Transcript Highlights:

• , public water bodies.
• , public water bodies.
• , public water bodies.
• , public water bodies.
• public body that the says may allow the public body that the public<01:24:17.360><c> body</c><01:24:17.600

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• It has passed out of this body 140 to 7.
• And the trade-off is public safety.
• I ask the body to vote yes. It is a good bill and necessary and proper. I ask the body to vote yes.
• I encourage the body to support this.
• This is a bill that passed last year under H.B. 328, dealing with public safety in our public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• So they include the public advocate as a member, right? No, not the public.
• , bodies.
• If you have multiple bodies...
• parathetical bodies.
• I'm sorry, right there, says statewide leadership body or bodies.

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Clerk, with a very well-deserved pause, are there any messages from the other body?
• Our body has done substantial work. ...session call to pick up where we left off.
• With the indulgence of the body, Mr.
• And the question being: shall House Concurrent Resolution 301 pass the body?
• With apologies to the body, there is no limbo file today, but with the indulgence of the body, I will

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal and the prayer for the record. The clerk read gubernatorial messages calling the legislature into a third special session and describing the call around House Bill 381, a major natural gas project bill addressing property taxes, municipal taxes, AGDC, reporting requirements, contract approval, an alternative volumetric tax, municipal impact grants, and related provisions. Messages from the Senate reported passage of a Senate-amended version of HB 381 and transmission of Senate Concurrent Resolution 203 to suspend certain rules related to the bill. The House introduced HCR 301 and HCR 302. HCR 301, which suspends rules on carryover of bills into a special session, passed 40-0. The House then took up the Senate amendments to HB 381. The Majority Leader outlined the Senate changes, including new school funding provisions, reorganization and oversight of AGDC funds, a public project dashboard, stricter bond approval requirements, a heating fuel assistance fund, changes to the alternative volumetric tax structure and distribution of revenues, a permanent rather than sunsetted tax break, new deadlines tied to final investment decision and construction, and a new graduated income tax on certain pass-through entities. He urged members to vote no on concurrence, and the House rejected concurrence 12-28. Because the House did not concur, the Speaker appointed a conference committee on HB 381 consisting of Representative Schrage, the Majority Leader, Representative Edgmon, and Representative Ruffridge. HCR 302, authorizing the House and Senate to recess for more than three days, passed 40-0 after members stated the recess was intended to allow conference negotiations to continue and that the body would return on a time certain. The House also received two governor-request bills, HB 3001 and HB 3002, both referred to the Finance Committee. The House then excused several members for specified absences and adjourned until July 1 at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just want to remind people that the good body, this bill did pass through this body fairly easily, and
• public, went through this floor, was viewed by the public.
• I just ask that the body would concur. Bates closed.
• public input, then why do we have committee meetings open to the public?
• It requires two-thirds of the body, 47 votes, to pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution 192. public adjusters. public adjusters.
• Uh, upon request, it requires a school district, public school, or non-public school that employs or
• school, or non-public district, public school, or non-public school<01:51:23.040><c> that</c><01:51:
• 54:22.240><c> Senate</c><01:54:22.520><c> Floor</c> body is adoption of Senate Floor body is adoption
• </c> Please introduce those to the body. Please introduce those to the body.

Transcript Highlights:

• by the legislative body. by the legislative body.
• services, meetings, and spaces exist for the benefit of the public, and a municipal body seeking to
• Um, is the person's attendance at the public hearing a potential safety risk to the governing body?
• </c> public employees? public employees?
• </c> exposed to public comment. exposed to public comment.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to make that clear to the body.
• I want to make that clear to the body.
• I want to make that clear to the body.
• But thank you very much to this body.
• So for all of you who are struggling with protecting the public from a future deadly public health crisis

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge the body to vote yes. Thank you. It was voted out 15-1. I urge the body to vote yes.
• So this body has already approved this language.
• But thank you very much to this body. Thanks.
• So for all of you who are struggling with protecting the public from future deadly public health crisis
• , we saw the And we faced it in this body.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 124-1 vote, and numerous introductions of student groups, health professionals, and other guests. Committee reports were then read, including several bills recommended “do pass.” The chamber also heard a personal privilege speech from a St. Louis County member responding to a North St. Louis County school track meet shooting, calling for stronger action on gun access and firearm safety. The main floor work focused heavily on appropriations and capital projects. House Bills 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 were debated and passed, covering reappropriations, maintenance and repair projects, new capital improvements, and remaining ARPA pandemic funds. HB 2017 passed 137-9, HB 2018 passed 127-21, HB 2019 passed 98-48, and HB 2020 passed 127-24. Members emphasized that the bills largely used previously appropriated or federal funds, while some Democrats raised concerns about general revenue spending and one-time infrastructure projects. The House also adopted and finally passed Senate-amended HB 2641 on hemp/cannabis-related regulation, with changes on privacy, worker organization, effective date, and age restrictions; it passed 125-21 on adoption and 126-23 on final passage. HB 2423, dealing with Department of Finance staffing and capacity, passed unanimously after Senate adoption. Other measures passed included HB 1919 on electronic filing parity with IRS rules, HB 1768/2060 on short-term rental property tax classification, HB 1855 adding Alpha-Gal Syndrome to reportable conditions, HB 2355 creating a Food is Medicine pilot option, HB 1717/1643 on psilocybin therapy for veterans and first responders, HB 2372, a broad health care package, HB 2408 on the deaf-blind fund, HB 3000 on auditor/siganture-related procedures, HB 2898 restoring land bank tools, and HB 1740, “Melanie’s Law,” strengthening DWI penalties and ignition interlock requirements. Not all bills advanced: HB 3239, which would have expanded and funded the workforce diploma program through MoCAP, failed 55-95 after criticism that it shifted K-12 formula money and stripped vendor standards. HB 2760, the “Praise Act” on treatment of houses of worship during emergencies, drew extended debate on religious liberty, public health, and consistency in emergency orders; the transcript cuts off before the final vote is shown. Throughout the day, members frequently cited bipartisan support for health, public safety, and administrative bills, while several measures drew sharper partisan or policy disagreements over funding, regulation, and local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would ask the body to try to remember. I don't know.
• I'm going to urge the body to vote forward.
• committee on corrections and public institutions.
• utility subject to Public Service Commission regulation.
• I ask that the body support it. Thank you, lady.

Transcript Highlights:

• That one would require public bodies subject to FOIA to post the proposed agenda on the public body's
• That one would require public bodies subject to FOIA to post the proposed agenda on the public body's
• body or account with a public utility for mandatory disclosure.
• But that's my question: does this actually expand the two-man, two-person rule for all public bodies?
• Public bodies need to address training gaps.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Clerk, with a very well-deserved pause, are there any messages from the other body?
• Our body has done substantial work. Session call to pick up where we left off.
• With the indulgence of the body, Mr.
• And the question being: shall House Concurrent Resolution 301 pass the body?
• With apologies to the body, there is no limbo file today, but with the indulgence of the body, I will

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope the body supports the gentleman's amendment.
• I hope the body supports the gentleman's amendment.
• I think the body really needs to understand.
• This body oftentimes does not favor.
• And because this is my last year in this body, I'm going to say this to the body: it is good practice

Transcript Highlights:

• HF 3295 would clear all that up and hopefully lead to more public bodies live broadcasting meetings,
• </c><00:00:52.160><c> body</c><00:00:52.399><c> to</c><00:00:52.640><c> live</c> ability of a public
• body to live ability of a public body to live broadcast<00:00:53.600><c> through</c><00:00:54.000><c>
• bodies live broadcasting more public bodies live broadcasting meetings,<00:01:06.880><c> which</c><00
• </c><00:02:19.920><c> body</c><00:02:20.239><c> is</c> law currently um, a public body is law currently

Transcript Highlights:

• Public comment raised hand. Do you want to think it's just... Public comment raised hand.
• So they include the public advocate as a member, right? No, not public.
• bodies.
• If you have multiple bodies... ...sort of governing body or in parenthetical bodies.
• The recommendation further up there says “statewide leadership body” — or bodies.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would ask the body to try to remember. I don't know...
• I'm going to urge the body to vote forward.
• committee on corrections and public institutions.
• utility subject to Public Service Commission regulation.
• I ask that the body support it. Thank you, Lady.

Summary: The House met for prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal, which passed 121-2 for February 26 and by voice vote for February 27. Members then offered several points of personal privilege, including tributes to law enforcement officers killed and wounded in Christian County, expressions of support for the affected families and departments, and recognition of a local racquetball championship and visiting guests, including U.S. Representatives Mark Alford and Eric Burlison and a child’s birthday. The chamber then took up numerous bills on third reading. HB 2097/1905, an elementary agriculture education pilot program, passed 148-0. HB 2167, authorizing the Attorney General’s Office to employ post-certified investigators in-house, passed 97-50, but its emergency clause failed 88-58 after debate over whether a unique emergency existed. HB 2747/2047, the Clean Slate expungement bill, passed 140-7 despite concerns about a fiscal note and implementation costs. HB 2587, addressing unmanned aircraft threats around large public gatherings and critical infrastructure, passed 140-2 and its emergency clause was adopted 133-11 ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Kansas City. Other bills passed included HB 1977 on civil detention for mental health evaluation (137-9), HB 2593 on National Guard and veterans-related matters including cybersecurity and tuition assistance (144-2), HB 1948, a fatherhood bill aimed at helping fathers overcome barriers to involvement with their children (141-4), and HB 2473, which clarifies handling of interest in real estate broker escrow accounts (149-0). The House also moved several bills to perfection, including HB 1786 on Highway Patrol purchase authority, HB 2105 on landlord water and sewer billing transparency, HB 2397 on water district dissolution thresholds, HB 2108 on Jefferson City viaduct and land conveyance issues, HB 2818 to annex St. Joseph Memorial Airport into city limits, and HB 1980 expanding peer review protections to EMTs and paramedics. The day ended with announcements, including an elections committee meeting and a rescheduled freshman meet-and-greet with the Attorney General.

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing law allows the public to request payroll records from the awarding body or the Division of Labor
• Existing law allows the public to request payroll records from the awarding body or the Division of Labor
• Public works project, but also outlines how they're to respond to public inquiries into their projects
• Under existing law, awarding bodies of public works projects are required to take cognizance in ensuring
• request through an awarding body for a public works payroll record, the awarding body must, at a minimum

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its rules, and approved the consent calendar before hearing several bills. AB 538, by Assemblymember Berman, would require awarding bodies on public works projects to make a timely attempt to obtain certified payroll records from contractors when the public requests them, rather than simply saying they do not have the records. Supporters said it would clarify existing prevailing wage enforcement; county, city, special district, and housing groups opposed it over workload, privacy, and potential funding risks. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 485, authored by Chair Ortega, which would direct state agencies to deny or renew business licenses for employers with outstanding wage theft judgments unless the judgments are satisfied or bonded. Supporters, including labor groups and a caregiver who described delayed recovery of unpaid wages, said the bill would give workers meaningful leverage to collect judgments. The California Hospital Association opposed it, warning that license action could threaten patient access to care. The bill passed on a do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 596, by Assemblymember McKinnor, would codify workers’ right to wear a face covering or respirator at work unless it creates a direct safety hazard. Supporters said the measure would protect workers from illness, wildfire smoke, and employer restrictions after prior Cal/OSHA protections expired; the Chamber of Commerce opposed it narrowly, asking for an exception where masks are infeasible for certain tasks. The committee supported the bill and sent it to Appropriations. The hearing concluded with the roll kept open for absent members and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• public defense system.
• public health in general.
• I preach and I teach in a fat body.
• You may be in a bigger body or you may be in a bigger body.
• You may be in a bigger body or you may be in a smaller body, but because of that, it would be good to

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil rights, immigration, hate crimes, and reparations bills. Chair Edwards and Chair Day opened with strict testimony rules, including two-minute limits, written testimony options, and decorum requirements. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell testified in strong support of S. 1126/H. 1920, the Combating Hate in the Commonwealth bill, saying Massachusetts needs stronger tools to address rising hate and bias incidents. Her Civil Rights Division chief explained that the bill would give the division civil investigative demand/subpoena power, expand civil rights enforcement, close loopholes in the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, add protected classes to the hate crimes law, and require better hate-crime data reporting. The committee also heard support for H. 1954 on access to counsel in immigration proceedings, H. 4684 on law enforcement identification and public trust, and H. 1927 to exonerate individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Several bills focused on discrimination and civil rights enforcement. Supporters of S. 1248 on organizational standing said fair housing nonprofits need explicit authority to bring discrimination complaints in their own names, especially as federal protections are under attack. On H. 1246, advocates urged adding sex and gender as protected classes in the hate crimes statute, arguing women are not protected under current state law. H. 1820 drew testimony for protections against height and weight discrimination. H. 1995 would regularize sentencing for hate crimes by requiring diversity awareness training for both convictions and continuances without a finding, and H. 1056/H. 1589 would broaden hate-crime victim standing and require restitution to be used to repair harm. H. 1886 would clarify that defense-based social service staff are exempt from mandated reporter obligations when working under attorney-client privilege. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1889/S. 1064, a bill to eliminate disparate impact. Environmental justice advocates, fair housing attorneys, and community members argued that neutral policies can still produce discriminatory outcomes and that Massachusetts should allow state-court claims and a private right of action to address them. Committee members raised concerns about litigation floodgates, punitive damages, and the scope of protected classes, while supporters said the bill would mainly target systemic harms and injunctive relief. Additional testimony supported H. 1922/S. 119, the Fair Investment Act, which would create civil rights protections in venture capital and other investment settings for founders and investors, especially women and minority entrepreneurs. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1683, the Sex Trade Survivor Act, which would expand vacatur and expungement relief for trafficking survivors, remove archaic offenses from the code, and create an interagency commission; supporters emphasized reducing barriers to housing, employment, and reentry. Finally, the committee heard extensive support for H. 1753/S. 1181, establishing a commission to study reparations in Massachusetts. Testifiers described the state’s history of slavery, redlining, and ongoing racial disparities, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ATT and public safety. As if 5, transitional housing, public, ATT, and MABS. A.T. in public safety.
• We don't need public input.
• It's public safety. What she says, what she does is all about public safety.
• I'm talking about any candidate in this body or outside of this body running for Attorney General.
• I am a proud public servant.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:52.919><c> is</c> difficult the issue before the body is difficult the issue before the body
• </c><00:35:46.880><c> as</c> motion that is before the body as motion that is before the body as opposed
• </c><01:00:39.960><c> understand</c> and the rest of the body understand and the rest of the body understand
• </c><01:03:12.880><c> not</c> this uh to in front of the body not this uh to in front of the body not
• </c><01:11:49.080><c> Safety</c> for an act relating to Public Safety for an act relating to Public Safety