Transcript Highlights:

• I move for the adoption. Any discussion on the amendment?
• I move for the adoption of the amendment. Any discussion? I move for the adoption of the amendment.
• The amendment is adopted.
• The substitute is adopted. The substitute is adopted.
• The substitute is adopted.

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• And adopting this amendment helps this bill get to a better place while not leaving any other district
• And adopting this amendment helps this bill get to a better place while not leaving any other district
• And adopting this amendment helps this bill get to a better place while not leaving any other district
• And adopting this amendment helps this bill get to a better place while not leaving any other district
• </c><04:32:11.680><c> open</c> to leave not leave this issue open to leave not leave this issue open

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> consent calendar is adopted. consent calendar is adopted.
• The floor amendment is adopted.
• The floor amendment is adopted.
• </c> legislate is adopted. legislate is adopted.
• </c> the adoption of the committee amendment. the adoption of the committee amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• That leaves me $96. Then your server's tip is another $16. That now leaves me $80 out of that $100.
• What about the people who leave, you know, going into the holiday season now, who leave a very gracious
• And they leave $100 on a check.
• What about the people who leave, you know, going into the holiday season now, who leave a very gracious
• And they leave $100 on a check.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• I won't go into depth because it's somewhat lengthy, but I'll leave the copy with you.
• I'll leave it to you. These are interim rules.
• </c><00:17:05.760><c> U</c> Well, it would give us I'll leave it.
• U Well, it would give us I'll leave it.
• We'll cancel our continued meeting and leave it for next month.

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes and adopting the consent calendar without objection. It then postponed the Board of Licensed Dieticians and the Board of Accountancy items to next month, with a waiver granted for the dieticians item so it could be carried over. The committee also noted that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources interim rule would be discussed further, and staff flagged a specific concern about authority over kindling size for category 3 fires under NCR 5601.04. The Board of Registry and Optometry received conditional approval. Staff said the board had addressed editorial comments, but raised one substantive issue about the drug formulary: the statute requires posting it online but does not clearly exempt it from rulemaking, suggesting a possible legislative carveout may be needed. The committee agreed to add that issue to a list of legislative suggestions for later consideration. The DNCR interim fire rule was the main contested item. Committee members and staff discussed whether the rule exceeded authority by regulating kindling for category 3 fires, and the agency explained that the regular rules had expired and interim rules were needed quickly for public safety and permit enforcement. The committee ultimately granted conditional approval on the interim rule 25-4, with the understanding that the agency would continue regular rulemaking and address the objection. The Board of Examiners’ dental rules were then reviewed. The agency explained that it revised the rules to address prior concerns about anesthesia and sedation for children, including a pathway for oral surgeons and dentist anesthesiologists to obtain exemptions for under-13 patients, a pediatric minimal sedation permit, and a moderate sedation permit with pediatric qualification. Members also discussed whether the rules were consistent with House Bill 470; staff and members concluded they appeared compatible and would not require additional rulemaking. The committee approved the dental rules, and then adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> adoption of a timely resolution. adoption of a timely resolution.
• Has<00:21:12.640><c> been</c><00:21:12.799><c> adopted.</c> Has been adopted. Has been adopted.
• &gt;&gt; I move adoption.
• It has been adopted. &gt;&gt; Any opposed? It has been adopted.
• >> It has been adopted. >> Any opposed? It has been adopted. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and if they were to separate and leave and if they were to separate and leave state<00:31:26.480
• Chair, your recommendation is adopted.
• Your recommendation is adopted. Okay, thank you, Vice Chair.
• Okay, thank recommendation is adopted.
• Okay, thank recommendation is adopted.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures relating to public employment, the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF), retirement benefits, and cafeteria plans. HB 2472 and HB 2276, both concerning EUTF staff and investment office staff salaries, drew support from the trust fund and labor groups, and no opposition was heard in person. HB 2272 and HB 2273, emergency appropriations for public employment cost items, were supported by the administration and labor representatives; members briefly clarified which bargaining units were covered. A longer discussion centered on HB 1664, which would address a dispute mechanism for EUTF-related negotiations. HGEA said the current process lacks a dispute resolution path and that the bill would allow interest arbitration when the state and union disagree. The Department of Human Resources Development and the Budget and Finance director raised concerns about consistency across bargaining units and the role of an arbitrator unfamiliar with the complexities of the system. Senator Moriwaki questioned whether another dispute forum might be more appropriate, but no alternative resolution was settled. The committee also heard HB 1655, which would make retirement benefits negotiable, and HB 1658, concerning collective bargaining repricing. ERS opposed HB 1655, saying it could create administrative and tax problems if retirement benefits were negotiated separately across many bargaining units, while UPW, HGEA, HSTA, and UPA supported it as a bargaining issue. On HB 1658, DHRD explained that repricing is an internal classification tool meant to preserve equal pay for equal work, not to address market pay, and said a single arbitrator or the Merit Appeals Board could handle disputes; HGEA preferred a neutral arbitrator and opposed the Merit Appeals Board as too employer-controlled. The final measure, HB 1661 on cafeteria plans, was supported by UPW and HGEA. DHRD said it planned to raise the maximum contribution through rulemaking but needed to manage plan solvency and timing because IRS limits change on a calendar-year basis while the state plan runs on a fiscal year. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted recommendations to pass HB 2472 and HB 2276 as amended/unamended after a brief correction to the vote language.

Transcript Highlights:

• McDonald on 45 years of dedicated public service, the resolutions ought to be adopted. Mr.
• Question comes on adoption of the resolution. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• The ayes have it; the resolution is adopted. The ayes have it; the resolution is adopted.
• Question comes on adoption of the order. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• The ayes have it; the order is adopted.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring Oxford Fire Chief Laurent R. McDonald for 45 years of public service. Members also adopted an order creating a special joint committee on initiative petitions to review petitions transmitted by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. In addition, House Bill 862, providing for the recall of elected officers in the town of Sharon, was passed to be enacted. The House then acted on several procedural and scheduling matters. It suspended Joint Rule 12 to send three petitions to committee, and the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a group of local and special bills for consideration, including measures on home insurers and tree removal, housing for families with pets, public safety in Stoneham, community housing funds in Chatham, the Provincetown rental housing trust fund, a disability pension for Christopher Taylor, and a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix. These bills were ordered to a third reading. The House also welcomed visiting students from Four Rivers Charter Public School and the Medfield Girls Soccer State Champions. On third reading, the House passed to be engrossed four police-age waiver bills for Antonio Perez, Sherell Malas, Jonathan Telford, and Jose Ortiz, all directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement. The chamber also observed a moment of silent tribute for the late Honorable Francis J. Larkin of Hopedale, recognizing his long career in public service, law, and education. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules reports recommending the following resolutions ought to be adopted.
• The resolutions are to be adopted. Mr. Wong moves suspension of the rules.
• The ayes have it; the resolutions are adopted.
• The question comes on adoption of the amendment. All those in favor say aye.
• The emergency preamble is adopted. The House stands in brief recess. House in order.

Summary: The House adopted several congratulatory resolutions, including one honoring Douglas Fire Chief John J. Furno on his retirement and another recognizing the Appalachian Mountain Club’s 150th anniversary and its conservation and outdoor recreation work. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 on three petitions, including proposals related to credible service for Thomas Brooks, teacher retirement membership for Springfield Empowerment Zone employees, and designation of a bridge by the Department of Transportation. The House then advanced a set of bills to third reading, including legislation allowing Berkeley to increase its Board of Selectmen, banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops, and transferring interests in land in West Brookfield. It also passed to be engrossed bills authorizing South Hadley to grant additional all-alcohol licenses and Westford to grant an additional off-premises all-alcohol license. Later, the House considered Senate amendments to House Bill 5478, a bill creating a temporary summer 2026 pilot for municipalities to extend liquor license hours and allow public consumption in designated districts. The House adopted a further amendment offered by Representative Walsh, concurred as amended, adopted the emergency preamble, and passed the bill to be enacted. The session also included a moment of silence for Constance “Connie” Ellen Kruger of Amherst, followed by adjournment to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• McDonald on 45 years of dedicated public service, the resolutions ought to be adopted. Mr.
• Question comes on adoption of the resolution. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.
• Question comes on adoption of the order. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• The ayes have it, and the order is adopted.

Summary: The House adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring Oxford Fire Chief Laurent R. McDonald for 45 years of public service, and also adopted an order creating a special joint committee on initiative petitions to review petitions transmitted by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The House then passed to enact House Bill 862, which provides for the recall of elected officers in the town of Sharon. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, including proposals on family support and poverty alleviation, electoral account and presidential electors, and regulation of medical spas. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several bills for consideration, including measures on tree removal by home insurers, housing for families with pets, public safety in Stoneham, community preservation funds in Chatham, the year-round market rate rental housing trust fund in Provincetown, a disability pension for Christopher Taylor, and a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix. These bills were ordered to a third reading. The House then passed to be engrossed several third-reading bills waiving the maximum age requirement for Boston police officer applicants for Antonio Perez, Sherell Malas, Jonathan Telford, and Jose Ortiz. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for the late Honorable Francis J. Larkin of Hopkinton. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for adoption.
• All in favor of adopting for adoption.
• Senator adopted.
• The amendment is not adopted. prevail. The amendment is not adopted.
• That amendment is adopted.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• adopted by us with this reg, and there's some cleanup language there.
• </c><00:19:10.280><c> the</c> digress 603k R5 colon 50s to adopt the digress 603k R5 colon 50s to adopt
• </c> the uh 603 kr5 colon 050 simply adopts the uh 603 kr5 colon 050 simply adopts the<00:19:56.880><
• </c> 1993 were formally adopted by us with 1993 were formally adopted by us with this<00:20:12.960><c
• It appears to adopt the CDL requirements, and fingerprinting is adopted, which follows federal guidelines

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and heard a personal privilege statement praising Transportation Cabinet staff for helping a constituent obtain a Kentucky Uniform ID in time to board a cruise. The chair also recognized special guests and noted a page for the day. The main bill taken up was Senate Bill 99, with a committee substitute adopted before discussion. Senate Bill 99, sponsored by Senator Douglas, would strengthen Kentucky’s distracted-driving laws by prohibiting the use of personal communication devices to write, send, or read texts while operating a motor vehicle, with exceptions for emergency or public safety use and certain reporting or medical situations. The committee substitute clarified that GPS use remains allowed, including for younger drivers, and the bill also bars anyone under 18 from using a device in any manner while driving, sets a $100 fine with no points, and imposes a 90-day license revocation for minors. Supportive testimony and comments emphasized pedestrian and roadway safety, the dangers of distracted driving, and the bill’s alignment with existing CDL-related restrictions. After discussion, the committee voted on Senate Bill 99 by roll call and reported it favorably with the committee substitute attached. Members explaining their votes said the measure would save lives, reflected practices already used in trucking and bus operations, and was a reasonable enforcement approach similar to prior seat belt laws. The committee then received an informational update on five Transportation Cabinet administrative regulations, which were described as updates for federal compliance, signage standards, truck weight-limit renumbering, an OHV pilot program extension, and expanded electronic review of title applications; no substantive objections were raised. The meeting concluded with discussion of adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• If that bell is out, we'll leave the roll open. Aye. That bill is out.
• I asked them to leave the room so that I could get dressed.
• I asked them to leave the room so that I could get dressed.
• We'll leave the roll open so other members can add on their votes.
• We'll leave the roll open for other members to add on.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, I'm going to adopt the committee substitute.
• Without objection, it is going to be adopted.
• Without objection, we're going to adopt the committee substitute.
• Without objection, it's adopted. Senator King moves that Senate Bill 2077...
• Chair, hearing none, the motion is adopted.

Bills: SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Move<00:25:37.360><c> adoption.</c> Move adoption. Move adoption.
• &gt;&gt; Move<00:25:38.880><c> adoption.</c> &gt;&gt; Move adoption. &gt;&gt; Move adoption.
• With that, I move for adoption. With that, I move for adoption, Mr.
• With that, I move for adoption. our Commonwealth. With that, I move for adoption, Mr.
• I move for adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading of the bill: An act establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J.
• The amendment is adopted. The clerk will read the amendment.
• The amendment is adopted. The House is in order.
• The question now is on adoption of the order. All those in favor, say aye.
• The order is adopted. The House will be in brief recess. Mr.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed students from the Frederick C. Murphy School in Weymouth, along with other guests introduced by members. The chamber then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including proposals on alcohol labeling for beers consumed on premises, parity in funding for regional vocational and traditional public schools, and legal protections for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The main floor business was House No. 4187, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Laws, reported by Ways and Means as a substitute bill. Members speaking in support described it as a comprehensive overhaul of the Cannabis Control Commission and the state’s cannabis and hemp regulatory framework. The bill would reduce and restructure the CCC, expand options for cannabis businesses and social equity operators, raise license and ownership caps, remove the vertical integration requirement for medical marijuana, and create stronger rules for hemp and CBD products, including a ban on unregulated intoxicating hemp products and a new regulatory structure for allowable hemp beverages and CBD items. Several amendments were offered and adopted by roll call, including changes narrowing the hemp beverage ban from 11 ounces to 7.5 ounces, requiring out-of-state testing labs to be certified in good standing with the commission, and other technical revisions. After debate, the House passed H. 4187 to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 153-0. The chamber also passed to be engrossed two sick leave bank bills, for Andrew Satara and Dana Johnson, and ordered House No. 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Wenaka, to a third reading. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that was adopted in the House. File. that was adopted in the House. File.
• On page nine, adoption of resolutions, final adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution 162, House Draft
• President, I move for the final adoption of said Senate Concurrent Resolution. Senator DeCoite?
• Said Senate Concurrent Resolution has been adopted. Wakai? Mr. President, I move for the Wakai? Mr.
• One day notice is hereby given for final adoption of SCR 173 HD 1. there any discussion?

Bills: HB2241 , HB1163 , HB1514 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SB2135 , SB2466 , SB2727 , SB3082 , SB3097 , SB2861 , SCR100 , SB3096 , SB99 , SB2138 , HB2289 , HB2319 , HB1711 , HB2270 , SB3138 , SB3076 , HB1642 , HB2338 , HB2171 , HB1785 , SB2881 , HB2505 , SB2552 , HB1518 , HB1815 , SB3125 , SB3234 , SCR162 , SB2614 , SB3118 , SB2053 , SB2494 , SB2851 , SB3073 , HB1678 , HB1721 , HB2475 , HB2246 , HB1667 , HB1516 , SB2532 , SB3131 , SB3154 , HB2297 , HB1737 , SB2143 , SB2398 , SB2623 , HB1740 , HB1920 , HB1682 , SB2153 , SB3140 , HB2158 , HB1718 , HB2207 , HB1801 , SB3229 , SB2338 , SB3069 , SB2600 , HB2300 , HB1800 , HB1960 , SB2999 , SB2060 , SB2866 , SB2239 , HB1741 , HB1713 , HB2023 , HB2417 , SB2877 , SB2598 , SB2921 , SB2645 , HB2547 , HB2275 , HB2452 , HB2329 , HB2339 , HB1838 , HB1509 , HB1661 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2344 , HB1888 , HB1707 , SB2340 , HB2474 , HB1576 , HB1853 , HB1804 , HB1854 , HB2095 , HB2050 , HB472 , SB3215 , SB2247 , SB2400 , HB1618 , HB1802 , HB1969 , HB1541 , HB2310 , HB2498 , HB2443 , HB2218 , HB649 , HB2104 , HB1710 , SB2802 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB1894 , HB1891 , HB1890 , SB177 , SB2101 , SB3320 , SB2487 , HB2429 , HB1870 , HB1839 , HB2583 , HB1391 , HB2094 , SB2671 , SB2673 , SB2892 , SB2057 , SB3245 , HB306 , HB2592 , SB3157 , SB3204 , SB3324 , SB2580 , SB2074 , SB411 , SB3025 , SB2934 , SB2567 , SB2125 , SB3238 , SB2367 , SB2599 , SB3007 , SB2001 , SB2756 , SB3029

Transcript Highlights:

• It is adopted.
• The substitute is adopted.
• Hearing none, it's adopted.
• The substitute is adopted.
• I take care of business and leave.

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is adopted. We are back on the bill.
• Without adopting these amendments, workers are subjected further to an already volatile labor market.
• not continue to leave us hanging in the precarity of temp work and let us develop our skills to sell
• Seeing no objection, show the motion adopted.
• Seeing no objection, show the motion adopted.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered several bills. SB 1338, by Senator Burton, would strengthen protections for charitable endowment gifts by creating a legal pathway to enforce written donor agreements and by requiring legislative approval for certain charity reporting requirements. The sponsor and Philanthropy Roundtable supported the measure as a way to honor donor intent while protecting nonprofits, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1080, by Senator DeSigley, would require FDOT to adopt rules allowing direct payments to first-tier subcontractors in certain circumstances; transportation industry testimony supported it as a rare but needed statutory remedy, and it also passed favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1582, by Senator Yarbrough, which would require secondhand dealers, secondary metal recyclers, and pawnbrokers to submit transaction data to FDLE for statewide sharing through systems such as LInX. The sponsor said the bill was developed with law enforcement to improve theft and fraud investigations, while a recycler representative spoke against it. The amended bill was reported favorably. SB 1672, by Senator McLean, creating a home buyer workforce tax credit for employer contributions to help employees make a first-time Florida home purchase, drew support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and was also reported favorably. A large portion of the meeting focused on SB 1112, by Senator Garcia, which would amend the Florida Labor Pool Act by prohibiting placement fees when a temporary worker is hired permanently by a client employer and by requiring annual registration of labor pools with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and many speakers from Beyond the Bars, labor advocacy, and reentry communities argued the bill would improve worker protections, transparency, and pathways to stable employment, especially for formerly incarcerated workers. A few cards were filed against, but the bill received broad supportive testimony and was reported favorably. SB 1324 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording members who wished to be noted as voting in the affirmative on the day’s bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what the bill does is it just it adopts what is called the Idaho stop.
• Adopted.
• Any objection to adopting that amendment? Seeing none, that amendment is adopted.
• It leaves everything else intact.
• Is there objection to adopting that amendment?

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary