Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Bixby asked whether the other funds include dedicated funds.
• c><02:45:37.520> dollars of the dedicated funds and what dollars of the dedicated funds and what
• <02:45:47.720> funds<02:45:48.720> that dedicated funds that dedicated funds that um<02
• assuming that is one of those dedicated assuming that is one of those dedicated funds<02:47:10.680
• And so we have staff that are dedicated to providing that training on an ongoing basis.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work. The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain. The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it just reflects your dedication, but it also reflects the same attitude I've talked about—your
• We are dedicated to transforming health care through innovation and collaboration in our communities.
• We need dedicated faculty; that's a key element.
• We have a dedicated FDA team. We currently have 380 investigational new drugs.
• Thank you for your dedication to Texas higher education and thank you for your endurance.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These men and women dedicate years of their lives preparing for these roles, taking civil service exams
• Thank you so much for your dedication. Thanks for being here in such a horrible.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 18th hearing of the 194th General Court, with the chair noting the meeting was livestreamed and that testimony would be limited to three minutes. Members also reminded the public that written testimony could be submitted by email or mailed to the committee by February 3, 2026. Committee members present included the chair, Vice Chair Natalie Higgins, Ranking Member Dave DeCoste, Senator John Keenan, Senator Mark Montigny online, and Senator Brady joining later. The main bill discussed was legislation titled An Act Establishing Creditable Service for Eligible Police Officers and Firefighters, supported by Michael Armano, a Lawrence Fire captain. He argued that candidates who were delayed or bypassed in hiring due to administrative error or improper influence should be allowed to buy back lost retirement time if later vindicated, saying the bill would restore fairness without affecting the rights or seniority of current employees. Senator Joan Lovely also testified in support of House 4909, An Act Relative to the Reserve Time of Public Safety Personnel in the City of Salem. She explained that the bill would require the Salem Retirement Board to grant creditable service without member payment for certain prior reserve, permanent, intermittent, or call service for Salem police and fire personnel who joined the retirement system on or before February 11, 2020. She said the measure has support from the Salem Retirement Board, the mayor, and the city council. No committee questions were raised, no votes were taken on the bills during the hearing, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• of impact programs for the Protect Democracy project, a non-partisan, cross-ideological 501(c)(3) dedicated
• 00.640> 501c3 non-partisan, cross-ideological 501c3 non-partisan, cross-ideological 501c3 dedicated
• American dedicated to preventing American democracy<00:05:04.040> from<00:05:04.200> declining
• c><00:18:10.160> that's non-partisan organization that's non-partisan organization that's dedicated
• to advancing democracy through dedicated to advancing democracy through law,<00:18:13.600> and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , one of the areas we want to focus on is how do we treat mental health with the importance and dedication
• expand that model to other regions of the state so people in behavioral health crisis can go to a dedicated
• expand that model to other regions of the state so people in behavioral health crisis can go to a dedicated
• expand that model to other regions of the state so people in behavioral health crisis can go to a dedicated
• Melissa Gilpin is a sexual assault nurse examiner, like she said, and she's dedicated her life to this

Keywords: 00:00:20 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:00 - Update on Rural Health Transformation Program 00:29:20 - Discussion of 26RS HB 134 00:36:35 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 134 00:37:41 - Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 01:09:44 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee met to receive an update from Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Steven Stack on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Grant. He explained that all 50 states applied and were awarded funding, and Kentucky received about $212.9 million over five years, with the first year treated as a nine-month period. He emphasized that the award is a cooperative agreement with CMS, is not Medicaid funding, cannot be used to supplant existing funds, and is limited to the five areas approved in Kentucky’s application. He also said the state must submit a revised budget before major spending begins, and that CMS could claw back money if performance metrics are not met. Secretary Stack outlined the five focus areas: maternal health, mental health, oral health, emergency medical services, and chronic disease prevention/management, especially obesity and diabetes. He described possible approaches such as expanding behavioral health crisis stabilization models like EMPath, using teledentistry and mobile services, strengthening EMS staffing and treat-in-place options, and building healthier nutrition and activity supports. He said the application was developed quickly with broad stakeholder input and that the state plans to work with universities, nonprofits, and other partners through procurement and other formal processes. He also noted the program will be overseen by the public health department, with Commissioner John Langfeld leading the effort. Committee members asked about the grant timeline, the split between formula and competitive funding, the role of certificate of need, and whether new laws or regulations would be needed. Stack said the state believes it can implement the approved projects under current law, though some broader policy issues such as certificate of need were not included because they would be risky to change within the grant timeline. Members also asked how stakeholders can submit ideas; Stack pointed them to the public website and contact email, saying additional partner information will be posted soon. The committee did not take any formal vote or action during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their dedication to serving our country is inspirational.
• Their dedication<00:19:58.080> to<00:19:58.400> serving<00:19:58.720> our<00:19:
• 58.960> country<00:19:59.280> is dedication to serving our country is dedication to serving
• CTE graduates have the skills and the dedication that Maryland and American small businesses need.
• and compassion to all those dedication and compassion to all those around<07:33:53.520> her.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ethically, this divide erodes trust within our ranks and sends a message that dedication and education
• Those troopers deserve to be compensated for the dedication they have to keeping the public safe and
• emergency communications centers that are stationed throughout the Commonwealth, which employ the dedicated
• S. 1724 establishes a correctional inspector general who is dedicated to corrections.
• S. 1724 establishes a correctional inspector general who is dedicated to corrections.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing on a wide range of bills affecting law enforcement, corrections, fire services, emergency management, telecommunicators, and sex offender policy. Testimony strongly focused on proposals to restore an education incentive for Massachusetts State Police troopers hired after the Quinn Bill was repealed, with State Police Association witnesses arguing the current system creates unfair pay disparities, hurts recruitment and retention, and leaves newer troopers earning less than some supervisors with the same or less education. They urged favorable reports on H. 2651, S. 1759, and S. 1783. A separate witness also supported H. 2627, a sheriff’s pay-parity bill, while suggesting amendments to avoid distinctions between correction officers and jail officers and warning that the proposal should not be viewed as a funding issue alone. The committee also heard testimony on public safety and oversight bills. A rape survivor testified in support of S. 1663, arguing that municipal fire or police personnel convicted of sex offenses should not remain in positions of public trust. Senator Miranda testified in support of S. 1723, S. 1724, and S. 1727, which would create correctional officer training/accountability standards, a correctional inspector general, and privileged communication with legislators for incarcerated people; he said the bills respond to misconduct and lack of independent oversight in the Department of Correction. In contrast, the Fire Chiefs Association and Professional Fire Fighters opposed H. 2572/S. 1668/S. 1740 on emergency management, saying the bill was developed without enough collaboration, lacked local-control safeguards, and could undermine incident command and local decision-making during disasters. Several panels supported other public safety measures. The Fire Chiefs Association and PFFM backed S. 1641 and S. 1744 to create a Massachusetts Public Safety Building Authority to help fund fire station and municipal public safety building projects, and supported S. 1647 to implement the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot works and welding safety, including tougher penalties and training requirements. Witnesses also supported H. 2664/S. 1736 to create a hoisting machinery regulations board, saying current licensing standards for heavy equipment are too minimal. Another panel backed H. 2663/S. 1761 to classify 911 telecommunicators as first responders, citing stress, burnout, and the expanding role of dispatchers. Finally, an attorney from CPCS testified in opposition to S. 1752, warning that expanded sex offender residency restrictions would likely increase homelessness, make supervision harder, and raise constitutional concerns based on prior court rulings.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will dedicate ourselves in the future to bring all of these providers back into the fold where
• We've also dedicated funds across the health care sector, state and federal funds, so we can raise Medicaid
• <00:44:50.079> We've<00:44:50.400> also<00:44:50.640> dedicated<00:44:51.200
• We've also dedicated funds we need them.
• We've also dedicated funds across<00:44:51.920> the<00:44:52.079> health<00:44:52.319><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 10% flexibility between PS and E&E and the 20% flexibility between the insurance dedicated and insurance
• The insurance divisions are dedicated to proactive community...
• The insurance divisions are dedicated to proactive community outreach, providing essential education
• And we didn't have dedicated FTE for that authority, because it was related to additional funds needed
• Yeah, I think the vast majority of government employees are hardworking, dedicated individuals.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On this special day, we salute the achievement 327 328 and we renew our dedication to working together
• Before joining this body I dedicated two decades of my career towards ending the epidemic and I remain
• The tax code assumes that every parcel of land where the dedicated cemetery has an identifiable owner
• So thank you all so much for the hard work and dedication.
• As I know all of your staff is very dedicated as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mooth passes.

Bills: HB29, HB 125, HB145, HB171, HB255, HB50, HB796, HB363, HB 116, HB491, HB589, HB1495, HB368, HB 1285, HB1905, HB1360, HB2002, HB917, HB2723, HB2067, HB 1238, HB2337, HB745, HB 1188, HB1606, HB2003, HB2147, HB2391, HB2355, HB2546, HB2495, HB2818, HB2249, HB1749, HB3109, HB3228, HB3240, HB1507, HB658, HB1748, HB1851, HB1922, HB2001, HB2798, HB 107, HCR29, SB5, SB262, HB 11, HJR72, HB 106, HB18, HB48, HB27, HB37, HB1481, HB581, HB1696, HB2216, HB 1035, HB1633, HB742, HB754, HB1689, HB1690, HB2669, HB391, HB517, HB 1024, HB1607, HB252, HB1716, HB1562, HB4116, HB1866, HB1741, HB2103, HB2637, HB2884, HB503, HB 1089, HB2986, HB972, HB502, HB29, HB 125, HB145, HB171, HB255, HB50, HB796, HB363, HB 116, HB491, HB589, HB1495, HB368, HB 1285, HB1905, HB1360, HB2002, HB917, HB2723, HB2067, HB 1238, HB2337, HB745, HB 1188, HB1606, HB2003, HB2147, HB2391, HB2355, HB2546, HB2495, HB2818, HB2249, HB1749, HB3109, HB3228, HB3240, HB1507, HB658, HB1748, HB1851, HB1922, HB2001, HB2798, HB 107, HCR29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• For years, I've dedicated myself to track and field training for countless hours, pushing my limits and
• Through my hard work and dedication, I've worked my way up to being fifth statewide for long jump and
• I don't understand how my hard work, my dedication, my very best can be rendered meaningless by a policy
• What Donald Trump has done and this administration has done is a dedicated effort to try to erase and
• Her years of training and dedication Her years of training and dedication were dismissed because the

Summary: The committee met on April 1, 2025, first adopting its rules and then taking up AB 89, a bill to require CIF to align girls’ high school sports with federal policy and restrict participation to biological females. The author and supporters argued the bill was needed to protect fairness, safety, privacy, and competitive opportunities for girls, citing individual student-athlete stories and examples of transgender participation. Opponents, including parents, athletes, advocates, and technical witnesses, argued the bill would stigmatize transgender youth, invite invasive scrutiny and harassment, and solve a problem they said was extremely rare or unsupported by data. After lengthy public testimony and debate, the committee rejected AB 89 on a 2-7 vote and sent it to the Committee on Education as a failed motion. The committee then heard AB 844, a related measure framed by the author as restoring competitive integrity, protecting student privacy, and bringing California into compliance with Title IX and federal directives. Supporters, including Matt Walsh and a student athlete who said she lost a varsity spot to a transgender student, argued that sex-based sports rules are necessary because biological males retain athletic advantages and that California risks federal funding if it does not change course. Opponents, including educators, parents, LGBTQ advocates, and trans youth, said the bill would increase bullying, harassment, and exclusion, and that existing policies have worked without evidence of harm from transgender athletes. Public comment was again heavily divided, with many speakers on both sides. The transcript ends during public testimony on AB 844, before any final committee vote or action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know how hard it is because of the limited resources to be able to dedicate them in each of the areas
• So these two programs, VSSR and CVHI, constitute how the state of California is dedicated to do that.
• VSSR and CVHI constitute how the state of California is dedicated to developing innovative solutions
• addition to coordinating community partners and stakeholders to conduct in-services, and through dedicated
• Approximately $1 billion, or 50% of the funds available under the Home Key Plus program, are dedicated

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget cuts and policy changes on veterans, military readiness, and California’s veteran support systems. The chair and members emphasized that federal reductions to the VA, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP, and the federal workforce are disproportionately harming veterans by threatening health care, employment, housing, crisis lines, and suicide prevention services. The chair also highlighted California’s progress on veteran homelessness and the importance of preserving state programs that leverage federal dollars. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness through less training, older equipment, and fewer resources. He also discussed state programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, youth and community schools, and the counterdrug task force, saying they are valuable but vulnerable if funding is redirected away from readiness. Members asked about the impact of federal changes on the Guard and how the Legislature could help, and Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and continued support for key programs. A second panel focused on veterans’ benefits and claims support. CalVet, Los Angeles County, and Swords to Plowshares testified that county veteran service officers, legal aid, and community-based partnerships are essential to helping veterans access VA benefits, especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility and increased claims volume. Witnesses said these services bring substantial federal dollars back to California, but county offices and legal providers are underfunded and overburdened. Members discussed data sharing, staffing shortages, and the need for more resources to reach veterans who are not connected to VA care. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, CalVet and nonprofit providers described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative, which place services in permanent supportive housing and provide no-cost counseling statewide. Witnesses said these programs are showing measurable improvements in health, medication adherence, and emergency room use, but they depend on sustained funding and are vulnerable to step-down grants and federal instability. Committee members expressed support for the programs and raised questions about access, staffing, and the role of non-veteran family members in Vet Center services.

Transcript Highlights:

• June, we're very grateful for your quiet and humble dedication to Hawaii.
• I witnessed an example of his dedication to educational excellence and perpetuation of Native Hawaiian
• I witnessed an example of his dedication to educational excellence and perpetuation of Native Hawaiian
• <00:20:59.200> to<00:20:59.480> educational his de dedication to educational his de
• dedication to educational excellence<00:21:00.840> and<00:21:01.120> perpetuation<00:21

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the state only has one facility dedicated to inpatient treatment for youth, for example.
• These are the five things we want to focus on and dedicate all of our efforts on delivering for the people
• Other parts of our capital program, which include dedicated sources for certain types of projects, a
• dedicated program for public schools, revenue to those programs have grown.
• We're just dedicating where they're going to go.

Transcript Highlights:

• We collect it and turn it over to a dedicated fund that's administered by the Department of Health and
• fund to pay generated into a dedicated fund to pay the<01:14:33.560> principal<01:14:33.960><
• We will make payments into the dedicated account until we reach $40 million.
• on the Arts and they are all dedicated on the Arts and they are all dedicated to to to really<05
• It's entirely self-funded and has a dedicated fund, which any of you who are on the dedicated funds committee

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority officials, led by Executive Director Rob Dapice, briefed legislators on the agency’s structure and funding. They explained that the authority is created by state law but is not a state agency, its debt is not state debt, and it is governed by a board appointed by the governor and approved by the Executive Council. The discussion focused on the Affordable Housing Fund and the lead paint hazard remediation fund, including how state appropriations and federal resources are combined to finance affordable rental housing and lead abatement work. Dapice said the Affordable Housing Fund is used as gap financing for multifamily affordable housing projects, typically alongside federal tax credits and tax-exempt bonds, and that state dollars leverage roughly 2:1 to 10:1 in additional federal and private investment, averaging about 4:1. He said the fund has received historic appropriations in recent budgets, including $30 million over the last two biennial budgets and an annual $5 million set-aside from the real estate transfer tax. He also said the fund is usually structured as 0% interest, deferred loans rather than grants, with repayments returning to the fund if projects generate cash flow. Members asked about rents, oversight, staffing, revenues, and whether the programs had added positions. Dapice said affordability restrictions generally last 30 to 99 years, rents are tied to income limits and capped so tenants pay no more than 30% of income, and compliance staff inspect properties regularly to verify income eligibility and rent limits. He said the organization has about 130 to 135 employees, down from about 145, with no new positions added because of the appropriations. He estimated total revenues at roughly $300 million, with administrative budget around $22 million, much of it pass-through grant money. On lead paint remediation, he said the state first appropriated $6 million in 2019, plus $1 million in ARPA funds, and that the program has cleared more than 500 units. He said the federal grant program is not annual or predictable, with a recent award of about $7.75 million, and that the maximum federal grant per unit is $177,000, typically paired with up to $100,000 in state loan support. He also noted that the program can address homes before a child is poisoned if lead hazards are identified, but that cases involving an already exposed child are a higher priority. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to recognize the dedicated public service of Joe Diamond of Bellwood, Pennsylvania.
• I rise to recognize the dedicated<00:10:22.000> public<00:10:22.399> service<00:10:22.720
• dedicated public service of Joe Diamond. dedicated public service of Joe Diamond.
• Not paying retirees their earned benefits is a slap in the face to the people who dedicated their careers
• And I am and dedication to this issue.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:31:00.400> fund So I would propose that we add that, uh, at 13295 from that dedicated
• But it would be zero General and, uh, 13295 from this dedicated fund. had drafted in chairman mills's
• could support that through the dedicated could support that through the dedicated fund<01:32:53.119
• So if this comes out of a dedicated plate fund, does that mean it doesn't count toward the, you know,
• So the reference in the bill now references a dedicated fund.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding. Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program. After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations to Doug for his dedication to conservation, to the Nature Conservancy, and to forest
• Congratulations to Doug for his dedication<00:21:57.760> to<00:21:58.000> conservation,
• <00:21:58.960> to<00:21:59.120> the dedication to conservation, to the dedication to conservation
• His dedication, his effort, and competitive spirit lifted the entire team.
• His dedication, his effort, and game.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Landers dedicated over 30 years to the Marlborough Public Schools as assistant superintendent, business
• His legacy of service and dedication to Marlborough will not be forgotten.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters from the Committee on Rules. Members adopted resolutions reaffirming Massachusetts’ friendship with Taiwan and supporting stronger U.S.-Taiwan trade and Taiwan’s international participation, as well as a congratulatory resolution for Owen Michael Addessa on earning Eagle Scout. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow two petitions to proceed: one establishing a sick leave bank for a Middlesex Sheriff’s Office employee and another concerning taxes in the City of Boston. The chamber recognized visiting guests, including a Burlington Girl Scouts Brownie troop and the 2024 Lawn Meadow girls tennis team, which was honored for winning the Division II state championship with a 23-0 record. The House then considered House Bill 62, which extends certain COVID-19 measures adopted during the state of emergency. The House concurred with a Senate amendment, adopted the emergency preamble by a 3-0 vote, and passed the bill to be enacted. Members also observed a moment of silent tribute for former Marlborough City Councilor Donald Landers, Sr., and later adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative John H. Stasick of Framingham. The House adopted an order to reconvene Monday at 11 a.m., then adjourned to meet again in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• In both cities, licenses are issued by a separate licensing commission dedicated to issuing licenses.
• less licenses in three and in both cities licenses are issued by a separate licensing commission dedicated

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a public hearing with testimony limited to three minutes. Committee chairs Jack Lewis and Becker-Rouch opened the hearing, noted members present, and explained that only two people were signed up to testify. Rep. Sylvia testified in support of H. 5388 for the town of Marion. The bill would allow Marion to transfer a 2,900-square-foot parcel from the Open Space Acquisition Commission to the Select Board to help build the Marion shared-use pathway, while permanently protecting about 13.38 acres of town-owned land for passive recreation and conservation under Article 97. She said the measure complies with Article 97 and the Public Lands Preservation Act and noted it had unanimous local approval at a special town meeting. Maura O'Keefe, town counsel for Falmouth, testified in support of H. 5365, which would amend Falmouth’s home rule charter to create a licensing commission. She said the change was recommended by two charter review committees because the Select Board spends significant time handling alcohol, entertainment, and common victualer licenses and related disciplinary hearings, and that a separate commission would better fit the town’s licensing workload. No committee questions were asked, no other testimony was offered, and the hearing adjourned by voice vote.