Transcript Highlights:

• It's multisensory, engaging, creative, and joyful.
• Or if you want, send all of it in writing, we'll still read it, okay?
• Or if you want, send all of it in writing, we'll still read it, okay?
• So your scenario is not the scenario that your bill writes about.
• If you have more, you can submit it in writing. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 995, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, it removes one of the few incentives we have in this state to spur creative local solutions
• c><00:24:14.880> state<00:24:15.360> to<00:24:15.679> spur<00:24:16.720> creative
• have in this state to spur creative have in this state to spur creative local<00:24:18.480> solutions
• virtually anyone can make claims to the Department of Justice and any NGO that just wants to be creative
• and filing claim after claim be creative and filing claim after claim after<03:42:12.319> claim

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• IT IS IMPORTANT ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT CREATIVE INSTRUCTION CREATES AS WELL AS DESTROYS.
• ONE IS WRITING. THAT HAS RECEIVED A LOT OF MEDIA ATTENTION. THE OTHER IS SEEKING INFORMATION.
• AND HUMAN BEINGS HAVE ENERGY AND TALENT AND CREATIVITY AND AMBITION AND I THINK WE CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT
• IT IS INDUSTRIAL AI WHICH IS BIGGER THAN WHAT WE SEE OUR KIDS WRITING PAPERS WITH AND WHAT WE SEE YOU
• >> IT'S LIKE TRYING TO WRITE ABOUT THE OUTSIDE OF THE ROCKETSHIP.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please listen to the speakers in front of you and be creative.
• And please listen to the speakers in front of you and be creative.
• There's a classroom teacher and all the creativity and team building and charting and all that.
• Unions have ideas that we can be creative with to help solve problems.
• The study in the U.S. tests using AI for writing feedback on drafts alongside peer review.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update on the state’s generative AI implementation and related oversight. Administration officials said several proof-of-concept projects have moved into minimum viable product phases, including work at CDTFA and Caltrans, and that CDPH has a May Revision request for up to $8 million to scale up its healthcare facilities inspections project. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the administration to publish a report on lessons learned from each POC and recommended limiting the new generative AI approval process to a pilot through the first two rounds of projects, with continued monthly meetings and stronger legislative oversight. Members pressed for more transparency and questioned why the CDPH request was not included in January; the administration said the cost estimate was not available then and that only one project is seeking additional resources beyond existing departmental budgets. The committee then reviewed a proposed $400 million loan from the Labor and Workforce Development Fund to the General Fund. Finance and the Labor Agency said the fund has grown because civil penalty revenues have risen sharply, and the loan would be repaid in 2029-30 with provisional language allowing earlier repayment if needed. The LAO agreed the fund could support the loan but warned that recent PAGA reforms may reduce future revenues. Public commenters, including labor and community groups, argued the money should instead support labor-law enforcement and outreach programs such as CWOP, and urged rejection of the loan. Members also heard a Department of Industrial Relations request for $19.1 million for phase two of Public Works Information Technology System Enhancements, which officials said will support labor-law enforcement and apprenticeship registration. The department said the project was delayed because a prior procurement did not result in a contract award and that completion is now expected in October 2026. The committee then took up an EDD Next reappropriation technical adjustment to extend UI fund spending authority through June 30, 2026; the LAO said the request was fine but again raised concerns about oversight of the larger modernization effort, which EDD said now totals more than $660 million and is expected to continue through 2029. Finally, the committee discussed DGS’s request for new parking facilities near the May Lee Building and a trailer bill shifting statewide telework policy language from DGS to CalHR while also expanding NDI eligibility for certain CEA employees. The LAO said the telework trailer bill should likely go through the policy committee process instead of budget, and union and employee witnesses strongly opposed it, arguing it would undermine bargaining rights and could be used to narrow telework. In a separate item on the governor’s return-to-office order, administration officials said departments are being directed to move to a four-day in-office expectation starting July 1, 2025, but they had no statewide cost estimate yet because departments are still assessing vacancies, exemptions, and space needs. Members criticized the lack of analysis and said the state should have clearer numbers before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, georger Skinner, the administration of Creative Industries Division.
• I'll go this a little later to help finance a Creative Lab Innovation Center.
• I'll go this a little later to help finance a Creative Lab Innovation Center.
• <00:50:40.119> up issues but if you could do an write up issues but if you could do an write
• And I understand that the Manoa creative media arts... ...the creative media arts there, the Cinema Arts

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His unique creativity and attention to detail set him apart, making him a multi-talented and energetic
• <00:04:25.120> and understood his unique creativity and understood his unique creativity and
• You know, I normally ask my staff to write my speech for me, but in this case I had to do it myself.
• You know, I normally ask my staff to write my speech for me, but in this case I had to do it myself.
• You know, I normally ask my staff to write my speech for me, but in this case I had to do it myself.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's been incredibly innovative, creative, compassionate, and has certainly been an outstanding manager
• he's been incredibly<00:10:46.680> Innovative incredibly Innovative incredibly Innovative creative
• creative creative compassionate<00:10:50.920> and<00:10:51.560> has<00:10:51.760> certainly
• Ed was instrumental in writing the 1974 Hawaii prepaid health care act, workers' compensation, and temporary
• Ed was instrumental in writing the 1974 Hawaii prepaid health care act, workers' compensation, and temporary

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to hear what are the creative ideas, what are the questions that still need to be answered as
• So any creative ideas you have for us there, lightning rounds again, right?
• Any insights in terms of creative investments?
• And then I asked you to do the write up in terms of the flawed thing.
• We need to hear more creativity. We need to hear better thinking and I give you a thought.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I have some creative thoughts on that as well.
• And I don't know if that's a creative solution.
• But I think that was a very creative use of some of the money and they they cover some of the costs of
• So those are some of the creative things that we do and always will be, you know, looking for new partnerships
• Some of our past writes this 1st quarter so far what we hear back from the students reporting or close

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then follow up at the clinics who are all charged with writing this off.
• And then follow up at the clinics who are all charged with writing this off.
• And then follow up at the clinics who are all charged with writing this off.
• And then follow up at the clinics who are all charged with writing this off.
• And then follow up at the clinics who are all charged with writing this off.

Bills: HF3388, HF400

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior day and then heard House File 400, a bill described as a defrayal measure for health insurance mandates. Representative Perryman said the bill would not block future mandates, but would require the state to pay the added costs of any new mandated benefits so those costs would not be shifted to premium payers. She and supporters framed the bill as a way to protect affordability for Minnesota employers, workers, and families, especially in the fully insured market. Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. They argued that Minnesota has a high number of mandated benefits, that each new mandate adds cost to premiums, and that businesses—especially small and midsize employers—are already struggling with rising health insurance costs. The health plans representative said the bill would use the existing Commerce defrayal process to reimburse plans for eligible mandate-related claims, allowing those costs to be removed from premium rates. Several members echoed support, saying the bill would improve transparency by showing the fiscal impact of proposed mandates and help prevent people from being priced out of coverage. Members also explored how mandates apply in the market and how premiums are set. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer explained that, unless otherwise specified, mandates generally apply to the individual, small group, and fully insured large group markets, while self-insured ERISA plans and other markets are generally outside that scope. Representative Elkins noted that the affected market is relatively small and said small businesses are increasingly moving to self-insured plans because of cost. He and others raised concerns about affordability, while Representative Smith argued that mandates often ensure needed care and that the bill shifts costs to taxpayers rather than insurers. Representative Bacham added a personal example from tribal self-insurance, saying preventive physicals had saved lives and asking whether other factors besides mandates are driving insurer costs. No amendments were offered, and the bill was laid over for possible future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The creative is backed by a $24 million media buy, generated an estimated 1.5 billion impressions, and
• They're not as concerned about the price of hotel rooms. they're writing 11,000. in people from all over
• And AI, that's going to bring craziness, but endless creative possibilities as well.
• We did the rock-to-rock car show and things, you know, just getting very creative.
• And by the way, many of them have been very creative about the way they've done that.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism held an informational hearing on the state of California tourism amid declining international visitation and broader economic and political headwinds. Visit California CEO Caroline Betetta said the industry remains a major economic driver, with 2024 visitor spending of $157 billion, 1.2 million jobs supported, and $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue, but warned that 2025 forecasts show the first post-pandemic decline in visitation, driven largely by a projected 9.2% drop in international travel. She cited concerns about the strong dollar, visa wait times, border and immigration rhetoric, and a proposed federal visa integrity fee, while emphasizing Visit California’s marketing campaigns and the importance of upcoming mega-events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics. A second panel of destination leaders described local impacts and strategies. Visit Sacramento’s Mike Testa said the city has diversified beyond conventions into music festivals, sports, and food events, but noted that international apprehension is affecting events like Terra Madre Americas and that California should do more to incentivize major festivals to stay in-state. Santa Monica Travel and Tourism’s Lauren Salisbury said the city is seeing lower international visitation, especially from Canada, Australia, and Europe, and that wildfire coverage and later federal troop presence in Los Angeles hurt local sentiment and caused cancellations. Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau’s Rhonda Salisbury reported steep drops in international visitation to the gateway region, ongoing concerns about wildfire, reservations, insurance costs, and park access, and praised a new federal requirement for quarterly meetings between national parks and gateway communities. San Diego Tourism Authority COO Carrie Verbeck-Cappich said tourism is the region’s second-largest sector, but 2025 is softer than 2024, with spending down despite modest visitation growth. She pointed to weaker Canadian and Asian travel, government-related meeting cancellations, and the need for more support to bid on and host major events; she also highlighted border-crossing delays, insufficient federal staffing at ports of entry, and the Tijuana River sewage crisis as major regional issues. Committee members discussed the effects of federal rhetoric, infrastructure, and cross-border conditions on tourism, and several witnesses urged continued support for Visit California, Brand USA, event incentives, and efforts to present California as welcoming and open. Public comment then opened, beginning with testimony from the California Attractions and Parks Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• a public school that was right for them — a public school where they would not only learn to read, write
• You can submit it in writing to us. Thank you for that. Any questions? Thank you.
• But can they get creative?
• But can they get creative?
• But let’s get creative. Let’s have a foundation and a starting point. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on several bills centered on school accountability, receivership, graduation requirements, charter school access, community schools, school libraries, and student voting rights. Much of the discussion focused on the Thrive Act, S. 374, which would end state receivership and change the state’s accountability approach. Supporters, including educators, parents, advocacy groups, and students, argued that receivership has not improved outcomes in districts such as Lawrence, Holyoke, Southbridge, Boston, and the Dever, and that local communities should have more control, with greater emphasis on community schools, wraparound services, and broader measures of school quality. They also supported related bills on community schools and school library standards, and several witnesses backed a bill to expand student representative voting rights on school committees. Opponents of S. 374, especially charter school leaders, parents, students, and some education advocates, focused on Section 4 of the bill, which would change the charter school net school spending cap in the lowest-performing districts. They argued that the provision would reduce access to charter seats in communities where families are seeking more options, and that schools such as Roxbury Prep, Excel Academy, Brook, Veritas Prep, and Libertas Academy have produced strong results for students, including students of color, low-income students, and students with special needs. Several witnesses said the section would force schools to shrink or close and would remove opportunities for families in districts with long waitlists. Committee members questioned witnesses on both the effectiveness of receivership and the charter school cap language. Chair Lewis and Chair Gordon emphasized the need for a better accountability system and noted concerns about whether current measures, including MCAS-based designations, accurately reflect school quality. Some witnesses said they had discussed the possibility of removing Section 4 from the Thrive Act and suggested it might be addressed in separate charter reform legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing; testimony was received and the committee later closed testimony on S. 374 and several related bills before moving on to the student voting rights bill, S. 367.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every time I try to sit down and write this, I found myself tearing up.
• , creativity, and a reconnection<00:46:28.240> to<00:46:28.560> nature.
• <00:46:54.720> and own lives, communities, and creative and own lives, communities, and creative
• We have that in writing.
• , Federation of America, they write, Federation of America, they write, "Appliance<04:40:16.798><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > student support writing portfolios, student support writing portfolios, student choice<00:39
• Like for Ka'eleku, they could be writing about the Stream Edge program.
• They could be writing about their culture. They could be writing about Hawaiian culture.
• They could be writing about program. They could be writing about their<00:52:08.840> culture.
• There's no creativeness.

Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 3263, which would create a state-supported endowment for University of Hawaii athletics NIL (name, image, and likeness) funding. University of Hawaii Athletics Director Matt Eliott supported the bill, saying NIL requires both immediate funding and a longer-term sustainable solution. He asked for several changes: lowering the initial endowment target from $10 million to $2 million so the fund could start sooner, allowing NIL reporting by team rather than by individual student-athlete, and clarifying that athletes may choose whether to use an agent, while still allowing certified agents or a parent/guardian if desired. Committee members raised concerns about using taxpayer dollars for athlete compensation, the burden on a small-state budget, and whether the university could realistically raise the required matching funds. Several senators questioned whether the university had a concrete fundraising plan and whether the endowment would meaningfully help UH compete with larger programs. Eliott said UH is already fundraising privately for current NIL obligations, had raised more than $1.6 million toward a $3 million annual goal, and would continue fundraising for both short-term needs and the endowment match. He also said the university is not trying to compete with Power Five schools on the same scale, but to be successful at its own conference level. Members also discussed transparency and privacy, with some senators arguing that if state money is used, the public should know how it is spent, while Eliott said individual student-athlete NIL information should remain private and team-level reporting would be preferable. He confirmed international student-athletes are eligible for NIL and said about 60 to 70 UH athletes are currently participating, with more than 100 expected next year. The discussion also touched on UH’s Mountain West media rights and local TV rights, with Eliott explaining that the conference distribution is expected to remain around $3.5 million and that local TV rights would be negotiated separately. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and was working in the past with the commission works art projects and also the Scholastic art and writing
• :07:39.280> Scholastics<00:07:39.919> art<00:07:40.080> and<00:07:40.240> writing
• <00:07:40.639> awards the Scholastics art and writing awards the Scholastics art and writing
• memos, establishing the needed, writing memos, establishing the new<00:21:51.840> budget<00:21
• <00:42:06.720> a<00:42:06.960> new for phase three and write a new for phase three

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said the study committee heard from Christopher Bond, from the AG’s office, who helped her write
• the previous Bill and this me write the previous Bill and this current<00:27:27.240> bill<00:
• So what I think you'll see is a creative program like this will help bolster some of that juice that
• Yeah, I'd have to check the specific language, but if it's in writing, that's an interest rate.
• <01:39:05.440> and think is 10% unless it's in writing and think is 10% unless it's in writing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• any sense as those of you who write any sense as those of you who write statutes<00:59:03.920>
• key<01:18:17.679> fobs writing writing instruments and key fobs writing writing instruments
• I represent the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association
• and the and creative materials institute and the writing<01:30:17.760> instrument<01:30:18.320
• Institute and the Writing Institute and the Writing Instruments.<01:33:33.760> I'm<01:33:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're always looking at ways to try to navigate and be creative and and and in in That area, we are
• That was sort of one of the ways we were looking at being creative, not having it cost us money.
• How can we be creative and not have to? Because ultimately, the cost is on us.
• There are. some creative ways we might be able to plug some of these holes.
• Aaron Dver, you write that for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this isn't just about writing emails.
• So if you were primarily into writing and that writing is kind of taken over by a writing assistant AI
• <00:12:49.519> and if you were primarily into writing and if you were primarily into writing
• is kind of taken over by if that writing is kind of taken over by a<00:12:52.399> writing<00:
• <00:18:48.080> So is cognitive and creative work. So is cognitive and creative work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As chair of the gentleman to write can tell you all the stories about my previous service and most of
• So in the case that you're referring to fillers, just not participate in the writing of I E P's.
• So, you know, with the great work that you're doing, can you help us with a creative solution?
• What's the creative solution that this committee can help with? Is that money?
• What is the creative solution?

Keywords: 999, senate, all