Transcript Highlights:

• It claims that employers should no longer be allowed to voluntarily recognize unions.
• Only for approved applicants, not for those whose claims are denied.
• The bill before you would adjust the definitions to correct this problem and provide consistency with
• So the rate is adjusted every year by the department.
• However, we also believe that the legislature should give DLR the flexibility to adjust the fines and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on employment rights legislation, especially the Protect Labor Act (H. 2086/S. 1327), which would create state-level labor protections if federal private-sector labor law is weakened or struck down, and would also add protections such as bans on captive audience meetings, virtual elections, stronger misclassification rules, and protections for health care workers and immigrant workers. Supporters from the AFL-CIO, nurses, SEIU, UAW, building trades, teachers, graduate workers, and policy groups argued that the bill is needed because of Trump administration actions, Project 2025, and threats to the NLRA and NLRB. They described the bill as a “trigger” law meant to preserve organizing and bargaining rights in Massachusetts if federal protections disappear or if the NLRB declines jurisdiction over certain workers. The committee also heard testimony on bills to restore a limited right to strike for certain public employees (H. 2078/S. 1311 or related filings). Supporters, including a representative, educators, and labor advocates, said the current ban on public employee strikes weakens good-faith bargaining and leaves workers without leverage to secure wages, staffing, and student supports. They argued that strikes are used as a last resort and that legalizing them under defined conditions would improve negotiations and better reflect the realities of recent teacher strikes in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Municipal Association opposed the strike bills, warning that public employee strikes are already prohibited by state law, that strikes disrupt students and communities, and that local governments face budget constraints under Proposition 2 1/2. The committee also took testimony on paid family and medical leave bills (S. 1351/H. 2110 and S. 1352), which would improve notice to workers, expand public reporting on claim denials and demographics, and fix a technical definition issue that has limited access for some covered contract workers. Witnesses from legal aid, policy organizations, and a small business owner said the changes would improve transparency, equity, and access to benefits without imposing major burdens on employers. Additional testimony supported a railroad sick leave bill and a private construction transparency bill, with Senator Keenan urging favorable action on both. No votes were taken during the hearing; members asked questions, and several witnesses and legislators requested favorable reports on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the employee were to file suit under today's law, it would be one FEHA accommodation claim.
• claim, plus a separate Unruh Act claim.
• That same claim, plus a FEHA sex discrimination claim, plus a separate Unruh Act claim.
• Damages under a FEHA sex discrimination claim are uncapped. Your time is up. Thank you.
• And any efforts to eliminate employer adjustments is detrimental to our system.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused largely on labor, education, workforce, and public employment issues. AB 65 would provide public school employees up to 14 weeks of leave with full benefits for pregnancy and pregnancy-related health issues; supporters said current rules force educators to exhaust sick leave and suffer long-term retirement penalties, while the bill’s author noted it mirrors budget trailer language. AB 1818 would change HEERA procedures for CSU bargaining by shifting certain renegotiation disputes to PERB; Teamsters and other labor groups supported it as a way to stop CSU from unilaterally refusing agreed raises, while CSU moved from opposed to neutral after amendments. AB 1940 would explicitly reference menopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause in workplace protections; supporters said it would clarify rights and improve awareness, while business opposition argued existing reasonable-accommodation law already covers these issues and warned of expanded liability. AB 1534 would add guardrails for new short-term Workforce Pell programs, including tuition caps, limits on income-share agreements, and transparency around partnerships with unaccredited entities; the author later said the bill would be amended to include private institutions. AB 1896 would bar people who participated in immigration enforcement from holding California public jobs during a specified period; supporters framed it as a public-trust measure, while police and public-safety groups opposed categorical exclusion and urged a more individualized vetting approach. AB 2300 would streamline distribution of WIOA workforce funds and reduce delays in local workforce board contracting, with supporters emphasizing faster service delivery and no reduction in accountability. AB 2223 would require CDCR to report standardized data on contracted medical and mental health staffing, vacancies, and costs, following an audit that found heavy reliance on contractors and poor transparency. AB 2483 would create a pathway and certification for formerly incarcerated firefighters to move into firefighting careers after release, with strong support from the author and witnesses who described the work as a real career path and reentry opportunity. AB 2142 would require temporary classified school employees working more than 75% of the school year to receive permanent-employee benefits and protections; school administrators and community college groups opposed it as too rigid for grant-funded and fluctuating positions. AB 2367 would require quarterly reporting from state-run health care facilities on vacancies, overtime, registry/contract staffing, and missed staffing minimums, building on state auditor recommendations; health care workers supported it as a transparency and accountability measure. Several measures were voted out of committee or placed on call. AB 1818, AB 1534, AB 2300, AB 2483, and AB 2223 all received do-pass votes to the Senate Appropriations Committee, though each was placed on call after roll call. AB 65 and AB 1940 also advanced on do-pass motions but were placed on call. AB 2142 received a do-pass vote with opposition and was placed on call. S.J.R. 15, a resolution urging Congress to protect California employers from higher federal unemployment taxes tied to the state’s UI debt, drew divided testimony: business groups supported it, while labor and some members argued California should solve the problem itself and keep the unemployment system solvent; the resolution was also placed on call. The transcript also included committee discussion about working with authors on amendments, especially for AB 1940 and AB 1534, and several members noted support or co-authorship while raising concerns about implementation details and fiscal impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• A plaintiff who has been harmed by a defendant's unintentional misconduct can bring a civil legal claim
• Generally speaking, Representative, the plaintiff has the burden of proof in a negligence claim.
• and resolved, a subsequent claim can be presumed to be abusive.
• and resolved, a subsequent claim can be presumed to be abusive.
• And police reports frequently just parrot drivers who claim their victims came out of nowhere.

Summary: The House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on HB 2095, which would create training requirements for law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges on negligent driving involving vulnerable users of public ways, and would establish a rebuttable presumption of negligence in certain civil claims when a vulnerable user is injured or killed in a protected area such as a sidewalk, crosswalk, bike lane, or similar designated space. Staff explained that the bill also allows recovery of actual damages, statutory damages, attorney’s fees and costs, and, in limited circumstances, punitive damages if the defendant has previously injured or killed three or more vulnerable road users. Members questioned the unusual nature of punitive damages, the burden-shifting presumption, the three-incident threshold, and whether the education component was tied to the bill’s purpose. The prime sponsor said the training is meant to improve reporting and understanding of existing vulnerable-road-user laws, and said the bill was intended to narrow liability to protected areas and could be amended further, including on the punitive-damages threshold. Supporters, including a widow whose husband was killed while bicycling, Washington Bikes, trial attorneys, a bicycle commuter advocate, and a physician, argued the bill would better protect pedestrians and cyclists, improve police reporting, and reduce the burden on injured people and families who currently must prove negligence after serious crashes. They said the presumption would encourage safer driving and align Washington with similar frameworks used elsewhere. Opponents, including defense lawyers, the Association of Washington Cities, the Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, the Washington Trucking Associations, and the Washington Liability Reform Coalition, said the bill would expand litigation, create uninsurable risks through fee shifting and punitive damages, and could draw cities, businesses, and taxpayers into lawsuits. Some opponents also urged narrowing the bill to individuals and clarifying the protected areas and training requirements. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing and encouraged follow-up and amendment requests before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board member must respect the rights and claims of the native Hawaiian people.
• The tax bracket adjustment schedule for 2027 and 2029 for Hawaii's working and middle-income households
• The tax bracket adjustment schedule for 2027 and 2029 for Hawaii's working and middle-income households
• million for 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030, and a limit on who can file for the tax credit based on adjusted
• President, I cannot claim that I have served my entire career with Ben because he actually started in

Bills: HB1800, HB1860, HB2250, HB472, HB649, HB1391, HB1481, HB1509, HB1511, HB1515, HB1518, HB1541, HB1548, HB1576, HB1618, HB1642, HB1643, HB1661, HB1667, HB1678, HB1682, HB1688, HB1692, HB1707, HB1710, HB1711, HB1713, HB1718, HB1721, HB1728, HB1737, HB1740, HB1741, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1804, HB1810, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1839, HB1853, HB1854, HB1864, HB1870, HB1881, HB1888, HB1890, HB1891, HB1894, HB1920, HB1959, HB1960, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2023, HB2050, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2104, HB2137, HB2152, HB2158, HB2171, HB2207, HB2218, HB2246, HB2270, HB2271, HB2272, HB2279, HB2282, HB2289, HB2293, HB2297, HB2300, HB2309, HB2310, HB2314, HB2319, HB2329, HB2338, HB2339, HB2344, HB2361, HB2385, HB2395, HB2417, HB2429, HB2443, HB2452, HB2474, HB2475, HB2498, HB2505, HB2547, HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• with the caseload... ...adjustments.
• So currently, CalFresh and CFAP overissuance claims are combined into a single claim with no practical
• “We just talked about clients not knowing the difference, right, so it’s a single claim.
• So we adjust as part of the Governor's January budget and the May revision.
• So what you see before you is our adjustment sort of referring... Budget and the May revision.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard an overview of the expected California budget and program impacts from H.R. 1, including changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility, redeterminations, work requirements, immigration-related coverage rules, retroactive coverage limits, and reductions in federal matching for certain services and provider financing mechanisms. DHCS and CDSS described implementation plans focused on automation, data matching, clearer communications, county training, and outreach, while noting that many federal details are still pending. The Legislative Analyst’s Office also reviewed how H.R. 1 could increase pressure on county indigent care systems, explaining the history of county responsibility under Section 17000, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, and warning that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents seeking care without corresponding funding flexibility. An independent policy expert urged consideration of a more standardized statewide approach to indigent care and raised questions about governance, benefits, and financing. Department witnesses estimated substantial coverage losses and fiscal effects: DHCS projected major Medi-Cal disenrollment tied to work requirements, six-month renewals, narrowed immigrant eligibility, and reduced retroactive coverage, while CDSS estimated large CalFresh benefit losses and a significant increase in administrative workload and payment accuracy pressure. Members questioned how exemptions would work for older adults, people experiencing homelessness, undocumented residents, and cash workers, and asked about the effect on the CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot and on county administrative funding. Officials said they would use available data and self-attestation where possible, but acknowledged that many cases would require manual screening and that the county workload estimates remain in dispute. They also said the state is still evaluating the impact of H.R. 1 on provider taxes and state-directed payments, which could create additional budget pressure. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described major local consequences if H.R. 1 is implemented as written. They warned of higher uninsured rates, more strain on emergency rooms and public hospitals, increased homelessness and food insecurity, and a likely need to rebuild or expand county indigent care programs that were largely scaled back after the ACA. Counties said they are already freezing hiring, cutting positions, reducing overtime, deferring spending, and launching outreach and coordination efforts with managed care plans and community partners, but argued that these steps are not enough without additional state support. Several counties backed the California County Welfare Directors Association’s request for $373 million in General Fund support for eligibility work and asked for a CalFresh match waiver to soften the new county share of administrative costs; Los Angeles and Santa Clara also emphasized that their local revenue measures would not close the projected gaps. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather than adjusting benefits across an entire class, in addition to affected members will continue
• ><c> across</c><00:03:16.480><c> an</c> Rather than adjusting benefits across an Rather than adjusting
• </c><00:36:38.640><c> for</c><00:36:39.280><c> comp</c> workers compensation claims for comp workers
• without reasonable cause or deny claims without reasonable cause or during<00:36:46.720><c> a</c><00
• I'm a doctor of physical therapy with 14 years of experience treating and managing work comp claims.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Labor and Technology and Public Safety and Military Affairs considered three bills. SB 2141 would reclassify certain Department of Law Enforcement leadership and employees as Class A members for retirement purposes and adjust retirement benefit calculations. DLE supported the bill, saying it would address retirement classification without enhancing benefits, while the Employees’ Retirement System said it had no formal board position but wanted key provisions preserved. The Deputy Attorney General raised a potential title/subject issue and warned the bill could be vulnerable to challenge because the reclassification, contribution changes, and benefit calculations are in separate statutory sections. After questions about the number of affected employees and possible amendments, the committees deferred the bill. SB 2593 would exempt certain Law Enforcement Standards Board positions from civil service and collective bargaining. The board’s administrator said the positions would handle sensitive and confidential information and require specialized experience, and the board chair’s representative said the bill was important to meet certification deadlines. Opposition testimony from HGA argued exempt employees are at-will and suggested civil service protections should remain, with any staffing issues handled through reclassification or other personnel tools. Committee members questioned whether the positions could instead be civil service but excluded from bargaining, and staff explained the distinction between civil service exemption and collective bargaining exclusion. The committees ultimately recommended passing SB 2593 with amendments, including a deferred effective date of January 1, 2077, and the recommendation was adopted. SB 2824 would create a bribery-related reporting duty for public servants. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said it would establish a clear duty to report known or suspected bribery and strengthen public trust. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, saying it would criminalize an affirmative duty to report another person’s misconduct. After limited discussion, both committees voted to pass SB 2824 with amendments, including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gross adjusted collections for this fiscal year to date is $7.76 billion.
• So as we look into the next page, you're going to see here, we have a new adjustment from the FNA updated
• The subcommittee also authorized BLR to move forward with a contract with claims administration agreement
• and the state captive insurance program, OPR contracts with Deningenberg-Tuffley, PLLC, Sedgwick's claims
• and the state captive insurance program, OPR contracts with Deningenberg-Tuffley, PLLC, Sedgwick's claims

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call, prayer, and approval of the previous minutes. Members then adopted a resolution honoring Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service, with remarks praising her legislative work, constituent services, leadership, and emergency response roles. McDonald thanked the committee, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, flag, and commemorative coin. The committee received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and a projected surplus of $585.8 million. The executive subcommittee report was adopted, covering emergency rules for DHS and the Department of Education, school district waiver requests, committee fund allocations, cancellation of the July ALC meeting, and authorization for subcommittees to meet in July on urgent matters. The administrative rules report was also adopted after members noted that most rules were approved, with a few pulled by agencies or held. Members then heard a lengthy exchange on the Arkansas Education Department’s ClassWallet contract and delays in expense review for education savings account payments. Department officials said they were meeting regularly with ClassWallet, enforcing contract standards, keeping some reviews in-house, and adding staff and technology improvements to speed processing while maintaining oversight. The committee also adopted reports from Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel, including a Department of Commerce reallocation tied to a broader shared-services realignment. Under review of communications, members filed several retirement system investment items as reviewed, approved rural community grant funding, gave favorable advice for state park additions, approved special maintenance funding for state parks, and filed Office of State Technology service-rate changes as reviewed. The meeting concluded with no new business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• More adjustments will come in future and that's a good thing.
• </c><00:03:47.920><c> More</c><00:03:48.319><c> adjustments</c> fairness in their work.
• More adjustments fairness in their work.
• More adjustments will<00:03:49.200><c> come</c><00:03:49.840><c> in</c><00:03:50.159><c> future</c><00
• Many drivers are suddenly suspended or permanently deactivated based on unverified claims, often from

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Trump officials try to defend this recklessness by claiming they're making things more efficient and
• Because they already had eight years of tax cuts that ran up the debt, Congressional Republicans claim
• Claiming that somehow losing 4.6 trillion dollars in tax revenues is free is just plain nuts.
• And then some of it may find its way into prices in a one-time adjustment.
• And they've been making tons of adjustments as this goes, because this is such a flawed policy.

Keywords: nomination, Deputy Secretary of Treasury, economic policy, inflation, tariffs, tribal nations, government relations

Summary: The meeting convened to consider the nomination of Mike Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During the session, multiple members voiced concerns regarding current economic policies under the Trump administration, particularly around inflation, tariffs, and the impact on small businesses. Discussions frequently centered on the administration's approach to tariffs and taxation, and how these factors contribute to the rising cost of living and potential job losses. Additionally, the importance of bolstering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations was emphasized, highlighting the need for specialized offices focused on tribal affairs within the Treasury Department.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2672, small school adjustment. HB 2681, employee mayor community. HB 2688, budget.
• HB 2826, claims against HOAAs. HB 2835, labor organizations.
• HB 2883, small school adjustment. HB 2885, cultural impact.
• HB 2407, insurance claims claim; Health and Human Services.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• subcommittee on County Regional Government, HB 3311 by Swanson relating to the priority payment of claims
• 3321 by Oliver and relates to certain healthcare institution systems, transaction fees and payment claims
• Furth Committee on Public Education, HB 3342 by Gord Johnson relating to the adjustment of the average
• basic allotment and guaranteed yield under the public school foundation program, including the adjustment
• district, the appraisal district or the appraisal review board of the appraisal district to be certain claims

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I just claims this year if it's a large claim and the bid is unreasonable, the adjuster will
• You know, I just claims this year if it's a large claim and the bid is unreasonable, the adjuster will
• You know, I just claims this year if it's a large claim and the bid is unreasonable, the adjuster will
• You know, I just claims this year if it's a large claim and the bid is unreasonable, the adjuster will
• You know, if it's a large claim and the bid is unreasonable, the adjuster will require a second bid.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Were you talking about the Department of Examiners or the Board of Adjustment?
• I meant the Board of Adjustment. So, there were two references. You know, this bill takes the ...
• They would go to the Board of Adjustment. We added the new language, as you see ...
• They won't be going to the Board of Adjustment, if that makes sense.
• The board is very tough, so I may have misspoke if I didn't say the Board of Adjustment.

Bills: SB1, HB176, HB86, SB1, HB176, HB86

Keywords: workers' compensation, public education, employee injury, insurance trust fund, on-the-job injury, administrative procedures, HB176, Alabama sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax exemption, optical aids, eyeglasses, contact lenses, prescription glasses, vision care, optometrist, ophthalmologist, optician, medical devices, local option tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Annual conformity is to the definition of federal adjusted gross income for personal income purposes,
• So pretty much a neutral situation, other than the adjustments related to the One Big Beautiful Bill.
• There's a few adjustments on the business side.
• The user fees are relatively flat and typically need periodic adjustments.
• There are some states out there that adjust the motor fuel tax each year based on CPI or some sort of

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the January 15 morning meeting. The main agenda item was the Department of Revenue’s budget and revenue presentation from Secretary Eric Nelson, Deputy Secretary Peter Shirley, and Deputy Secretary Mark Mucco. Nelson said the state remains double-A rated with a positive outlook, the budget includes a 5% personal income tax reduction, and the 2027 general revenue estimate is $5.493 billion, up $170 million from the prior year. Shirley gave an economic overview, saying West Virginia is forecast to see continued but slowing employment growth, continued wage growth, gains in private education/health services and business services, declines in some sectors, improving labor force participation relative to the nation, and strong recent net in-migration. He also noted continued growth in natural gas production and a modest rebound in coal production, though coal faces longer-term demand pressure. Mucco reviewed revenue trends and said 2025 collections were about $5.5 billion, below the prior year but above estimate, with personal income tax and sales tax driving the surplus. He explained that the forecast incorporates the 5% PIT cut and annual conformity to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including changes such as Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, business interest deductions, and a new manufacturing facility expensing provision. He also discussed the effects of tax credits, severance tax volatility, declining tobacco revenues, and health care provider tax changes tied to federal Medicaid rules. He said road fund revenues are largely flat absent policy changes, and county commission revenues are growing faster than state revenues. Members asked about when new economic development projects like NewCore would appear in the projections, how much 20,000 new jobs would matter, whether the department had a calculator for job-growth impacts, the status of recent tax cuts, road fund growth, tobacco/vape taxation, and whether migration data could be broken down by county. The witnesses said major projects are not yet in the S&P-based forecast but would likely add jobs, wages, and tax revenue over time; they estimated 20,000 jobs would be a significant increase. They also said the state is unlikely to hit the current personal income tax trigger in the near term. No substantive votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> was going to need to be an adjustment was going to need to be an adjustment there<00:46:59.880><
• What does a clean claim mean?
• the claim, and to me that's what a clean claim is.
• The number that I give here is not only the cost of the claim, but a 100% increase on that claim, and
• The number that I give here is not only the cost of the claim, but a 100% increase on that claim, and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, that will in this case pertain specifically to claims determinations, procedures, both claims
• </c> um, procedures, both claims um, procedures, both claims determinations<03:30:20.880><c> and</c><
• </c><03:31:29.439><c> You'll</c> adjusters, and public adjusters.
• You'll adjusters, and public adjusters.
• &gt;&gt; um regulator regulation adjustment. &gt;&gt; um regulator regulation adjustment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They note for tax year 2023 there were 256 claims for a total deduction of $13.3 million. 256 claims
• So, committee, everybody's clear on the adjusted numbers based on current information from PERS?
• Slight adjustment, maybe. Mr.
• All that's being offered is basically the ability for the state to adjust costs by shifting cost from
• I don't think we've made any adjustments for probably well over a decade, or for a long time, put it

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to consider four policy bills and discussed a possible later return to handle DOCR amendments and budget work. They first took up HB 1327, funding for the Agricultural Diversification and Development Fund, and adopted an amendment striking language that would have capped up to $10 million for agricultural infrastructure grants to political subdivisions. The bill was then passed as amended on a 22-0 vote, with Rep. Belts assigned as carrier. Next, the committee considered SB 2256, the Research Technology Park grant. Rep. Stemen offered an amendment reducing the appropriation amounts from the original figures to $10 million and $5 million levels, citing available funding; the amendment passed 19-3. The bill then passed as amended 22-0, and Rep. Stemen agreed to carry it. The committee then debated SB 2093, which combined a retired peace officers/surviving spouses benefit with an added income tax reduction. Rep. Munson moved to remove the income tax portion, and the committee agreed 17-4. The remaining peace officer benefit portion was then passed as amended 21-0, with Rep. Kempenich carrying it. Finally, the committee considered HB 2160, changing the state health plan from grandfathered to non-grandfathered status. Members discussed cost shifting, employee retention, out-of-pocket exposure, and the updated fiscal note; the committee adopted an amendment updating the appropriation figures to match the current PERS/Deloitte analysis, then passed the bill as amended 15-7-1, with Rep. Worry originally the carrier.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's really an issue of whether a claim is an independent claim or a derivative... ...really an issue
• of whether a claim is an independent claim or a derivative claim.
• due to that injury, the family had no claim under the wrongful death statute.
• precluded from filing a wrongful death claim as the statute is currently written.
• Once seeing her, he retracted the filing and claimed it was a, quote, mistake.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on several Judiciary bills, with the largest portion focused on S. 1178/H. 2052 to reduce mass incarceration and end life without parole. People incarcerated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, and NCCI Gardner described personal growth, rehabilitation, restorative justice work, family separation, and the belief that parole eligibility after long sentences would better reflect public safety and human development. Speakers emphasized that life without parole removes hope and can undermine rehabilitation, while supporters argued that many lifers are older, less likely to reoffend, and could contribute positively if given a chance at parole review. Committee members did not take votes during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1139 to restore the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving tobacco use, with Sen. Keenan explaining that a recent SJC decision had cut off claims where the injured person did not sue within three years before death. He said the bill would restore families’ ability to seek redress in cases involving long-latency tobacco harms like COPD. Another major topic was S. 1205, which would add abusive litigation to the definition of coercive control in domestic violence law; Sen. Michael Moore said the bill would stop abusers from using repeated court filings to harass and financially burden survivors. The committee also took up S. 1114 on automatic record sealing, with Sen. Friedman and others arguing that the current petition-based process is slow, burdensome, and disproportionately harms people with criminal records, especially Black and Latino residents. Testimony also supported H. 1965/S. 1132 on compensation for wrongful conviction, with advocates and sponsors describing a faster administrative claims process, transitional support, and higher compensation without the current cap. Sen. Payano testified for S. 1241 to expand educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults, saying education reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on S. 2522, an update to Massachusetts’ shield law for reproductive and gender-affirming care. Sen. Friedman, the Attorney General’s office, and DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said the bill is needed to strengthen protections against out-of-state legal attacks, protect patient and provider data, clarify enforcement authority, and add a state-level EMTALA-style emergency care requirement. Committee members asked detailed questions about prescription labeling, the prescription monitoring program, attorney discipline, custody and full faith and credit issues, and whether the bill’s enforcement language could create unintended limits or conflicts. The Attorney General’s office said it would provide follow-up written testimony on several technical questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The claims bill deals kind of with three different categories. One, exoneration claims.
• Second is personal injury claims. Third is, uh, property claims.
• The claims bill deals with three different categories. One, exoneration claims.
• Second is personal injury claims. Third is property claims.
• There are two other exoneration claims this year and one personal injury claim.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Not that there was a lot of claims.
• We have members who, even with no claims, have been dropped from insurance.
• We have a member who has 167% increase in their premium from 2019, no claims.
• And the claims that we have are like very minor $10,000, $20,000 claims.
• And the claims that we have are like very minor $10,000, $20,000 claims.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3015, all aimed at requiring age verification for commercial pornographic websites operating in Missouri. The bill sponsors and supporters argued that online pornography harms children, contributes to addiction, exploitation, sextortion, trafficking, and unhealthy attitudes toward sex and relationships, and that Missouri should align with other states and recent court precedent. Committee members asked about privacy protections, enforcement, whether websites or third-party vendors would handle verification, how companies would be found in violation, and the penalties; the Attorney General’s office said the system is designed to verify only that a user is 18 or older, not to identify the site visited, and that violations would be pursued through court action. Support testimony came from child welfare and abuse-prevention advocates, medical professionals, and faith and family organizations; no one testified in opposition. The committee then moved to House Bill 2610, which would place liability coverage for foster care, case management, and residential service providers under the state legal expense fund instead of private insurance. The sponsor and supporters said insurance has become scarce and unaffordable, threatening nonprofit providers and the services they deliver to foster children and families; the Attorney General’s office explained how legal expense fund coverage would work and noted it has no cap in this proposal. No opposition was offered. Representative Terry then briefly presented House Bill 2044, a grandparents custody bill mirroring another member’s proposal, and the committee later took up executive session. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1696, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2505 and 2044, and House Bill 1772 do pass, each by 14-0 roll call votes.