Transcript Highlights:

• Running a small business is hard enough without needing to wade through the confusing array of credit
• Running a small business is hard enough without needing to wade through the confusing array of credit
• , hard work.
• Thank you, her and her team so much for their hard work.
• Can we get a hard copy? And the answer is no, you know, things like that.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills focused on consumer and small business financial protections. SB 97, by Senator Grayson, would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets law; supporters from the blockchain industry and consumer groups said it would improve compliance clarity while preserving room to align with possible federal action. The committee passed SB 97 on a due-pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 362, which would strengthen disclosure rules for small business financing by requiring clearer pricing information throughout the marketing process. Supporters said the bill would help small businesses compare offers and avoid harmful financing, while some industry groups objected to the bill’s treatment of communications and APR disclosures during negotiations. After discussion, the committee passed SB 362 to the Judiciary Committee, with several members voting aye and the roll left open. SB 784, a bill addressing predatory home-improvement and solar financing practices, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters described scams targeting seniors, low-income homeowners, and non-English speakers, and said the bill would add safeguards such as confirmation calls, document access, fee transparency, and longer cancellation periods. Solar industry groups moved to neutral after amendments, while banks and other lenders raised concerns about overbreadth and impacts on legitimate lending. The committee passed SB 784 to Judiciary, with some members not voting or changing votes during the roll call. Finally, SB 825 sought to give the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation clearer authority to enforce existing consumer financial protection laws against its licensees, especially in light of reduced federal CFPB enforcement. Supporters argued California needs independent state enforcement tools, while banking and mortgage groups opposed the bill as duplicative and unnecessary, urging coordination with federal regulators and proposing narrower amendments. The committee passed SB 825 to Appropriations on a due-pass vote, and then adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• My background drives me toward, as I said, data and strategic approaches.
• What's driving the workforce shortages we are seeing today?
• We work hard to keep the best and brightest close to home.
• That's really hard numbers to do.
• We've been working very hard at the university to qualify for the TEF fund.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know you've worked hard to get many of those the benefits they need, but those were all to say
• We worked very hard...
• If you live in a town and have to drive more than 10 miles to get to the grocery store, that can...
• Because that's hard, yeah. Any other questions? One? Thank you. I actually have one, it's okay..."
• It is very hard to get data about sales tax exemptions across the country for nonprofits.

Summary: The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions. Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation. Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• I try not to do this because it can get hard to see.
• I try not to do this because it can get hard to see.
• That's a very hard task. It does get complex.
• I mean, it's not impossible, but it would be very hard. Thank you.
• So what's driving the changes or the increase in IEP?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And driving down the hill is the term we use in the Antelope Valley to go down to L.A.
• I'm here from the Central Valley, so it's a long drive. Thank you for having us.
• I just want to uplift how incredible it is to see you fighting so hard.
• They're working hard to build better lives. Families aren't looking for handouts.
• They're working hard to build better lives.

Summary: The committee heard a series of child care, social services, immigrant support, disability services, and language access bills, with many measures drawing strong support and no opposition. Early in the hearing, AB 450 proposed a Department of Aging task force to study and recommend policies for undocumented adults age 55 and older; AB 593 would let CDSS identify data-sharing opportunities to improve CalFresh administration and participation; and AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility so families do not lose care during pregnancy leave, family leave, caregiving, or job search periods. All three were presented as ways to reduce barriers and improve access to essential services, and AB 904 was moved out on a 1-0 call after support testimony from child care advocates and a member of the public. AB 617, which would expand and standardize respite care access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by requiring licensing and registry participation, drew both support and significant opposition from respite providers and disability service organizations concerned about added regulation, cost, and possible delays; the author said she would continue working with opponents, and the bill was moved out on a 2-0 call. The committee also heard AB 1220, which would require regional centers to document denials, notices of action, and appeals in individual program plans and include that data in annual reports to improve transparency and equity in developmental services. The bill drew extensive public support from parents, advocates, and disability organizations, with no opposition, and passed 5-0. AB 752 would make child care centers by right in certain residential zones when co-located with multifamily housing or institutional uses, and supporters argued it would reduce zoning barriers and help expand child care capacity; it also passed 5-0. AB 1242 would create a CalHHS language access director, require human review of machine translation, and improve language coverage determinations for state and local agencies; supporters emphasized health equity and the need for better access for limited-English communities, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 call. Later, AB 548 would continue and expand the Asylee and Vulnerable Non-Citizen Program, which provides case management and integration services for asylees and certain visa holders; supporters said the program had been effective but had run out of funding, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would strengthen family safety planning for immigrant families, standardize acceptance of caregiver authorization affidavits, and create a joint guardianship process for temporary separations; testimony focused on fear of family separation and the need for clear school and medical procedures, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 1357 would exclude guaranteed income payments from being counted as income for state public assistance eligibility, with supporters arguing it would prevent recipients from falling off the “benefits cliff”; it passed 4-1. Finally, AB 1201, the Reunity Act, was introduced to require individualized court assessments before denying reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions after a five-year period, with the author and a witness describing the bill as a trauma-informed approach to family reunification.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just, I think for a lot of families and for the students, it's hard to imagine how that's going to
• But it's hard to kind of know where to start when you're the parent and when you're the student.
• But it's sort of like that next step: the resources are out there, but it's hard to—how are you going
• But it's hard to kind of know where to start when you're the parent and when you're the student.
• But it's sort of like that next step, the resources are out there, but it's hard to, how are you going

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Permit Commission on Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes before hearing a presentation from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE). Presenters from UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion, the Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport, Northeast, and Lawrence Public Schools described LPTE as a five-year grant focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence through community partnerships, work groups, and family engagement. A major focus was a family survey designed to better understand barriers to transition planning and IEP participation. Presenters said the survey response rate increased sharply after Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute it, rising from about a dozen responses to more than 200. Survey findings showed common barriers such as scheduling conflicts, language access, childcare, transportation, and limited understanding of IEPs and transition planning. The data also suggested that many families expect college or employment outcomes for their children, but fewer reported access to pre-employment training, indicating a communication gap rather than a lack of services. Lawrence school staff explained that the district has a five-person transition team, bilingual resources, workshops, and a developing online transition hub, and that they are using the survey results to improve visibility and access to existing supports. Committee members discussed the need to start transition planning earlier, expand real-world work experiences, improve outreach to Latino families, and better connect students with college, trade, and employment pathways. Several members suggested partnerships with summer youth employment, volunteer programs, and college or alumni panels. The presenters said the grant ends in September, but the resource hub will continue through the Arc and they are exploring ways to sustain the consortium model. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters, an update that committee members would meet with Seed on Massachusetts as a model employer, and notice that the next meeting would feature the Office of Veteran Affairs before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, this one is exceptionally hard.
• Flooding, resiliency, where 76 percent of the workforce drives out...
• The clerk's role goes far beyond announcing bills, calling votes, and pronouncing hard words.
• They've worked so very, very hard for us. They've been running around, hand-delivering things.
• Man, it's hard to believe y'all have been here this long. It really is.

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's hard enough for families to keep up with the one-year, you know, every year annual...
• Put into the law that have a driving force on themselves, Madam Chair.
• Because they can't drive into the big city or wherever they go to purchase food.
• Make health care more accessible, but this is really going to be a hard hit, and I think those are the
• It's hard to say whether all that feedback was received and made a difference in what, in a lot.

Transcript Highlights:

• hard-of-hearing community. hard-of-hearing community.
• Yeah, feel free to come up. hard enough to even talk about, um, to hard enough to even talk about, um
• We are driving these numbers down. We can only do it with your help, support, and resources.
• We can drive down these numbers. We can make them better. Our shots fired calls in St.
• down these numbers we can make drive down these numbers we can make them<01:04:54.359> better.

Bills: HF1082, HF2099, HF4177, HF2742

Keywords: public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, emergency management, local government, funding, preparedness, Minnesota, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, use of force, police accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• yes right and um uh we should have hard yes right and um uh we should have hard copies<00:47:43.520
• Educators out there and all their hard Educators out there and all their hard work<01:08:52.440>
• <06:25:53.718> in um subject really came hard-hitting in um subject really came hard-hitting
• <06:27:03.760> the outside busing company driving the outside busing company driving the health
• late to jobs because they have to drive late to jobs because they have to drive their their their

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected. The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees. Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• But commercialization is really hard. Innovation is really hard.
• But commercialization is really hard. Innovation is really hard.
• But commercialization is really hard. Innovation is really hard.
• But commercialization is really hard. Innovation is really hard.
• But commercialization is really hard. Innovation is really hard.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2045 relating to combat sports and recommended passage with SD1. Members adopted requested changes from DCCA and the boxing commission, including clarifying that the onsite medical professional must be a licensed physician, specifying when a deputy combat sports commissioner must file a written report, removing the combat sports registry language and ambulance requirement, clarifying promoter payment requirements, and requiring advance coordination with the nearest emergency room or hospital. The bill also makes technical amendments and sets an effective date of July 1, 2050. The measure passed unanimously among members present, with Senators Fukunaga and Kim excused. The joint hearing then considered SB 2187 relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Testimony was brief and largely in support, and the committees agreed to pass the bill with SD1, making technical non-substantive amendments and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees voted to adopt the recommendation, with members present voting aye and some senators excused. A longer portion of the hearing focused on several economic development measures, including SB 2072 on tourism, SB 3049 on a trade-oriented production capacity grant program, and SB 3166 and SB 3167 involving technology development and the blue economy. SB 2072 drew questions about cost, benefit, and the practicality of promoting Michelin-star restaurants in Hawaii. SB 3049 received broad support from DBEDT, HTDC, chambers, and industry groups, but members questioned whether a new grant program was needed, why DBEDT could not do it without legislation, and whether the state should instead use existing entities like HTDC; the discussion also covered matching funds, likely beneficiaries, and administrative capacity. SB 3166 and SB 3167 were supported by technology and ocean-sector witnesses who said the state needs coordinated planning, specialized expertise, and support for advanced manufacturing and ocean innovation, but members raised concerns about relying on third-party consultants, duplication of existing public capacity, ethics, cost, and whether the work should instead be done by state staff or existing institutions. No final votes on the later bills were captured in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to working with you all on policies that close equity gaps, driving inclusive economic
• Our mission at Beckma is to drive economic equity and...
• Our mission at Beckma is to drive economic equity and prosperity across Massachusetts and ultimately
• and close the racial wealth gap, and the research shows, as well as our businesses have told us, how hard
• It is no secret that our downtowns and the creative sector were both hard hit by the pandemic.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its second hearing of the session, with Chairs Gómez and Vargas opening by emphasizing the committee’s focus on equity, small business growth, and support for communities that have historically been overlooked. Several members noted the historic nature of having two Latino chairs. The hearing covered a package of bills centered on access to capital, transparency in state assistance, commercial tenant protections, downtown revitalization, and business improvement district administration. Testimony was largely supportive of bills aimed at helping micro-businesses, small businesses, and disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Beckma, the Asian Business Empowerment Council, a minority- and woman-owned business owner, and a worker-owned Springfield business all backed measures including S. 179 and H. 312/S. 184, which would prioritize capital assistance and require reporting on where state business aid goes. Witnesses said transparency, upfront payments on state contracts, and better data collection could help businesses that struggle with delayed reimbursements, limited reserves, and difficulty accessing traditional financing. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council supported S. 173, which would dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue to a downtown vitality fund for district management, cultural districts, and downtown infrastructure, and said the bill could help sustain downtowns and prevent cultural displacement. There was also testimony on H. 306, a commercial tenant first right of refusal bill, with Beckma supporting it as a way to help small tenants stay in their locations, while the Greater Boston Real Estate Board opposed it, arguing it would add cost, delay, uncertainty, and could reduce property values and the commercial tax base. The board supported H. 305, a housing bill that would expand by-right multifamily and open-space residential development while preserving local zoning protections. Andre Leroux of MassINC also supported S. 173 and H. 299, the latter proposing longer BID renewal periods and audit requirements aligned with nonprofit standards. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and questions, with the chair closing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker Hortman was again a driving force behind that legislation.
• So, and we'll work hard to find common ground with that. Thank you, Senator. From the school.
• We were pretty hard mother male there, Mankato cat person, Red Wing campus to part of this plane.
• I started sweeping a drive-up at my dad's gas station in Ridgefield, actually 70 years ago.
• IN STARTED SWEEPING A DRIVE-UP. MY DAD'S GAS STATION IN RIDGEFIELD. ACTUALLY 70 YEARS AGO.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LOOK LIKE, WHERE WE COME FROM, WHAT WE DO FOR A LIVING EYE THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE FLORIDIANS WORK HARD
• ENJOY FLORIDA'S NATURAL BEAUTY, SPEND TIME WITH THOSE WE LOVE AND LIVE THE LIVES WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD
• DRIVING AROUND NORTHWEST JACKSONVILLE WE WILL SEE CEMETERIES WHERE YOU WILL FIND THE GRAVES OF TONGUE
• YEAR AND THAT IS WHY FOR US IT'S IMPORTANT CERTAINLY IS A LEGISLATURE TO GET BACK AS MUCH OF THAT HARD
• IT TRIES TO GIVE HARD EARNED DOLLARS BACK TO OUR FAMILIES OR RESIDENTS, OUR FARMERS, OUR BUSINESSES AND

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd just really quickly like to recognize the hard work that they put into this.
• We could not achieve this without their hard work. And so our revenue forecast...
• That's what's driving a lot of that.
• That's what's driving a lot of that.
• So forecasting small declines there, and that will drive lower demand for coal.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the January 15 morning meeting. The main agenda item was the Department of Revenue’s budget and revenue presentation from Secretary Eric Nelson, Deputy Secretary Peter Shirley, and Deputy Secretary Mark Mucco. Nelson said the state remains double-A rated with a positive outlook, the budget includes a 5% personal income tax reduction, and the 2027 general revenue estimate is $5.493 billion, up $170 million from the prior year. Shirley gave an economic overview, saying West Virginia is forecast to see continued but slowing employment growth, continued wage growth, gains in private education/health services and business services, declines in some sectors, improving labor force participation relative to the nation, and strong recent net in-migration. He also noted continued growth in natural gas production and a modest rebound in coal production, though coal faces longer-term demand pressure. Mucco reviewed revenue trends and said 2025 collections were about $5.5 billion, below the prior year but above estimate, with personal income tax and sales tax driving the surplus. He explained that the forecast incorporates the 5% PIT cut and annual conformity to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including changes such as Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, business interest deductions, and a new manufacturing facility expensing provision. He also discussed the effects of tax credits, severance tax volatility, declining tobacco revenues, and health care provider tax changes tied to federal Medicaid rules. He said road fund revenues are largely flat absent policy changes, and county commission revenues are growing faster than state revenues. Members asked about when new economic development projects like NewCore would appear in the projections, how much 20,000 new jobs would matter, whether the department had a calculator for job-growth impacts, the status of recent tax cuts, road fund growth, tobacco/vape taxation, and whether migration data could be broken down by county. The witnesses said major projects are not yet in the S&P-based forecast but would likely add jobs, wages, and tax revenue over time; they estimated 20,000 jobs would be a significant increase. They also said the state is unlikely to hit the current personal income tax trigger in the near term. No substantive votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• multi-generational businesses that drive multi-generational businesses that drive tourism,<00:09
• <00:25:02.520> to Um so, it's really hard to Um so, it's really hard to sometimes<00:25:03.720
• driving if necessary. driving if necessary.
• it sounds like there isn't really a hard it sounds like there isn't really a hard and<01:27:39.680
• Drives my husband crazy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It drives businesses, kills jobs. Thank you. Hello, Matt Roybal.
• That does not point to current retail sales as a driving factor.
• That does not point to the current retail sales as a driving factor.
• The biggest hard drive you can easily get these days is 22 terabytes.
• So why was this a hard decision for me?

Bills: SB48, HB250, SB17

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

Transcript Highlights:

• Hard times make hard men, and hard men make hard decisions.
• hard men, and hard men Hard times make hard men, and hard men make<01:12:56.400> hard<01:12:56.640
• a hard route. a hard route.
• That's going to drive some prices down. That's going to drive some prices down.
• That's the hard part for me.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened for Military Appreciation Day with a color guard presentation, the national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance led by military veterans, and a quorum call. The journal from the prior day was approved, and the chamber then moved out of order to consider a series of resolutions honoring military service and veterans. All of the resolutions taken up in this segment were adopted by recorded vote, generally with unanimous support and no opposing votes, with several members named as co-sponsors after passage. The first resolutions recognized military service broadly and by community: HJR 1004 honored military members, veterans, POWs, MIAs, and Gold Star families; HJR 1005 recognized African-American veterans; HJR 1006 recognized Latina and Latino veterans; HJR 1007 honored Native American veterans and communities; HJR 1008 honored women veterans and women serving in the armed forces; HJR 1009 focused on veterans mental health awareness and proclaimed Military and Veterans Appreciation Day; HJR 1010 honored Colorado veterans of the Vietnam War; HJR 1011 marked the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II and honored Colorado veterans who served in that war; and HJR 1012 honored Korean War veterans. Each was adopted with overwhelming support, typically 59 or 60 ayes and no no votes. The chamber also adopted HJR 1013 honoring Persian Gulf War veterans, HJR 1014 honoring post-9/11 veterans, HJR 1015 recognizing the 58th anniversary of the capture of the USS Pueblo and calling for its return, and HJR 1016 honoring the 10th Mountain Division and Camp Hale. After the votes, the House recessed for sponsor remarks. Speakers from both chambers and invited guests gave tributes emphasizing sacrifice, family service, historical discrimination faced by African-American and Latino veterans, the contributions of Native American code talkers and tribal communities, the importance of mental health support for veterans, and remembrance of Gold Star families and those lost in war.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to fund these things that are a public good, and it's really hard to incentivize folks to take
• Point of reference, driving in from Worcester, I didn't touch the Big Dig.
• Point of reference, driving in from Worcester, I didn't touch the Big Dig.
• Mandating PLAs also will reduce competition among bidders, and competition helps drive down costs.
• And I thank you very much for your time and consideration. ...competition helps drive down costs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation heard testimony on a range of bills focused on transportation funding, governance, and equity. Supporters backed proposals to create a North Central Massachusetts intercity passenger rail fund tied to a possible new gaming license (H. 3680/S. 2363), local parking assessments (H. 3756), third-party delivery fees (S. 2356/H. 3774), broader roadway pricing and congestion management measures (S. 2353/S. 2354), tolling equity and regional transit authority advisory boards (S. 2400/S. 2401), and Steamship Authority oversight reforms including board term limits (S. 2395). Testimony in favor emphasized new dedicated revenue sources, commuter rail expansion, regional equity, improved oversight, and better transit access for riders and communities that rely on public transportation. There was also testimony in opposition to the third-party delivery fee bills from Chamber of Progress, which argued the fee would raise costs for consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers, could reduce demand and jobs, and might not achieve the intended environmental benefits. Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts opposed H. 3633, a transit expansion, electrification, and resiliency bill, specifically objecting to its mandatory project labor agreement requirement and saying it would limit competition and disadvantage non-union contractors and workers. Several witnesses spoke in favor of the Steamship Authority bill, saying term limits would improve transparency, accountability, and board turnover. The committee also heard detailed support for the North Central rail proposal from a legislator, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and a transportation advocate, who described the bill as a way to generate long-term bonded revenue for rail infrastructure. After testimony concluded and no questions remained, the chairs entertained and received a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ve worked hard to keep decorum.
• This was hard work. You put a lot into it. Thank you.
• We signed up to have these hard conversations and you did just that.
• We signed up to have these hard conversations and you did just that.
• Thank you, Representative Chandler, for the hard work.

Keywords: 996, all