Transcript Highlights:

• We had tribal leaders continue to move forward in standing unison during different events this week at
• I thank all of you for attending the events and letting your voices be heard.
• In 2019, Governor Newsom signed SB 329 by Mitchell to redefine source of income to include housing subsidy

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved routine procedural motions, and recognized several guest groups, including First Five California, a fourth-grade class from Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, visitors from Modoc and Lassen counties, and representatives from the Port of Long Beach. The chamber then moved through second reading and concurrence items, with most bills and resolutions being read, deemed adopted, or passed on file without debate. The main floor action centered on ACR 39, designating May 2025 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. Assembly Member Ramos and many caucus members spoke in strong support, describing the crisis as a state of emergency and emphasizing violence against Native women, girls, and two-spirit people, the need for better data collection, agency coordination, tribal sovereignty, and continued action beyond symbolic recognition. The resolution passed concurrence with 67 ayes and 0 noes. The Assembly also passed a series of bills on topics including classified school employee pay stubs (AB 374), allowing voucher preferences in housing (AB 282), authorizing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates (AB 583), student health insurance protections (AB 594), local housing pre-approval programs (AB 1206), veterans education program administration (AB 1509), expanding the Family Urgent Response System (AB 898), Star Wars Day (H.R. 33), local news sale notice requirements (AB 611), mask-wearing protections in public spaces (AB 1326), a Chula Vista university land-use measure (AB 76), undercover officer record protections (AB 1178), and preservation of Clover Valley in Rocklin (AB 1152). Most passed with broad support, though AB 282 and AB 611 drew some opposition. A major debate occurred on AJR 10, which urged the President to reverse cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. Members from both parties discussed wildfire prevention, forest health, staffing, and federal-state responsibility, with some criticizing the administration and others emphasizing forest management and the need for bipartisan cooperation. The resolution was adopted after a co-author roll and final roll vote of 67 ayes and 0 noes. The chamber then adopted the second-day consent calendar, heard an adjournment in memory for Giovanni “Johnny” of East Side Italian Deli, and adjourned until Monday, May 12, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• with a new child, including fostering and adoptive children, or participating in quality military event
• We do a lot of targeted events.
• There's also mass transit and vanpool commute programs where state employees can receive subsidies. up

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the voice for the carried interest but I'm not just sure I'm a hundred percent confident okay well events
• Clearly events have demonstrated that that particular change.
• There's no reason, it seems to me, to give these big investors taxpayer subsidies for doing something

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Commerce, International Trade, Tax Policy, Nominees, Inflation, Middle-class, Trade Practices, Economic Concerns

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and nominees, including the critical nominations of William Kimmett for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ken Keyes for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Discussions highlighted the nominees' roles in managing critical trade and tax policies amidst rising economic concerns, particularly focusing on inflation and its impact on American families. Members expressed both support and skepticism, emphasizing the significance of fostering fair trade practices and ensuring tax policies that benefit the middle-class amidst claims of an agenda favoring affluent individuals and corporations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal subsidy for low-income residents, including in these communities that we're talking about
• It was a $30-a-month subsidy for internet access. That's gone away.

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions heard two bills. SB 1131, by Senator Jones, would update the Debt Collection Licensing Act by requiring the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to conduct examinations remotely unless an on-site review is needed, and by allowing the department to rely on recent audits or examinations from other regulators or approved third parties. Supporters from the debt collection industry said the bill would reduce duplicative costs and fix issues with the advisory committee process; an opposition witness from the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition said concerns remained. After discussion about preserving consumer protections while reducing burdens on licensees, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 1131 and re-refer it to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1291, the “Shine Act,” by Senator Gonzalez, which would increase transparency and accountability for mutual water companies by removing the 24-hour written notice requirement for board meetings, requiring websites with basic information such as consumer confidence reports, and directing a comparative analysis of mutual water companies serving disadvantaged communities. Supporters, including environmental justice advocates and Los Angeles County, described problems with access to water quality information, meeting notices, and board accountability in communities such as Cudahy and Maywood. The California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill unless amended, arguing it imposed unfunded mandates and one-size-fits-all requirements on small systems. Members discussed the need for transparency while acknowledging concerns about compliance burdens; the committee then voted 7-0 to pass SB 1291 and re-refer it to Environmental Quality.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal subsidy for low-income residents, including in these communities that we're talking about
• It was a $30-a-month subsidy for internet access. That's gone away.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions heard two bills. SB 1131, presented by Senator Jones’s staff, would update the Debt Collection Licensing Act by requiring DFPI to conduct examinations remotely unless an on-site review is needed for consumer protection, and allowing the department to rely on recent audits or examinations by other regulators or approved third parties to avoid duplicative work. Supporters from the California Association of Collectors and Receivables Management Association International said the bill would reduce examination costs and improve administrative efficiency while preserving consumer protections. A representative of the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition expressed concerns. Committee members noted the need to avoid unintended consequences for the consumer protection goals of the licensing program. The bill was moved on a due pass and re-refer motion to Appropriations and later received enough votes on call to pass out of committee. The committee also heard SB 1291, the “Shine Act,” by Senator Gonzalez, which would increase transparency and accountability for mutual water company boards by eliminating the 24-hour written notice requirement for board meetings, requiring websites with basic information and consumer confidence reports, and directing a comparative analysis of mutual water companies serving disadvantaged communities. Supporters, including community and public health advocates, described problems with water quality, inaccessible meetings, poor notice practices, and lack of information in communities such as Cudahy and Maywood. The California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill unless amended, arguing it imposes costly, one-size-fits-all requirements on small systems without dedicated funding and could be difficult for remote or low-capacity mutuals to meet. Committee members generally supported the transparency goals but raised concerns about scale and compliance burdens; the author said he would continue working with opponents. SB 1291 was moved on a due pass and re-refer motion to Environmental Quality and later passed out of committee on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was interested in the effect that the elimination of subsidies for the ACA will have on the MassHealth
• what's happening in other states, we're seeing premiums that were not covered out previously with the subsidies—premium

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with roll call, approval of prior minutes, and a presentation from Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth. The main discussion focused on the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) working group, which had completed its legislatively mandated review and submitted recommendations. Darcy said several earlier recommendations were already implemented, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity efforts, and removing paperwork-related authorized hours for EVV users. The group then reached consensus on additional recommendations to reduce the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, set a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue work on benchmarks, though no consensus was reached on a benchmark standard. Darcy said the proposed changes were intended to preserve program integrity while addressing rapid cost growth in PCA services. Darcy also reviewed the expected effects of a recent federal Medicaid-related bill, estimating that Massachusetts could lose about $3.5 billion by January 2028. She described upcoming changes affecting Medicaid eligibility for certain immigrant groups in October 2026, work requirements for some non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for certain adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. She emphasized that people with disabilities and people on Medicare would be exempt from the new work requirements and six-month redeterminations. Members asked about the impact on community hospitals, the health safety net, and ACA premium subsidies; Darcy said federal changes could worsen uncompensated care pressures, but Massachusetts used state funds to offset the loss of enhanced ACA premium tax credits, helping keep premiums lower for middle-income families. In response to questions about the FY27 budget, Darcy said MassHealth expected targeted reductions, some one-time measures, and likely a rate freeze rather than large base cuts, with further cost-containment work to follow in FY28. She noted that LTSS is a major share of MassHealth spending and that programs such as PCA, adult foster care, and adult day services are state-plan entitlements once adopted by the state, even though the federal government does not require them. Charlie Carr and other members stressed that the PCA work group had been difficult but collaborative, and Carr said the recommendations were modest compared with other options considered. The meeting ended with a brief planning discussion about a February guest presentation from the Department of Public Health and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, our events on campus and our visits have increased each year.
• First, our Future Palooza event.
• As for on-campus events, over the last five years, we've seen substantial growth.
• Fall event attendance has increased by 148%, while spring events have grown 95%.
• We've only done one registration event and I'm already at eight.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a new form of housing that is distinct, both from private market housing as well as traditional, subsidy-dependent
• This is not just a one-time subsidy when we build social housing.
• infrastructure costs is one of the most effective ways to deliver durable affordability without ongoing subsidy

Bills: HB2304 , HB2664

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer

Transcript Highlights:

• represents a new form of housing that is distinct both from private market housing as well as traditional, subsidy-dependent
• This is not just a one-time subsidy when we build social housing.
• infrastructure costs is one of the most effective ways to deliver durable affordability without ongoing subsidy

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills. Representative Connors testified on two notice-service bills: HB 2452, which would change manufactured/mobile home rent increase notices so they are served like other MHLTA notices rather than by certified mail, and HB 2664, which would remove certified-mail requirements for unlawful detainer and related notices. Connors said the current certified-mail rules are causing notices to go unclaimed and creating unnecessary costs for housing providers, while staff explained the bills would allow service by regular mail in the same manner as other notices. Public testimony on both bills was generally supportive, emphasizing reduced cost and better delivery, though one witness on HB 2452 urged allowing electronic notice options as well. The committee also heard SHB 2269, which clarifies that middle housing in limited areas of more intensive rural development may be served by either a public sewer system or a large on-site sewage system in rural counties, while non-rural counties would still require public sewer service. The sponsor and supporters said the bill resolves ambiguity created by prior legislation and gives county planners more flexibility; questions focused on what kinds of systems and uses would qualify. EHB 1687 was heard next and would expand the housing cooperation law to allow cities and counties to assist social housing public development authorities. Representative Reed and supporters said the bill would give Seattle and potentially other jurisdictions a tool to support permanently public, mixed-income housing with land, infrastructure, and other assistance. In executive session, the committee adopted a due-pass recommendation for EHB 1345 after Senator Gaynor withdrew an amendment that would have removed water-withdrawal and metering requirements for detached ADUs outside urban growth areas. The committee also adopted a striking amendment and moved ESHB 1500 and EHB 1501 forward, both with updated timelines and clarifications related to common-interest-community resale certificates and owner inquiries. Amendments to ESHB 1974 on land bank authorities were rejected, including proposals to remove private negotiation and tax preferences, and the bill was sent to Ways and Means. Finally, SHB 2288 on scissors stairs was advanced without amendment. Later, the committee heard HB 2304, which would expand the 2-10 warranty option to certain four-story stacked-flat condominium projects; testimony from builders, housing advocates, and the Office of Insurance Commissioner supported it as a way to reduce liability costs and increase condo supply. The committee also took testimony on EHB 1687 and HB 2664, and then closed the hearing on SHB 2452 after hearing support from housing providers for easing manufactured-home rent notice service requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not an ongoing subsidy.
• This is not<00:05:29.680><c> an</c><00:05:30.000><c> ongoing</c><00:05:30.560><c> subsidy.
• /c><00:05:31.120><c> It's</c><00:05:31.360><c> a</c><00:05:31.520><c> one-time</c> not an ongoing subsidy
• It's a one-time not an ongoing subsidy.
• Successful supportive housing requires three things: capital to build, rent subsidies, and a reliable

Bills: HF2740 , HF2901 , HF4443 , HF3943

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: affordable housing, housing finance, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, low-income housing tax credit, LIHTC, Section 42, compliance period, housing stability, rental housing, affordable rental housing, homelessness, housing insecurity, housing supply, preservation, recapitalization, distressed properties, regulatory relief, local affordable housing aid, Interagency Council to End Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• .. ...thank you for recognizing 9/11 today, and I'm also, you know, can't stop thinking about the events
• seen some of the difference that a BRIGHT program or a space for students who have had a traumatic event
• students which found that more than two-thirds of students were willing to intervene during an overdose event
• We are having an event tonight about—it's unrelated to this bill—but about the DRIVE Act and at least
• We are having an event tonight about, it's an unrelated to this bill, but about the Drive Act and about

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its fourth public hearing, opening with remarks about the importance of protecting and expanding access to higher education amid federal disinvestment. The chairs also announced future informational hearings on the impact of federal cuts and on ASAP models. The hearing then focused on several bills, beginning with S. 951/H. 1462, An Act to Support College Students in Recovery, which would require recovery-focused housing on public campuses and expand naloxone access and overdose training. Senator Rausch, medical professionals, students, and advocates testified in support, emphasizing the prevalence of overdose risk among college students, the value of recovery housing, and the need for campus naloxone; committee members asked about implementation details and the existing state pilot program. Deb Schmill and Rep. Tarski gave especially personal testimony in favor of the bill, and the committee discussed broadening the naloxone language to opioid reversal agents. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1461, which would expand MassReconnect scholarships to practical nursing students at vocational and technical schools to help address the long-term care workforce shortage. Rep. Stanley argued that vocational schools graduate more practical nursing students than community colleges and serve many low-income students in areas without nearby community college programs. The committee then took up H. 1433, which would require public higher education institutions to accept IEPs and 504 plans as sufficient documentation for disability accommodations. Advocates from the National Center for Learning Disabilities described the high cost and burden of repeat testing, the lifelong nature of disabilities, and the need for more uniform access across campuses; committee members raised questions about documentation freshness, campus autonomy, and how to preserve the integrity of accommodations. Later, the committee heard S. 919/H. 1454 on modernizing the Community College Endowment Match Program so community colleges could receive state matching funds for current-use donations as well as endowments and capital gifts. Community college foundation leaders said the change would help fund immediate student needs such as food pantries, child care, emergency aid, and equipment. The hearing then moved to faculty-related bills: S. 933 on UMass faculty rights and tenure transparency, S. 930/H. 3948 on contingent faculty rights and career advancement, and S. 940/H. 1429 on an Adjunct Bill of Rights. Testimony from faculty and union representatives focused on low pay, lack of benefits, job insecurity, and the need for clearer pathways to full-time positions and fairer treatment for adjuncts who teach large shares of courses. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked clarifying questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• As an example, you look at we had a missing persons event that we hosted at the Department of Public
• Safety, and we were not able to communicate with the community about this event right away.
• We set up a Real Time Crime Center for that particular event for those couple of weeks.
• We had a very safe State Fair; we had very little events.
• We're running a Real Time Crime Center for those big events like that.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• very awkward position for us to be put in, to be able to be that go-between for this kind of seeming subsidy
• to people, which no one has This kind of seeming subsidy to people, which no one has agreed to in any
• very awkward position for us to be put in, to be able to be that go-between for this kind of seeming subsidy
• to people, which no one has, this kind of seeming subsidy to people, which no one has agreed to in any

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its second hearing to study the future of credit card payments and sales transactions and their impacts on small businesses. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurants, and payment-industry representatives on interchange fees, processing fees, fraud, chargebacks, rewards programs, and the ability of businesses to pass fees on to customers. Several witnesses argued that swipe fees have risen sharply, are especially burdensome for restaurants and other small businesses, and are charged on taxes and tips that are merely pass-through amounts. They urged state action to prohibit fees on tax and tip portions, improve transparency, and allow surcharging or convenience fees, while opponents warned that state regulation could reduce fraud protections, increase compliance costs, and threaten consumer rewards programs. Business owners and trade groups described thin margins, rising costs, and the difficulty of understanding merchant statements or negotiating with processors. Restaurant witnesses said card-not-present and online transactions create the greatest fraud and chargeback risk, with money often removed immediately from merchants’ accounts and disputes rarely resolved in their favor. Retail witnesses gave examples of rising effective rates, higher fees on rewards cards, and the burden of processing fees on low-value transactions. A representative from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and others said restaurants are effectively paying fees on meals tax and gratuities, which they argued should not be subject to interchange charges. On the other side, the Cooperative Credit Union Association said interchange revenue helps credit unions fund fraud prevention, rapid card replacement, and member protections, and warned that state limits on interchange could weaken those safeguards and lead to higher consumer costs or reduced services. Airlines for America testified that airline credit card rewards are popular, support travel and jobs in Massachusetts, and could be harmed by interchange reform. The National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that interchange fees are set by card networks rather than competitive markets, that banks remain highly profitable even with rewards, and that states can act after recent court decisions. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questions from commissioners.

Transcript Highlights:

• How much was the average subsidy? Oh, the average amount. Yeah, we don't know.
• &gt;&gt; how much was the &gt;&gt; how much was the &gt;&gt; average<00:20:00.480><c> subsidy?
• </c> &gt;&gt; average subsidy? &gt;&gt; average subsidy?

Bills: HF3298 , SF3832 , HF3528 , HF3516 , HF3972 , HF4118

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, dairy assistance, investment relief, agriculture support, food production, economic relief, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, dentistry, licensure, registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicare-eligible health plan for our 65 and over retirees, a huge portion of that's paid for with federal subsidies
• Medicare-eligible health plan for our 65 and over retirees, a huge portion of that's paid for with federal subsidies
• We had budget requests for that $80 million at 7.1% over 20 years. federal subsidies and formulary rebates
• . federal subsidies and formulary rebates.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance heard testimony from Bo Barnes, deputy executive secretary and general counsel for the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), on the TRS budget request for the upcoming biennium and how it compares with House Bill 500 as introduced. Barnes emphasized that the bill fully funds the system’s additional funding request to pay down TRS’s legacy unfunded pension liability, which he described as critical to the system’s long-term funding plan. He also explained that the pension and health insurance requests are broken into several line items, including legacy benefit items, state shared-responsibility payments for retiree health insurance, and reconciliation items that adjust for prior over- or underpayments. Barnes said the state portion of shared responsibility for retiree health insurance was funded below the request in House Bill 500, but he described the health insurance trust as a success story under the post-2010 shared-responsibility model. He said the trust is projected to be fully funded in about two years if medical inflation and federal subsidies remain stable, and he noted that any shortfall in the current budget would be reconciled later and could reduce investment income. In response to questions, he explained that the legacy benefit items are treated as part of the total actuarially determined employer contribution and that unpaid legacy benefits would have the same impact on the retirement trust as unpaid ADC amounts. Barnes also addressed questions about whether the $47.2 million SEEK-related teacher contribution reconciliation could be split between fiscal years, saying it could be done but would reduce investment income and potentially increase future contribution needs. He said the pension fund is currently about 61% funded and that TRS has received full funding for the pension for 10 straight years, with the state having provided full additional funding and more in recent budgets. He concluded by asking the committee to consider TRS’s original budget request, warning that underfunding now would be reflected in future actuarial calculations and could cost the Commonwealth more over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• should give money back directly to child care providers, whether we should increase scholarships and subsidies
• should um increase um<00:23:17.520><c> scholarships</c><00:23:18.080><c> and</c><00:23:18.240><c> subsidies
• </c><00:23:18.880><c> directly</c> um scholarships and subsidies directly um scholarships and subsidies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and education and not just subsidies. and education and not just subsidies.
• , extreme climate events, and that we are trying to go after those that are responsible for the costs
• , extreme climate events, and that we are trying to go after those that are responsible for the costs
• , extreme climate events, and that we are trying to go after those that are responsible for the costs
• , extreme climate events, and that we are trying to go after those that are responsible for the costs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The young adult subsidy program was the result of her intensive study of how to improve access to health
• The young adult subsidy program was the result of her intensive study of how to improve access to health
• And because those government subsidy.
• And final note, when I was first elected, I went to some small event, Mickey was there, and he said to
• event, Mickey was there and<03:13:38.120><c> he</c><03:13:38.280><c> said</c><03:13:38.560><c> to</c

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that an adverse event happens. like that.
• that an emer uh that an the event that an emer uh that an adverse<00:21:37.760><c> reaction</c><00:21
• uh website to track that adverse events uh website to track that information<00:21:47.440><c> to</c>
• </c><00:22:12.000><c> that</c> reporting requirements in the event that reporting requirements in the
• event that an<00:22:12.400><c> adverse</c><00:22:12.799><c> event</c><00:22:13.120><c> happens.

Bills: SF0122 , SJ0006 , SF0121 , SF0106

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: medical necessity, insurance, healthcare policy, independent review, claim processing, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, welfare, Medicaid, employment, eligibility verification

Transcript Highlights:

• Tax subsidies available to them now going on, Madam Chair, Senator, that.
• Because, and I am no expert on these tax subsidies, but the construction either had to start by a certain

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: 996, all