Transcript Highlights:

• </c> systems the plumbing board and the work systems the plumbing board and the work comp<00:08:39.519
• of the type of work they do.
• </c> of funding for the agency is that work of funding for the agency is that work comp<00:15:14.680>
• </c> about the work uh work comp advisory about the work uh work comp advisory counsel<01:01:34.720><
• 01:01:50.200><c> uh</c><01:01:50.359><c> works</c> have a work comp system that uh works have a work

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• Every single one of them worked in the fields: grapes, peaches, onions, Every single one of them worked
• Wherever the work was, they went.
• My dad worked in the fields every summer, though, and when he became, My dad worked in the fields every
• And it is why we celebrate and why we continue the work today. ...and why we continue the work today.
• in the fields, that worked in poultry, that worked in packing houses.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several guest introductions, including a Canadian diplomatic delegation visiting for Canada Day at the Capitol and the undefeated Under-11 San Juan Spirits soccer team. The chamber also recognized guests connected to later resolutions, including families and advocates tied to profound autism and farm worker issues, as well as arts education leaders. The Senate adopted SR 89, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day, after remarks emphasizing the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and lifelong services for people with profound autism and their caregivers. Members also adopted SCR 147, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with support focused on the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success. Both resolutions passed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The chamber then took up AB 2156, an urgency measure renaming Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Worker Day and proclaiming March 31 as Farm Worker Day. Supporters from multiple caucuses and regions spoke about the history of farm labor, the contributions and sacrifices of farm workers, and the need to honor the broader movement and its diverse participants; some speakers also referenced recent allegations and the desire to center survivors and workers rather than one individual. The bill passed with 37 ayes and 0 noes, including the urgency clause. The Senate also adopted a consent calendar of several items without objection, then adjourned in memory of Caitlin Mardell Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The session concluded with announcements of a committee meeting and a one-week spring recess, with the next floor session scheduled for April 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> strong every day and so that is the work strong every day and so that is the work of<00:02:03.960
• </c> international so uh done a lot of work international so uh done a lot of work with<00:04:29.400>
• </c> about those ideas how are they working about those ideas how are they working how<00:08:36.479><
• or not finding work.
• </c><00:50:02.480><c> I</c> finding work or not finding work I finding work or not finding work I gained

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think there's a lot of work and synergy that we can see together in terms of your work and our work
• And I think there's a lot of great... ...in terms of your work and our work.
• Thank you for your work.
• Thank you for your work.
• Thank you for your work.

Summary: The commission approved the December minutes and heard opening remarks on upcoming initiatives, including a second “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27 focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The chair also previewed planning for National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, including formation of a small planning group to help select employer awardees and shape the program. A major portion of the meeting featured an update from the Attorney General’s office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts. The presentation covered lawsuits and amicus work involving higher education diversity data requests, anti-DEI funding conditions, immigration and Haiti Temporary Protected Status, NIH research grant disruptions, and Department of Education mental health training grants. Commissioners asked about possible impacts on Medicaid and whether disability is included in the federal administration’s undefined “DEI” restrictions; the AG’s office said it was monitoring Medicaid developments closely, had not seen a CMS letter at that time, and would share guidance on DEI and employment initiatives. The meeting also included a workforce and apprenticeship presentation from Undersecretary Josh Cutler and Amara Riemann. They described registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, emphasizing paid, employer-driven training, classroom instruction, wage progression, and transferable credentials. Commissioners highlighted the Bridgewater State University Excel program for neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities as a promising model and discussed the need to build similar pathways through community colleges and employer partnerships in fields such as direct support, CNA work, and other in-demand jobs. Subcommittee reports noted that the disability employment subcommittee heard from SEED and will host future presentations from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment and the Office of Veterans Affairs. The long-term services, supports, and health equity subcommittee discussed MassHealth budget pressures, a projected $3.5 billion budget gap tied to federal changes, upcoming Medicaid eligibility changes, and crisis standards of care. The executive director reported on collaboration with the Massachusetts Office on Disability, planning for the Lowell event, participation in statewide disability employment and autism advocacy work, and upcoming engagement with the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition. Commissioners also announced several honors, including awards for Regina Marshall, Jay Livingstone, and Vanna Howard.

Transcript Highlights:

• One in five are working parents.
• We are working internally within the system on some task force work groups that are focused on how we
• Again, another system work group spent many years on that, or two years on that work, to refine that
• that work.
• how the work is done differently.

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system, beginning with an update from State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, affordability, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, credential production, guided pathways work, tribal partnerships, dual enrollment, corrections education, and a new program-search tool. They also highlighted major challenges, especially student basic-needs insecurity, rising emergency aid requests, and federal disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, SNAP-related supports, adult basic education, Perkins funding, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP and BFET participation, declining high school graduates, the value of higher education, and how colleges are responding to student needs and workforce demands. AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education then testified in support of stronger state investment in community and technical colleges, emphasizing the importance of classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty to student success. They argued that low wages, unstable employment, and lack of funding for staffing and compensation directly harm advising, retention, and classroom continuity, and urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. The committee also heard from the Workforce Board on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell program and the updated Career Bridge website. The presentation explained that Workforce Pell would support short-term, job-aligned training programs with high completion and employment thresholds, and that Washington is well positioned to implement it through its existing training-provider evaluation system. Members asked about implementation gaps, how the new Pell differs from traditional Pell, and whether eligibility is determined at the program rather than student level. Washington Student Achievement Council staff presented the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. They described an advisory board, a prior pilot that used microgrants and outreach to boost FAFSA completion, and this year’s goal of 46,000 FAFSA/WASFA completions, with a focus on free-and-reduced-price-lunch students and underrepresented groups. They also demonstrated a public dashboard with subgroup data and a school leaderboard, and said they would provide legislators with outreach materials. Committee members asked about rural and homeschool outreach, Pierce County representation, and whether pilot schools overlapped with other grant programs. The meeting concluded with student leaders from the Washington Student Association, UW Tacoma, and Evergreen State College sharing personal testimony on affordability, basic needs, homelessness supports, Native student scholarships, the Shelton Promise program, and the importance of campus belonging and student support services.

Transcript Highlights:

• work.
• We're working on it.
• And most importantly, that this is high leverage work that we're working on right now.
• Has the strategy worked so far?
• We love the work that we do. The best of all the game. We love the work that we do.

Committee: Joint Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> work of the new unit and um the the work work of the new unit and um the the work that<00:08:15.080
• </c> that that is the work and the only work that that is the work and the only work that<00:15:14.720
• and analysts' work, and what the work is done on.
• This is all the types of cases we work and the hours worked in a given year on this.
• We want them to do this work.

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• All of this work supports a broader shared vision, building a transportation system that works for everyone
• We work across the state in six different district offices, and we We work across the state in six different
• ... ...working very closely with Keolis, who's the operator of South Coast Rail, to work with them and
• Thank you. ...and we appreciate your understanding and working with us to do that, given that that work
• Are we still working towards that?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held an informational hearing with invited testimony from MassDOT leadership, the MBTA, Massport, and the state’s Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office. MassDOT officials outlined work across highways, rail and transit, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and aeronautics, emphasizing major capital spending, bridge and roadway programs, transit grants, rail expansion, airport safety, and modernization efforts. They highlighted Chapter 90 and municipal grant programs, the Compass Rail and West-East Rail efforts, RMV upgrades such as electronic titles and driver licensing systems, and aeronautics work on airport pavement, drones, and advanced air mobility. Committee members focused on safety, service access, and project implementation. Questions to MassDOT covered automated enforcement and rising roadway fatalities, the Allston multimodal project’s federal funding, Complete Streets access for rural communities, and South Coast Rail staffing and future electrification. The RMV was asked about the Work and Family Mobility Act, Real ID demand, and appointment access, especially in Metro West. Members also raised concerns about South Coast Rail operations, Keolis staffing, and whether the Stoughton route remains part of future plans; MassDOT and MBTA officials said they are working on staffing, service reliability, and long-term expansion, while noting that nothing is off the table for future rail improvements. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng reported progress including workforce growth, elimination of subway speed restrictions, expanded reduced-fare access, bus network redesign, South Coast Rail launch, and commuter rail signal upgrades. He said the agency is pursuing a new commuter rail operating contract designed to support future regional rail, electrification, and higher-frequency service, while maintaining service and workforce stability amid funding uncertainty. Members also asked about fare collection data privacy and the impact of state funding levels; Eng said the MBTA needs the governor’s proposed funding to preserve service and staffing, and that the fare system’s data are encrypted and handled through a secure vendor system. Massport CEO Rich Davey reported record activity at Logan, Worcester, and the cruise and maritime facilities, along with major capital and climate investments such as sustainable aviation fuel planning, shore power at Flynn Cruiseport, renewable diesel, and expanded ground transportation. He said Massport is planning for continued passenger growth and managing congestion through parking, HOV, and curbside changes, while monitoring federal policy, tariffs, and air traffic control staffing issues. Federal Funds Director Quentin Palfrey described the administration’s efforts to secure federal infrastructure dollars, citing about $9 billion in federal awards since the start of the administration, including major transportation grants for the Cape Cod Bridges, Allston, West-East Rail, North Station drawbridge replacement, roadway safety, and clean school buses. He warned that changing federal policies, grant delays, and possible future congressional actions create uncertainty, but said the office is working case-by-case with municipalities and agencies to protect awarded funds and find alternative financing where needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• and gives my work meaning.
• We're working with locals. We're working with the feds.
• Our illicit market work is going to be intelligence-led investigative work to kind of deepen, get further
• I know they're doing some work on it.
• And then our third BCP in this area is to continue the work of 34 positions that were working on the

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Eddger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission, each by 4-0 vote. The committee also approved a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 (health) to be heard after the policy committee deadline, and took up floor acknowledgments before moving to appointments requiring testimony. The committee then heard from Clint Kellam, nominee to lead the Department of Cannabis Control. Members focused heavily on cannabis labeling, youth protection, attractive-to-children packaging, the SB 540 educational pamphlet, and the department’s efforts to steer consumers from illicit to legal products. Kellam said the department’s role is not to promote increased consumption but to move existing consumption into the regulated market, and he described enforcement against illicit cultivation and retail, consumer education efforts, and a possible AI tool to help licensees review packaging. He also said the department would consider tighter packaging rules, including one-serving packaging, but emphasized the need for research and legislative collaboration. The committee voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Jennifer Osborne, nominee to direct the Department of Industrial Relations. Questions centered on DIR’s handling of Cal/OSHA audit findings, labor commissioner backlogs, PAGA enforcement, staffing shortages, IT modernization, and how her administrative background would help address those issues. Osborne said DIR is working on revised Cal/OSHA policies and procedures, additional staffing and intake changes, new IT systems, and possible use of outside administrative law judges to reduce delays. She also clarified that the Civil Rights Department is not under DIR, but said she would follow up on concerns raised. Public commenters from employer groups, labor, and industry largely supported her nomination, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 to move to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work, we really look forward to and always work closely with them as much as we possibly can, especially
• to work with the sake here.
• that work with us.
• to do that work.
• Thank you for the work you do.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I mentioned, our work is not just limited to sex work.
• And as I mentioned, our work is not just limited to sex work.
• I have worked with so many survivors who have told me that when they work a track, they have been raped
• I did work at Village Academy.
• I also work on Holt Avenue.

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety held an informational hearing in Pomona on sex work-related crimes and efforts to combat human trafficking. The chair and Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez framed the issue as a major public safety and victim-protection concern, referencing the repeal of the loitering law in SB 357 and the recent enactment of AB 379, which targets buyers of sex rather than sex workers. The hearing was organized into three panels: data and research, policing and anti-trafficking efforts, and courtroom/prosecution impacts. In the first panel, the California Department of Justice presented arrest and conviction data for the repealed loitering statute, noting overall declines from 2019 to 2022 but also explaining that the data did not distinguish clearly between people selling sex, people loitering to sell, and people purchasing sex. USC law professor Hannah Gary summarized a 2021 report finding that law enforcement stings and raids often lack transparency, disproportionately harm Black women, minors, LGBTQ+ people, and undocumented migrants, and rarely achieve the stated goals of protecting victims, prosecuting traffickers, or preventing trafficking. The ACLU of Southern California argued that criminalization of sex work is discriminatory and historically used to police women and people of color, and that laws aimed at buyers still harm sex workers and can increase immigration consequences. Committee members asked about data collection, racial disparities, and whether the new law could worsen profiling; the panelists urged public health approaches, better data, and more survivor services. The second panel featured the California DOJ human trafficking coordinator, Pomona Police Chief Mike Ellis, and survivor advocate Jess Torres of Rising Worldwide. DOJ described its regional trafficking teams, task forces, victim services, and prosecutions, emphasizing a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach. Chief Ellis said SB 357 limited police intervention and contributed to visible open-air prostitution near schools and other sensitive locations, citing complaints from residents and a reported drop in juvenile rescues in Pomona after the law changed; he supported AB 63-style enforcement with safeguards and service referrals. Torres, speaking as a survivor, argued that anti-trafficking policy must be survivor-led, that many youth in the sex trade are boys or LGBTQ youth, and that criminalization and street enforcement often worsen harm and displacement rather than solving the underlying problems. In the final panel, a Riverside County deputy district attorney said AB 63 could help law enforcement make earlier contact with potential victims and identify traffickers, while stressing the need for training, documentation, and oversight. A Los Angeles County public defender argued that prosecuting trafficked people reinforces traffickers’ control, creates lifelong barriers, and retraumatizes survivors, and pointed to diversion programs as a better model. The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking began its testimony by describing its survivor services and crisis response work. The hearing ended without any vote or formal action, but with committee members and witnesses continuing to debate the balance between enforcement, data collection, and survivor-centered services.

Transcript Highlights:

• that work done.
• that work done.
• The work is just beginning. We have a lot of work ahead of us.
• that we can work together well.
• and continuing that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I serve as public works.
• for ongoing work?
• That's the system working.
• to work on it.
• to work on it.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• We know how to work in partnership. And that work will continue.
• It's not sexy work, but it's critical work.
• And so that work will also continue in tandem with the work of this reorganization.
• We have been working.
• And so we are already working. Often the same unit. And so we are already working on that.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs. Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs. Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the finest work, legislative work and policy work and budget work that I've been associated with
• c> and</c><00:02:33.360><c> policy</c><00:02:33.680><c> work</c> work, legislative work and policy work
• work, legislative work and policy work and<00:02:34.080><c> budget</c><00:02:34.400><c> work</c><00:
• It doesn't work.
• It doesn't work.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the type of work.
• We get money from the legislature for contractual work, for habitat, range work, forest and watershed
• And the work behind it, the work that DHSEM does, is also expensive too.
• And it’s a lot of work.
• Very excited to work with her.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most are working part-time or underemployed despite being in their prime working years.
• There are some work programs with DWS for SNAP. and for child support, and we are working very closely
• And statute to make that work.
• a 39-hour work week.
• They worked at incredible speeds. I just want to acknowledge them for that incredible work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:13.679><c> with</c> we're looking forward to working with we're looking forward to working
• uh do our work in water air land work uh do our work in water air land climate<00:21:37.240><c> which
• We have our investigative work and monitoring work that happens within the Watershed Division.
• We are working on a complaint tracker system. We've been working with Minitex on improving that.
• </c><01:24:10.080><c> 10</c> option to work from home she works 10 option to work from home she works

Bills: HF276 , HF413 , HF411

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, long-term services and supports, LTSS, public assistance, application process, eligibility determination, customer service survey, wait times, form complexity, lead agencies, Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families, streamlining, administrative reform, case management, reassessment, intake system, adaptive eligibility form

Transcript Highlights:

• that that ordinance was worded properly and put a lot of work into working alongside people who care
• that that ordinance was worded properly and put a lot of work working alongside people who care about
• , but not only at their business, they also do work for various... and also work in producing operation
• I'm going to talk about the dangerous work. Our MWRA work is due in a moment.
• We do different types of work. Again, it's not the same as these men and women that work.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement classification and benefit bills affecting municipal and state employees. Much of the hearing focused on proposals to move various workers from Group 1 to Group 2 or Group 4, including municipal building officials (H. 2776), MassDOT highway workers (H. 2908/Sousa’s Law), DCF attorneys (H. 2771), probation officers, licensed electricians, drinking water operators (H. 3000/S. 1834), MWRA non-clerical workers (S. 1803), transitional parole officers (H. 2878), Plymouth BCI criminal investigator officers (H. 2975/S. 1863), Beverly fire alarm operators/public safety telecommunicators (S. 1876), Massport pipefitters and refrigeration technicians (H. 2788/S. 1829), and other public safety or hazardous-duty classifications. Witnesses generally argued that their work is physically dangerous, understaffed, or comparable to already higher-classified employees, and several said the changes would help recruitment and retention with little fiscal impact because the affected groups are small. The committee also heard testimony on H. 4508, a home rule petition to grant a disability pension to Boston principal Patricia Lampron. Supporters, including Representative Dan Hunt, Boston city councilors, and Lampron herself, described a severe 2021 assault at the Henderson Inclusion School that left her with lasting physical and psychological injuries and forced her into early retirement. They urged the committee to advance the bill quickly. One witness, Pamela McLaughlin, testified in opposition, arguing the bill would set the wrong precedent and describing alleged prior misconduct by Lampron, and asked that the bill be sent to study. Several witnesses and committee members asked brief questions, mainly about the scope of the bills, whether certain workers were already in higher groups, and the fiscal or precedent concerns. No votes were taken during the hearing. At the end, the chairs announced that testimony was complete, asked whether anyone else wished to speak, and then the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will you work with us? I recognize that it's good for Idaho then, and we can work with them again.
• Will you work with us? I recognize that it's good for Idaho then, and we can work with them again.
• How does that work?
• They're not working for ICE. They're working with the federal government on illegal immigration.
• We're not working for you. We're working with you. Senator Adams? Mr. President, just very quickly.

Committee: Senate State Affairs