independence, Democratic member control.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies held its first public hearing of the session, chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola with Sen. Barry Finegold. After housekeeping on livestreaming, virtual testimony, and written testimony deadlines, the committee heard testimony on several bills, with the main focus on S. 303/H. 503/S. 305 and H. 491, all related to worker ownership and business succession. Testimony generally supported expanding employee ownership, right of first refusal for workers, and incentives for owners to sell to employee groups. Speakers from worker co-ops, technical assistance organizations, lenders, and business owners said these measures could preserve local businesses, protect jobs, build worker wealth, and help communities retain valued services and storefronts. On S. 303, Vincent Lawrence Dixon described a proposal to create tools such as a special community trustee, right of first refusal, and community institution landmarks to help communities preserve important local properties and uses when owners cease operations. On H. 491 and the employee-ownership bills, witnesses including Matthew Page Lieberman, Caleb from Circus Cooperative Cafe, Sarah Acefa of Dorchester Food Co-op, Halsey Platt, Kevin O'Brien, John Abrams, Virginia Berman, Stacey Cordero, Adrian Roman, Alex Popali, Adam Trott, and Ethan Tupelo emphasized that worker-owned businesses can be more resilient, support democratic participation, and help with business transitions as owners retire or close. Committee members asked questions about the tax incentive threshold, the timing and mechanics of the right of first refusal, and whether the bills would affect sale prices or business succession. Rep. Kristen Kassner also testified on H. 490, which would create a special commission to inventory the Commonwealth’s built environment, infrastructure, permitting, and land-use barriers to help Massachusetts adapt vacant or underused spaces for the next economy. She said the commission would help identify opportunities for housing, climate and energy tech, advanced manufacturing, and other uses, and members discussed commission composition and data sources. At the end of the hearing, the chair read a series of additional bills into the record, noted an upcoming Economic Development Expo, and the committee adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair Wiener, and committee staff and committee members. I'm here to present SCA 5.
• , special education, safe facilities, and the ability to attract and retain qualified teachers and staff
• That's a ratio of one staff member for every seven students in the other district and one for every 10
• I’m an education lawyer with a specialty in equity education.
• There are no staff or faculty votes. There was one voting alumni and one voting student.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• joined with my colleague from Springfield and from the Berkshires about the importance of regional equity
• joined with my colleague from Springfield and from the Berkshires about the importance of regional equity
• , Senate President's staff, and the gentlelady from Northampton for her enormous work, Staff and the
• Army National Guard and led a drug enforcement unit as a staff sergeant.
• Tarr, equity analysis of surtax allocations. Senator Tarr. Thank you, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate considered and amended House 4769, a major higher education bond bill titled an act to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher education transformation (the BRIGHT Act). Members adopted a series of amendments funding deferred maintenance and capital projects at public colleges and universities, including MassBay Community College (HVAC and window replacement), Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Springfield Technical Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Worcester State University, Quinsigamond Community College, Roxbury Community College, UMass Boston, Middlesex Community College, Salem State University, Berkshire Community College, and MCLA. Several amendments were rejected, including proposals related to a sustainable hand hygiene program, board membership, and some other institutional or policy changes, while a number of amendments were held or withdrawn. The bill ultimately advanced through third reading and was passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call, with senators emphasizing the need to address deferred maintenance and modernize higher education facilities statewide. A major floor debate centered on an amendment by Senator Tarr to dedicate $300 million of Fair Share surtax revenue to K-12 education. Supporters argued that many school districts face rising costs, minimum aid, and an outdated Chapter 70 formula, and that the amendment would create a marker for future reform. Opponents said the Commonwealth already dedicates substantial surtax and other funding to K-12 education and that the amendment was not the right vehicle. After a roll call, the amendment was rejected. The Senate also rejected several Tarr amendments on fiscal safeguards, equity analysis, bond covenant requirements, and Chapter 62F taxpayer protections, while adopting others related to UMass Gloucester Marine Station housing and coastal erosion work, and to modernizing Massachusetts State College Building Authority bonding and office-location rules. The chamber also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Bolton Police Chief Luke Hamburger, who was remembered for his service, leadership, and community ties. Before adjournment, senators took brief statements on other issues, including a call for greater awareness of rare diseases and the need for improved access to diagnosis and treatment. The Senate also approved extension orders giving committees additional time to report on pending environmental and municipal bills, and it set its next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• and making sure that the monies that we are expending today reach importance of regional equity and
• , Senate President's staff, and the gentlelady from Northampton for her enormous work Staff and the gentlelady
• Army National Guard and led a drug enforcement unit as a staff sergeant.
• President, its facilities have not kept pace with accommodating either its staff or its mission.
• Tarr, equity analysis of surtax allocations. Senator Tarr. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, as always, I want to thank our entire Judiciary Committee staff for keeping us all prepared and
• First, I want to thank the committee staff for all the work over the fall on this issue as we explore
• I have a capital stack of which equity and debt are discretionary. Investment is a choice.
• I have a capital stack of which is equity and debt and debt are discretionary.
• Thank you so much to the author for taking the time to meet several times with me, my staff.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Audrey Vasek, staff to the committee.
• Audrey, any further questions for staff? All right.
• I will turn to staff.
• And staff report. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• This question is for staff.

Summary: The committee heard public hearing testimony on House Bill 2265, which would expand tenant protections during extreme heat. Staff explained that the bill would bar landlords from restricting portable cooling devices, require written notice of tenant rights and landlord immunity for tenant-installed devices, add a cooling duty under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, and prohibit sheriffs from physically evicting tenants during defined extreme heat periods. Representative Mena said the bill responds to the 2021 heat dome and is intended to address a gap in housing law, while committee members and the sponsor discussed unresolved questions about what “reasonably required” cooling means, how the eviction pause would work, and whether the bill could raise rents or create liability and operational burdens for landlords. Supporters, including climate, public health, tenant, and clean energy advocates, said extreme heat is a growing health threat and that renters need a right to cooling; opponents from multifamily housing, property management, and rental housing groups argued the bill is too vague, could effectively mandate costly cooling upgrades, create safety and insurance issues, and complicate eviction enforcement. The hearing also included testimony from landlords and housing providers who said the bill should be narrowed or amended, and from tenants and advocates who said it does not go far enough because it mostly permits tenant-installed cooling rather than requiring landlords to provide it. The committee then heard House Bill 1974, a proposed substitute authorizing land banks. Staff described the bill as allowing public corporations, housing authorities, and nonprofit corporations to acquire, hold, improve, lease, transfer, or dispose of property for affordable housing, with 30-year affordability requirements, annual reporting, tax exemptions, and priority transfer of certain tax-foreclosed properties. Vice Chair Hill said the bill was scaled back from earlier versions and is meant to create a flexible tool for turning difficult parcels into housing-ready land aligned with local housing plans. Testifiers from the Spokane Regional Land Bank, housing authorities, developers, youth shelter providers, and housing advocates supported the bill as a way to lower land costs, clear title issues, reduce displacement, and create a pipeline of permanently affordable housing. A counties representative also supported the concept but said they would like the grant program restored. One committee member raised a question about whether the tax-foreclosed property language could bypass the normal surplus distribution process, and staff said the provision is placed in the chapter governing properties that have already gone through foreclosure and auction, though the wording may need further review. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 2452, which would change how rent increase notices are served. Staff said the bill would remove the current requirement that rent increase notices be served like unlawful detainer notices and instead allow service by personal delivery, mail, or posting on the dwelling unit, with service by mail complete when deposited in the mail; the manufactured home version would follow the general notice rules under that act. Representative Connors said the bill responds to problems created when prior legislation required certified mail, which she said has led to tenants not receiving notices and housing providers facing higher costs and administrative burdens. Housing provider and industry witnesses supported the bill, saying certified mail is expensive, inefficient, and often not actually received, while tenant advocates opposed it, arguing that mail-only service weakens notice protections and can cause missed rent increases and displacement; they urged the committee to preserve stronger in-person or posting requirements. Some witnesses also suggested broader changes, including electronic notice, while others said the bill should be expanded to fix certified mail requirements for more than just rent increase notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's good to be here with you and members and staff.
• My staff carry caseloads of 400 people each.
• or my chief of staff as well.
• , to be honest with you, staffs 10 times... ...many representatives and their amazing staff, to be honest
• with you, staffs 10 times better than you guys.

Keywords: 988, house, all