Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Senate District 18, which is Manchester Ward 5-9 and the town of Litchfield.
• Senate District 18, which is Manchester Ward 5-9 and the town of Litchfield.
• For example, in the city of Manchester, 100 voters of one ward could deem that we recount all the wards
• It's not specific to wards; it's specific to an election.
• </c> problematic it's not specific to Wards problematic it's not specific to Wards it's<02:00:39.280>

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What we’re proposing would prohibit drug manufacturers from limiting access, as you’ve just heard, to
• What we’re proposing would prohibit drug manufacturers from limiting access, as you’ve just heard, to
• We support the amendments that HHS has proposed as well. Mahalo. Mahalo. Thank you.
• </c><01:28:11.119><c> in</c> fully support it um what I propose in fully support it um what I propose
• We stand in full support of this proposed legislation.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees. The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Brittany Ward, an elementary school teacher and president...
• My name is Brittany Ward, an elementary school teacher and president of Twin Rivers United Educators,
• In light of the Governor’s proposal in the May Revision to provide funding through the LCFF, we also
• Also, another common-sense proposal that this bill is proposing is to allow small school districts to
• I mean, does that still count against the cap that was proposed, that is being proposed by both the Assembly

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several education-related bills, beginning with AB 65 on paid pregnancy leave for public school employees. The bill drew strong support from teachers, school employees, unions, and education groups, who argued it would provide up to 14 weeks of paid leave, reduce financial penalties tied to sick leave use, and help recruit and retain educators. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about funding, district eligibility, and implementation, but the bill was advanced on a do-pass recommendation to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, with one member not voting and the bill placed on call for absent members. Members then heard AB 673 on an unaccompanied youth support grant program for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, AB 1552 on reporting recommendations to strengthen civic engagement in higher education, AB 1572 on annual CIF review and qualification standards for sports officials, and AB 1586 on opioid overdose response training and naloxone access for school resource officers. AB 673 and AB 1552 received support from education, youth, and advocacy organizations; AB 673 also drew questions about overlap with existing homeless and foster-care-related programs, while supporters said the bill targets a vulnerable subpopulation that is often missed. AB 1552 and AB 1572 were broadly supported and advanced, and AB 1586 was backed by treatment providers, school nurses, and education groups as a practical student-safety measure; all were moved forward with do-pass recommendations and placed on call. The committee also considered AB 1721, which would create a work group to review and streamline school safety plans, and AB 2060, which would establish a mentor teacher grant program and stipend to strengthen the teacher pipeline. Both bills were supported by administrators, educators, and school-related organizations, and both advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 2440, aimed at clarifying Proposition 28 arts and music education funding rules and allowing small districts to pool resources, also received broad support and moved to Appropriations. AB 1784, which would extend pregnancy-related protections to undergraduate students and prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions, passed to the Senate Judiciary Committee after support from higher education and women’s advocacy groups. Finally, AB 2660, which would codify the CalBridge STEM pathway program and related efforts to diversify the STEM workforce, was supported by higher education and workforce advocates and advanced to Appropriations after questions about the related EnLACE program and its funding sources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward: yes. Senator Ricciardi: yes. Senator Fenton: no. Senator Murphy: yes.
• ><01:27:40.239><c> inis</c><01:27:40.920><c> yes</c><01:27:41.480><c> Senator</c><01:27:41.920><c> Ward
• </c> gray yes Senator inis yes Senator Ward gray yes Senator inis yes Senator Ward yes<01:27:42.960><
• Is there any discussion on the amendment, 2025-0374s, that has been proposed by Senator Lang?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How many sites are being proposed, and why do you need more than one site for a pilot program?
• being there and drove an hour to sit with me for the ensuing eight hours of my stay in the psychiatric ward
• My recent experiences in Massachusetts Department of Mental Health wards have only further strengthened
• death of a transgender woman, Jean Bush, I was forcibly and illegally transferred to an acute forensic ward
• What H. 2203 proposes is a regulated pilot program under the Massachusetts Department of Health so that

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy, who outlined procedures for the hybrid public hearing, noted the committee would hear testimony on 15 bills related to treatment settings, and recognized members present. The first major bill discussed was H. 4200, authorizing a pilot program for psychedelic-assisted treatment in licensed facilities. Representative Jim O’Day and witnesses from Control Z supported the bill, describing it as a tightly controlled, medically supervised pilot with DPH oversight, limited sites, and screening requirements. Committee members asked about the number of sites and whether Column Health still existed; witnesses said the bill contemplated three separate pilot programs and that Column Health no longer existed after being purchased by another company. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1405 to make the drug stewardship program permanent by removing its 2026 sunset date. Senator John Keenan and others said the program helps collect and safely dispose of unused medications, reduces diversion, and should remain in place because manufacturers should bear disposal costs. A member from Boston added support based on local concerns about people searching through bags for drugs, and Keenan explained the original sunset reflected pilot status and industry pushback. A large portion of the hearing focused on S. 1394 and H. 2193, which would strengthen implementation of the 2023 Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform. The Children’s Mental Health Campaign, Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, and Elliott Community Human Services testified that the roadmap’s helpline, community behavioral health centers, and crisis services are important but unevenly implemented. They urged a single point of accountability within EOHHS, regular strategic planning, a public data dashboard, and financial analysis of the behavioral health system and the access and crisis intervention trust fund. Witnesses said commercial insurance often does not fully reimburse community behavioral health center services, making sustainability difficult, and asked for better coordination across agencies and crisis response systems. Committee members asked whether the roadmap includes substance use disorder; witnesses said it is intended to cover behavioral health broadly, including mental health and substance use. The committee also heard testimony on bills to ban aversives and on suicide prevention signage. Lisa Jean Graff testified in support of S. 1394 by urging a statewide ban on aversive practices, including electric shock, withholding food or bathroom access, and other painful interventions, arguing disabled people deserve the same protections from harm as others. Fonda Bryant and Carol McLean supported a bill requiring suicide prevention signs on tall parking garages, describing personal experiences and saying the signs could create a brief pause and connect people to 988 or other help. McLean said her son died by suicide from a parking garage and that signage might have made a difference. The committee also heard strong testimony in support of creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within DMH facilities (S. 1398/H. 2204), with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and a DMH nurse arguing that highly assaultive patients need specialized, more secure units to protect staff and other patients and to improve care. Additional testimony supported creating a dedicated board for licensed mental health counselors (H. 4696/S. 1382), with Rep. John Badger, the Mass Mental Health Counselors Association, and others saying LMHCs are a large and growing workforce that needs its own licensing board, clearer standards, and faster implementation of existing licensure reforms. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H. 2223 regarding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Survivors and advocates described severe withdrawal, lack of informed consent, cognitive harms, and long-term disability, while a physician supported the bill as a way to improve disclosure of risks. Finally, the committee heard multiple witnesses in favor of H. 2231/S. 1383 to establish peer-run respite centers statewide. Advocates and people with lived experience said peer respites provide non-coercive, home-like alternatives to hospitalization, can reduce trauma and repeated admissions, and may be especially important for marginalized communities; they also cited cost savings and existing positive outcomes from current respite programs. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing portion reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes raising the local, non-federal share to match transit grants, soliciting all proposals
• And there would be opportunities to bring forward any bill drafts or proposals or recommendations at
• We're not proposing anything to the main committee. We're not giving a recommendation or anything.
• And in my case, then inside Ward County, there's three transit providers.
• And in my case, then inside Ward County, there's three transit providers.

Summary: The committee met as a study subcommittee on fixed-route public transportation and first approved the December 11 minutes. It then heard detailed presentations from transit leaders in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan, and Fargo about their systems, including route structures, paratransit service, ridership trends, fare changes, funding sources, fleet replacement needs, and operational challenges. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s 17 routes, university shuttle service, expanded paratransit coverage, a 2025 fare increase, and rising costs for labor, fuel, parts, and new buses. Bismarck/Mandan’s Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions approved for April 1, fare structure, ridership recovery since COVID, and major funding streams including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue. Fargo’s MATBUS representative emphasized the importance of continued state support for urban fixed-route transit. Members asked extensive questions about cost per ride, fare increases, school transportation, veteran service partnerships, app-based ticketing, local funding formulas, and whether ride-share or microtransit could replace fixed routes. Transit officials said fixed-route service remains essential because it provides reliable capacity, supports jobs and access to services, and preserves federal funding tied to public transit operations. They also said paratransit is costly but necessary for riders with disabilities, and that vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Minot’s transit superintendent added context on the state’s existing transit aid formula, explaining that it is weighted more toward rural and paratransit providers and that urban fixed-route systems are seeking a separate, dedicated funding source rather than changes to the current formula. The committee also heard public testimony from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy supporting both fixed-route and paratransit service for disabled riders, and from Minot staff on refurbished buses, CDL driver recruitment, and why the agency is not pursuing full electric buses. Near the end, members discussed whether to recommend additional state funding for the four urban fixed-route systems. A motion passed to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of the subcommittee’s activities for inclusion in the Government Finance Committee’s report to Legislative Management. Members then continued discussing possible recommendations, including a separate funding source for urban fixed-route transit and whether the four urban systems should meet to develop a proposed amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• report crimes if it could put their loved ones in the crosshairs of the mass deportation machine proposed
• Kathy Ward. Thank you. All right, that's fine.
• We show Kathy Ward registered as self and testifying. Excuse me, against the bill.
• Similar proposals to HB 5580 have increased collaboration between local law enforcement.
• member of the House of Representatives, and as someone deeply concerned about the way this bill proposes

Bills: HB1320 , HB2012 , HB2293 , HB2655 , HB3174 , HB4108 , HB4661 , HB4799 , HB5534 , HB5580

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward Johnson for working on this issue.
• Ward Johnson said, is that TCOLE can regularly review and update its guidelines and policies, implement
• If not, the chair recognizes Representative Ward Johnson to close on the bill. Thank you.
• My concern is that this bill seems to disregard their value by proposing limitations on how and where
• Well, there is another bill that's being proposed and filed by Representative McLaughlin and by Dean

Bills: HB1455 , HB1777 , HB2101 , HB2136 , HB2609 , HB3142 , HB3552 , HB3846 , HB4155 , HB4514 , HB4879 , HB4995 , HB5014 , HB5139 , HB5228 , HB5436 , HCR40

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several bills, generally leaving them pending after testimony. HB 4995 would create a training/certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would protect tactical medical staff and improve emergency care; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the OmniBase/failure-to-appear-or-pay license hold program; the author and supporters argued it unfairly compounds debt and traps drivers in noncompliance, while judges and municipal court representatives said it is an effective, voluntary tool that prompts court appearances and reduces warrants. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/THC substances, and HB 5436 would allow licensed auto recyclers to purchase certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shop activity; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would place a discrete sex-offender designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for registrants under Chapter 62. The author said the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and cited other states and research in support, while opponents argued it would function as a scarlet letter, increase harassment, and punish people who are already complying with the law. HB 4155 would create a Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study risk factors, coordinate agencies, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, TCFV, and a survivor testified in support, emphasizing the number of family violence homicides and the need for coordinated, data-driven prevention, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 4514 would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and confidentiality protections, to help businesses verify identities and combat fraud. Supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce losses from fake IDs and organized theft, while the author stressed privacy safeguards and limited, consent-based use. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward Engelking. For a motion? Motion is in order. Thank you. Mr.
• Okay, committee, we have a motion from Senator Ward Engelking, seconded by Senator Ruchti to send Senate

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee heard several bills and resolutions and took action on each. RS 23-983, a dietician licensure compact, was introduced by Senator Cook; he said the compact has already been enacted in 15 states and would not give the compact authority over Idaho law or licensing standards. After questions about sovereignty, the committee voted to send it to print. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1265, a code cleanup measure tied to the DOGE Task Force that removes outdated provisions related to the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund, and RS 33125, which would recognize a homeschool high school diploma as equivalent to a standard diploma or GED for professional and occupational licensing purposes. RS 33153, sponsored by Senator Nichols, would create Idaho consumer protection standards for paid assistance to veterans filing federal benefits claims, including disclosure, fee limits, and bans on deceptive practices; it was also sent to print. The committee approved minutes from February 3 and February 5, 2026. It then heard Senate Bill 1261, which would allow certain retired PERSI members appointed to fill elected local offices after a vacancy to keep their existing retirement benefits if they meet the bill’s conditions. Senator Lakey and Sheriff Getz said the measure is intended to treat appointed officials the same as elected ones in this context, and noted support from sheriffs, counties, cities, and no objection from PERSI. The bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1262, which would give insurance companies more flexibility in miscellaneous investments by replacing a confusing lesser-of standard with a clearer 10% of assets allowance. Senator Guthrie and United Heritage Life’s Jeff Niemeyer said the change would help insurers diversify, reduce risk, and potentially improve returns for policyholders; the Department of Insurance had no concerns. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward-Engelking. For a motion? Motion is in order. Thank you. Mr.
• Okay, committee, we have a motion from Senator Ward-Engelking, seconded by Senator Ruchti to send Senate

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Burton Shaw, Carlson, Cook, Janie Ward-Engelking, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser
• Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Van Orden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Wallis, Ward
• , Wicks, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Mr.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of guest introductions recognizing FFA students, district staff, public health leaders, and visiting students from local schools. Several members highlighted agriculture education, public health week, and civic education, and one member also announced the birth of a calf before introducing an honored agriculture teacher. The chamber then moved through the daily file, passing over second- and third-reading items and taking up Senate Concurrent Resolution 1, which establishes the joint rules for the 2025-26 legislative session; it was adopted on a 50-14 vote and sent immediately to the Senate. On the consent calendar, Assembly Bill 565, Assembly Bill 708, and Assembly Concurrent Resolution 42 were adopted unanimously, 71-0. ACR 42, relating to adult education, also received 65 co-authors. Additional guest introductions followed, including students from the San Fernando Valley and a Jewish day school, with remarks emphasizing leadership, agriculture, and community service. The Assembly then held an adjournment in memory for U.S. Army Sergeant Edvin F. Franco of Glendale, who died in a training accident in Lithuania. Members honored his military service, awards, and family. The house announced its next schedule and adjourned until Monday, April 7 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker appointments, Cole, Kerwin, Martinez Fisher, or Ward Johnson.
• Speaker appointments, Davis, Aisha of Dallas, Lalani, Schaffner, Vandiver, Ward Johnson.

Transcript Highlights:

• Which of those authors that are present, I don't see Assembly Member Ward or Carrillo here.
• We've been working with the author and sponsors on amendments, and we thought we had a proposal that
• And if the installation cannot be done, or if the installation is being proposed one way, and...
• As of 2024, thousands of proposed AB 2011 units were stuck in the approval pipeline.
• We'll now proceed to file item 2, AB 1684 by Ward. Chair voting aye. Vice Chair?

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills. AB 2002 would clarify and extend the REAP 1.0 regional housing planning grant program, with the author and regional planning groups arguing it provides needed technical assistance for housing elements and RHNA compliance; the California Building Industry Association opposed unless amended over concerns about local constraints. The committee discussed accepted amendments on regulations, suballocation to subregions, and spending deadlines, and then passed the bill on a do pass as amended motion to Senate Appropriations. AB 1684 would prohibit HOAs from restricting homeowners’ ability to install or replace cooling systems, with supporters citing heat safety and opponents focusing on building integrity, electrical capacity, permits, and common-area placement; the committee adopted amendments on licensed electrical contractors, disclosure, and permit requirements, and passed the bill to Senate Judiciary. AB 1710 would extend SB 330-style vesting protections to state and regional agencies so housing projects are not subject to later regulatory changes, with supporters emphasizing predictability and opponents warning it could conflict with later state, regional, and federal requirements, especially for water and environmental rules; the bill was passed as amended to Senate Local Government. The committee also heard AB 2263, which would authorize the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to provide employee housing on its land with a preference for VTA workers while keeping units open to the public and compliant with fair housing law. VTA said the bill would help employees facing long commutes and high housing costs, and the committee discussed financing through transit-oriented development partnerships and existing land holdings; the bill was passed as amended to Senate Appropriations. AB 2270 would require the state tax credit committee to account for rural realities when scoring farmworker housing projects for low-income housing tax credits; supporters said current amenity-based scoring disadvantages rural farmworker developments, and the bill was passed as amended to Senate Appropriations. Later, AB 2118 would refine AB 2011 by limiting local objective standards that can block mixed-use and affordable housing projects, with supporters saying cities still use loopholes to delay projects; the committee discussed possible state mandate reimbursement issues and passed the bill to Local Government. Finally, AB 2050 would require HOA reserve funding based on reserve studies, add notice and safeguards for reserve transfers, and phase in funding over six years; supporters argued it would prevent large special assessments and protect homeowners, while opponents said enforcement remains weak and the bill could still burden owners. The committee did not take a final recorded vote on AB 2050 in the portion provided, but members discussed the need for stronger enforcement and the balance between reserve funding and affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal is a proactive measure to safeguard financial liberty.
• Well then, why don't we pass the constitutional amendments and propose a resolution or something?
• I'm showing three witnesses: Mark Bell from the Association of Electric Companies, Mark Ward from the
• My name is Ward Teasdale. I'm with the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.
• . ...proposed.

Bills: HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• He explained that the bill proposes a new notice for constitutional amendment votes.
• The proposed header language was read: “The following words for the header shall include words similar
• </c> Rochester Ward 5. Rochester Ward 5.
• Uh, and I need two per machine and I have, um, say in the city of Manchester, I've got 12 wards.
• I may have two machines plus a backup in each one of the wards.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So next I'm going to call on Riley Ward, and then after Riley Ward, I see a couple of folks, senior citizens
• If you plan to testify, I'm going to ask you to come up after Riley Ward, okay?
• call on Riley Ward and then after<00:56:10.599><c> Riley</c><00:56:11.119><c> Ward</c><00:56:12.039>
• </c> and it their their their proposed and it their their their proposed abortion<02:49:59.640><c> when
• That bill is proposing a method which may have fewer technical concerns than what has been proposed in

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with procedural remarks, including notice of an overflow room and a brief apology from Representative Andress about returning to his seat after introducing HB 114. The committee then took up HB 476, a proposed 15-week abortion ban. Chairman Lynn explained that a request to withdraw the bill had been filed, but because the bill was already scheduled for hearing, the committee would proceed with testimony and the withdrawal would require later House action. The chair also reminded witnesses to keep remarks to three minutes and asked the audience to remain respectful. Most testimony focused on abortion access, maternal health, and the likely effects of a 15-week limit. Opponents, including Nancy Pariser, Dr. Cynthia Rasmussen, Dr. Young, Bonnie Bruno, and others, argued that abortion restrictions increase maternal mortality, worsen miscarriage care, create “OB deserts,” and can delay emergency treatment in cases such as sepsis or ectopic pregnancy. Several speakers cited experiences from Texas and Georgia and warned that HB 476 contained no exceptions for rape, incest, or maternal health. Supporters of the bill, including Paul Galasso and Lynn Hill, framed abortion as the loss of unborn life and argued that 15 weeks still allows most abortions while saving lives; they also said New Hampshire’s current law is already adequate and that the bill should be strengthened rather than abandoned. Other witnesses emphasized practical and economic concerns, saying unwanted pregnancies can worsen poverty, childcare burdens, housing insecurity, and women’s lifetime earnings. Some speakers urged lawmakers to focus instead on affordable housing, childcare, and family support. No committee vote or final action on HB 476 occurred during the hearing; the meeting consisted of opening remarks and public testimony only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward, recognized for a follow-up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• So, I understand that what has been proposed here is a very heavy lift.

Bills: SB1288 , SB1705 , SB1878 , SB2019 , SB2118

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: emergency management, federal funding, disaster relief, cost sharing, public assistance, bail reform, public funds, nonprofit organizations, political subdivisions, injunctive relief, criminal procedure, surety bond, judicial discretion, uniform bond schedule, liability insurance, judgments, insurance fund, Oklahoma, county sheriff, commissary

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, some have proposed involuntary commitment as a strategy writ large to deal with removing unhoused
• So I was in 14 days in the psych ward, and I realized it was mandatory 14 days or whatever.
• But when I was in that psych ward, I was just, I was disappointed. I was still alive. I was tired.
• But here I am today speaking in very strong support of the proposed amendments to Sections 12 and 22
• We've waited for days sometimes in an emergency ward.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-2026 session on bills dealing with involuntary commitment and access to addiction treatment, especially proposals to move Section 35 civil commitments away from jails and prisons and into facilities licensed or approved by DPH or DMH. Chairs Velis and Domb framed the hearing as a discussion of how to support people in crisis with compassion, while also warning against using involuntary commitment as a way to remove unhoused people from public view. The hearing also touched on related concerns about discharge practices, treatment capacity, and the need for a broader continuum of care. Testimony split largely along two themes. Addiction researcher Keith Humphreys argued that many people enter treatment under pressure, that involuntary treatment can be ethically justified in the face of overdose risk, but that it should not be mandated unless high-quality services exist first; he emphasized the need for inpatient care when someone is a grave danger, followed by case management and outpatient support. MAMH’s Kate Alicante supported the bill, saying Massachusetts is the only state that commits people with substance use conditions to jails or prisons and that carceral settings add trauma and stigma; she pointed to prior legislative steps, including the Section 35 commission and the planned closure of DOC’s MESAC facility, as evidence that the Commonwealth is moving toward health-based settings. A major portion of the hearing focused on Stony Brook, a sheriff-run stabilization and treatment center in Hampden County. Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald, several committee members, and multiple people in recovery described the facility as humane, well-run, and effective, with longer stays, medical monitoring, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and warm handoffs to aftercare. Several witnesses said Stony Brook saved their lives or helped family members recover, and they argued that the sheriff’s office model should be expanded rather than eliminated. Others, including family members and advocates, countered that even a well-run correctional setting remains stigmatizing and that people should not be treated in facilities run by sheriffs or corrections when they have committed no crime. No vote was taken. The hearing concluded with continued testimony, including Senator Friedman’s support for Section 35 as a civil commitment tool but not in a criminal justice setting, and her separate support for a bill to speed inpatient mental health treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ruchti, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Taves, Van Orden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward
• The floor, Senator Ward Engel King. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 989, all