Transcript Highlights:

• State Department of Education with comments. Not present.
• Hawaiian Ironworkers Stabilization Fund in support. Department of Transportation with comments.
• Hawaiian Ironworkers Stabilization Fund in support.
• Cody Suenaga, on behalf of the Ironworkers Stabilization Fund. We support the resolution.
• Cody Suenaga, on behalf of the Ironworkers Stabilization Fund. We support the resolution.

Bills: SCR48

Keywords: affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, 910, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee met on SCR 48, which declares that affordable housing credits are perpetual and remain valid until redeemed, and asks counties to recognize them without expiration dates. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with speakers saying the resolution clarifies the intent of the 2024 act and provides clear parameters for the credits. No one testified in opposition or offered questions. The committee then took up SCR 48 for decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the resolution as is. The measure passed with one member voting with reservations. The chair noted this was the committee’s final hearing of the year and thanked advocates, stakeholders, staff, and IT support before adjourning. The transcript also included portions of the Transportation Committee and a joint Transportation/Housing hearing. Transportation advanced SCR 31 on school bus driver licensing and workforce improvements, SCR 132 urging Honolulu to prioritize the rail extension, SCR 145 on studying a demerit point system, and SCR 110 SD 1 on evaluating state-owned logistics facilities for housing projects. SCR 110 drew support from labor groups, with a request to add labor representation to the working group. The committees adopted recommendations on those measures, including SCR 110 with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education during President Trump's first term, I have no doubt that Reid will serve our
• To promote stability in the region and protect our national security, we need to continue to support
• And so I hope that you will think about how to advance long-term peace and stability in the region.
• This relationship is vital to the stability and prosperity of the Western Hemisphere.
• I was not an education lawyer.

Keywords: Israel, Hamas, Panama Canal, U.S. foreign policy, terrorism, diplomacy, Chinese influence

Summary: The committee meeting was focused on various key issues, including the implications of recent violence in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy in relation to Israel and Panama. Members discussed the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Israeli officials following the recent attack by Hamas. Governor Huckabee emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and reiterated the need for accountability for terrorist organizations involved in violent acts against civilians. Senators shared their concerns regarding the ramifications of U.S. actions in Panama and the presence of Chinese influence, highlighting the significance of the Panama Canal in terms of trade and security.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first one is the budget stabilization fund, which has a current balance as of at least the most
• The next fund is the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, which is funded from a portion of oil and gas
• But there is, just like the budget stabilization fund where there's a required minimum balance of 15%
• Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund. How much of the K-12 budget? Stabilization fund.
• In this case, just the Budget Stabilization Fund.

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to get them stabilized.
• So once they're stabilized, they can go out into the general population area.
• My first question is, are they able to stabilize them enough? And Mr.
• Chair, Representative, if I can ask for clarification: are they stabilized?
• You stabilize them, and some of them can go back into the general population.

Transcript Highlights:

• My Educators and neighbors contributed even more stability.
• The educators aren't doing a good job.
• As our students navigate the world of early adolescents, our work as educators is to create educational
• One key way has been through Gloucester education foundations or local education fund, but there have
• We save the students' educations.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on several bills centered on school accountability, receivership, graduation requirements, charter school access, community schools, school libraries, and student voting rights. Much of the discussion focused on the Thrive Act, S. 374, which would end state receivership and change the state’s accountability approach. Supporters, including educators, parents, advocacy groups, and students, argued that receivership has not improved outcomes in districts such as Lawrence, Holyoke, Southbridge, Boston, and the Dever, and that local communities should have more control, with greater emphasis on community schools, wraparound services, and broader measures of school quality. They also supported related bills on community schools and school library standards, and several witnesses backed a bill to expand student representative voting rights on school committees. Opponents of S. 374, especially charter school leaders, parents, students, and some education advocates, focused on Section 4 of the bill, which would change the charter school net school spending cap in the lowest-performing districts. They argued that the provision would reduce access to charter seats in communities where families are seeking more options, and that schools such as Roxbury Prep, Excel Academy, Brook, Veritas Prep, and Libertas Academy have produced strong results for students, including students of color, low-income students, and students with special needs. Several witnesses said the section would force schools to shrink or close and would remove opportunities for families in districts with long waitlists. Committee members questioned witnesses on both the effectiveness of receivership and the charter school cap language. Chair Lewis and Chair Gordon emphasized the need for a better accountability system and noted concerns about whether current measures, including MCAS-based designations, accurately reflect school quality. Some witnesses said they had discussed the possibility of removing Section 4 from the Thrive Act and suggested it might be addressed in separate charter reform legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing; testimony was received and the committee later closed testimony on S. 374 and several related bills before moving on to the student voting rights bill, S. 367.

Transcript Highlights:

• The LIDAs do not consistently educate or guide families on how the system works.
• education funding, civic leader, and mom of a son with severe IDD.
• The LIDAs do not consistently educate or guide families on how the system works.
• That the HCS group home residents were once our high-cost pool special education students.
• DSHS's proposed education, clinical, and community resources are vital to curb this epidemic.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in corrections, they were still receiving education, and that seemed to be a real key.
• stabilization services.
• stabilization services.
• Department of Education.
• , and the stability and support to become healthy and happy adults.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Health department clinical services provide affordable vaccinations, screenings, and education.
• This bill gives local jurisdictions a mechanism to stabilize funding for public health and many other
• They provided peer support, guidance, and stability when I needed it the most.
• They create stability, reduce recidivism, and strengthen communities.
• There's also some information on impacts to some higher education institutions in the state.

Bills: HB1069, HB2091, SB6355, HB2104, SB6003, HB2441, HB2124, HB2610, HB2338

Keywords: collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• They ensure that the industry has a well-trained, well-educated workforce.
• SEIU Local 509 represents nearly 25,000 human service workers and educators in both the public and the
• In my job, I provide housing stabilization for long-term homeless individuals, primarily living in the
• I'm an educated woman that owns my own home here in Burdenston, Mass., which is in the upper northwest
• We represent 117,000 public school and college educators, as some of you well know.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on legislation concerning unemployment insurance, non-compete agreements, prevailing wage, and minimum wage issues. Committee leaders outlined the hearing process, asked witnesses to keep oral testimony to three minutes, and invited written testimony through November 20. No votes were taken during the hearing; it ended with a motion to adjourn and notice of the next hearing on November 20. Much of the testimony focused on bills to expand unemployment insurance for striking workers, including H. 2168 and S. 1319. Labor leaders, union members, and legal advocates argued that workers who are out on strike for more than 30 days should be able to receive UI benefits, saying the policy would help workers and families meet basic expenses, reduce employers’ ability to “wait out” strikes, and encourage good-faith bargaining. Speakers cited recent strikes, including the Republic Services strike, and said the proposal would not meaningfully increase strike activity or strain the UI trust fund. Another major topic was minimum wage legislation, especially H. 2107/S. 1349 to raise the minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and index it to inflation, and H. 2191 to create a $25 enhanced care worker minimum wage. Supporters said current wages are not keeping pace with housing, food, and childcare costs, and that care workers, direct support staff, and human service employees face chronic vacancies, burnout, and turnover. Testimony also supported H. 2126 on prevailing wage by adding apprenticeship and training contributions to the wage calculation, and H. 2159 and S. 1363 on prevailing wage-related issues. One witness, Russell Beck, testified against S. 1336, which would ban non-competes, and against H. 2118, arguing Massachusetts’ current non-compete law is a balanced compromise that should not be disrupted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our proposal with BHSA is to continue to fund psychiatry education. ...in next year.
• To cover sort of the idea of stability so that they could participate in the program.
• Yes, workforce will include education capacity expansion. Perfect. Okay. And then, so.
• And how long do you think the fund will be stabilized with this 20.3% increase?
• Nurse Midwifery Education Programs Funding. Thank you. Chair Menjivar, excuse me.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that will be on CYFD's short-term stabilization pilot program. Please, thank you, Madam Chair.
• of contracting with appropriate clinical experts to develop, implement, and administer a pilot stabilization
• We support the pilot as it prioritizes home-like placements and stabilization supports For youth with
• It stabilized placements. It reduced. unsafe placements such as offices and hotels.
• Much of what we see economically is even in the education system. Is that ours?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are really interested in slope stability, and we had a lot of slope stability issues.
• I think it's a good educated guess, but we won't know for sure until the work is done.
• It started snowing up there, so we just stabilized this area.
• We had the road open on January 7th, mainly just a stabilization effort.
• We managed to stabilize the situation.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> higher education. higher education. Very<00:17:43.039><c> well</c><00:17:43.280><c> put.
• </c> because of changes in higher education because of changes in higher education because<00:20:09.360
• </c><00:21:27.520><c> and</c> employers, public higher education and employers, public higher education
• We used to as an stabilization.
• It can be used for rate stabilization. stabilization. stabilization. uh<01:40:58.400><c> absolutely</

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> staff so the programming and stability staff so the programming and stability at<00:13:39.839><c
• </c><00:19:54.880><c> are</c> are hopeful that um educators are are hopeful that um educators are working
• </c><01:25:06.080><c> over</c> that time um we're seeing stability over that time um we're seeing stability
• We could have a youth needing a period of crisis stabilization.
• Okay, good, thank you. education thank you for that thank education thank you for that thank you<02:05

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Division 3 House Finance Committee opened a work session and announced scheduling updates, including a second Medicaid work session on March 5 at 9:00 a.m. and a reminder that recommendations or budget amendments must be moved to the full finance committee by the end of March. Members were told no motions, roll calls, or votes would be taken, and the chair also reviewed upcoming meeting dates and weather-related cancellation procedures. The day’s presentation was a budget work session on the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), with officials Marie Nunan and Nathan White introducing the agency’s budget materials and mission. DCYF’s presentation focused on its core mandates and recent operational changes. Officials described child protective services, juvenile justice services, and the Sununu Youth Services Center, then highlighted workforce improvements, including reduced vacancy rates for assessment caseworkers, juvenile justice officers, and youth counselors. They attributed the staffing gains to legislative pay raises, mass recruitment posting changes, a more stable and trauma-informed model at SYC, and broader flexibility after prior budget cuts and hiring freezes. Members asked about full-time versus part-time staffing, and DCYF said most positions discussed were full-time, with some harder-to-fill part-time youth counselor roles at SYC. The committee also discussed DCYF’s emphasis on serving families earlier through its Community Navigator hotline referrals and community-based voluntary services, which are intended to connect families to supports before abuse or neglect escalates. Officials said the Community Navigator program had received 807 referrals since August 2023. On juvenile justice, DCYF described its assessment and diversion process and said it had reduced juvenile probation involvement by 30% from 2019 to 2023; members were directed to slide 17 for 2024 data, and officials said the trend continued toward fewer in-home juvenile justice cases. The agency also reported progress in kinship care, saying initial out-of-home placements with kin now occur 74% of the time and that kinship placements are associated with more reunification. Officials said kinship caregivers are being licensed and paid similarly to foster parents, and that the legislature’s kinship law has helped. Finally, DCYF outlined transition-age youth supports, including the HOPE program, Youth Villages LifeSet, and housing vouchers. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very enlightening education. Thank you so much for all of your testimony.
• First, stability: fewer non-renewals, fewer abrupt withdrawals.
• First, stability. Fewer non-renewals. Fewer Abrupt withdrawals. Next, more options.
• And so... ...there’s going to be a lot more education.
• I think we're at a point of education and understanding mutual respect.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Workers need stability and reliability in the public sector more than ever.
• care, and higher education.
• That income is the source of reinvestment and operational stability.
• I want to live in a Washington where everyone can get a good education.
• Additionally, I am very highly interested in education as well.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pursue higher education.
• With this newfound stability, I was able to focus on my priority: my education.
• With this newfound stability, I was able to focus on my priority: my education.
• </c> dreaming I've also worked to educate dreaming I've also worked to educate staff<00:20:03.799><c>
• </c> way you talked about your education way you talked about your education because<00:23:10.039><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, educate me.
• Increasing the rights of property owners and residents while improving the overall stability and the
• A well-functioning process is essential to protecting both housing stability and property rights.
• You could lose your job over the tiniest little thing, and that takes away your stability.
• Finally, HB32 will make it incredibly difficult to educate tenants about the eviction process.

Bills: HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581

Transcript Highlights:

• Some internal references in higher education are corrected.
• The State Board of Education... The State Board of Education has additional oversight.
• plans under special education.
• education, and in the social safety net.
• K-12 education is... ...the rural areas. K-12 education?

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on a proposed substitute operating budget bill and worked through a long series of amendments before voting on the bill. Members discussed a wide range of budget items, including court funding for Thurston County civil filings, Attorney General funding for a domestic extremism task force, grants for Yakima aquatics access, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring programs, poverty reduction work, a proposed Department of Housing task force, federal grant inventory staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, DCYF family resource centers and pediatric interim care, law enforcement training and equipment, shellfish and birthing center licensing fees, school bus depreciation, charter school accountability, transition to kindergarten priorities, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI grants. The committee also considered amendments related to the Columbia River Gorge Commission, shrub-steppe habitat mitigation, and a study on Lower Snake River reservoir drawdown impacts. Debate on many amendments centered on whether items were statewide priorities or local projects, and on the fiscal constraints of the budget. Supporters often argued that proposals would protect vulnerable populations, improve public safety, or leverage future savings and outside funding; opponents frequently cited budget pressure, the availability of existing funding, or the need to avoid singling out local projects. Some amendments were adopted, including Clark 343 on intent to fund up to 10,000 additional eCAP slots, Jones 419 on paint stewardship funding, and Stevens 070 limiting birthing center license fees. Many others failed, including amendments on Thurston County court funding, the domestic extremism task force, Yakima aquatics, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring, poverty reduction workgroup funding, the Department of Housing task force, federal grant staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, the PIC Center contract, the Lacey regional training academy, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI-related proposals. The committee then moved to the underlying bill, Proposed Substitute House Bill 2289, and adopted a do pass motion after disposing of the amendments. The transcript indicates the committee ultimately reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• SEIU 509 represents 25,000 human service workers and educators.
• Qualified licensed educators can serve their communities. We've witnessed this barrier repeatedly.
• The child care crisis is undermining Massachusetts' economic recovery and workforce stability.
• It's education and protection. Our commonwealth can do better.
• , housing, labor, mental health, and early education, co-chaired by the Secretaries of Health and Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of child welfare, family support, and human services bills. Testimony strongly supported a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults aging out of foster care (S.161), with the Attorney General’s Office, youth advocates, and foster care providers describing high rates of homelessness and poverty after exit from care. Providers also urged action on a resolve to study the foster care liability insurance crisis (H.197/S.1280), saying premiums and coverage losses are forcing program cutbacks and could reduce foster care capacity statewide. Another major topic was a direct care worker medication administration program registry (H.237/S.162), which supporters said would help recruit and train workers, especially bilingual staff, to address workforce shortages in human services. Several bills focused on child protection and child welfare system practices. Supporters of H.267/S.145 called for advance notice to children’s attorneys when placements or other major events change, arguing that timely communication is essential to prevent unnecessary disruption and improve advocacy. Testimony also backed legislation to formally recognize and strengthen children’s advocacy centers and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (H.233/S.112), with prosecutors and CAC leaders describing the trauma-informed model as a longstanding, effective response to child abuse and trafficking. A bill to establish a Massachusetts children’s cabinet (S.115) drew support from advocates who said cross-agency coordination is needed to align policy and funding for children’s well-being. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing safety, equity, and family support. Senator Lovely and survivors supported S.152, which would create a civil cause of action for sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority or trust, with witnesses describing grooming and power imbalances in schools and youth-serving settings. H.274, a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, was supported by advocates who said it would add anti-discrimination protections and voting and privacy rights amid rising criminalization of homelessness. H.272/S.171 to protect maternal health received support from Rep. Montaño, MLRI, and a physician, who said the bills would make cash assistance available earlier in pregnancy and remove the medical-verification barrier. H.4216 on equitable hair care for children in state custody was supported by social workers and advocates who said hair care is tied to identity, dignity, and mental health. H.255 on empowering early educators drew testimony about barriers faced by renters and condo owners trying to open home-based child care programs. H.217, concerning resources and support for pregnant and parenting families, drew testimony from anti-abortion pregnancy resource center advocates. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several bills had no one signed up to testify or were deferred when witnesses were unavailable.