Transcript Highlights:

• I think we got most of you in here, I think we got most of you in here.
• in the last decades.
• GCU is going to be right in the middle of it in many ways, but so will the Happen.
• , they stay in Arizona.
• than in their school.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate be in brief recess. The Senate be in brief recess. Senator, come to order.
• its observance, given in the Executive Chamber in Boston the first day of March in the year 2025 and
• Collins, moves that when the Senate adjourns today, they do so in memory of Mark T.
• Ask for a moment of silence in memory of Mark D. Feeney of South Boston.
• The same Senator moves that the Senate now adjourn. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution commending the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health and its Massachusetts affiliates for LGBTQ Health Awareness Week. Members also received and adopted a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing Evacuation Day, with remarks noting its historical significance as the first victory of the American Revolution and its connection to St. Patrick’s Day observances in Massachusetts. The chamber then took up House No. 62, a bill extending certain COVID-19 measures adopted during the state of emergency. On a motion to suspend the rules and consider the bill forthwith, the Senate agreed, and the bill was ordered to a third reading. Later, Senator Kahn read Governor Healey’s proclamation declaring March 2025 Irish American Heritage Month, highlighting the contributions of Irish Americans in Massachusetts and the state’s Irish heritage trails; the Senate ordered both the Evacuation Day and Irish American Heritage Month remarks entered into the Journal. The Senate also adopted a motion that it adjourn in memory of Mark T. Feeney of South Boston, with a brief tribute to his family, community ties, and public service. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor say floor amendment. All those in favor say I. I. I.
• It includes your son-in-law, your brother-in-law, your daughter-in-law as beneficiaries who inherit tax-free
• :52.320><c> son-in-law,</c> your brother-in-law, your son-in-law, your brother-in-law, your son-in-law
• that stand in the gap, a gap that none of us want to stand in.
• that stand in the gap, a gap that none of us want to stand in.

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions in order? Mr.
• So I notice in here there were comments about long-term memory care.
• Representative Hall: “Question in my mind?” Representative Hall: “Question in my mind?
• Both are in order. Thank you.
• Idaho's current statute was enacted in 2009 and hasn't been updated in 17 years.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, we tried to put money in and it hasn’t worked.
• And I'm here today to speak in favor of... ...I'm president of his memorial association, and I'm here
• and oversight of major highway infrastructure, including the very highway named in this concurrent memorial
• fatalities, and I believe in investment in transportation.
• In my bill last year, we just forgot to put the lapsing in it.

Bills: SB1001 , SB1035 , SB1056 , SB1065 , SB1138 , SB1161 , SB1204 , SB1207 , SB1248 , SB1274 , SB1284 , SCM1002 , SCM1006 , SCR1020

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: appropriation, economic security, blind individuals, older adults, state funding, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, state budget, private prisons

Transcript Highlights:

• The hour to which the House had adjourned having arrived, the House will be in order.
• today, it do so in respect to the memory of Arthur H.
• Tobin. ...it do so in respect to the memory of Arthur H.
• Question comes on adoption of the special adjournment. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.
• O'... of Lakeville moves that the House do now adjourn. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.

Summary: The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports and related procedural orders. Members adopted a resolution recognizing the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The House also adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines, including for the Election Laws, Environment and Natural Resources, and Revenue committees, and concurred in Senate petitions after suspending Joint Rule 12 for several matters. The chamber then advanced a series of local and House bills. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered several bills to a third reading, including measures on electronic scanning of identifications, police age-limit waivers or civil service eligibility for named individuals in Boston and Haverhill, and a bill on the contracting of digital replicas. Later, the House passed to be engrossed bills including a Department of Conservation and Recreation Title IX compliance bill and additional police-related local bills, and passed to be enacted a land conveyance bill for Wellesley and other enacted measures such as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, a Fall River police chief appointment bill, a Seekonk charter amendment, and a Billerica police age-limit bill. The House also adopted an order for a joint convention with the Senate to receive the Governor’s communication on January 22, 2026. At the end of the session, members adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and a special adjournment in memory of Arthur H. Tobin, former Quincy legislator, mayor, and clerk magistrate. The House then adjourned to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• in providing memory care services, clarifies requirements for resident contracts, and prohibits facilities
• While I'm on memory lane, Anna Alexopoulos-Ferar had to say the full name, with the Greek part in the
• Lee, whose day of recognition in Florida is January 19th, or Confederate Memorial Day, which I'm insulted
• Harris's points, I'm looking at the list with staff announced in the Senate of the holidays and memorials
• All in favor say aye. Opposed, no. Show the motion approved. The House is adjourned.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests including law enforcement officers and several student visitors. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the special order calendar, with members also approving the journal and establishing a quorum. Later in the day, the House paused for several introductions and farewell remarks, including extended closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities. The House passed several bills, often after brief explanations and amendments. CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for failures to report child abuse was clarified to apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to include House language and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) passed 112-0 after an amendment merging House and Senate provisions, and CS/SB 1246 on the linking industry to nursing education fund passed 112-0 after amendments expanding eligible contributions and program support. Additional bills approved included CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care standards, CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts for aviation safety, CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, and CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, which would allow school coaches to use limited personal funds to support student-athletes with items such as food, transportation, and rehabilitation services, with parental consent added by amendment. Most of these measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with SB 422 passing 108-2. The House also heard debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, a bill restricting counties and municipalities from taking official actions related to DEI and limiting the use of public funds for DEI-related activities and contracts. Members questioned how the bill would affect local government practices, observances, and staff functions, and the sponsor explained several exceptions and enforcement provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lovely, moves that when the Senate adjourns today, it do so in the memory of William Howard.
• Lovely, moves that when the Senate adjourns today, it do so in the memory of William Howard.
• I would now ask all members, guests, and staff to rise and join me in a moment of silence in the memory
• Senate adjourned. Senator Tarr, office in order, which the clerk will read.
• Same senator that the Senate do now adjourn. All those in favor say aye. Opposed no.

Summary: The Senate took up several local and special bills on third reading and final passage. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate 1831, a Rutland bill providing killed-in-the-line-of-duty benefits for Joanne Saundi as the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy, and also passed to be engrossed two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum age requirement for police officer appointments. The chamber then enacted bills concerning police age requirements in Newton and Stonem, sending them to the Governor. It also adopted two congratulatory resolutions, including one for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and another recognizing the Italian Consulate in Boston and Italian National Day. The Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition from Rep. Carol Fiola to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, proposing a temporary pilot to let municipalities extend liquor-license hours and allow public consumption in designated districts during summer 2026. The chamber also addressed House 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in a Senate amendment; the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee, naming Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. A major floor debate centered on Senate 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide documents in four clarified categories—budgets, audits, balance-forward transactions, and monetary settlement agreements—while preserving constitutional separation-of-powers objections to broader requests. Opponents argued the Senate should have sought the court’s guidance earlier and that the documents should be produced without further delay. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote, 33-6. The Senate then adjourned in memory of William F. Howard of Beverly and set its next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We discussed this issue in our federalism committee, and this memorial comes from part of those discussions
• So in 2000, or not— In 1984 and 1986, we drilled three wells.
• We dropped five feet in water in our aquifer over that period of time.
• In the ideal world, everything has the lane that it moves forward in.
• roles in this urbanization.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Lovely, moves that when the Senate adjourns today, it do so in the memory of William Howard.
• Lovely, moves that when the Senate adjourns today, it do so in the memory of William F.
• I would now ask all members, guests, and staff to rise and join me in a moment of silence in the memory
• The same senator moves that the Senate do now adjourn. All those in favor say aye.
• The Senate stands adjourned in honor of William F. Bill Howard until Monday at 11 o'clock a.m.

Summary: The Senate first took up several local bills and resolutions. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate No. 1831, providing line-of-duty death benefits for the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy of Rutland, and passed to be engrossed House bills concerning police officer age requirements in Haverhill, Newton, and Stoneham, including exemptions for named individuals and a local age-waiver measure. The chamber also adopted congratulatory resolutions for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and for the Italian Consulate in Boston on Italian National Day. The Senate then considered House No. 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in the Senate’s amendment and appointed conferees. On motion, the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a committee of conference. The chamber also referred a House petition on a temporary liquor-license/public-consumption pilot to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology after suspending Joint Rule 12. A major floor debate centered on Senate No. 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide records in the clarified scope while preserving constitutional objections to broader requests; opponents argued the Senate should comply more fully and seek the court’s guidance earlier. After a roll call, the resolution was adopted 33-6. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of William F. “Bill” Howard of Beverly and adjourned until the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:30.080><c> in</c> rector at the Christ Church Parish in in rector at the Christ Church Parish
• Blackshear and her family were instrumental in bringing that memorial here to the city of Annapolis,
• </c><00:15:23.400><c> in</c> sure that we can make investments in in sure that we can make investments
• in in in<00:15:24.160><c> in</c><00:15:24.360><c> all</c><00:15:24.640><c> of</c><00:15:24.760><c> our
• in all of our uh neighborhoods uh and in in all of our uh neighborhoods uh and drive<00:15:27.520><c

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in brief recess. The House is back in order.
• The House will be in recess. The House is back in order. Mr. Mikowitz of Boston.
• In this matter, 3 members have not voted in the affirmative and none in the negative.
• All those in favor say aye, all those opposed nay. The ayes have it; the House stands adjourned.
• The ayes have it; the House stands adjourned to meet Wednesday next at 11 a.m. in a formal session.

Summary: The House took up several local bills after suspending procedural rules and Joint Rule 12 for a petition from Mark J. Cusack concerning military creditable service for judges, referring it to the Committee on Public Service. The House also considered four local measures: a Harwich affordable housing trust bill, a Charlemont commercial recreation tax bill, a Millis senior property tax exemption bill, and a Falmouth sewer-related funding bill. All were advanced through second reading and ordered to a third reading. The chamber then passed to engrossment a series of additional local bills, including a Hopkinton bridge designation bill, a Nantucket charter amendment, a Swampscott disability property tax exemption bill, an Arlington senior tax exemption amendment, and a Reading home rule charter bill. Each was approved without recorded opposition. The House later recessed and returned to consider a supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill, House Bill 5348, reported out of Ways and Means with a total appropriation of $300 million. House Bill 5348 was taken up by suspension of the rules, read a third time, passed to be engrossed, and then passed to be enacted after the constitutionally required separate vote, with no votes in opposition recorded. The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's found in eastern Washington and four counties in Washington.
• I'm speaking in support of this memorial.
• In that vein, I'd like to share a few examples of what I think could be better joint memorial resolutions
• I wish I was there in person to speak in support of Senate Bill 5325.
• We are adjourned.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on several bills. On Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, dealing with voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, members considered amendments affecting tribal meeting requirements and an electronic ballot portal; one amendment to study the portal rather than authorize it was adopted, while the tribal-meeting amendment was not. The bill was then reported out with a due pass as amended recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6081, concerning nondisclosure of sex designation records, saw an amendment adopted to limit the privacy protections to survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, but the amendment was later rejected on final passage and the bill was reported out due pass. Substitute Senate Bill 6034, codifying the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, was amended to require Senate confirmation of the executive director and was reported out due pass as amended. Senate Bill 6084 on repeat voting was reported out due pass without amendment. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968, implementing Executive Order 25-03 on agency credentials, had one amendment adopted on annual ORIA reporting and another rejected; it was reported out due pass as amended. Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering was amended to restrict certain prop bets and to make threats tied to wagers a gross misdemeanor, then reported out due pass as amended. The committee then opened public hearings on a number of bills. The most extensive testimony was on Gross Substitute Senate Joint Memorial 8014, which calls for a U.S. investigation into the death of Aishanur Ezgi Eygi; family members, University of Washington students and staff, advocates, and others testified in support, emphasizing accountability and the need for an independent investigation, while one speaker opposed the memorial as a misuse of legislative time. The committee also heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5840, which would change campaign finance reporting schedules and participation rules; Public Disclosure Commission staff supported the bill as a transparency and consistency measure, while campaign treasurers and compliance officers opposed it, arguing the added reporting would be burdensome and costly. Substitute Senate Bill 6049, expanding Public Records Act exemptions for certain survivors, anonymized demographic data, and Healthy Youth Survey responses, drew support from OFM and opposition from a public-records advocate who warned against adding more exemptions. Substitute Senate Bill 6160, reducing or changing the frequency of numerous agency reports, was supported by OFM as a way to right-size reporting requirements. The committee also heard brief testimony on Senate Bill 5000 designating “The Evergreen State” as the official state nickname, Senate Bill 5325 designating the state cactus, Senate Bill 6044 recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, Senate Bill 6313 creating a Capital Centennial Stewardship Account, and Substitute Senate Bill 5827 expanding veterans’ preference documentation to include pre-discharge certification. No votes were taken during the public hearing portion, and the meeting adjourned after closing testimony on the final bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And people go to those coffee shops and markets, and in some cases in little pubs, like what we see in
• pay the tax in the next year.
• in my, in the 18th, be able to make some improvements in their school construction and their maintenance
• I urge you to join me in voting yes on Bill 1980. ...join me in voting yes on Bill 1980.
• our state in a way that really leverages our infrastructure in the best way.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, and announced caucuses before moving through introductions, committee reports, and second reading bills. The chamber considered three bills on second reading: HB 1175, allowing small business establishments in residential zones; HB 1376, allowing voluntary prepayment of capital gains tax up to six months early; and HB 1500, concerning resale certificates for units in common interest communities. HB 1175 received Amendment 1461, which added a population-estimate reference for small communities, and then passed 94-2. HB 1376 passed 97-0 after supporters said it would let taxpayers capture a federal deduction by paying earlier, while still preserving state revenue. HB 1500 received a technical striking amendment updating condo-law language and then passed 85-12; supporters said it would improve access to complete resale certificates for condo sales, while some members raised concerns about added regulation and costs. The House then took up third reading bills. Substitute HB 1302, which would let local governments waive utility connection charges for certain green technology or industrial symbiosis projects, passed 76-21 after supporters emphasized environmental benefits and opponents warned it could shift costs to other ratepayers. HB 1796, allowing school districts to bond against capital levy collections to speed projects and reduce inflationary costs, passed 78-19; supporters said it would save taxpayers money and help districts complete needed construction sooner, while opponents argued it could bypass voter intent and increase indebtedness without renewed approval. Finally, Substitute HB 1980 was returned to second reading for a striking amendment, which was adopted, and then passed 97-0. Supporters described it as a pilot program to help employers and transit agencies work together to move workers more efficiently in congested areas, using existing transit/HOV infrastructure. The House also re-referred HJM 4010 and HB 2402 to different committees, then adjourned until the following Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is only by a miracle that we are not here today in memory of Nick Spinelli.
• In memory of Nick Spinelli, you must be proactive, and this legislation is a critical first step.
• not in change right.
• And the town is also looking to dedicate and erect a memorial at a roundabout off of 146 in Officer LaPorta's
• All in favor say aye. Aye. Committee hearing is adjourned. I don't see anyone else to sign up.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 21st hearing and took up late-filed bills, with testimony focused mainly on firefighter and police personnel matters. The committee heard strong support for H.5429/H.6138, Governor Healey’s bill to provide injured-on-duty compensation and full pay and benefits to Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinelli after he was seriously injured while instructing at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Testimony from Rep. Simon Cataldo, Rep. Rodney Elliott, PFFM leaders, Chelmsford Fire Chief Gary Ryan, and others emphasized that Spinelli was performing public service training work, that the incident exposed gaps in coverage for firefighters serving in academy roles, and that the bill should be a prompt, statewide fix. Several speakers also urged future legislation to address broader policy gaps for DFS support-branch and part-time personnel. The committee also heard testimony on a Topsfield home rule petition, H.54435, to allow Police Chief Neil Hovey to continue serving until age 68 or retirement. Rep. Kristen Kasner and local officials praised Hovey’s leadership, training, regional coordination, and management of public safety at the Topsfield Fair, and asked for favorable passage. In addition, Sen. Ryan Fattman and Rep. Joe McKenna testified for S.3051, a bill to provide certain retirement benefits to the surviving spouse of fallen Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta, describing his death while assisting a stranded motorist in a snowstorm and the town’s support for honoring his family. PFFM and other police/fire union representatives generally supported the firefighter and LaPorta bills, while PFFM also stated opposition to H.5389, a separate bill authorizing continued employment of the Upton police chief. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking a recorded vote during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Juniper's voice will never be silent in our memories.
• We honor Juniper in the people's house so that her voice and her memory never fade.
• Speaker, I rise in a moment in which... Mr.
• Yet so many people have such a short history and story and memory, but immigrants are in fact the story
• >> I move to adjourn. >> Question is on the motion to adjourn. Those in favor say I.

Bills: HR915 , HB7401 , HB2478 , HR1381

Keywords: Holodomor, Ukraine famine, 1932-1933 famine, genocide recognition, Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, collectivization, grain confiscation, human rights, Ukraine, Ukrainian people, Russian aggression, Vladimir Putin, foreign affairs, sense of the House, commemorative resolution, historical remembrance, Soviet repression, Kremlin denial, Ukraine sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• But in reality, we haven't changed the number of troopers in many years.
• In the second vertical bar, in 1987, they put a moratorium on the system.
• in the morning.
• You've heard the motion that we adjourn until 10 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day. All in favor, say aye.
• You've heard the motion that we adjourn until 10 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day. All in favor, say aye.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...that was built 100 years ago as a memorial to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in
• The members of Post 13 actively worked in the community to raise the $250,000 to build Memorial Hall.
• The construction of Memorial Hall was completed in 1920.
• The construction of Memorial Hall was completed in 1925, and Memorial Hall has been the home of Post
• , like, my local, in my district and in the county that I'm in.

Committees: House Local Government , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Local Government met and first moved into executive session to consider three bills. House Bill 1825 and House Bill 1940 were each voted do pass by unanimous roll call votes of 16-0. HB 1940 was then also approved do pass by consent, with the sponsor explaining it would help small-town rural newspapers survive and preserve a local source for legal advertising. House Bill 2395, which was described as updating soil/perk test standards and protecting consumers, was voted do pass 15-0 and then also do pass by consent 15-0 after brief questions about whether it was the same bill as last year and whether it had changed. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1867, which would allow the City of Joplin to ask voters to approve a 2% increase in the hotel-motel tax, with the revenue dedicated to tourism-related capital projects. Sponsor and witnesses said the measure was intended to help fund the rehabilitation of Memorial Hall, a city-owned historic building and veterans memorial, and to support future tourism projects through an oversight board and city approval process. Several members voiced support for local control and historic preservation, and witnesses from Joplin, including a former mayor and an American Legion commander, testified in favor. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee also heard House Bill 2600, a bill to update ambulance district law. The sponsor and witnesses from the Missouri Ambulance Association said it would make ambulance district elections at-large, allow board size changes with voter approval, and create a clearer process for consolidating adjacent ambulance districts, including public notice, hearings, and voter approval if objections are filed. Supporters said consolidation is needed to improve rural EMS efficiency, staffing, and response times, and cited a difficult prior consolidation process. Some members raised concerns about at-large elections, the 10% petition threshold, and whether the bill should be narrowed or revised, but no one opposed the bill on the record. Finally, the committee heard H.J.R. 143, which would remove a constitutional restriction to allow the legislature and counties to consider a limited motor vehicle personal property tax exemption. The sponsor framed it as a local-control measure and a possible future tax cut, while committee members and the Missouri Municipal League warned it could shift revenue burdens to local governments, schools, fire districts, and other services. The hearing closed with no further business and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We spent a lot of time in many groups in supporting students at Florida Memorial.
• Madam Chair Crash happens every 44 seconds in Florida with one in 7 involving a distracted driver in
• Courtney Lark in the Florida waives in support, Lisa Hurley, Collier County waives in support.
• I grew up in a a in a rural community. My father was in politics.
• Tory deal in calm is waiving in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Signs and placards are not permitted in Signs and placards are not permitted in the<00:00:41.280
• </c> paid at a level in which they deserve. paid at a level in which they deserve.
• c> the</c> been included in multiple things in the been included in multiple things in the past,<00:14
• </c> most veterans in the state. most veterans in the state.
• All those in favor say general register. All those in favor say I. I. I.

Bills: HF4615 , HF3532 , HF4492 , HF4171

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division