Video & Transcript : 'skill based amusement games' :
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KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (1-13-26) - Upon Adjournment
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Gaming Corporation. Gaming Corporation.
- And so betting, and charitable gaming.
- </c><00:20:56.720><c> arm</c> order in, uh, our charitable gaming arm order in, uh, our charitable gaming
- Uh, so the concerns expressed by Senator Meredith are not off base. They're not off base.
- They're not off base. So, so I off base. They're not off base.
Keywords:
This meeting will take place Upon Adjournment of both Chambers. An exact time is not given or known at this time., 958, all
Summary:
The Government Contracts Committee met for its first 2026 meeting, approved the December 9 minutes, and reviewed 337 contracts totaling about $71.8 million. After a motion to consider the routine contract lists without objection passed, the committee pulled several items for discussion, including contracts from the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Department of Highways, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, and Kentucky State University. Most items were ultimately approved by roll call votes.
For the Council on Postsecondary Education item, members discussed why the contract was not handled through the usual Finance Cabinet bidding process. Staff explained it stemmed from House Bill 200 and the healthcare workforce incentive fund, which uses a separate competitive award process and steering committee under different statutory standards. The committee accepted that explanation and approved the contract. Department of Highways staff then explained the difference between scour assessments, which evaluate erosion and foundation risk around bridge piers, and load ratings, which assess the bridge structure itself. Members also questioned a larger engineering contract increase; staff said it reflected progression from preliminary engineering to final design on a phased project and estimated the funding split at roughly 80% federal and 20% state. Those highway contracts were approved.
The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission presented a legal services contract. Officials said the new corporation had identified legal needs, issued an RFP, and awarded four firms to create a pool of counsel to avoid conflicts as the agency now licenses racing, sports betting, and charitable gaming. They also said an emergency contract was needed after a temporary restraining order was issued in litigation involving charitable gaming machines and alleged losses to charities. The committee asked about the litigation and the affected organizations, and the contract was approved. Kentucky State University then defended a marketing/enrollment contract despite financial concerns, saying the work was intended to raise awareness of the university, improve enrollment, and support financial stability. University officials also said they were tightening student payment enforcement and collection practices, including payment plans and holding students accountable for balances. That contract was also approved.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations Apr 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So, based on the ALICE report, based on what we know and we face here in Louisiana, based on the challenges
- And I know most of us have heard even growing up about state or federal jobs based on your ability, based
- Based on giving back to your state.
- to attain what that skill gap would cover.
- It's based on the skills. So if there's a specific need, if you have a... How about this?
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 162, which would change the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule appeals process by allowing additional medical evidence submitted in court to be sent back to the medical director for review and a new opinion. The Attorney General’s office explained the bill, noting a 30-day deadline for the medical director to act before the case returns to court. The bill drew support from injured workers and several business and labor groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments and then reported the bill favorably without objection.
House Bill 353, which would establish a state minimum wage starting at $12 in 2027, rising to $15 in 2029 and then indexed to inflation, prompted extensive testimony and debate. Supporters, including the sponsor, Invest in Louisiana, the Workplace Justice Project, 10,000 Women Louisiana, and the AFL-CIO, argued that Louisiana’s wages have lagged behind living costs, that many workers remain in poverty despite working, and that higher wages would help families and local economies. Opponents, including NFIB and several members, argued that the market is already setting wages above the federal minimum in many jobs, that a mandate would raise costs, compress pay scales, reduce hours or jobs, and hurt small businesses. After discussion, the committee voted on the bill and it failed on a roll call vote.
The committee then reported Senate Bill 383 favorably with amendments. That bill expands the incumbent worker training program by increasing funding flexibility, shortening the business eligibility period from three years to two, and allowing unobligated funds to roll over. Members and the Louisiana Works secretary discussed workforce training, outreach, and how to connect workers to existing training programs and high-demand jobs. The committee also reported Senate Bill 382 favorably, which repeals the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and began hearing House Bill 422, the “Behind-the-Counter Safety Act,” aimed at workplace violence protections for retail and food service workers, including signage, reporting, and enhanced penalties; the sponsor explained it was intended to address attacks on frontline workers and to give businesses a tool to warn against violence.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- The benefit is based on the $1.5 million that they contribute to the fund.
- So you're talking about a Missouri-based series. That's a Missouri Senate.
- So you're talking about a Missouri-based series. That's a Missouri Senate.
- What interest is there in Missouri for somebody to actually base a studio here?
- So state statute does not really, at this moment,... video game.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Kenzie Blackwell, founder and director of Free Period, which is a volunteer-led and staff program based
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits agencies receiving federal funding from discriminating based
- In 2021, Mass Appleseed published a report called Families Torn Apart: Language-Based Discrimination
- Because it makes more sense based on their geographical location.
- It's not the end game, but it's a part of the game till we get to the end game.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several bills. Senator Mike Moore supported S. 2185, which would delay implementation of the heavy-duty omnibus/advanced clean truck requirements while requiring the Commonwealth to purchase or lease electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles starting in 2025; he argued the delay is needed because infrastructure, grid capacity, vehicle availability, and costs are not yet ready. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2156/H. 3318, which would require free menstrual products in public buildings, with advocates and students describing period poverty and the need to treat menstrual products like other basic restroom supplies. Senator John Keenan testified for S. 2158, a bill to let municipal light plants protect proprietary and competitively sensitive information from public disclosure while keeping board meetings and minutes open, saying it would help level the playing field against larger competitors.
A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2125/H. 3384, the language access and inclusion bill. Testimony from the AAPI Commission, Mass Speaks coalition members, Mass Appleseed, MLRI, ATASK, MAPC, the Boston Bar Association, Mass Advocates for Children, and others described barriers faced by limited-English-proficient residents in accessing MassHealth, DCF, courts, domestic violence services, schools, and other state services. Witnesses cited untranslated documents, inadequate interpretation, delays, and the burden placed on bilingual staff and children; several also pointed to recent federal moves toward English-only policy as making state action more urgent. Committee members asked questions about implementation, interpreter availability, and the role of technology and remote participation, and the chair noted the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and intended to be again.
The committee also heard testimony on time-zone legislation. Dr. Karin Johnson, representing sleep medicine interests, supported H. 3405 for permanent standard time and opposed S. 2157 for permanent daylight saving time, arguing that standard time better aligns with circadian rhythms and health, while permanent daylight saving time would worsen morning darkness and sleep disruption. Members questioned the strength of the scientific evidence and discussed school start times, geography, and whether Massachusetts should align with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and testimony continued on additional bills as the session progressed.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The first is a zero-based rule with comments, and that should be a two-sided document.
- Page 38, item F21, back when the original code was written, eye gaming and online gaming did not exist
- patronized by people who are a little bit older, and we want to make sure that the integrity of the game
- , Representative Veley, that only being on the job about 90 days, I didn't know you had such great skill
- But most importantly, this gives us the ability to protect our current rate base, but also provide us
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from March 16 and then considered several administrative rule dockets. The Idaho State Lottery explained changes to clarify ownership language, update references to online/draw gaming, and strengthen bingo paper verification; the Secretary of State’s office said its docket removed outdated lobbying and sunshine-reporting rules that had been moved into statute; and the Department of Administration described housekeeping changes to Capitol Mall parking rules, including streamlining obsolete language. All three rule dockets were adopted without opposition, though members asked questions about Capitol parking fees and possible legislative parking accommodations.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1258, which would create a specialty liquor license for certain rural distilleries, allowing them to serve their own products by the drink on-site and exempting them from food-service requirements. Sponsors said the bill was intended to help a Koenig Distillery location outside Caldwell that cannot access city liquor licenses despite available licenses in the city, and to support agritourism and rural economic development. The distillery owner testified in favor, describing the business, its agricultural roots, and potential job growth. The bill received supportive comments and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 911, the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would codify Public Utility Commission practice for new large electric loads of 50 megawatts or more. Sponsors said the bill is intended to prevent costs for new large loads from being shifted to existing ratepayers, require a no-harm review, and ensure financial security for any needed infrastructure so stranded costs are avoided. Representatives from Rocky Mountain Power said the measure aligns with existing PUC practice and helps protect current customers while allowing growth. The bill was also moved to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- It was aptly referred to just a few minutes ago, and I appreciate the comment, as the hunger games: you
- So a school district would apply for the funding based on a score.
- When we looked at the characteristics of student types based on these three settings, we...
- They allocate funding just purely based on students.
- We have an 18- to 21-year-old program, and we definitely focus on those for life skills.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from February 2 and 3. It then introduced RS 3-1308, sponsored by Representative Raymond, which would change public school digital content and curriculum funding from a first-come, first-served process to an as-needed, scored application process so districts with greater need would receive funds. The motion to introduce passed without opposition.
The committee next heard a presentation from the Office of Performance Evaluations on its K-12 district characteristics and funding study. Casey Petty explained that Idaho’s support unit funding model tends to provide more state funding per student to smaller districts and less per student to larger districts, but that funding does not consistently rise with higher proportions of high-need students such as special education or English learner populations. He said Idaho’s special education formula assumes only about 5.8% of students are in special education, while actual enrollment was about 11.5% in 2023, contributing to an estimated $37.7 million gap in support-unit funding for special education. Members asked about the support unit model, district size effects, charter school data limitations, Medicaid, and whether the formula should be revised.
The committee then considered House Joint Memorial 11, which urges Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at the promised 40% level. Representative Furman and several educators and administrators testified in support, describing the strain on district budgets and citing large local shortfalls in Boise and Fruitland. Witnesses said districts are covering mandated special education services with local and state funds, and that increased identification, early intervention, and behavioral needs are driving costs. Some members raised questions about over-identification, eligibility criteria, and behavioral issues, but the memorial was ultimately sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. The meeting then adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Human Services Committee May 27th, 2026
Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- skills.
- , and then they have home-based food sponsors.
- , and then they have home-based food sponsors.
- And program type 3 would be facility-based child care, and it would combine our non-residentially based
- I'll just call it Life Skills.
Summary:
The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing.
The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies.
Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/11/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:00.360><c> critical</c> communication skills practicing critical communication skills practicing
- </c> that children develop lifelong skills that children develop lifelong skills through<00:03:19.280
- </c> And a lot of pre-literacy skill development when they're in pretend play.
- </c> have seen individuals develop skills have seen individuals develop skills that<00:16:07.880><c>
- It's based on the seasonality, and you're required to do weekends as well.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (9-24-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, these are based on paid claims.
- As far as the savings go that you had asked me before, it's not based on a member level; it's based on
- </c> the home and community-based waiver. the home and community-based waiver.
- </c> based on those identified needs. based on those identified needs.
- </c> to pull based on what the data says. to pull based on what the data says.
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027.
The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 6th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- But it's a whole other game to find rate filings for other states.
- The skilled professionals, such as nurses... Do we have a handout? No?
- So, skilled care in the home, such as nurses and occupational therapists.
- The current rate study is based on FY 24 and 25 coverage.
- Currently, there is no impact on funding for home and community-based services. community-based services
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Jun 19th, 2026
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas Lori McDonald's early roles honed the communication, analytical, and leadership skills that
- And whereas Lori McDonald's... ...liaison to the governor's office on faith-based initiatives.
- But based on the conversations we've had, we don't believe that that will be necessary.
- Game and Fish. Representative Tosh, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- The Game and Fish and State Police Subcommittee met yesterday afternoon.
Summary:
The meeting began with a quorum call, prayer, and approval of the previous minutes. Members then adopted a resolution honoring Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service, with remarks praising her legislative work, constituent services, leadership, and emergency response roles. McDonald thanked the committee, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, flag, and commemorative coin.
The committee received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and a projected surplus of $585.8 million. The executive subcommittee report was adopted, covering emergency rules for DHS and the Department of Education, school district waiver requests, committee fund allocations, cancellation of the July ALC meeting, and authorization for subcommittees to meet in July on urgent matters. The administrative rules report was also adopted after members noted that most rules were approved, with a few pulled by agencies or held.
Members then heard a lengthy exchange on the Arkansas Education Department’s ClassWallet contract and delays in expense review for education savings account payments. Department officials said they were meeting regularly with ClassWallet, enforcing contract standards, keeping some reviews in-house, and adding staff and technology improvements to speed processing while maintaining oversight. The committee also adopted reports from Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel, including a Department of Commerce reallocation tied to a broader shared-services realignment.
Under review of communications, members filed several retirement system investment items as reviewed, approved rural community grant funding, gave favorable advice for state park additions, approved special maintenance funding for state parks, and filed Office of State Technology service-rate changes as reviewed. The meeting concluded with no new business and adjournment.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 21, 2026 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- For firefighters, we're using a web-based tool to reach out to firefighters statewide.
- And so that's where it's this game of whack-a-mole.
- Again, game over.
- We're doing pretty well at the Gaming Commission.
- This is identified in the LBR to be moved to our Gaming Enforcement division.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator the operation of bingo games.
- It was also more forms of gaming.
- </c> opportunity to vote to prohibit gaming. opportunity to vote to prohibit gaming.
- </c> that operate on a membership-based that operate on a membership-based business<02:08:13.280><c>
- </c><02:08:49.280><c> nursing</c> a nursing home or skilled nursing a nursing home or skilled nursing
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now, the statewide budget is pulled together based on the work it's done in Excel spreadsheets.
- This is not a game. This is not a shell game between employees and contractors.
- Chairman, then can you speak to who is bankrupt and how many of our agencies are based on that platform
- It's provided by the vendor since it's a cloud-based service. Thank you.
- On that, I think the If you get recognized, feel like a game show host up here.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If I'm reading the bill pattern of what we call the base bill, SB 1 is introduced.
- The agency, which is about a $6,000 increase from their base.
- So I thank you for including that in the base bill.
- I represent the Game Warden Peace Officers Association.
- I'm also proud to say, like Senator Flores, I'm a retired Texas game warden.
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken.
The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information.
The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Our general fund base request is $2.1 billion.
- There are really five major base budget cost drivers.
- It's kind of based on their renewal date.
- The last part is, and I know based on proportion to population...
- So I'm even just asking the question based off of memory as well.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Aug 11th, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- But it was profoundly based on the governmental gross receipts tax.
- Chairman, is based on the underlying borrower's ability to repay.
- We're based in Santa Fe. Delivery System, a platform technology. We're based in Santa Fe.
- It's something that is a learning opportunity for New Mexico-based companies.
- If the companies that get these internships, are they putting skin in the game too?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- Who book travel from a California-based seller of travel can be reimbursed if they don't get what they
- own tribal cannabis commission, 24-hour surveillance, they're already in the security space with gaming
- Almost, but yet so far—based on the progress we've been going this morning, we'll have a quorum by lunch
- It's like the championship game last night. Down to the final two.
- So the current restrictions create artificial limits, and these are not based in science.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- . ...or any Air Force base we have within this state or any other state.
- Universities, colleges, military bases.
- And basically we split everything based on the number of inmates.
- It definitely will lower it based on the drops being filled.
- classes, doing classes based on their actual grade levels.
Summary:
The committee heard FY27 budget presentations for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, beginning with Public Safety Services. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the department’s recommended budget of $645.9 million, including supplemental pay, State Police, Motor Vehicles, and the State Fire Marshal. Officials explained that the overall budget reflects a net decrease from FY26, driven largely by shifts in funding sources, removal of one-time statutory dedications, and adjustments tied to undercollections in fees and self-generated revenues. State Police was recommended at $459.7 million, OMV at $86.7 million, and the Fire Marshal at $41.1 million. Department leaders also described ongoing modernization efforts, staffing vacancies, and the use of efficiencies identified internally.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Burns and agency heads testified about State Police operations, including increased cadet graduations, improved Mardi Gras security, progress on APHIS and OMV modernization, and the new crime lab under construction. Members asked about undercollections, vacancies, the role of public tag agents, and whether the agency could expand counter-drone capabilities. Burns said the department has identified about $11 million in efficiencies, but warned that counter-drone work would require additional funding, citing a $4.5 million fiscal note for HB 940 and roughly $9 million more for a robust unit. OMV officials said staffing and retention remain difficult, but modernization should improve service and reduce lines; they also said the agency continues to rely on public tag agents and is working through reinstatement fee collection issues.
The committee then reviewed the Department of Corrections FY27 budget, recommended at $902.3 million, with most funding from State General Fund and a large increase tied to higher incarceration costs, medical needs, overtime, and added capacity at Louisiana State Penitentiary. DOC officials said the department remains under pressure from vacancies, turnover, contraband, and medical costs, and that the budget includes funding to add 150 correctional officers at Angola and to house ICE detainees at Camp J. They also discussed criminal justice reinvestment savings, prison enterprises, and reentry programs funded through the Second Chance Act. Members asked about staffing, inmate deaths at Elaine Hunt, work-release pay, and whether the department is tracking the true long-term cost of incarceration. Officials said they are pursuing pay increases, recruitment, expanded training and reentry programs, and more data-driven workforce alignment, while acknowledging that many budget pressures remain unresolved.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- see 2 million visitors in the region during this period of time, with 420,000 of them attending the games
- The commuter rail's special event train typically sees 1,000 to 2,000 fans for Patriots games.
- But we need to make sure that we have the apparatus available to get those people to the games.
- That means something, especially in this day and age. 9,000 new jobs based off of these games is important
- These payments are calculated based on a fixed dollar amount set by statute tied to inflation.
Summary:
The Senate considered a fiscal year 2025 close-out supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments, many of which were withdrawn, adopted, or rejected. Early debate focused heavily on funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Massachusetts, with Senators O’Connor and Feeney arguing for restoring money for transportation, safety, and event readiness, citing projected ridership surges, economic benefits, and the need for Boston and the Commonwealth to invest. Senator Driscoll also won adoption of an amendment directing the MBTA to study and report on its local assessment formula, using Milton and Quincy as examples of perceived inequities in how communities are charged relative to service received.
The Senate then took up several other amendments, including measures on fire survivor support, vaccine liability, mental health and sidewalk projects, council on aging and public safety items, disaster relief, service dogs, and MBTA assessments. Senator Tarr offered amendments on driver record transparency and energy cost reporting, but those were not adopted. A major roll-call vote rejected Tarr’s amendment to restore a larger share of excess capital gains to the stabilization fund; supporters argued for stronger rainy day reserves, while the Ways and Means chair defended the bill’s use of a deficiency reserve fund and warned of revenue losses from federal tax changes. The Senate also adopted an amendment on shelter and Home Base spending transparency, requiring renewed reporting on emergency shelter and housing assistance programs.
Later, the chamber adopted Senator Edwards’ amendment creating a Massachusetts Federal Employee and Service Member Civil Relief Act to protect federal workers and service members in the event of a shutdown, including relief from eviction and foreclosure-related harms. The Senate also adopted Senator Rodrigues’s Ways and Means amendment, then approved the underlying supplemental budget as amended and ordered it to third reading. After the final roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 vote. The Senate concluded by agreeing to adjourn and by honoring Mrs. Anne Lee in memory, with a brief communication from Senator Cyr noting a prior remote-vote error for the journal.