Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, today I rise and I'm honored to nominate an individual whose love, stability, and compassion
• Madam Chair, today I rise and I'm honored to nominate an individual whose love, stability, and compassion

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests in the galleries, including state officers, medical personnel, student groups, and former first ladies. Members adopted consent-calendar resolutions, and House Resolution 1052 concerning Arkansas Girl State was withdrawn after Rep. DeAnn Vaught explained that 150 girls had missed a registration deadline and that the House would instead host an alternative Girls State experience this summer. The chamber then took up several fiscal-session appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31, covering appropriations for Shared Services, Health licensing and regulation, Commerce/Insurance, Parks and Tourism, Human Services adult-aging-behavioral health, and administrative courts, all passed with large bipartisan margins. Senate Bill 75, an economic development appropriation for West Memphis, also passed after brief discussion. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate over whether it should support PBS programming, infrastructure, or private-donation matching; it failed on the first vote, was brought back for reconsideration because some members had not voted, and then failed again 73-24. After the fiscal work concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, ending the House’s fiscal session. The House then convened as a caucus to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The body suspended the formal election process and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the prior session, and pledged continued leadership and accountability before the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, today I rise and I'm honored to nominate an individual whose love, stability, and compassion
• Madam Chair, today I rise and I'm honored to nominate an individual whose love, stability, and compassion

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committee, thank you for holding today's hearing and for your conscientious consideration of all these nominations
• committee, thank you for holding today's hearing and for your conscientious consideration of all these nominations

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes. The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• guess I would rather, if there's going to be a cost shift, ask that a straight-up, even if it's a nominal
• guess I would rather if there's going to be a cough shift or ask that a straight-up, even if it's a nominal

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to consider four policy bills and discussed a possible later return to handle DOCR amendments and budget work. They first took up HB 1327, funding for the Agricultural Diversification and Development Fund, and adopted an amendment striking language that would have capped up to $10 million for agricultural infrastructure grants to political subdivisions. The bill was then passed as amended on a 22-0 vote, with Rep. Belts assigned as carrier. Next, the committee considered SB 2256, the Research Technology Park grant. Rep. Stemen offered an amendment reducing the appropriation amounts from the original figures to $10 million and $5 million levels, citing available funding; the amendment passed 19-3. The bill then passed as amended 22-0, and Rep. Stemen agreed to carry it. The committee then debated SB 2093, which combined a retired peace officers/surviving spouses benefit with an added income tax reduction. Rep. Munson moved to remove the income tax portion, and the committee agreed 17-4. The remaining peace officer benefit portion was then passed as amended 21-0, with Rep. Kempenich carrying it. Finally, the committee considered HB 2160, changing the state health plan from grandfathered to non-grandfathered status. Members discussed cost shifting, employee retention, out-of-pocket exposure, and the updated fiscal note; the committee adopted an amendment updating the appropriation figures to match the current PERS/Deloitte analysis, then passed the bill as amended 15-7-1, with Rep. Worry originally the carrier.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Clerk, on page 1 of Governor's Message No. 665, withdraw a nomination to the Campaign Spending
• Governor's Message No. 666 to 668 transmit nominations to various boards and commissions.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and opened with a moment of contemplation honoring Bob Marley. Several senators spoke about Marley’s life, music, and activism, emphasizing his messages of peace, justice, unity, and resistance. One senator highlighted Marley’s 1979 visit to Hawaii and his influence on Hawaiian and “Jawaiian” music, while another introduced members of the Marley family and recognized their continuing musical work and cultural legacy. The Senate also recognized staff members from one senator’s office during the introductions. After the contemplative remarks and guest introductions, the presiding officer asked for a few minutes for photographs. The chamber then processed Governor’s Message No. 665, withdrawing a nomination to the Campaign Spending Commission, and Governor’s Messages Nos. 666 to 668, transmitting nominations to various boards and commissions. Those messages were referred according to the Order of the Day, and Standing Committee Reports Nos. 480 to 674 were adopted by motion without objection. In announcements, the presiding officer thanked the SMA team and legislative staff for efficient work on a record number of bills during the first lateral, noted the upcoming three-day weekend, and extended birthday wishes to Clerk Carol Taniguchi. The Senate then adjourned by motion until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18th.

Transcript Highlights:

• In its current configuration, the State Board of Veterans Affairs is comprised of 16 members nominated
• ...displeased to learn the legislation strips the veteran service organizations of any role in nominating

Bills: HB154, HB153, HB180, SB70

Keywords: veterans affairs, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, State Board of Veterans Affairs, commissioner, governor appointment, board advisory, veteran service organizations, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, veteran service officers, district managers, state veterans home trust fund, veterans benefits, military veterans, disabled veterans, elderly veterans, active-duty service members, state agency reorganization, executive authority, governance reform

Bills: HR72, HR73, HR74, HR75, HR76, HR77, HR78, HR79, HR80, HR81, HR82, HR83, HCR36, HCR37, HCR38, HCR39, HCR40, HCR41, HB368, HB433, HB1017, HB1018, HB1019, HB1020, HB1021, HB1022, HB1023, HB1024, HB1025, HB1026, HB1027, HB1028, HB1029, HB1030, HB1031, HB1032, HB1033, HB1034, HB1035, HB1036, HB1037, HB1038, HB1039, HB1040, HB1041, HB1042, HB1043, HB1044, HB1045, HB1046, HB1047, HB1048, HB1049, HB1050, HB1051, HB1052, HB1053, HB1054, HB1055, HB1056, HB1057, HB1058, HB1059, HB1060, HB1061, HB1062, HB1063, HB1064, HB1065, HB1066, HB1067, HB1068, HB1069, HB1070, HB1071, HB1072, HB1073, HB1074, HB1075, HB1076, HB1077, HB1078, HB1079, HB1080, HB1081, HB1082, HB1083, HB1084, HR70, HR71, HCR35, HB31, HB326, HB1013, HB1014, HB1015, HB1016, SB192, SB196, SB198, SB203, SB204, SB214, SB216, SB257, SB291, SB383, HB13, HB23, HB25, HB32, HB41, HB42, HB90, HB120, HB121, HB122, HB127, HB138, HB139, HB141, HB179, HB187, HB213, HB247, HB286, HB332, HB344, HB357, HB367, HB370, HB462, HB505, HB527, HB537, HB605, HB680, HB681, HB725, HB780, HB782, HB847, HB892, HB911, HB916, HB1012, HR15, HR20, HCR14, HB53, HB57, HB64, HB102, HB106, HB111, HB137, HB152, HB155, HB177, HB238, HB256, HB258, HB337, HB359, HB363, HB386, HB434, HB546, HB557, HB584, HB661, HB697, HB726, HB727, HB747, HB756, HB758, HB759, HB765, HB767, HB825, HB858, HB930, HB941, HB957, HB964, HB58, HB69, HB93, HB166, HB199, HB201, HB202, HB218, HB223, HB224, HB231, HB235, HB246, HB338, HB349, HB352, HB379, HB405, HB429, HB535, HB547, HB577, HB588, HB626, HB636, HB652, HB653, HB669, HB688, HB691, HB721, HB738, HB806, HB851, HB857, HB861, HB889, HB904, HB907, HB908, HB929, HB1009, HB868, HB119, HB140, HB739, HB842, HB875, HB919, HB61, HB185, HB233, HB613, HB848, HB52, HB228, HB289, HB735, HB796, HB722, HB284, HB301, HB827, HB953, HB901, HB9, HB46, HB193, HB400, HB436, HB468, HB570, HB582, HB733, HB746, HB923, HB952

Keywords: HR72, House Resolution 72, Sophia Patout, Layla Porter, St. Amant High School, Future Farmers of America, FFA, Coastal Restoration Heroes, coastal restoration, Louisiana coast, coastal land loss, wetlands, saltmarsh, barrier island, West Grand Terre Island, Restore or Retreat Inc., smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, black mangrove, Avicennia germinans

Transcript Highlights:

• On January 23rd, 2025, OHA has approved my nomination for the island burial committee for Oahu, so I'm
• On January 23rd, 2025, OHA has approved my nomination for the island burial committee for Oahu, so I'm
• On January 23rd, 2025, OHA has approved my nomination for the island burial committee for Oahu, so I'm
• The Constitution provides that the governor shall nominate and, with the advice and consent of the Senate
• The Constitution provides that the governor shall nominate and, with the advice and consent of the Senate

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs opened its first meeting of the 33rd Legislature with housekeeping announcements, including live streaming, a two-minute testimony limit, and notice that the committee would reconvene later if technical problems forced an early adjournment. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that written testimony was already on file and that public testimony would be taken measure by measure. On SB 109, which concerns the relationship between Hawaiian and English versions of state laws, the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that broadly allowing the Hawaiian text to supersede English could create ambiguity, and recommended narrowing the bill to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were never later amended in English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language, while OHA and several individuals also supported it. Testimony in support emphasized the importance of honoring Hawaiian language and preventing it from being treated as secondary. The committee then heard SB 268 on burial councils and SB 269 on the OHA budget. SB 268 drew strong support from OHA-related witnesses and many members of the public, who said burial council quorum problems and delays have hindered protection of iwi kupuna; one Moka representative opposed the bill, arguing the island had not been adequately consulted and that the real issue was the state process rather than council size. SB 269 received support from OHA and public testifiers who said OHA should be strengthened and better funded to serve Native Hawaiian needs. The committee also heard SB 624 relating to Prince Jonah Kūhiō, with DHHL and OHA supporting the measure to display portraits of Prince Kūhiō in public buildings; testifiers said the bill would promote cultural pride, education, and recognition of his legacy. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the chair that I won a nomination for the chair that I now<00:24:51.360> occupy."
• There were large barriers that were put in place in terms of paperwork, procedural matters, and also
• There were large barriers that were put in place in terms of paperwork, procedural matters, and also
• , procedural matters and also<02:18:02.240> access.
• it came when it came to the procedure it came when it came to the procedure for<08:04:44.958>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our law firm, we did it all the time without all you have to have is an account, and it was pretty nominal
• /c><01:49:14.320> it<01:49:14.440> was<01:49:14.920> pretty<01:49:15.280> nominal
• account and it was it was pretty nominal account and it was it was pretty nominal the<01:49:16.040
• they come home, they've been raped that night, would you think that we should still follow the same procedure
• would think, get the evidence and maybe... ...would you think that we should still follow the same procedure

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the standard procedure is to let somebody know.
• The standard procedure would be to let J.OBC know that the Accounting Department of the state know.
• our community colleges... ...adult education, the service that our community colleges provide at a nominal

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several guest recognitions, including a student honored for a national Mandarin speech contest, a Ms. Black Arizona candidate, and a Madison Elementary School reusable-tray pilot program. The body also recognized interns and approved the prior journal. The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars and adopted committee reports recommending passage of a series of budget-related bills. The main legislative business centered on the 2026-27 budget package and related omnibus measures, including appropriations, budget implementation, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, K-12 education, state property, revenue/taxation, and transportation bills. Most of these measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, with repeated debate focused on the tax omnibus and the overall budget’s policy choices. Supporters argued the package provided affordability, tax relief, conformity with federal tax changes, reduced government spending, and reforms to entitlement and other programs; opponents argued it favored corporations and wealthy taxpayers, cut health care, food assistance, housing, tourism, wildfire response, and education, and would forfeit federal matching funds. Several members specifically criticized the failure to close the data center tax exemption and to raise sports betting taxes, while supporters defended those provisions as pro-business and pro-growth. There was also discussion of fund sweeps, including university research funds, housing trust funds, and other agency balances, with opponents saying the sweeps targeted encumbered or already-committed money. After debate, the Senate adopted Committee of the Whole reports and advanced the bills, and later took up House bills introduced and placed on third reading, with members explaining their votes on HB 4138, the General Appropriations Act, largely along party lines. At the end of the session, the Senate processed messages from the House requesting the return of SB 1160 and SB 1786 for reconsideration, and the Senate requested the House return HB 2415 for reconsideration. The chamber also introduced and placed several House budget bills on third reading, including HB 4138 through HB 4153, continuing the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• in crisis need SSLC information in their ARD meetings, not just buried in a previous notice of procedural
• the largest teacher, information in their art meetings, not just buried in a previous notice of procedural
• cafeteria worker or librarian and they want to pay, they don't qualify, they should be able to pay a nominal

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><04:54:57.520> operating mutually agreed upon operating mutually agreed upon operating procedures
• sense legislation helps modernize the industry, enhances convenience for airmen, and aligns FAA procedures
• <05:05:12.718> with airmen and align FAA procedures with airmen and align FAA procedures with
• Shirley Chisholm became the first woman and Black candidate to seek a major party's nomination for president
• Shirley Chisholm became the first woman and Black candidate to seek a major party's nomination for president

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As noted earlier, we are here because Governor Hobbs has nominated me for reappointment to the Arizona
• Leadership should be able to go in and update your process and procedures.
• Leadership should be able to go in and update your process and procedures.
• This is strictly procedural. We're using our existing infrastructure to put this into place.
• This is strictly procedural. We're using our existing infrastructure to put this into place.

Bills: SB1108, SB1205, SB1241, SB1286, SB1366, SB1431, SB1473, SB1477, SB1478, SB1479, SB1492, SB1517, SB1563, SB1586, SB1665, SB1671

Keywords: cash transactions, mandatory rounding, swedish rounding, public notice, Arizona Revised Statutes, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, SB1241, private permitting provider, private permit, private certificate of completion, building permit, building plan review, inspection, single-trade residential construction, residential construction, municipal permitting

Summary: The Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and first considered the reappointment of Troy L. Campbell to the Arizona State Liquor Board. Campbell described his nearly 10 years of service, his role as chair since 2019, and his focus on fairness, public safety, and applying the law consistently. He answered questions about the board’s workload and authority, noting it handles roughly 40 to 50 cases a year and does not issue fines. With no public testimony, the committee voted 6-0 with one not voting to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard and passed SB 1478, a liquor omnibus bill making technical and policy updates to liquor statutes, including changing “manufacture” to “produce,” allowing rather than requiring cities and towns to levy certain liquor-related taxes or fees, repealing a federal food-safety preemption reference, and clarifying cider’s definition to include products up to 8.5% alcohol by volume. Supporters described it as an annual stakeholder-driven cleanup bill, and the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control testified neutral. The committee adopted the Bolick amendment and then passed the bill as amended. It also passed SB 1108, which creates a Swedish-rounding framework for cash transactions when pennies are unavailable, with signage and enforcement provisions; the Leach amendment removed an individual-item exemption and clarified tax treatment. The Greater Phoenix Chamber supported the bill, and the committee passed it as amended. The committee next approved SB 1205, regulating private-property vehicle booting by prohibiting local bans, setting signage, written permission, rate limits, release rules, and misdemeanor penalties. Supporters said it would provide a more transparent, less costly alternative to towing, while members raised concerns about signage, appeals, and consumer protections. The Bolick amendment made a technical change, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1241, allowing private permitting providers to conduct plan reviews and inspections for single-trade residential projects, drew the most debate: supporters argued it would reduce delays and costs for homeowners and help cities with backlogs, while cities and counties warned about public-safety risks, loss of local control, and liability concerns. After adopting the Payne amendment on immunity, the committee passed the bill 5-2. Finally, the committee passed SB 1366, which creates a Public Property Towing and Impound Practices Study Committee to review fees, standards, insurance, background checks, and related DPS and public-property towing practices. Some members objected that the study committee lacked minority-leader appointments, but supporters said the review was needed before making permanent changes. The committee then began hearing SB 1431, a housing-design bill limiting municipal design standards and restrictions on certain shared features, but the transcript ends before any action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• seventh and uh, ninth largest<01:05:17.039> kind<01:05:17.200> of<01:05:17.359> nominal
• /c><01:05:17.839> EMV<01:05:18.400> looking<01:05:18.640> at largest kind of nominal
• EMV looking at largest kind of nominal EMV looking at all<01:05:19.039> regions<01:05:19.760>
• <01:16:33.840> the changes in constant class and the changes in constant class and the nominal
• Um so again suggesting that nominal EMV.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is now a nominal 1-cent fee.
• There is already only a very base nominal fee charged to these customers.
• That is now a nominal 1-cent fee.
• That is now a nominal 1-cent fee.
• That is now a nominal 1-cent fee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• were actively illegally using Texas Medicaid funds to cover irreversible harm. gender transition procedures
• In fact, in some instances, of surgical procedures is not needed in order to have a court order.
• there are physical advantages that develop in early adolescence and late childhood that transition procedure
• claims are brought for the benefit of the corporation's shareholders. shareholders, and not by mere nominal
• ERPOs do balance robust. due process procedural safeguards with timely intervention to prevent harm.

Bills: SB29, SB406, SB447, SB875, SB893, SB1033, SB1346, SB1362, SB1539, SCR22, SB 29

Keywords: business organization, internal management, corporate governance, partnerships, liability reduction, birth certificate, biological sex, gender identity, health and safety, sex assignment, SB 875, Texas, independent school district, ISD, school board trustee, superintendent, campus administrator, electioneering, political signs, early voting

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to say what we mean and do what we say, and when procedural guidance and rules are construed
• We need to say what we mean and do what we say, and when procedural guidance and rules are construed
• We need to say what we mean and do what we say, and when procedural guidance and rules are construed
• We need to say what we mean and do what we say, and when procedural guidance and rules are construed
• as a body concerns for me procedurally as a body we<01:29:48.360> need<01:29:48.520> to

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just procedurally, they changed their procedures for how we could go about an occupancy training, and
• It's all public data: administrative rules, policies, and procedures.
• It's all public data: administrative rules, policies, and procedures.
• It's all public data: administrative rules, policies, and procedures.
• It's all public data: administrative rules, policies, and procedures.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work. Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract. White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• research goes, that requires candidates for public office to list their residential addresses on their nomination
• in this... ...requires candidates for public office to list their residential addresses on their nomination

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a supplemental appropriations bill and related measures, with several adopted and several rejected or withdrawn. Early amendments on equitable approaches to public safety and a Holyoke local account clarification failed, while amendments providing $2.5 million for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers technical assistance and expanding access to gender-affirming medications and mifepristone were adopted. The chamber also adopted a technical amendment on alternative protein grants, a clarification to ETF modernization, and an energy storage systems amendment. Other proposals on homeowner protections, La Casa funding, emergency contract reform, an energy dashboard, EV charging ratepayer impacts, hate crimes, distressed hospital payments, and task force membership were rejected or withdrawn. A substantial portion of the debate focused on health care, food assistance, and public safety. Senators spoke in support of funding for community health centers, hospital relief, and EBT anti-skimming protections, including $15.5 million for chip-enabled EBT cards and related replacement-benefit support. One amendment to strengthen protections against impersonating federal officers was rejected, while another on professional protections was withdrawn after discussion of ballot address privacy and security concerns. The Senate also adopted amendments to continue prior appropriations for a North Shore food pantry and drought management efforts, and it later approved a sick leave bank for a Department of Mental Health employee. The chamber then took up the fiscal year 2025 fair share supplemental budget conference report, which Ways and Means described as $1.39 billion in spending split between transportation and education, including MBTA improvements, Chapter 90 aid, regional transit authorities, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, and career technical education capital grants. After a roll call, the bill passed, with one recorded negative vote. The Senate also adopted a separate Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to third reading before final passage. The session ended with adjournment motions and a moment of silence honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman and other victims of political violence, along with a memorial adjournment for firefighter Jeffrey DeSanchez.