Transcript Highlights:

• I was in a special education class most of the time. Also, I took classes.
• The English class and the education class were both really important.
• Imagine a class of eight- and nine-year-olds. They've just ...and social development.
• Imagine a class of eight- and nine-year-olds.
• The class comes in from recess, quickly settles down, and focuses on the math class.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a very full public hearing on the first Education Committee hearing of the session, with testimony taken on a large slate of bills, especially H. 650/S. 436 and related measures. The chairs explained the hearing rules, including two-minute testimony limits, live streaming, written testimony, and accommodations for interpreters and disabilities. The committee first heard extensive testimony on H. 460/S. 436 and later H. 650/S. 436, bills to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for all children, including immigrant students, English learners, and students with disabilities. Witnesses included parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and state officials, many of whom described fears caused by federal policy changes and argued that Massachusetts should codify protections for school enrollment, special education, interpreter services, and due process in discipline cases. The Attorney General’s office, Mass Advocates for Children, Lawyers for Civil Rights, MIRA, the Children’s Law Center, the Disability Law/advocacy community, and others all urged favorable action, while committee members asked questions about Plyler v. Doe, manifestation determinations, interpreter qualifications, and how the bill would mirror or preserve existing federal protections at the state level. The committee also heard testimony on H. 702/S. 460, establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program, which was supported as a way to expand STEM opportunities and help schools fund robotics programs. Representative Sweeney also testified on H. 713, a bill to support student participation in 4-H programming by allowing excused absences similar to those for athletics and other sanctioned activities; members noted bipartisan support and the bill’s long history. The hearing then moved to H. 543/S. 417, a recess bill requiring at least 30 minutes of free-play recess for K-8 students. Supporters included the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the League of Women Voters, educators, and parents, who emphasized recess as important for physical health, social-emotional development, attention, and academic performance, and noted that unequal local policies create disparities across districts. Several witnesses also tied recess to broader concerns about student well-being and screen time. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed testimony on the bills as it moved through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, students can come in and grab a snack on their way to class or in between classes.
• We are here to ensure that all their classes count towards their degree, focusing on taking classes that
• They might replace class X with class Y, which is fine and will count towards graduation, but it may
• My name is Sergeant First Class Kevin Stanger.
• I would say on average we have a 30 to 35% attrition rate from class to class.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would have a divergence here from the other classes of property, because maybe Mr.
• I don't think that the other classes have that hard floor in there.
• I don't think that the other classes have that hard floor in there.
• I don't think that the other classes have that hard floor in there.
• <00:44:21.200> is ...the most favorable class is, of course, in terms of the class rates,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is making drivers second-class citizens if you can't afford to pay tolls.
• It just simply allows the municipality to restrict the use of the managed toll lanes by the class of
• It could be gas-powered cars or any kind of vehicle class that falls out of political favor.
• Authorizes cities to ban certain classes of vehicles from using the toll roads.
• I don't see why certain classes of vehicles should be banned from.

Transcript Highlights:

• , in the original bill, choose funding was allowed to be used by homeschool students to attend the class
• However, a public school student sitting in the same class, their parents are taxpayers just like the
• In fairness, if one student sitting in a class has to pay the fee, then every student in the class should
• If you go to the class, you pay the fee, whatever it is.
• I think that we have to be very careful when we're putting a class of people in the same boat.

Bills: HB61, HB327, HB253, HB297

Keywords: home school, career and technical education, public schools, K-12 education, enrollment policy, parental leave, state employees, adoption, employee benefits, aircraft tax, aviation tax, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, lease tax, rental tax, commercial aircraft, air carrier, airline, aircraft parts, maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is a 10% tax credit for businesses that choose to locate or expand adjacent to Class 2 or Class
• 2 and Class 3 railroads across the nation.
• We had the privilege of working with nearly every Class 3 railroad in the state of Minnesota.
• two locate or expand adjacent to class two or<00:41:05.640> class<00:41:05.880> three<
• <01:29:58.040> so and um helped her pay for classes so and um helped her pay for classes so

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any particular class about...? Well, it's aimed at Babry. So, I'm not sure what class.
• The bill does not create a new class of people; instead, it lets city employees receive the full benefits
• Does not<00:09:25.839> create<00:09:26.080> a<00:09:26.240> new<00:09:26.399> class
• not create a new class of people. not create a new class of people.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A violation of section 466.254 will be a Class A misdemeanor.
• A violation of section 466.255 will be a Class B misdemeanor, and this is a new section that prohibits
• Class A misdemeanor.
• The second is section 466.255, which will be a Class B misdemeanor.
• And in a violation of 466.318, A1 will be a Class A misdemeanor.

Bills: HB11, HB12, HB21, HB26, HB30, HB33, HB37, HB45, HB210, HB303, HB630, HB879, HB1041, HB1188, HB1261, HB1318, HB1465, HB1535, HB1593, HB1778, HB2559, HB2596, HB2692, HB2703, HB2712, HB2742, HB2809, HB2890, HB3012, HB3526, HB5061, HB5092, HB5238, HCR92, SB203, SB317, SB393, SB397, SB644, SB731, SB801, SB867, SB913, SB1071, SB1073, SB1086, SB1087, SB1250, SB1310, SB1359, SB1444, SB1483, SB1705, SB1782, SB1861, SB1897, SB1944, SB2023, SB2043, SB2082, SB2133, SB2215, SB2309, SB2497, SB2532, SB2549, SB2566, SB2617, SB2639, SB2696, SB2717, SB2747, SB2751, SB2790, SB2797, SB2799, SB2841, SB2850, SB2857, SB2891, SB2919, SB2928, SB2994, SB3051, SJR34, SB529, SB541, SB693, SB963, SB1968, SB2308, SB2544, SB1173, SB1646, SB1734, SB1833, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, HB1393, HB2559, HB26, HB3012, HB1593, HB2607, HB3526, HB3810, HB388, HB879, HB12, HB2703, HB30, HB2712, HB2692, HB1633, HB1318, HB685, HB630, HB4753, HB2742, HB303, HB198, HB1535, HB762, HB148, HB1520, HB5061, HB2286, HB1606, HB1041, HB132, HB11, HB45, HB48, HB1261, HB1465, HB1778, HB2596, HB5238, HB33, HB1188, HB210, HB1022, HB1458, HB5560, HB1240, HB1950, HB2027, HB2768, HB2788, HB2791, HB3146, HB3698, HB3699, HB1893, HB3700, HB4850, HB4187, HB1397, HB4885, HB4804, HB3751, HB3611, HB2775, HB2061, HB2003, HB1729, HB1242, HB791, HB2029, HB647, HB2522, HB4738, HB3033, HB3594, HB3474, HB2563, HB2802, HCR90, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB128, SB2043, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB511, SB2309, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB2891, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB2994, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1861, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2799, SB2688, SB2522, SB2639, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2617, SB2928, SB2566, SB1897, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1782, SB1705, SB2696, SB1944, SB2215, SB1232, SB2850, SB2969, SB2497, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB781, HB34, HB128, HB130, HB581, HB668, HB677, HB766, HB2259, HB2960, HB2358, HB2894, HB4384, HB2663, HB748, HB793, HB1193, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3104, HB5180, HB4739, HB1584, HB4344, HB4238, HB4219, HB3806, HB3805, HB3804, HB3803, HB3229, HB3228, HB1922, HB1522, HB431, HB3597, HB1612, HB4224, HB754, HB1314, HB2254, HB2789, HB3560, HB4643, HB1237, HCR98, SB3070, SB835, SB524, SB2233, SB2683

Keywords: licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, disaster relief, tax rates

Transcript Highlights:

• and unnecessary processes to return students to class.
• So for all this delay, a note saying he can go back to class.
• They don't volunteer... ...student just goes back to class?
• They don't voluntarily come back to class.
• That makes them less engaged and wanting to go back to class.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee began with brief announcements and thanks to staff and members as this was described as the last regular House Education Committee meeting of the 57th Legislature. Chad Heinrich of the University of Phoenix invited members to an upcoming lunch-and-learn on artificial intelligence and education. The chair and ranking member both offered closing remarks recognizing staff, pages, and public testimony over the session. The committee then heard SB 1497, which requires school districts with at least 300 employees and a self-insurance program to seek quotes for health coverage and related services at least every four years, with some exceptions for certain self-insurance arrangements. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase competition, transparency, and better benefits for school employees. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. Members next considered SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to compile age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, including sexual conduct, and requires schools to make those resources available to students and parents. Supporters said it would provide vetted, voluntary resources without mandating curriculum; opponents argued it was too limited and should include more robust, trauma-informed, age-appropriate sex education and accessibility requirements. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1798, creating a FAFSA awareness program and school designation for schools that promote FAFSA completion, also passed after testimony from a college student and the Arizona Board of Regents in support; the vote was 8-2. The committee also heard SB 1143, which requires schools to submit federal civil rights data collection information to ADE and directs ADE to publish an annual school safety report. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure for parents and policymakers, while opponents said it was duplicative, could be misused, and should apply to private schools as well. It passed 7-3. Finally, SB 1684, as amended, creates a private right of action against public schools for serious physical injury caused by bullying after a prior report and a negligent failure to respond; an amendment narrowed the bill to on-campus or school-sponsored events and removed verbal reports from the definition of prior report. Trial lawyers and the ACLU opposed it, warning about litigation and zero-tolerance discipline, while supporters said it would hold schools accountable for serious bullying. The amended bill passed 6-3.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a reclassification of a class 5910 temp position to a class 10 classified position.
• So what the Senate did is just move those funds from class 59 to class 10 with no net change.
• > 10 class 5910 temp position to a class 10 class 5910 temp position to a class 10 classified<
• <01:43:52.080> 59 just move those funds from the class 59 just move those funds from the class
• to class 10 with no net change. to class 10 with no net change. We're<01:43:56.080> done.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee of Conference on HB 1 and HB 2 was called to order, and Legislative Budget Assistant Michael Kaine reviewed the working documents before the committee. He explained the compare report, the detailed change sheet, the HB 1 index, the HB 2 side-by-side, the surplus statement, and a revenue handout, noting that the committee would vote up or down on all detail-change items and that unresolved items on hold would be removed from the final bills. He also identified staff available to answer technical questions and noted that the committee would track the dollar impact of decisions as it proceeded. Members then turned to the revenue outlook, with discussion focused on the gap between the House and Senate budget positions. House members said their budget guidance was based on revenue estimates that were significantly below the governor’s proposal, and they discussed whether additional revenue could close part of the gap. Department of Revenue Administration Commissioner Lindsey Stepp presented updated revenue estimates based on May data, explaining the methodology and the ranges for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. She said business taxes were the largest source of uncertainty, with estimates reflecting current economic conditions, recent revenue performance, and a range of possible growth rates. Committee members questioned the assumptions behind the business-tax ranges, including why the low and high scenarios were set at 2% and 8% growth. Stepp said the range was based on historical performance and current economic factors such as inflation, tariffs, and business behavior, and she noted that June is a major estimate-payment month for business taxes. Members also discussed recent revenue trends, including the effect of tariffs and the possibility of federal tax policy changes affecting repatriated profits. The commissioner and House members also discussed other revenue sources, including rooms and meals and real estate transfer taxes, with the House side arguing that lower mortgage rates and home prices could increase real estate transfer revenue. No votes were taken in the portion provided, but the committee discussed possible upward adjustments to House revenue assumptions, including increases of roughly $70 million in total based on the updated outlook and additional insurance-related revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I plan to offer floor amendments to make a retailer subject to a Class B misdemeanor for violating
• Right now the bill... ...says that will result in a Class C misdemeanor.
• I have an amendment that will raise that to a Class A misdemeanor.
• The first is a Class A misdemeanor that prohibits vendors, lottery operators, and officers of the Commission
• and their families from Purchasing lottery tickets in violation of 466.255 is a Class B misdemeanor.

Bills: HB668, HB677, HB766, HB3133, SB3070

Keywords: HB 668, Texas, handgun license, license to carry, LTC, concealed carry, open carry, firearm permit, gun license renewal, public safety, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Government Code Section 411.185, renewal fee, handgun permit, Second Amendment, carry permit, firearms regulation, HB 677, Texas Election Code

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED BY STATUTE TO REQUIRE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO TAKE ANY SORT OF BOATER SAFETY CLASS
• THAT PREVENTS THE LIVERY OWNER FROM SAYING BEFORE YOU ARE ON MY BOAT I WANT TO TAKE A BOATER SAFETY CLASS
• BUSINESS, DO WE HAVE A STATUTE THAT SAYS THE BUSINESS IS NOT ALLOWED TO REQUIRE ANYBODY TO TAKE A CLASS
• EXPLAIN THE BILL. >> Senator Truenow: THANK YOU CHAIR AND MEMBERS 472 ENSURES THAT INMATES WHO TAKE CLASSES
• REQUIREMENTS RECEIVE CREDIT TOWARD A LICENSURE REQUIREMENT FOR THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THOSE CLASSES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I broke down one of our classes and I tried to show him, like, basically I broke down a directing class
• and I said, hey, there are 15 people in this class.
• Most of them have 10 minutes between classes.
• I broke down a directing class and I said, hey, there are 15 people in this class.
• Most of them have 10 minutes between classes.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In FY26, about 10% of students with disabilities were classified as Class D, meaning their IEP requires
• accredit schools based on their program plans, their budgeted and actual expenditures, enrollment, class
• That class made a genuine difference in my life.
• Our small class sizes, our IB prep, and our reading and math interventions.
• My daughter is introverted and would easily avoid speaking or working in a large class setting, fading

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With our faculty and our class size, we're able to meet with our students one-on-one.
• The other thing is our class cohesiveness.
• We have a small class, but I think that is also something that makes them powerful.
• So we haven't graduated our first class yet, but I can share our vision.
• In 2021, we enrolled 20 students per class cohort.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think that the class is kind of long.
• Um, I loved my class.
• That might explain why I enjoyed the class a little less than you did.
• Because, like Representative Chavez, I really enjoyed my class.
• Because the class that's offered to you should be the same class that's offered to me.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's based off of a cohort from 2013, an eighth grade class, that was data that was pulled from the
• She's in her second semester, and she has a. 100 in every single class, high school and college.
• In my current college courses, one of my favorite courses is my honors speech class.
• We have a collection of more than 100,000 documents, two world-class museums up in the Fort Worth area
• Our recommendations based on those things are to instead of having one poor class classroom have one

Bills: SB 10, SB 11

Keywords: human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you're giving us direction for those, uh, yeah, so the lines would be class 16, class 60, class
• I believe it was 3.5 in class 10 and another 3 million in class 50 because we also increased the pay
• 3.5 in um class 10 and another 3 million 3.5 in um class 10 and another 3 million in<01:11:56.560>
• also<01:11:58.239> increased in class 50 because we also increased in class 50 because
• And then Class 20 is our office expenses, and Class 70 is the stipend...

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1, focusing on the legislative branch budget, especially the Senate and House lines. Members discussed that the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 adjusted authorized amount was higher than 2024 actual spending, largely due to personnel, benefits, and travel, and one member proposed a $500,000 annual cut. Staff explained that any reduction would need to be allocated across specific line items such as personnel, benefits, and travel, and noted that the Senate budget is entirely General Funds. After discussion of how the adjusted authorized figures were calculated and why the branch no longer staffs some joint committees as it once did, the committee moved on without taking a vote on that section. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from the New Hampshire Retirement System. NHRS officials described their statutory administrative budget, which is funded through the retirement trust rather than the General Fund, and said the FY 2026-2027 increase is driven by IT modernization, cybersecurity, a new strategic plan, and additional staff positions. They also reviewed the system’s funding progress, clean audit opinions, investment performance, and changes to asset allocation, while noting that several recent pension-related laws required major database changes. Members questioned the large increase in salaries and benefits, the need for new employees versus contractors, the purpose of training costs, and the source of the Group Two benefit funding. NHRS said the governor’s budget includes General Funds for Group Two benefit changes, with $5 million in FY 2026 and $27.9 million in FY 2027, and that the figures reflect the governor’s recommendation and related HB 2 provisions. Committee members also asked about employer and employee contribution rates for Group Two police and fire members, which NHRS said were not included in the budget document but were about 31.2% for police and 30.35% for fire, with employee shares around 11.55% and 11.8%. The committee did not make a decision on the NHRS budget during this exchange and indicated it would review the details further before returning to it later. The committee then heard from the Community Development Finance Authority on the State Treasury Department budget line for the required state match to administer the federal Community Development Block Grant program. CDFA explained that its $280,000 annual request for FY 2026 and FY 2027, totaling $560,000, supports administration, technical assistance, contracting, and monitoring of roughly $19 million in annual federal CDBG funds. Members asked about the leverage of the state match, oversight of projects, staffing, and grant prioritization. CDFA said it has 18 employees, uses public hearings and a scoring system to prioritize awards, and conducts both desk and on-site monitoring, with annual audits to ensure compliance. No vote was taken on the CDFA item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but if I look at class 12, it's $11.50.
• But as we look at the classing here, if they have a class 11, 12, whatever, are they at these same prices
• here if they have a go down the classing here if they have a class<00:57:56.160> 11<00:57:56.640
• <01:05:16.160> 10 number like you know 315 class 10 number like you know 315 class 10 through
• Each toll location is listed, and each class of vehicle is specified.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session focused first on SP 492, a bill intended to give the New Hampshire Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services authority to lease or license property for housing and related uses. Major General David Mikolitis testified that the bill is aimed at addressing affordable housing for junior enlisted service members, especially those assigned to Pease Air National Guard Base who currently face long commutes because of the Seacoast housing shortage. He said the most likely uses would be converting limited barracks space in Pembroke or Stratford into apartment-style or extended-stay housing, and possibly allowing office/co-op space for federal civilians, though he emphasized the primary purpose is housing for junior ranks. He also said any development would likely be done by a private developer through an RFP, with costs borne by the developer rather than the department. Committee members asked about whether the bill could apply to commercial uses, how taxes would work, whether revenues would go into the general fund, and whether the concept could be expanded statewide. Mikolitis said the intent was housing only, not commercial development like a Starbucks, and that any developed property would be taxable locally rather than remain tax-exempt. He said revenues would go into a dedicated Veteran Services Property Fund and be used for facilities, not the general fund. He also explained that the department has about 20 armories statewide but sees only a few viable locations for this concept, mainly Pembroke, Stratford, and possibly one other site, because the goal is to serve personnel within roughly a 45-minute drive of Pease. He noted that a proposed seven-acre parcel near Pease had already been approved by the Pease Development Authority but still needed FAA approval, and he was not optimistic about using that land for housing because of contamination and redevelopment costs. Committee discussion ended with members indicating support for OTP, but the chair said the vote would have to wait until 11 o'clock and then closed the work session on SP 492. The committee then opened a work session on SP 627 and heard testimony from Jim Jelbert, owner of CJ Bus Lines and chair of the legislature’s transportation council, who spoke in support of the bill. Jelbert argued that the measure would allow New Hampshire to raise tolls and generate significant revenue for the 10-year highway plan without directly taxing citizens, and said the money could address congestion and safety problems, including work on I-93 in Manchester and other statewide projects. He estimated the bill could generate substantial revenue over time and said toll credits could help leverage federal matching funds. He also said improved roads would benefit businesses like his by reducing vehicle wear and improving efficiency. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SP 627 is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• All prior state legislation banning PFOS in products bans PFAS as a class.
• All prior state legislation banning PFOS in products bans PFAS as a class.
• as a class and not individually.
• I've been working on PFAS since 2018, the class approach, looking at them as a class and not individually—very
• And really needs to be looking at this as a class of pesticides.

Keywords: 987, senate, all