Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Betancourt, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez.
• Chairman Betancourt, I, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez, Senator Nichols, Senator
• OK, Chairman Betancourt, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez.
• Senator Nichols, Senator Paxson, Senator West, there being 7 highs and zero nays Senate Bill 204. 0,
• Senator Gutierrez, Senator Nichols, Senator Paxson, Senator West, 1, there being 6 ayes and 1 day Senable

Bills: SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1579, SB 1708, SB 1844, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 1921, SB 1951, SB 2237, SB 2238, SB 2406, SB 2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Graal, Senator Harold, Senator Martin, Senator Massullo, Senator McLean, Senator Pizzo, Senator
• The joint resolution, if approved by the voters, takes effect January 1, 2007.
• Senators, that is the joint resolution.
• Senator Avila: You mentioned in your opening in the introduction of this Senate joint resolution, I remember
• remarks on the previous bill or on the joint resolution.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account. Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Citation Number 2. Clerk, please report. House Citation Number 2.
• House Resolution 8, a resolution... Watkins. House Bill 229, an act relating Watkins.
• House Joint Resolution 11, a joint resolution designating the Kenny Brown Memorial Highway in Boone County
• House Joint Resolution 12, a joint resolution designating the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway in Boone
• House Joint Resolution 14, a joint resolution designating the Representative Bob Dwis Memorial Highway

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 01:02 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 07:51 Stand at Ease 11:46 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 26:33 Adjournment 46:41, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 98 members present. The chamber approved the journal from January 6, excused absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. No committee reports, second readings, or orders of the day were needed. During announcements, a member invited colleagues to a Welcome Back to Frankfurt reception and the House adopted a citation honoring Michael Dean Hilton, with remarks noting his long career in Kentucky politics and lobbying. The House also adopted a citation recognizing Hank Parker. The clerk reported a large number of new filings, including House Bills 35 through 230 and several resolutions and constitutional amendments covering topics such as education, taxes, health care, firearms, housing, labor, elections, agriculture, public safety, and retirement systems. Among the measures introduced were bills on scholarship eligibility, respiratory care, retirement benefits, alcohol licensure, public notices, school curriculum, privacy protection, medical billing, housing, firearms-related issues, Medicaid expansion, cannabis, wage transparency, and healthcare price transparency. Resolutions included one recognizing election principles in Kentucky, one honoring victims of UPS Airlines Flight 2976 and responders, and others on political violence, memorial highways, law enforcement support, and ALS awareness. No substantive votes on legislation occurred beyond the citation adoptions and routine procedural approvals, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Moser, House Joint Resolution 24 with Committee Substitute One and House Committee Amendment
• One title, a joint resolution directing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to immediately withdraw
• > resolution House Resolution 34, a resolution House Resolution 34, a resolution recognizing<00
• Tuesday, January 20, 2026: House Bills 176, 178, 184, 265, and 280, and House Joint Resolution 24. to
• House Bill 280, and House Joint House Bill 280, and House Joint Resolution<00:24:09.200> 24.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Calendar/Second Readings 06:39 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 07:36 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 17:37 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 19:15 ConC and Rules Report 22:17 Adjournment 24:18, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 87 members present, excused absent members, and approved the journal from January 15, 2026. On second reading, the clerk reported House Bill 178 on the psychiatric collaborative care model, House Bill 280 with committee substitute on healthcare, and House Joint Resolution 24 with committee substitute and amendment directing withdrawal of the 1115A waiver application related to a mandatory community engagement program. During announcements and citations, members adopted House Resolution 19 recognizing January 2026 as Kentucky Mentorship Month, with remarks emphasizing the value of mentors and personal examples from the sponsor. The House also adopted a citation honoring Robert Kaywood Metaf, a longtime Gary County attorney remembered for his service and generosity, and a citation congratulating Gary Thompson on his 80th birthday and his long-running West Louisville barbecue business. Members also noted committee meeting schedules, including cancellations and upcoming meetings, and one member introduced a guest connected to Logan’s Law, a bill described as responding to the release of a man convicted of killing a child. The clerk then reported new bills and resolutions introduced, including measures on gubernatorial transitions, the Kentucky Fire Commission, voting rights, interscholastic extracurricular activities, crimes and punishments, motorsports racing facilities, social work, motor vehicle racing, renter tax credits, and appropriations for the legislative and judicial branches, along with House Resolution 34 recognizing Kentucky Arts Day. The Committee on Committees and Rules Committee met, referred numerous bills to standing committees, reassigned House Bill 258 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection, and posted several bills and House Joint Resolution 24 to the regular orders for January 20, 2026. The House then adjourned until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out House Joint Resolution 133 by Representative Turner and recognizes Senator Adam O'Sha
• The chair lays out House Joint Resolution 133 by Representative Turner and recognizes Senator Adam O'Sha
• House Joint Resolution 133 will be left pending, subject to call of the chair.
• House Joint Resolution 133.
• There being five ayes, zero nays, House Joint Resolution 133 does pass.

Bills: HB103

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a series of local and special-purpose bills, mostly with brief sponsor explanations and little or no public opposition. Topics included fireworks sales near the Texas-Mexico border for Cinco de Mayo (HB 1629), allowing larger counties to use their own inspectors for county buildings (HB 3234), updating governance and financial rules for the Wood County Central Hospital District (HB 5664), clarifying firefighter collective bargaining and impasse procedures (HB 3171), and exempting certain Fort Worth ETJ properties from release rules to protect infrastructure investments (HB 2512). The committee also heard bills on border subdivision rules in Cameron County (HB 3680), extending a property tax exemption to surviving spouses of certain veterans affected by the PACT Act (HB 2508/HJR 133), drainage district election timing and procedures (HB 5693, HB 2694), utility transparency for municipally owned systems (HB 1991), and management district and hospital district election or appointment changes (HB 5698, HB 2293). Another major bill, HB 1449, would expand a food truck permitting pilot program to counties over one million population; witnesses supported the concept but asked the committee to coordinate it with related fee and standards bills, and the bill was left pending for further work. The committee also heard HB 3732, which would let fire departments obtain extensions to comply with new NFPA protective equipment standards, and HB 5431, which would clarify that mayors and at-large council members do not need new elections after reapportionment; both were left pending after questions about their scope. Several transparency and tax-related bills were also discussed, including HB 103, creating a statewide database of local bond and tax election information, and HB 851, requiring reporting on homestead tax ceiling properties; both drew support and were later voted out. After testimony, the committee reported multiple bills favorably, often unanimously, and recommended many for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also used procedural swaps to substitute House companions for Senate bills on several measures, then recessed with plans to return later to process additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Coleman, Senator Bullard, Bullard here. Senator Burns. Burns here.
• Senator Howard here. Senator Ye. Y here, Senator Jett. Jet here. Senator Howard here. Senator Ye.
• The Clerk will now read the bills and resolutions introduced on first reading. »> Senate bills 1186 through
• Senate Joint resolutions 46, Senate concurrent resolutions 13 and 14, and Senate resolutions 23 through
• The Senate stands in recess and following the joint session, and when the clerk's desk is cleared, the

Bills: SB1519, SB1775, SB1900, SB1948, SB2080, SB1226, SB1456, SB1462, SB1463, SB1980, SB1479, SB1608, SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• c> Bill resolutions to Agriculture, Senate Bill resolutions to Agriculture, Senate Bill 199<01:15
• House Joint Resolution 90.
• 1, and House Bills 789, 791, 820, and House Joint Resolution 88.
• 1, and House Bills 789, 791, 820, and House Joint Resolution 88.
• To Transportation, Senate Bill 28 and House Bill 821, House Joint Resolutions 89 and 92.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The resolution is adopted.
• Joint Rule 12 is suspended. Port of Committee.
• Division 2. Twenty.
• Division 2: 20.
• The public was told it would cost $1 to $2 a month.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters, including adopting a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a number of petitions. The chamber also scheduled several bills for later consideration, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating work schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection namings, handicapped parking fines, public-way safety, excavation restoration, motor vehicle safety, and a Newton police age requirement. Two engrossed local bills were passed to be enacted: one authorizing retired police officers as special police in Plainville and another allowing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership. The main policy debate centered on House No. 5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. Supporters described it as a broad affordability and clean-energy package that would cut costs for ratepayers, reform Mass Save, speed clean-energy procurement and interconnection, return a portion of alternative compliance payments to customers, and address biomass and other energy issues. Opponents argued the bill relied too heavily on long-term programs and new administrative structures while offering little immediate relief, and raised concerns about costs being shifted to consumers, impacts on natural gas, and the pace of implementation. Several amendments were debated and rejected, including proposals to shift public benefit charges away from peak hours, pause public benefit charges for a year, require greater utility disclosure before rate increases, and add a forest-clearing penalty for solar development. One amendment to the energy bill was adopted: a consolidated amendment that included budget-billing consumer protections for gas customers, requiring notice and conservation recommendations when usage rises significantly. The House also adopted an amendment to a separate conservation-restriction bill for Hanson, changing a figure in the underlying law, and passed that bill to be engrossed as amended. The energy bill’s consolidated amendment passed by roll call, while several other amendments failed by roll call votes. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring Jaden Booker, Thomas Skip Karam, former Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former Representative and Senator William Q. “Biff” McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair lays out House Joint Resolution 40 and recognizes Representative Swanson to explain the resolution
• The chair recognizes Representative Swanson to close on the resolution.
• The resolution is left pending. Thank you.
• The Chair lays out as a matter of pending business Senate Joint Resolution 57 by Senator Huffman.
• The Chair lays out, as a matter of pending business, Senate Joint Resolution 57 by Senator Huffman.

Bills: HB1342, HB2889, HB3002, HB3254, HB4820, HJR40, HJR40

Keywords: private activity bonds, housing, residential rental projects, low-income, affordable housing, bond measures, funding equality, political subdivisions, public communications, election fairness, debt collection, consumer rights, disclosures, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, settlement agreements, State Board of Education, group benefits program, health insurance, state employees, dependents eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• The ayes have it; the resolution is adopted. Papers from the Senate.
• Following petitions come from the Senate. Papers from the Senate.
• Those voting in favor: First Division, 2; Second Division, 2; Third Division, 0; Fourth Division, 1.
• Those voting in favor: First Division, 2; Second Division, 2; Third Division, 0; Fourth Division, 1.
• On page 2, all items are held. Thank you. None. On page 2, all items are held. Page 3.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with ceremonial business, including adoption of resolutions recognizing the Copernicus Institute and honoring October 2025 as Polish American Heritage Month. Members also concurred in Senate petitions and suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several new petitions to be referred, including proposals on employer notice of I-9 records, Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, a sick leave bank for a trial court employee, and the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm. The chamber then advanced several local and administrative bills, including legislation authorizing MassDOT to convey land in Stoneham and bills on child welfare protections, transit-worker assault penalties, and other local matters. The most substantial debate centered on House No. 4645, a substitute bill addressing assault and battery on transit workers. Supporters argued that transit employees face rising violence and deserve protections similar to other public employees, citing MBTA assault statistics and testimony from workers describing threats, spitting, weapons, and serious injuries. The House accepted the substitute bill and passed it to be engrossed by roll call, 116-0. The chamber also passed to be engrossed a child welfare bill, House No. 4644, after debate on expanded DCF reporting, discharge planning, the independence of the Office of the Child Advocate, education coordination for children in care, and child fatality review reforms; amendments were adopted, including one adding a Department of Social Services social worker to the fatality review team and another creating a commission to study a digital education portfolio for foster youth. The House also adopted an emergency preamble for a bonds bill and passed several engrossed local bills, including measures affecting Hull, Lanesborough, and Norton. The session included a formal visit from a Hokkaido, Japan delegation marking the 35th anniversary of the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister-state relationship, with remarks entered into the Journal. Members observed moments of silence for Bernard Fang and former Representative Thomas George, and the House later adopted a special adjournment in memory of Mark Haren before adjourning to meet the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution Number One by Zaffirini, the caucus resolution.
• President and members, this is simply the Senate caucus resolution.
• Chair lays out the following resolution. Senate Resolution Two by Hughes, the rules resolution.
• Senator Hughes, you're recognized to explain the resolution, rather. Senator Hughes: Thank you, Mr.
• Members, the resolution now laid before the Senate is the rules resolution.

Bills: SR1, SR2

Keywords: Texas Senate, senate rules, caucus report, legislative administration, senate officers, parliamentarian, assistant parliamentarian, secretary of the senate, sergeant-at-arms, calendar clerk, journal clerk, doorkeeper, enrolling clerk, senate staff, employee policies, leave policy, compensatory time, outside employment, staff salaries, per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• We are on adoption of a favorable committee report on House Joint Resolution 4.
• Speaker, your Education Committee, to whom has been referred House Joint Resolution 1, has had it under
• Speaker, your Education Committee, to whom has been referred House Joint Resolution 1, has had it under
• We are in adoption of a favorable committee report on House Joint Resolution 1.
• I thought there was another Joint Resolution 1 that passed, and it's famous.

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM18, HM21, HB10, HB11, HB12, HB13, HB14, HB31, HB50

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 33. Ayes 71, noes 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 43. Ayes 71, noes 0.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 58.
• Senate concurrent resolution 33. I 71 no zero. Senate concurrent resolution 43. I 71 no zero.
• Senate concurrent resolution 56. I 71 no zero. Senate concurrent resolution 46. I 71 no zero.
• Senate concurrent resolution 46. I 71 no zero. Senate concurrent resolution 58. I 71 no zero.

Summary: The Assembly met on June 4, 2025, first establishing a quorum and then moving through a long budget and concurrence session. After procedural motions, the house took up several budget trailer bills and related measures presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 103, a technical budget cleanup bill addressing the Public School System Stabilization Account, a CDCR shortfall, and Middle Class Scholarship funding, passed 52-16. SB 120 on child care and preschool funding passed 65-1; SB 124 on natural resources and wildfire response passed 69-1; SB 127 on climate change and zero-emission transportation passed 53-17; SB 128 on transportation and DMV/LA Olympics implementation passed 53-17; SB 132 on taxation, veterans, wildfire settlements, film tax credits, and housing passed 64-1; SB 141 on cannabis enforcement and illicit market suppression passed 71-1; and SB 142 extending the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program passed 68-1 on both urgency and the measure. The Assembly also approved a motion to re-refer several bills to committees and later suspended rules to take up Senate-amended bills without reference to file. The chamber then considered AB 102, the main budget bill reflecting the final three-party agreement with the Governor. Supporters said it balanced compassion and fiscal responsibility while preserving housing, health care, child care, education, wildfire resilience, and public safety funding. Opponents criticized it for unsustainable spending, insufficient Prop. 36 funding, and other omissions. After extended debate, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments by a 55-16 vote and sent the bill to the Governor. The Assembly then concurred in Senate amendments to AB 116 on health care, AB 118 on human services, AB 121 on TK-12 education, AB 123 on higher education, AB 134 on public safety, AB 136 on courts, AB 137 on general government, and AB 143 on developmental services, with each bill passing on largely party-line or broad bipartisan votes. Debate on AB 116 focused on Medi-Cal, HIV program backfills, pharmacy benefit managers, and health care cuts; opponents objected to funding for undocumented immigrants and to hospice prior authorization. AB 118 drew support for child welfare, CalFresh disaster readiness, and CalWORKs simplification. AB 121 emphasized record K-12 funding and a $1.7 billion block grant. AB 123 extended the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and supported higher education and fire-impacted career technical education. AB 134 updated CDCR and tribal policing provisions, AB 136 streamlined court reporting and funded courthouse facilities, AB 137 made technical budget adjustments and fee changes, and AB 143 made developmental services reforms while preserving the state’s entitlement commitment. The final item shown was AB 470 on telecommunications, which was presented and discussed as a transition away from copper landlines toward fiber and modern networks, with supporters emphasizing public benefits and labor concerns, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2117, 2-1-1-7, is there anyone?
• This is the joint resolution that accompanies the legislation regarding impeachment that Senator Byrne
• Senator Hall moves that Senate joint resolution 68 be reported for everybody the full Senate with the
• Joint Resolution 63, S.J.R. 63 by Senator Middleton, a constitutional amendment regarding. the Gulf
• Senate joint resolution 63 will be reported February to the full Senate.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate and House Budget Committees each adopted a budget resolution to provide fiscal targets or
• The House's resolution moved to the Senate for consideration, and on April 5, the Senate adopted a revised
• version of the House's concurrent budget resolution.
• The Senate resolution creates a non-binding reserve fund. $2 trillion in unspecified spending cuts over
• As we navigate these realities, we are also watching the progress of Senate Bill 577, authored by Senator

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5.
• Order of Business 9, motions, resolutions, and notices. Senator Cannizzaro. Thank you, Mr.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 3, introduced by Senators Pazina, Doñate, Nguyen, and Taylor, directs the
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 3, introduced by Senators Pazina, Doñate, Nguyen, and Taylor, directs the
• I move to adopt Senate Concurrent Resolution 3. You've heard the motion. Senator Pazina.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:16:45.480> Chang. Senator Chang. Senator Chang.
• Senator Chang? Aye. Senator Lamasao is excused, and Senator DeCoite is excused.
• Senator Kim, Senator Fukunaga? Aye. Senator Kim, Favela<00:32:01.560> excused.
• Senator<00:33:04.760> Fukunaga? Senator Fukunaga? Senator Fukunaga?
• see 2:38. see 2:38.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• This resolution is the exact same resolution filed in both the House and the Senate, and it's great that
• joint resolutions would rescind all previous Article 5 Convention applications.
• We therefore support this joint resolution to send all previous Massachusetts resolutions calling for
• Paich and Kreme, by bringing this joint resolution forward, they are making a clear statement.
• And we urge you in the strongest terms to pass these joint resolutions as quickly as possible.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs was opened by Chair Joe McGonagle and Vice Chair Senator Mike Rush, who noted that Chair John Velis was deployed with the Massachusetts National Guard. The chairs explained the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, live streaming, and filing deadlines, and said the committee would hear 11 House bills and eight Senate bills dealing with federal and overseas issues. Much of the hearing centered on competing resolutions about Article 5 constitutional conventions, along with related resolutions on D.C. statehood, child labor, Citizens United, and Cambodia. Supporters of H. 4692 and S. 284, a joint resolution to rescind all prior Massachusetts Article 5 convention applications, argued that old resolutions from the 1930s and 1970s could be used to count Massachusetts toward the 34-state threshold for calling a federal constitutional convention. Testifiers from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, Reproductive Equity Now, labor groups, and others warned that a convention would have no clear rules, could not be reliably limited to specific topics, and could put civil rights, reproductive rights, labor protections, and other constitutional protections at risk. Several speakers also cited a recent federal lawsuit and said the safest course was to remove outdated applications from the books. A large opposing panel testified in support of H. 3888, a resolution calling for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting federal power, imposing fiscal restraints, and establishing term limits. Supporters argued that Article 5 provides a lawful way to address federal overreach, debt, and congressional stagnation, and said the process would be limited by state applications and ratification by 38 states. Some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about a runaway convention, broad language in the resolution, and whether Congress could or should set rules for such a convention. Representative Gentile also testified in support of several related resolutions on overturning Citizens United, D.C. statehood, and the child labor amendment, while Representative Howard and Representative Tongue supported a Cambodia resolution condemning political oppression and urging free and fair elections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 251 by Senator Caballero. Thank you.
• Senate Bill 255, Senate Bill 387, Senate Bill 428, Senate Bill 602, Senate Bill 648, and Senate Bill
• Senate Bill 648, aye 65, no zero. Senate Bill 652, aye 65, no zero.
• Senate Bill 693, aye 65, no zero. Senate Concurrent Resolution 48, aye 65, no zero.
• And Senate Concurrent Resolution 79, aye 65, no zero.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved procedural motions including suspension of rules for same-day action on certain bills and removal of several measures from the consent calendar. Members also introduced guests and interns from their districts and offices. The chamber then moved through a large number of second- and third-reading items, with many bills deemed read and amendments deemed adopted, and several items passed or retained on file without debate. On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 104, a budget measure making technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and extending loan repayment terms for two Imperial County hospitals, and to AB 138, which ratified additional collective bargaining agreements and related addenda. Members also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1114 on private ambulance toll fee waivers, AB 642 on emergencies, AB 1051 on state highways, AB 1533 appropriating funds for state claims, SB 611 on housing and land-use litigation delays, SB 251 appropriating funds to pay claims against the state, and AB 1459 on hazardous materials regulatory programs. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 611 and the claims bills were presented as urgency measures and passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The consent calendar was adopted after ABs and SBs on the remaining list were approved, and the Assembly also re-referred SB 104 and SB 138 to the Budget Committee and moved SB 773 to the inactive file. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory tributes for James Raymond Bell, a juvenile justice reform advocate, and Gail Yolanda McGowan, followed by notice of committee meetings and an announcement that the House would stand in summer recess and reconvene on August 18, 2025, at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Delivery to the governor of Senate Bill 98, Senate Bill 66, Senate Joint Resolution 116, Senate Bill
• > Bill Senate Joint Resolution 116, Senate Bill Senate Joint Resolution 116, Senate Bill 133,<
• 16, Senate Resolution 37, Senate Resolution 80, Senate Resolution 98, Senate Resolution 109, Senate
• Resolution 112, Senate Resolution 128, Senate Resolution 141, Senate Resolution 144, Senate Resolution
• Resolution 184, Senate Resolution 189, Senate Resolution 191, Senate Resolution 198, Senate Resolution

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all