Video & Transcript Research : 'equity'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 27th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And while I appreciate the need to go green, I also appreciate equity.
- And this year I had a bill to do a study to develop an equity plan for the Valley.
- And this year I had a bill to do a study to develop an equity plan.
- And this year I had a bill to do a study to develop an equity plan for the Valley.
- Senate Bill 1037 by Senator Weber Pierson and relates to equity in health care coverage.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through gubernatorial appointments and third-reading measures. Three appointments to the California Housing Finance Agency Board and the State Mining and Geology Board were confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body then considered a series of bills on criminal procedure, military authority, housing, refinery safety, land use, music festivals, homelessness planning, solar tax assessment, HOA assessments, privacy, utility accounts, refrigerant disposal, law enforcement training, natural gas planning, school transfers, and regional transportation planning.
Among the more debated measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense instructions passed 25-10 after opposition centered on judicial discretion and consistency. SB 1354, limiting out-of-state military or law enforcement activity without the Governor’s permission, passed 29-9 after supporters framed it as a sovereignty measure and opponents argued federal command authority controls. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed 29-9; supporters said it would curb predatory investor purchases after wildfire disasters, while opponents raised concerns about property rights and market effects. SB 966 on refinery worker participation in safety standards passed 30-9 amid a dispute over worker protections versus regulatory burden, and SB 1256, a local housing/subdivision bill, passed 32-0 despite concerns about fire-safety amendments.
The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning with a commitment to exempt smaller cities, SB 1007 on HOA assessment transparency and homeowner approval thresholds, SB 923 on privacy deletion rights, SB 1098 on utility balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery, SB 937 on flashbang and breaching-device restrictions, SB 1082 on inter-district transfer timelines, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. SB 1329 on solar farm property tax assessment drew extensive debate over county revenues, solar development certainty, and fairness to rural communities, but ultimately passed after the call was lifted. Several measures were supported by authors and committee chairs as balancing consumer, worker, or local government protections against concerns about costs, regulatory stability, and local control.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- What I'm talking about today is equity.
- c><01:04:10.559>
about <01:04:10.720>today <01:04:10.960>is <01:04:11.200>equity - What I'm talking about today is equity. What I'm talking about today is equity.
- <01:07:40.319>
we <01:07:40.559>have <01:07:40.720>some <01:07:41.200>equity - <01:07:42.319>
also quadrrenial and we have some equity also quadrrenial and we have some
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 29 members present. The chamber adopted routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be taken up throughout the day. The Committee on Banking and Insurance reported Senate Bill 269 favorably with a substitute, and the bill was placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. The Senate also welcomed several guest groups in the gallery, including homeschool families, Blount County leaders, and the Alabama Iron and Steel Council.
A series of resolutions were introduced and adopted immediately. Senator Stewart’s Joint Resolution 64 honored Joanne Blackman Bland, recognizing her role as a young freedom fighter on Bloody Sunday and later work in voting rights and economic development. The Senate also adopted Joint Resolution 65 congratulating Maplesville High School on its 2025 Class 1A state football championship and Joint Resolution 66 honoring the long-standing partnership between Quebec and Alabama.
The Senate then took up local legislation and several calendar bills. Senate Bill 319 for Shelby County, House Bill 460 and House Bill 459 for Henry County, and House Bill 467 regarding the city of Tuscumbia were all advanced and passed, with certification motions adopted where required. The Rules Committee reported Senate Resolution 67, setting the special order calendar, which the Senate adopted. The special order calendar included bills on corrections, services evaluation, retirement benefits, the Growing Alabama Act, health, vessels, homestead exemption, the National Guard, the state port, early childhood education, tourism investment, pardons and paroles, and health-related matters.
Under the special order calendar, the Senate passed House Bill 274 on Department of Corrections unmanned aircraft systems, Senate Bill 317 creating the Commission on the Evaluation of Services, House Bill 159 cleaning up retirement provisions for certain circuit clerks, Senate Bill 289 revising the Growing Alabama Act, and House Bill 182 requiring military education to count toward EMS licensure. The chamber also considered House Bill 254 on vessel inspections, with discussion focused on limiting law enforcement stops and boarding of vessels for safety or marine sanitation inspections absent another reason; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (9-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Cash investment of at least $10,000 in equity or near equity.
- <00:25:48.799>
least <00:25:49.279>$10,000 <00:25:50.159>in <00:25:50.320>equity - investment of at least $10,000 in equity investment of at least $10,000 in equity or<00:25:50.799
- >
near <00:25:51.120>equity. - or near equity. or near equity.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:13
Kentucky Small Business Update 00:01:50
Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit Program Update 00:14:16
State of the Tourism Industry 00:38:03, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August minutes, then moved to an update from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on small business conditions. Chamber representatives John Hughes and Amit Patel said Kentucky has benefited from pro-growth policies such as lower income taxes, regulatory modernization, and workforce development, but they emphasized ongoing challenges including workforce shortages, child care access, housing availability, rising insurance costs, and inflation. Patel, speaking as a hotel operator, said recruiting and retaining staff has become difficult and that his company is considering child care stipends and other benefits to help employees. Members asked about child care benefits, community involvement, and health care costs; Patel said the business is discussing additional support for employees and noted that health care costs have tripled over three years. The chamber said it will prioritize child care and housing policy in the upcoming session.
The committee then received an update from the Cabinet for Economic Development on the Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit program from David Brock of KY Innovation and Matt Wingate. Brock outlined the state’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including innovation hubs, SBIR/STTR matching funds, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, SSBCI, and STEP, and said these programs have helped create jobs, raise capital, and support exports. He explained that the angel tax credit is intended to encourage private investment in innovative Kentucky small businesses with high growth potential. The credit is generally 25% of investment in non-enhanced counties and 40% in enhanced counties, with annual and per-investor caps and eligibility rules for both businesses and investors. Brock reported that 317 businesses have been certified, 117 have received at least one investment, 445 investors have made 750 investments, $57.2 million has been invested, $19 million in credits has been awarded, and 373 new jobs have been reported since 2021.
Committee members asked about the relationship between the program’s industry verticals and university research, the difference between enhanced and non-enhanced counties, and where investments are occurring geographically. Cabinet staff said the verticals align with the original Innovation Act framework, and that enhanced counties are defined by statute, including distressed and disaster-impacted areas. They said most investments and credits have been in non-enhanced counties, though some examples were cited in Bath County and Auburn. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting beyond approval of the minutes.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus Taxes Bill - 05/20/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, it's a huge equity issue for me when our rural schools are cutting staff, losing per pupil students
- Um, and so I think it's really about an equity issue.
- think it's really about an equity issue. think it's really about an equity issue.
- I think it's an equity... school districts based on a formula school districts based on a formula uh<
- I think it's an equity issue that we need to solve, and I think the other aid cuts that we're making
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 461 reflects a better way forward: one rooted in dignity, equity, and compassion.
- I'd also like to read a couple more: the North County Equity and Justice Coalition and Saving Lives in
- Marcus McKinney, with the Center for Policing Equity, in strong support.
- Marcus McKinney, with the Center for Police and Equity, in strong opposition.
- So from what you're saying is that you believe that adding another person solves the problem of equity
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety measures, beginning with housekeeping items and the adoption of a four-bill consent calendar. Bills on the consent calendar included AB 476 on metal theft, AB 619 on California Conservation Corps training for formerly incarcerated people, AB 1192 on child abuse or neglect reporting, and AB 1239 on human trafficking data. Several bills were pulled by the authors before hearing, and the committee also announced that AB 379 would be heard with a file notice waiver and AB 63 would be for testimony only.
The most extensive discussion was on AB 366, which would require ignition interlock devices for anyone convicted of DUI. The author, Senator Archuleta, and a MADD representative gave emotional testimony about family members killed by drunk drivers and argued the bill would save lives. Support came from law enforcement, fire, medical, auto club, and safety groups. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates focused on loss of judicial discretion, costs for low-income drivers, and concerns about vendor oversight and effectiveness. The committee voted to pass AB 366 as amended to Appropriations.
The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway into firefighting careers for formerly incarcerated people who served on Cal Fire hand crews. The author and supporters said the bill would recognize service, improve reentry, and reduce recidivism; a fire labor group withdrew its opposition after amendments were discussed. The measure passed to Appropriations, though it remained on call pending one additional vote. AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for parents of truant K-8 students and replace them with supportive responses, drew broad support from education and justice advocates but no opposition testimony; it was also passed to Appropriations and left on call pending one more vote. ACR 60, recognizing the Downey Police Department’s special-needs communication program for interactions with people with disabilities or sensory challenges, was adopted unanimously.
The committee then heard AB 746 on creating an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve for incarcerated workers. Supporters said it would build job skills, dignity, and reentry success; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed to Appropriations and was left on call pending votes. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking drew strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials for creating a survivor services fund and targeting buyers, but also strong opposition from survivors and civil liberties groups who warned it would criminalize vulnerable people and revive harmful loitering enforcement. The committee discussion continued with members weighing survivor support, public safety tools, and concerns about the bill’s amendments and scope.
AK
Alaska 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Jun 12th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Alaska House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There is a direct state equity option.
- Corporation delivers the Legislature the best information possible when it comes time to decide on equity
- from this project or make the other tweaks, like the decisions on how much we wish to invest in our equity
- from this project or making the other tweaks like the decisions on how much we wish to invest in our equity
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Facing Minnesota's Affordability Crisis by Addressing Healthcare Costs and Home Construction Hurdles May 1st, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- always have to remember that the home is one of the greatest opportunities for an individual to build equity
- :17:32.760>
individual <00:17:33.480>to <00:17:33.600>build <00:17:33.880>equity - <00:17:34.880>
and <00:17:35.280>and an individual to build equity and and an individual - to build equity and and start<00:17:35.760>
to <00:17:35.880>build <00:17:36.200>wealth
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- It's all about internal equity and being able to defend the state against charges of violating equal
- 00:18:29.960>
all <00:18:30.200>about <00:18:30.880>internal <00:18:32.040>equity - It's all about internal equity and paid.
- It's all about internal equity and being<00:18:33.320>
able <00:18:33.600>to <00:18:33.800
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures relating to public employment, the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF), retirement benefits, and cafeteria plans. HB 2472 and HB 2276, both concerning EUTF staff and investment office staff salaries, drew support from the trust fund and labor groups, and no opposition was heard in person. HB 2272 and HB 2273, emergency appropriations for public employment cost items, were supported by the administration and labor representatives; members briefly clarified which bargaining units were covered.
A longer discussion centered on HB 1664, which would address a dispute mechanism for EUTF-related negotiations. HGEA said the current process lacks a dispute resolution path and that the bill would allow interest arbitration when the state and union disagree. The Department of Human Resources Development and the Budget and Finance director raised concerns about consistency across bargaining units and the role of an arbitrator unfamiliar with the complexities of the system. Senator Moriwaki questioned whether another dispute forum might be more appropriate, but no alternative resolution was settled.
The committee also heard HB 1655, which would make retirement benefits negotiable, and HB 1658, concerning collective bargaining repricing. ERS opposed HB 1655, saying it could create administrative and tax problems if retirement benefits were negotiated separately across many bargaining units, while UPW, HGEA, HSTA, and UPA supported it as a bargaining issue. On HB 1658, DHRD explained that repricing is an internal classification tool meant to preserve equal pay for equal work, not to address market pay, and said a single arbitrator or the Merit Appeals Board could handle disputes; HGEA preferred a neutral arbitrator and opposed the Merit Appeals Board as too employer-controlled. The final measure, HB 1661 on cafeteria plans, was supported by UPW and HGEA. DHRD said it planned to raise the maximum contribution through rulemaking but needed to manage plan solvency and timing because IRS limits change on a calendar-year basis while the state plan runs on a fiscal year. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted recommendations to pass HB 2472 and HB 2276 as amended/unamended after a brief correction to the vote language.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Interstate teacher mobility compact established 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And this for us is a bit of an equity piece.
- And this for us is a bit<00:09:56.720>
of <00:09:56.800>an <00:09:56.959>equity < - <00:09:57.600>
So <00:09:57.760>once <00:09:58.000>someone bit of an equity - So once someone bit of an equity piece.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3635, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, and House File 3638, which would make several changes to teacher licensing and related agency operations. Dr. Yolena Bailey walked through the compact, explaining that it would let teachers move more easily among member states while preserving Minnesota’s authority over licensing, data, discipline, and rulemaking. She emphasized that the compact must be adopted without changes to be effective and that it would still require eligible teachers to hold a qualifying license, pass a state background check, and meet any compensation-related documentation requirements.
Testifiers from school administrator groups and Western Governors University supported both bills. They said Minnesota’s teacher shortages, especially in special education, make it difficult to fill classrooms and often force districts to rely on substitutes or leave positions vacant. Supporters said the compact would speed licensing for qualified out-of-state teachers without lowering standards, and that the Tier 2 change in HF 3638 would help candidates enrolled in out-of-state teacher prep programs, including working adults and rural students, access Minnesota licensure pathways. WGU said the Tier 2 barrier affects its students and partnerships, including special education pipeline efforts and Teach For America collaborations.
For HF 3638, Bailey described operational changes that would move the voluntary pair professional credential to MDE, allow a data-sharing agreement with the Board of School Administrators, let the agency use forfeiture fees for IT needs, update mental health training language and rulemaking, expand Tier 2 eligibility to some out-of-state teacher prep students, and extend the timeline for an online licensing system project by two years. Members asked whether the compact would add requirements for Minnesota educators or reduce licensure quality; Bailey and Representative Hill said it would not add classroom requirements and would mainly reduce paperwork while maintaining standards. The bills were laid over for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 2/25/26
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- financial services team overseeing the over $200 million budget of the department, the diversity, equity
- financial services team overseeing the over $200 million budget of the department, the diversity, equity
- It repeals Minnesota Statutes 196.19 to 196.26, otherwise known as diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity
- , equity, inclusion, accessibility<00:26:34.480>
team, <00:26:34.880>government accessibility
Keywords:
veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Feb 25th, 2026
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- And what it does is it raises the equity in their house so they don't lose their house in bankruptcy.
- they can on does is it raises the what they can on their<00:19:51.679>
the <00:19:51.919>equity - their<00:19:52.720>
house <00:19:52.960>so <00:19:53.280>they their the equity - in their house so they their the equity in their house so they don't<00:19:53.840>
lose <00:19
Bills:
HB178, HB124, HB96, HB250, SB289, SB317, HB359, HB178, HB124, HB96, HB250, SB289, SB317, HB359
Keywords:
HB178, Ten Commandments, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama, school display, religious display, Bible, Judeo-Christian, Establishment Clause, church-state separation, religion in schools, founding documents, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Northwest Ordinance, social studies, civics, history curriculum
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I am actually begging you to vote no on this, as well as the Line Equity and Advancement Project and
- I am actually begging you to vote no on this, as well as the Line Equity and Advancement Project and
- We need to fund the research so we can uplift the truth and move closer to the equity that our communities
- There's a reason why we have this standard, because it's about fairness and equity for all.
Summary:
The committee heard several higher education bills. It first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 67 and SB 619. The main discussion centered on SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters said the bill fills a gap left by the Reparations Task Force and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process; opponents argued genealogy methods already exist, the bill would waste money and delay action, and some raised constitutional concerns. The committee took a vote on SB 437, but the roll was left open after the initial tally showed three ayes and three noes.
The committee then heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters said the bill would improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses and help California institutions compete more effectively by reducing the burden of seeking separate state approvals. Opponents, including University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not actually secure California’s entry into the agreement. The committee voted 3-1 to pass SB 790 as amended to the Business and Professions Committee, with the roll left open.
The committee also heard SB 391, which would authorize the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge fees for research partners seeking access to data. Supporters said the office is absorbing significant unfunded workload from data requests and that fees would help recover costs; opponents, including the California Teachers Association community college association, warned the fees could create barriers for faculty and smaller researchers. Members discussed possible exemptions and implementation details. The committee voted 5-1 to pass SB 391 as amended to the Appropriations Committee, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said it would help students cover housing, food, and transportation costs and reduce dropout risk; members asked about eligibility and implementation, and the author explained the bill would use McKinney-Vento homelessness designations and target students at risk of “summer melt” and college homelessness.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- These tools are our best defense against the rise of private equity takeovers of manufactured home communities
- best defense against the rise of are our best defense against the rise of private<00:24:16.080>
equity - <00:24:16.400>
takeovers <00:24:16.960>of <00:24:17.120>manufactured private equity - takeovers of manufactured private equity takeovers of manufactured home<00:24:17.919>
communities
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- .where there are MUD districts that allow renters to make decisions about our finances, about the equity
- Tamika Motley: That you know they're making decisions about our homes, about our finances, about the equity
- not looking to move the next year, so they are invested and so they're really concerned about the equity
- against these families with 2 or 3 kids that have been well vested in their job that have the cash or equity
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- strategic plan to protect California's coast and ocean, as well as our tribal engagement strategy, equity
- Large, that's thoughtfully dedicated to dealing with water security, equity, biodiversity, and benefits
- update you all on our Safe and Affordable Fund and our SAFER program, our Safe and Affordable Fund for Equity
- First, we'd like to express our gratitude for your attention to the important issue of drinking water equity
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- First of all, as a director of the Early Childhood Education Educator Excellence and Equity Project at
- 40.960>
educator <00:27:41.600>excellence <00:27:42.039>and <00:27:42.240>Equity - education educator excellence and Equity education educator excellence and Equity project<00:27:
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education met on January 31 and heard six bills. The chair opened by outlining committee practices, including giving at least 72 hours’ notice for hearings, releasing testimony by 5:00 p.m. the day before hearings, and deferring bills needing substantive HT1 changes so members would not vote “blind.” Members briefly thanked the chair for the transparency approach before moving to the agenda.
HB 223 would create a Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy special fund and workforce assessment fee to support a pharmacy center. Testimony from the Board of Pharmacy, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo College of Pharmacy, Mokai Drugs, and others generally supported the measure, emphasizing workforce data, rural access, student loan repayment, and retention. The committee later advanced HB 223 with amendments, including leaving fee amounts blank for further discussion and inserting a defective date, and the motion passed unanimously.
HB 940 would appropriate funds for the rat lungworm lab at UH Hilo; HB 546 would establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute at UH to advance AI; HB 549 would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program; HB 1172 would add the Department of Taxation to the Statewide Longitudinal Data System for wage-data sharing; and HB 1320 would require UH to collect and publicly report graduate outcome data and create a dashboard. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with some privacy concerns raised on HB 1172 and a request to protect taxpayer confidentiality. In decision-making, the committee passed all five bills with amendments, generally deleting or blanking appropriations and FTEs for Finance Committee review, adding defective dates for further discussion, and in HB 549 adding a statement that the program is a matter of statewide concern. The committee recessed briefly for decision-making and then adopted the chair’s recommendations on each bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Housing and Community Development
Transcript Highlights:
- an ADU or two or to split their lot can be a financial lifeline for folks that require additional equity
- an ADU or two or to split their lot can be a financial lifeline for folks that require additional equity
- We're asking for what we feel is equity for a community that has truly suffered.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- an ADU or two or to split their lot can be a financial lifeline for folks that require additional equity
- an ADU or two or to split their lot can be a financial lifeline for folks that require additional equity
- We're asking for what we feel is equity for a community that has truly suffered.
Summary:
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills. SB 996 by Senator Padilla would let manufactured homeowners opt to title their homes as real property, with supporters saying this would improve access to conventional mortgages, consumer protections, and lower-cost financing. SB 866 by Senator Blakespear would require cities and counties to include homelessness-related information in their annual housing element reports, with supporters saying the bill would improve transparency, regional coordination, and accountability around homelessness funding and services.
The committee also heard SB 1090 by Senator Perez, which would impose a temporary moratorium in Altadena on certain state housing density laws after the Eaton Fire. Supporters, including Supervisor Catherine Barger and many Altadena residents, argued the bill would protect fire survivors from speculative investors and give families time to rebuild and return home. Opponents argued the bill could limit tools that homeowners need to finance rebuilding and could reduce future housing production. After extensive testimony, the committee passed SB 1090 to the Assembly Local Government Committee on a 10-0 vote.
SB 1388 by Senator Durazo would create an Affordable Housing Risk Reduction Program to help affordable housing providers reduce insurance costs through technical assistance and risk-mitigation support. Supporters said rising insurance premiums are threatening the viability of affordable housing developments and existing units. The committee also reconsidered and then voted on SB 1092, which was taken up only for reconsideration and final vote; after a split vote, the bill ultimately passed the committee. Final recorded votes showed SB 866 and SB 996 passing unanimously, SB 1388 passing with one no vote and one not voting, and SB 1092 passing 7-5 after reconsideration.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Number two, it requires DESE to create a grant formula that prioritizes geographic and funding equity
- not the first time, as you know, nor will it be the last time that I rise around issues of regional equity
- leader, you are steadfast in your call for us to do better around education funding but also regional equity
Summary:
The Senate first handled a House petition from John H. Rawlers and others seeking eminent domain authority for a parcel in Norwood; Joint Rule 12 was suspended and the matter was referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The chamber then resumed debate on the literacy bill, with Senator Tarr offering a series of amendments focused on school district funding, teacher competency, reporting, waivers, and curriculum implementation. Most of Tarr’s amendments were rejected, but one requiring written, appealable denials of district waivers was adopted by roll call, and another amendment on reporting from the Early Literacy Fund, including provisions for English language learners and special education educators, was also adopted. A separate amendment extending the timeline for DESE to publish high-quality curricula was adopted, while several other amendments were withdrawn or defeated.
The Senate also considered and adopted an amendment from Senator Comerford addressing rural and regional equity in education funding. That amendment expanded eligible uses of the Early Literacy Fund to include screening assessments, required DESE to prioritize geographic and funding equity, mandated a public hearing in Western Massachusetts before final grant criteria were finalized, and directed technical assistance to rural districts. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, emphasizing chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, minimum-aid pressures, and the need for a broader review of the Chapter 70 formula and a Foundation Budget Review Commission. The amendment passed unanimously.
Later, the Senate took up an amendment from Senator Moore on children’s vision care, which would have created a registry for vision screening and expanded eye exam requirements, but it was withdrawn after supportive debate. The chamber then adopted the Ways and Means redraft, ordered the bill to third reading, and passed An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. Final passage was also achieved for a separate House land-taking bill allowing the town of Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, which passed by the required two-thirds vote and was enacted. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday and adjourned in memory of Donna Goldstein.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Dec 17th, 2025 at 09:20 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, so that leads to my other question: I'm gonna ask about equity now.
- And so thinking about equity, I do believe that the agency is working with this particular school model
- And then it sort of solves for that equity lens because our school improvement impacts districts across