Transcript Highlights:

• members, this morning we have the Colorado Council of Authorities, I believe is it what we call the 911
• <00:27:18.159> And what we call the 911 folks are here.
• And what we call the 911 folks are here.
• communications in the state of 911 communications in the state of Colorado<00:27:33.760> is<00
• , much less uh an authority working 911, much less uh an authority that<00:27:48.320> works<00

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This surcharge increase for the 911 is absolutely critical to the state.
• It was a revenue stream created to support having a 911 system statewide.
• It matters to our PSAP and 911. It matters to GIS and to rule addressing.
• I am the director here in San Juan County of the 911 Center and I am also the vice chair of the 911 affiliate
• I believe the amendment added that part about the 911 surcharge. Very much needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• services and IP-enabled emergency applications for 911.
• services and IP-enabled emergency applications for 911.
• The NG-911 JPA, the program I manage at NDACO, was 2%.
• fee revenue to sustain core 911 services statewide.
• We are getting $12.6 million from 911 fee revenue, actually $14.6.

Summary: The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results. In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system. The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this hopefully will move some money to the 911 area to be able to focus on it.
• system, and they would do the mapping, and the maps would be embedded in the 911 system.
• and we're going to the wrong room and this plays out and it helps everybody and to rest it with the 911
• <00:02:01.119> system<00:02:01.520> and would move money to the 911 system and would
• move money to the 911 system and they<00:02:01.920> would<00:02:02.079> do<00:02:02.159

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met without a quorum and heard presentations on several workforce and school-safety funding requests. The first item was a proposal for a school mapping data program, presented by Rep. Steve Bratcher with law enforcement and mapping partners. They said the plan would move money to the 911 system so school maps could be embedded there and kept current for all schools, public and private, to improve response times and officer, student, and teacher safety. The request was described as a $10 million one-time appropriation, with an estimate that the work could be completed in about a year. The committee then heard testimony on the Be Proud Initiative, a mobile workshop program aimed at exposing students age 13 and up to skilled trades and related education and career opportunities. Speakers from the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, MI2, the Kentucky Treasury, and the Associated General Contractors said the program would improve perceptions of manufacturing, construction, and metals careers, connect students to training and employers, and help build the workforce pipeline. They said private industry would contribute $1 million in FY 2026-2027 before state funds are released, and requested $3 million in state funding in FY 2027-2028 contingent on that match. A Treasury official said handling the funds through the Treasury would have minimal impact on the office. Committee members responded favorably, including a comment from Rep. Bojanowski about the value of hands-on learning for students who struggle with test-focused instruction. Speakers also explained that the program includes classroom materials before and after the truck visit and ongoing outreach for students and parents. The final presentation was on an MI2 metals career pathway proposal, which cited economic impact data for Kentucky’s metals industry and asked for a $3 million one-time investment for FY 2027-2028 to pilot a middle- and high-school pathway in Carroll and Logan counties. The proposal would be matched by industry funds and used for curriculum, equipment, dual-credit and apprenticeship connections, student stipends, and parent outreach. The chair closed by noting it was the final scheduled meeting of the session and moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• services to those calling 911 for help by including 911 dispatchers in the definition of a first responder
• . ...calling 911 for help by including 911 dispatchers in the definition of a first responder within
• No 911 operator... Mr. Pizzo. Briefly, Madam Chair. No 911 operator took a break during COVID.
• Joanne Alvarez, my district aide, 35 years as a 911 operator from BSO, came out of retirement.
• That 911 operator might not still be on the line when that happens.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with CS for SB 592, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. The bill was explained as revising condominium eligibility and grant rules, lowering the approval threshold to 75%, changing roof project rules, capping reimbursement at $175,000 per association, and excluding detached units. Two amendments were adopted, including one clarifying the three-story threshold and another adding wind-driven rain mitigation devices for sliding glass doors as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program was adopted on a roll call vote, but the bill itself was then reported favorably. Testimony generally supported the program, with members noting strong demand and the need for more funding, though one amendment drew concern from a window manufacturer and some members about product approval and fairness. The committee then approved CS for SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit holders, which would allow certain facilities to be leased to Hialeah permit holders and other same-class permit holders, with an amendment making the lessee eligible to apply for, rather than automatically receive, a license for inter-track wagering or Hialeah games. CS for SB 1404 on illegal gambling was also reported favorably after amendments added a declaratory judgment process for veterans organizations, strengthened ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel, and then withdrew a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property. Prosecutors and the Gaming Control Commission supported the bill as a tool to target criminal gambling operations, while amusement machine operators and veterans groups raised concerns about overbreadth and uncertainty for lawful operators. SB 604 on residential swimming pool requirements was temporarily postponed after questions about how the new sale/transfer disclosure and safety-feature requirement would work in practice, especially for cash transactions and whether home inspectors would be involved. SB 1682, adding 911 dispatchers to the definition of first responder, was reported favorably with support from dispatchers and members who emphasized the trauma and public safety role of telecommunicators. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were both reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a cost shift to taxpayers and the spring bill drawing support from JEA. The committee also approved CS for SB 948 on flood disclosures for tenants and condo buyers, and CS for SB 1742, a major condominium and cooperative association reform bill that would adjust reserve funding rules, allow temporary reserve pauses after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over a certain threshold, permit lines of credit in lieu of reserves through 2028, expand disclosure and data reporting, and add conflict-of-interest and governance changes. The condo bill drew extensive discussion and testimony, with supporters praising the flexibility and transparency provisions and some owners urging additional relief for inland, lower-rise buildings; it was ultimately reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to be abundantly clear that NextGen 911 is a need, not a want.
• Again, NextGen 911 is a need, not a want.
• Third, it strengthens the 911 Advisory Board.
• Because when someone calls 911, the last thing they should worry about is whether anyone will answer.
• We have a serious problem with our NextGen 911 system here in California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services to those calling 911 for help by including 911 dispatchers in the definition of a first responder
• Calling 911 for help by including 911 dispatchers in the definition of a first responder within the Florida
• No 911 operator took a break during COVID. They were left out of the bonus structure.
• Joanne Alvarez, my district aide, 35 years as a 911 operator from BSO, came out of retirement.
• That 911 operator might not still be on the line when that happens.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and advanced several bills, with the most extensive discussion centered on condominium issues, gambling enforcement, and public safety. CS/SB 592 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program was amended to clarify the three-story eligibility threshold and to add sliding glass door wind-driven rain mitigation devices as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program failed on a 3-4 roll call vote, and the bill was then reported favorably. Members also took up CS/SB 1742, a broad condominium and cooperative association reform bill, which would give associations more flexibility on reserves after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over certain spending increases, improve disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, expand data collection, and extend some disclosure rescission periods; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit leasing, as amended to allow leasing to same-class permit holders or Hialeah permit holders and to make related wagering licenses discretionary rather than automatic. SB 1404 on illegal gambling was reported favorably after amendments allowing veterans organizations to seek declaratory rulings on machine compliance and adding ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel; a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property was withdrawn. Testimony on that bill came from prosecutors, the Gaming Control Commission, veterans groups, and amusement machine operators, with supporters emphasizing organized crime enforcement and opponents seeking clearer definitions and compliance guidance. On public safety and infrastructure, SB 1682 to include 911 dispatchers in the definition of first responder was reported favorably with strong support from dispatchers and committee members. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were also reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a taxpayer cost shift. SB 948 on flood disclosures for rental properties and condominium sales/rentals was reported favorably after support from environmental and flood advocacy groups. The committee also heard SB 604 on residential pool safety requirements, but the chair temporarily postponed it after concerns were raised about how the inspection requirement would work in cash transactions and whether it would require permits or delay closings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Travis's Law, which if someone does call 911, are supposed to refer someone.
• We also have Travis's Law, which if someone does call 911, are supposed to refer someone.
• We also have Travis's Law, which if someone does call 911, are supposed to refer someone.
• We also have Travis's Law, which if someone does call 911, are supposed to refer someone.
• uh we got start many many years ago 911 uh we got start many many years ago 911 was<00:26:43.080

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For the 911 VoIP is broken out separately than wireline.
• No one will lose the ability. to have access to 911.
• You need a 911 call to work 99.9999% of the time, right?
• And they had to run to the neighbor's house to call on the phone directly to call 911 services.
• Katherine Brandenburg representing athletes and entertainers for kids and 911 for kids.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the NG 911 program that was scrapped?
• The speaker said they were going to ask about the 911 system but were beaten to it.
• That's a mouthful, but we are the 911 dispatchers in the state of California.
• That's a mouthful, but we are the 911 dispatchers in the state of California.
• We are ...and totally secure 911 solution.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All<02:39:18.400> right,<02:39:18.800> 911. All right, 911. All right, 911.
• Now the 911 legislation is very specific on what they can use 911 funds for. the grant because when we
• <02:42:05.920> funds But I have to tell you that 911 funds But I have to tell you that 911
• I'll make a note. the operational side of 911. Would that the operational side of 911.
• moves forward with a next gen 911 moves forward with a next gen 911 system.<03:04:23.120> And

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope that you will welcome our 911 folks who keep us safe every day.
• Colorado Council supports 23 hardworking Colorado Council supports 23 hardworking 911<00:27:59.840>
• :28:00.799> the<00:28:01.039> state<00:28:01.760> who<00:28:02.080> are 911
• authorities across the state who are 911 authorities across the state who are responsible<00:28:03.039
• c><00:28:08.880> will<00:28:09.039> welcome<00:28:09.919> our<00:28:10.320> 911

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move Senate Bill 911 be taken from the table and placed on the calendar.
• The next bill in the calendar is Senate Bill 911.
• President, I offer Amendment A03938 to Senate Bill 911.
• The next bill in the calendar is Senate Bill 911.
• President, I offer amendment A03938 to Senate Bill 911.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, received committee reports, and approved the prior day’s journal by a 50-0 vote. Several members were granted leaves of absence, and the chamber also took up a number of procedural motions, including re-referring Senate Bill 1212 to Appropriations and moving Senate Bill 911 from the table to the calendar. The Senate later recessed for committee meetings and party caucuses, then reconvened to continue floor action. On the calendar, Senate Bill 1206 passed 50-0 after supporters said it would help Pennsylvania’s life sciences industry by allowing manufacturers to pursue state licensure while federal FDA approval is pending, without weakening safety standards. Senate Bill 1273 passed 48-2; its sponsor said it would clarify that turnpike automated plate-reading data may be shared with investigators in missing or endangered persons cases, including Amber Alerts. Several other bills were either agreed to and re-referred to Appropriations or ordered over in their place, including House Bill 681, Senate Bills 1061, 1303, and 1355, and House Bill 1505 and 1667. The Senate also considered Senate Resolution 326, where an amendment by Senator Mastriano was adopted and the resolution was then held over as amended. In executive session, the chamber returned several nominations to the governor, then confirmed a slate of gubernatorial nominations, including appointments to the Pennsylvania Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Board, the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, and several Pennsylvania Army National Guard promotions, by a 50-0 vote. The Senate additionally approved committee-reported bills from Appropriations and Health and Human Services, and signed House Bill 1344 in the presence of the Senate. During petitions and remonstrances, Senator Tartaglione urged action on minimum wage legislation, noting Pennsylvania has not raised the wage since 2006 and pointing to House Bill 2189. Senator Dush delivered extended remarks on the nation’s founding and the religious views of Benjamin Franklin. The Senate then adopted a motion to recess until June 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will not be 911 because we know when you use 911, if your perpetrator sees it, it will escalate the
• When they call the police and it's not an emergency, so people think, 911 to me says emergency.
• If you tell me somebody's got a 911, I'm on it. ...says emergency.
• If you tell me somebody's got a 911, I'm on it. It has to be another way.
• If he picks that phone up and sees that she's called 911, or 911 calls back and says somebody just called

Summary: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee met with a quorum present and took up several bills, beginning with SB 350 on public records for crime victims. Senator Graal explained that the bill clarifies victim privacy protections under the Florida Constitution and extends temporary confidentiality to the identity of an officer involved in a use-of-force incident for 72 hours, with a possible 60-day extension by written agency findings. Supporters including Marcy’s Law representatives and the Florida PBA said the measure protects victims and officers while preserving public access, and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 296 and SB 298, both by Senator Berman. SB 296, as amended, directs a feasibility study for a secure web-based silent alert system for domestic violence victims and expands Florida’s address confidentiality program to dating violence victims. SB 298 similarly extends address confidentiality protections to dating violence victims. Both bills received supportive testimony from advocates, including survivors and organizations such as Florida NOW and the Alliance for Safety and Justice, and both were reported favorably. Members also approved SB 398, which replaces references to “child pornography” in Florida statutes with “child sexual abuse material,” and SB 168, which expands public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increases enforcement tools such as penalties, attorney fees, and foreclosure on unpaid fees. SB 54, as amended, was also reported favorably; the amendment broadened the bill’s scope from “mass shooter” to “violent offender,” clarified medical examiner duties, and added reporting requirements related to toxicology and psychotropic substances. The most debated measure was SB 156, the Jason Raynor Act, which would revise resistance-to-arrest provisions and add an automatic life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. Law enforcement groups supported the bill, but the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and some senators raised concerns about removing judicial discretion and eliminating language about unlawful arrests. After debate, the committee reported SB 156 favorably, with Vice Chair Smith voting no. Several other members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on multiple bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In short, this bill simply reinstates the existing 911 surcharge on prepaid cell phone plans to fund
• 911 and 988 emergency service systems in our state.
• This bill just simply seeks to reinstate that long-standing funding for those 911 and 988 services.
• <00:44:28.000> emergency plans to fund 911 and 988 emergency plans to fund 911 and 988 emergency
• 911 and 988<00:44:44.240> services.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that seeks to find a way to disperse 911 funds that are collected by the state.
• This money is sent directly to local 911 districts to fund day-to-day operations, but roughly 20% of
• these funds remain with the state 911 board and is set aside in what is commonly… and is set aside in
• serve 911 districts and to clarify how these funds can be utilized.
• I appreciate you working on this with 911 groups, and I'm always… we've got any questions?

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I performed CPR when my eldest son called 911.
• Imagine calling 911 for your child and no...
• Imagine calling 911 for your child and no ambulance arrives. That's not hypothetical.
• I know that I would immediately try to call 911.
• When we learned that this was not a requirement for all 911 operators, we were surprised.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care. Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will not be 911 because we know when you use 911, if your perpetrator sees it, it'll escalate the
• To be able to utilize a phone number that isn't 911, so if their abuser takes their phone, they don't
• When they call the police and it's not an emergency, so people think, 911 to me says emergency.
• If you tell me somebody's got a 911, I'm on it. It has to be another way.
• If he picks that phone up and sees that she's called 911 or 911 calls back and says, 'Somebody just called

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met with several members excused and first took up SB 350, which clarifies public records protections for crime victims and extends temporary confidentiality to law enforcement officers involved in use-of-force incidents for 72 hours, with a possible written extension up to 60 days. Senator Graal said the bill was intended to align with the Florida Constitution’s victim definition and to address privacy concerns without allowing indefinite withholding. Testimony from Marsy’s Law and the Florida PBA supported the measure, though there were questions about the 60-day period. The committee reported SB 350 favorably. The committee then considered two domestic violence-related bills by Senator Berman. CS/SB 296, after a delete-all amendment, directs a study of a secure web-based alert platform that would give domestic violence victims a unique phone number and code-based emergency alert system, and it expands Florida’s address confidentiality program to dating violence victims. Several speakers, including survivors and advocates, described the need for safer ways to seek help without alerting abusers. The bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 298 similarly expanded confidentiality protections for the Haven Coordinating Council records to cover dating violence victims, and it was also reported favorably. Later, the committee heard SB 398, which updates Florida statutes by replacing the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material,” including conforming changes to the offense severity ranking chart. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 156, the Jason Raynor Act, which changes resisting-an-officer language, removes references to lawful or unlawful duty in favor of “any duties,” and adds manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses requiring a life sentence. Law enforcement groups supported the bill, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about removing judicial discretion and eliminating a statutory protection against force when an officer knows an arrest is unlawful. Despite those objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 168 on public nuisances, which expands nuisance law to include gambling houses, increases penalties, allows attorney fees, and authorizes foreclosure for unpaid fees, and CS/SB 54, which after amendment focuses on medical examiner procedures and reporting related to violent offenders and toxicology/psychotropic drug review. Both bills were reported favorably. The meeting ended after members recorded additional affirmative votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, members, we are going to start our agenda by taking up Tab 1, which is Senate Bill 774 on 911 public
• of employment, but unaccompanied by a physical injury, these medical benefits will be payable to a 911
• I work as a 911 dispatcher. Great, thank you. All right, so we are here.
• After retiring, I took a job as a 911 dispatcher and made it one week.
• I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor embedded in a 911 emergency communication center right

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met and first took up SB 774, which would extend workers’ compensation coverage for mental or nervous injuries, without a physical injury, to 911 public safety telecommunicators. The sponsor and several dispatchers, a behavioral health clinician, and communications directors testified in support, describing repeated exposure to traumatic calls, chronic understaffing, and the cumulative mental health impact of the job. Members from both sides praised telecommunicators and emphasized their role as first responders. The bill was reported favorably, with Senator McLean later recorded as voting yes on the measure. The committee then considered SPB 7028, a retirement bill setting Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2026, without changing the 3% employee contribution rate. The proposal also allowed certain elected officers to receive a DROP payout under specified conditions and provided a 1.5% alternative cost-of-living adjustment for eligible special risk retirees. Representatives from firefighters, law enforcement, police chiefs, sheriffs, and fire chiefs supported the bill as a recruitment and retention tool. The committee voted to submit SPB 7028 as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7024 and SPB 7026, both Governmental Oversight and Accountability proposals to consolidate and update public records/public meeting exemptions. SPB 7024 would repeal the current cybersecurity information exemption and create a consolidated agency-wide exemption for cybersecurity, information, and operational technology information. SPB 7026 would similarly consolidate agency-held trade secret exemptions into one agency-wide exemption. Neither bill drew testimony or debate, and both were submitted as committee bills and reported favorably by unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the early 2010s, the state's 911 program asked MassGIS to get involved in helping evolve from the
• existing E911 system to the new next-gen 911 system.
• First, we have established a dedicated email address called Notifying 911 address.
• As part of that address assignment, we use the 911 notification that Dan Mariner had mentioned before
• As part of that address assignment, we use the 911 notification that Dan Mariner had mentioned before

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on September 22, 2025 focused on preparations for the 2030 census, with an emphasis on Massachusetts’ role in building a complete address list and improving local participation in census-related address review programs. Chair Brownsberger and witnesses from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, the UMass Donahue Institute, Watertown, and MassGIS described the importance of accurate address data for congressional apportionment, federal funding, and state and local planning. They also discussed the first major upcoming step, the Block Boundary Suggestion Project, and the later Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) process, both of which rely on municipalities reviewing and correcting census geography and address files. John Rosenberry of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office said outreach to cities and towns is beginning now, with a likely December start for the block boundary process based on the 2020 cycle. He stressed that local officials, clerks, building inspectors, housing authorities, and GIS staff should be engaged early, especially to capture new development and conversions created under the state’s housing policies. Susan Strait of UMass Donahue explained that LUCA allows local governments to compare their address lists with the Census Bureau’s master address file, and that Massachusetts had very high participation in 2020; she cited examples where local review added hidden or newly built housing units and noted that Boston later corrected a group-quarters undercount of about 6,000 students through a post-census review program. In response to questions, she clarified that those corrections affected annual estimates and funding formulas, but not the 2020 apportionment count. Watertown City Manager George Proakis described how local address review is complicated by accessory dwelling units, single-family to two-family conversions, and large multifamily projects, and urged continued state support for local governments doing this work. Dan Marrier of MassGIS then outlined the Massachusetts Master Address Database, explaining that it combines multiple sources, including E911, assessor, voter, and municipal data, to create a standardized residential address repository used for census preparation and other state functions. He said the database has helped improve census accuracy, including by updating more than one million Census Bureau address-point locations before 2020, and noted that local municipalities remain the final authority on addresses even as MassGIS standardizes and reconciles variants across the Commonwealth.