Transcript Highlights:

• Section five provides a definition of expert witness for chapter 10A.
• chapter chapter 10A.<00:05:06.160><c> Section</c><00:05:06.639><c> six</c><00:05:06.960><c> comes</c
• On page 19, section 21 comes from Senator Marty's 1996 and defines campaign disbursements for chapter
• On page 19, section 21 comes from Senator Marty's 1996 and defines campaign disbursements for chapter
• chapter chapter 10A.<00:08:32.320><c> The</c><00:08:32.640><c> next</c><00:08:32.880><c> several</c>

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• He mentioned that there are some inconsistencies in Chapter 19C of the General Laws, and not all caretaking
• He mentioned that there are some inconsistencies in Chapter 19C of the general laws in not mentioned
• that there are some inconsistencies in Chapter 19C of the general laws and not all caretaking agencies
• The Arc asks you to pass this bill to rid the painful R-word from our chapter law, not because we are
• Last session, the legislature enacted Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on a broad slate of disability-related bills. Topics included creating a permanent Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Board (H. 231/S. 134), establishing a system for compensating guardians who serve incapacitated, unbefriended individuals through MassHealth (H. 253/S. 154), expanding Nikki’s Law to require MassHealth day habilitation programs to use the abuse registry (S. 165 and related bills), modernizing and streamlining the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s statute and procedures (H. 243/S. 139), updating the definition of developmental disability to align more closely with federal law and include people such as those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (H. 276/S. 150), removing outdated and offensive terminology from the General Laws (H. 232/S. 137), and an autism education reform bill (H. 286). Several bills had no sign-ups, and the committee also noted related measures on cueing and prompting in PCA programs (H. 277/S. 157).

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho Code authorizes the Idaho Department of Lands to adopt and promulgate rules related to this chapter
• One of these laws is Title 58, Chapter 13, Idaho Code, commonly referred to as the Lake Protection Act
• Following Executive Order 2020-01, zero-based regulation, this rule chapter was scheduled to be repealed
• Idaho Code Title 58, Chapter 6 authorizes the State Board of Land Commissioners to grant easements over
• Following the zero-based regulation executive order, this chapter received review throughout 2025.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• And as important as the numbers that you see in front of you, it is what Title 22, Chapter 19 looks like
• And as important as the numbers that you see in front of you, it is what Title 22, Chapter 19 looks like
• And as important as the numbers that you see in front of you, it is what Title 22, Chapter 19 looks like
• That scaffolding is laid out in Chapter 19, Title 22, to say go through the appropriate process to utilize
• That scaffolding is laid out in Chapter 19, Title 22, to say go through the appropriate process to utilize

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the State Liquor Division. For Agriculture, legislative staff reviewed the agency’s structure, staffing, dedicated funds, and FY 2026–2027 budget requests, including pay adjustments, replacement items, IT hardware, a reappropriation for the Resilient Food Systems Grant, and two major one-time requests: a deficiency warrant for exotic pest response and a supplemental appropriation for quagga mussel treatment. Director Chanel Tewalt emphasized the history and urgency of Idaho’s invasive species program, described the state’s rapid response to quagga mussels, and explained how the program uses inspections, stations, chemicals, and other tools to reduce risk. Members asked about grant timing, vehicle replacement, signage costs, research into alternative treatments, chemical costs, possible use of sturgeon, and whether budget cuts would affect inspection stations; the director said some station openings or hours could be delayed or reduced, but priority would be given to border crossings and higher-risk locations. The committee then reviewed the State Liquor Division budget. Staff outlined the division’s dedicated-fund operations, personnel levels, statutory distributions, and FY 2027 requests for inflation, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, all recommended by the governor. Director Andrew Arulenandum said his priorities were safety, legal exposure, and operational continuity, citing a store shelving collapse and warehouse safety needs as reasons for some requests. Members asked about a policy proposal to restrict bulk lottery ticket purchases by out-of-state syndicates, the division’s pricing and markup structure, and whether Idaho might move away from a state-run liquor model. The director and his staff said the lottery restriction would not have a fiscal impact, that the markup is standardized, and that while the division remains open to efficiency ideas, the current control-state structure is intended to support revenue and temperance. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would return the next day to take action on FY 2027 maintenance budgets.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sullivan-Almeida of Abington and Gallagher of Bridgewater honoring the Veterans Brotherhood VMC Massachusetts chapter
• all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises upon the return of the license authorized in chapter
• all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises upon the return of the license authorized in chapter

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend Chapter 282 of the Laws of 2003, amending the Town Law relating to authorizing the Town
• Sponsor, Senator Palumbo, Title and Actam on Chapter 282. 55.
• Sponsor, Senator Palumbo, Title and Act to Amend Chapter 282 of the Laws of 2003, amending the town law

Committee: Senate Investigations And Government Operations

Summary: The committee met with a light attendance and acknowledged committee members, clerk Joyce Andrea, and central staff from IGO and finance. The chair noted an 18-bill agenda, with 17 repasses and one new bill, S.8555, described as a local tax extender for Suffolk County that had been overlooked the prior year. Once three members were present, the committee proceeded with normal motions and seconds. The agenda included a range of measures on alcohol and cannabis regulation, public officers law, executive law, tax law, state law, and highway naming. Bills reported included S.315 on a temporary New York craft beverage permit, S.349 on expanding the definition of agency, S.566 on Address Confidentiality Program eligibility for election officials, S.1130 on renter protections tied to housing subsidies or public assistance, S.1787 on a veteran suicide awareness flag, S.2640 on including veterans in the definition of military status for discrimination purposes, and several cannabis-related bills including S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.6283. S.1418A, concerning attorney’s fees in certain proceedings, was referred to finance. Most bills were reported unanimously, though several had one nay or one without recommendation, including S.2271, S.234, S.2447, S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.8555. The committee also reported S.2364 designating the Honor and Remember flag as an official state flag, S.55 renaming a highway in New York City, and S.8276 regarding qualifications for an assistant county attorney in Rockland County. The chair closed by thanking members and staff and noting the committee would meet again in a few weeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also has the responsibility to periodically review and recommend changes to Chapter 57-40.6.
• It also has the responsibility to periodically review and recommend changes to Chapter 57-40.6.
• It establishes guidelines regarding the I want. amend changes to Chapter 57-40.6.
• In large part, the chapter was written during a time when copper line wireline services were the only
• There's a long history of why the chapter is structured the way it is, why the ESC3 has, in statute,

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• to carry concealed firearms. ...the Chapter 5 provisions that allow Attorney General investigators to
• 44 relating to guardians and Chapter 49 relating to abuse and neglect proceedings.
• , it probably makes more sense to start conceptually from the Chapter 49 process.
• After a Chapter 49 abuse and neglect petition is filed, but at least five days prior to the next step
• A Chapter 49 abuse and neglect petition is filed, but at least five days prior to the next step, which

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• 21b and this is not uh parts of chapter 21b and this is not one<00:32:01.519><c> of</c><00:32:01.679
• So if you look through the current chapter 10, 09 subdivision 5, you know, we're required obviously to
• So if you look through the current chapter 10, 09 subdivision 5, you know, we're required obviously to
• 10 uh current chapter 10 uh 09<00:42:59.359><c> subdivision</c><00:43:00.480><c> 5</c><00:43:01.480>
• Chapter 10A does define securities to mean stocks, shares, bonds, warrants, options...

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• A new section of Chapter 30, Article 7, NMSA 1978, is enacted to read, new material.
• A new section of Chapter 30. by the department. Section 7.
• A new section of Chapter 30, Article 7, NMSA, 1978, is enacted to read new material.
• A new section of Chapter 30, Article 7, NMSA 1978, is enacted to read: New material. Section 8.
• A new section of Chapter 30, Article 7, NMSA 1978, is enacted to read: New material.

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered an invocation, and handled several announcements and courtesy motions, including excusing some members and relaxing the dress code. The chamber then adopted committee reports on several bills, including Senate Bill 50, Senate Bill 30, and Senate Bill 43. It then moved to third reading of Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate Bill 17, the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act.” SB 17 was read at length and explained by Senator O’Malley and co-sponsor Senator Bergman as a gun crime prevention measure aimed at dealer security, employee training, recordkeeping, reporting requirements, inspections, and a ban on future dealer sales or transfers of certain firearms and accessories, including high-capacity magazines, .50-caliber rifles and cartridges, gas-operated semi-automatic firearms with detachable magazines, and machine guns. Supporters argued the bill targets the retail-to-criminal pipeline, improves accountability, and would help reduce gun trafficking and violence. Opponents argued it infringes on constitutional rights, would not stop criminals from obtaining guns, and would burden law-abiding citizens and dealers. The chamber then debated Floor Amendment No. 1 by Senator Brantley, which would have struck Section 7, the portion banning certain weapons and devices. Supporters of the amendment said Section 7 was the most constitutionally vulnerable part of the bill and would likely be litigated, while opponents said the section was central to the bill’s purpose and consistent with Second Amendment case law. The amendment failed on a roll call vote, 15-22. A second amendment by Senator Block, which would have exempted certain under-21 employees from the bill’s age restriction if they were military members, veterans, or had completed hunter safety or 4-H programs, was then taken up and debated, with supporters emphasizing military training and youth firearms education as evidence of responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• grammar to English language arts and adding on 9:30 to comply with requirements outlined in this chapter
• To comply with the requirements outlined in this chapter and any related rules adopted by the Department
• will happen if they identify misuse, F, making the deposits to the account, G, adopting rules under chapter
• And so basically here, except as provided under this chapter for some specifics, what the department's

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1540, an education savings account bill. Senator Wobbema presented Amendment 040-003, describing mostly clarifying and reorganizing changes, including eligibility language, administrator duties, school participation standards, assessment provisions, and a correction removing a requirement that the department pay for state assessment materials if a parent selected that option. The committee adopted the amendment 4-2, then advanced HB 1540 as amended on a 4-2 vote and sent it to Appropriations, with Senator Wobbema designated as carrier. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it would divert resources from public schools and conflict with the state’s obligation to provide a free appropriate education while districts still face funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill amending Chapter 445 of the Acts of 1960 to establish a Board of Election Commissioners
• An act amending Chapter 445 of the Acts of 1960 to establish a Board of...
• An act amending Chapter 445 of the Acts of 1960 to establish a Board of Election Commissioners in the

Summary: The House first took up a series of bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures on Brockton residency requirements for local offices, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, non-competition agreements, election administration in Salem, school nutrition, local election procedures in Longmeadow, Charlemont, Conway, and Concord, a senior property tax exemption for North Attleboro, Holyoke City Council special meetings, renter consumer rights, alcohol licensing in Southbridge and Raynham, and the Reading Home Rule Charter. The House suspended Rule 7A, ordered the bills to a third reading, and then advanced them accordingly. The chamber then considered several engrossed bills for final action. House No. 4763, validating the results of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election, was passed and, after a separate constitutional vote, its emergency preamble was adopted. The House also passed to be enacted bills concerning the Cuttyhunk Fire District, Otis Fire District funding for the Historical Society of Endicott and Cuttyhunk, and the Salem licensing board. Additional third-reading actions included House No. 4321, allowing the Dalton Fire District to continue employing interim fire chief Christopher Francis Chahat, which was ordered to a third reading, and House Nos. 4267 and 4582, directing the Boston Police and Fire Departments respectively to waive maximum age requirements for named individuals, both of which were passed to be engrossed. The House then adopted an order to meet the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned to that time in formal session, with a Democratic caucus announced for noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill amending Chapter 445 of the Acts of 1960 to establish a Board of Election Commissioners
• An act amending Chapter 445 of the Acts of 1960 to establish a Board of Election Commissioners in the
• An act amending Chapter 445 of the Acts of 1960 to establish a Board of Election Commissioners in the

Transcript Highlights:

• This rule chapter was reviewed and rewritten in compliance with Idaho law requiring periodic review of
• policy, but rather to evaluate the necessity, clarity, and statutory alignment of the existing rule chapter
• But rather to evaluate the necessity, clarity, and statutory alignment of the existing rule chapter.

Committee: House Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• several nominations to the committee who are current members or directors, as well as bills that were chaptered
• several nominations to the committee who are current members or directors, as well as bills that were chaptered
• Bills that were chaptered by the Governor.

Committee: Senate Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

Summary: The Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions met for its first convening of the 2026 session and confirmed quorum. The chair emphasized transparency in state agencies and utilities, particularly the Public Service Commission, and referenced prior work on utility affordability, nominations, and chaptered bills from the previous session. The committee considered eight bills. It advanced S.373, which would bar confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions in certain state and municipal contracts; S.1336, creating a New York State Digital Equity Plan and ConnectAll Digital Equity Grant Program; and S.2324, requiring Attorney General and Comptroller review of certain state or public authority real property sales over $250,000. It also moved S.2459 to restore earlier Public Authorities Control Board oversight provisions, and S.3736 to increase information provided to PACB members before project funding votes. Additional bills reported to the floor included S.4071A, clarifying that stormwater is included in the definition of sewage for certain water and sewer authorities; S.4576A, establishing a procedure for appointing a president or chairperson upon vacancy and correcting gendered language; and S.5551, requiring recording and public posting of certain Empire State Development public hearings. The bills were moved, seconded, and reported out, with several passing unanimously and at least one receiving a negative vote or abstention noted in the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 554, in 2019, the Legislature adopted a long-overdue comprehensive update of Chapter 607
• Senate Bill 554, in 2019, the legislature adopted a long overdue, comprehensive update of Chapter 607
• This strike-all seeks to update court-awarded fees statutes and family law proceedings in Chapter 61,
• dissolution of marriage, and Chapter 742, paternity proceedings.
• I'm a member of the Jacksonville chapter of the National Organization for Women, and I'm speaking out

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all narrowed eligibility to certain properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added environmental and zoning criteria, and included exemptions for agricultural land, parks, military-adjacent land, and other areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably 8-0. The committee then heard SB 212 on sexual offenders and predators, as amended to add public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing child safety and opponents arguing the bill lacked empirical support and would worsen homelessness and impose retroactive burdens. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably 8-1. Members next approved SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after adopting an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstate highways to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses while clarifying protections for critical areas, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and military installations. The bill drew opposition from a county Republican committee representative who argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive planning and encourage urban sprawl, while homebuilders and industry groups supported it. The committee also reported favorably SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a Florida Bar-backed update intended to modernize and harmonize nonprofit corporate law, and SB 1338 on charitable giving, which would create donor remedies for endowment restrictions and limit state reporting burdens on certain charitable organizations; members noted the latter would need further work on cy pres and related issues. The committee then approved SB 532 on court fees after a strike-all that would let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than splitting excess with general revenue, with clerks’ groups supporting the change and members citing long-standing funding shortfalls. SB 218 on land use regulations was also reported favorably; it would restore normal land-use authority to counties unaffected by the 2024 hurricanes while keeping SB 180 protections in place for damaged areas. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability passed 9-2 after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption was retroactive; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks and reduce class-action litigation, while opponents wanted stronger compliance requirements. Finally, SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended and passed unanimously as a process-reform measure allowing licensed professionals to conduct pre-application reviews, and SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools was reported favorably 8-3 after extensive testimony and debate over whether it would protect free expression or invite coercion and litigation. The committee also began consideration of SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor framing it as historical accuracy and opponents arguing it erased Palestinian identity; the transcript cuts off during that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would only go into chapter law; it would not go into the statute.
• It would only go into chapter law; it would not go into the statute.
• It would only go into chapter law; it would not go into the statute.
• It would only go into chapter law; it would not go into the statute.
• It would only go into chapter law; it would not go into the statute.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• that included CCAP to a separate chapter.
• that included CCAP to a separate chapter.
• that included CCAP to a separate chapter.
• that included CCAP to a separate chapter.
• ><c> separate</c><01:36:21.480><c> chapter</c> CCAP to a separate chapter CCAP to a separate chapter

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And I’m here to speak about my experience with Chapter 13 when the state relies on third-party data,
• </c><00:12:40.240><c> 13</c> I am currently engaged in a chapter 13 I am currently engaged in a chapter
• six-month</c><00:13:25.839><c> cool</c> Chapter 13 provides a six-month cool Chapter 13 provides a six-month
• 13 some or sorry reliant on a chapter 13 some or sorry some<01:03:40.160><c> chapter</c><01:03:40.480
• 12 definitions up in 2.13 some chapter 12 definitions up in 2.13 and<01:03:43.039><c> 2.14.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Representative Gallagher of Bridgewater, honoring the Veterans Brotherhood VMC, Massachusetts chapter
• all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises upon the return of the license authorized in Chapter
• all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises upon the return of the license authorized in chapter

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two ceremonial resolutions: one commemorating the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and another honoring the Veterans Brotherhood VMC, Massachusetts chapter for its service to veterans. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then reported several local bills for consideration, including measures on recall elections in Rutland, oversight of the Boston Finance Commission, manufactured housing payments in Attleboro, validation of Stow proceedings, public meeting notices in Uxbridge, firefighter appointment age limits in Westfield, and special police appointments in Norwood. These bills were read a second time and ordered to a third reading without objection. The House then took up several local bills on third reading and passed them to be engrossed, including bills concerning wastewater treatment in Sandwich, preliminary elections in Longmeadow, additional liquor licenses in Southbridge, and an additional liquor license in Salem. The chamber also welcomed guests of Representative Sylvia of Fall River, including election officials from Fall River and Freetown, and briefly recessed subject to the call of the Chair. The major statewide item was House No. 5350, an act modernizing the Commonwealth’s cannabis laws. Because it required a separate constitutional vote on the emergency preamble, members voted by division and the preamble was adopted by a 3-0 tally. The bill then passed to be enacted. The House adopted the order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned accordingly.