Transcript Highlights:

• than 25% total approval of members of the Massachusetts General Court during a joint session of the
• So I am very grateful again to the Revenue Committee for advancing the bill last session.
• Thank you so much for hearing it early this session. And I respectfully urge a favorable report.
• So I am very grateful again to the Revenue Committee for advancing the bill last session.
• I think this is my first official hearing that I'm testifying at this session.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held its first hearing of the session, led by House Chair Adrian Madaro and Senate Chair James Eldridge. The committee explained the constitutional amendment process and the hearing procedures, then took testimony on four bills concerning proposed amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, with the main focus on S. 11 and H. 71, which would amend Article 99 relating to agricultural and horticultural land taxation. Senator Jo Comerford, Rebecca Miller of the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, and Representative Natalie Blay all testified in support of the bills. They argued that the current five-acre minimum for farmland tax treatment is outdated and harms farmers, especially new, urban, and smaller-scale farmers, by forcing some land to be taxed at higher commercial rates. Supporters said the change would help preserve farmland, strengthen the local food system, and address economic pressures on farms, including high land values, climate impacts, and an aging farm workforce. In response to a question about abuse or false claims, Comerford and Miller said existing certification processes under Chapter 61A and municipal review help verify active farming, and Miller noted the bill requires land to be in production for two years before receiving the rate. Committee members asked about the status of the 21st Century Farm Commission, and Comerford said a report was expected in the spring. After testimony concluded, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then entertained a motion to adjourn, which was made and accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we have just a few minutes because we go into session a little while, so I want to call the
• asking your constituents how they feel about specific issues, what's most important to them, post-session
• How they feel about specific issues, what's most important to them, post-session wrap-up, so here are
• Mailers to their constituents after session. That's not additional funds.
• I mean, there is the possibility of a question that per diem that you get during session is supposed

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee met briefly, established a quorum, and adopted the June 3, 2024 minutes without objection. The clerk and executive counsel then gave an overview of the committee’s role in setting and administering the House supplemental expense allowance, explaining that members currently receive up to $1,500 per month for reimbursable office and district expenses such as rent, utilities, printing, postage, travel in district, and certain communications costs. They also explained the existing carryover rules: unused funds may roll forward up to $3,000 generally and an additional $6,000 for printed materials, with any excess remaining in the House budget. Members asked for clarification on how the supplemental interacts with district office rent, mailers, per diem, out-of-state travel, cell phones, internet, and conference expenses, and staff explained which items are currently reimbursable and which are paid directly by the House. Several members raised the idea of expanding allowable uses of the supplemental to help cover lodging costs during session for members who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol, and one member also asked whether the monthly allowance should be increased because of inflation and rising office costs. Staff said lodging would require an amendment to the resolution and that any increase in the allowance would have to be taken up by the next legislative body, not this committee mid-term. Members also discussed possible tax implications and the need to consult a CPA before changing the rules, with concerns raised about avoiding double-dipping or ethical issues if lodging were reimbursed in addition to per diem. One member withdrew the lodging motion and asked that the committee study the issue further. The committee took no substantive action beyond adopting the minutes and adjourned after a motion to adjourn was made and approved without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we have just a few minutes because we go into session a little while, so I want to call the
• asking your constituents how they feel about specific issues, what's most important to them, post-session
• How they feel about specific issues, what's most important to them, post-session wrap-up, so here are
• Mailers to their constituents after session. That's not additional funds.
• I mean, there is the possibility of a question that per diem that you get during session is supposed

Summary: The committee met briefly, called the roll, confirmed a quorum, and adopted the June 3, 2024 minutes without objection. Staff then reviewed the purpose of the House supplemental allowance resolution, explaining that members receive up to $1,500 per month for reimbursable office and district expenses such as rent, utilities, printing, postage, travel within the district, and related office costs. Members also discussed the existing carryover rules, including a $3,000 general carryover and an additional $6,000 for printed materials, with unspent amounts reverting to the House budget. Several members asked for clarification about what expenses are currently covered and how reimbursements work, including district office rent, phone and internet bills, per diem, out-of-state travel, conference registration, cell phones, and portable hotspots. The clerk and executive counsel explained that some items are paid from the supplemental account, while others, such as certain conference registration fees or appointed travel per diem, are paid directly by the House operating account. Members also raised concerns about whether using supplemental funds for lodging during session would require a resolution amendment and whether it could create tax or ethics issues, including possible double-dipping with per diem. A motion was made to consider allowing excess supplemental funds to be used for lodging costs for members who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol, but after discussion the motion was withdrawn so the committee could study the issue further and consult a CPA. Members also discussed whether the monthly supplemental amount should be increased in light of inflation and rising office rents, noting that any change would have to be made by the executive committee for the next term. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I look forward to continuing to work with U.S. session has now convened and thank you for requesting
• An update on the judge ships that were authorized during that 2025 session with your permission.
• starts and the legislature in the next regular session after the court certification opinion addresses
• As I mentioned, there were 15 judgeships that were authorized during the 2025 session.
• The Supreme Court in November issue, the certification opinion for the 2026 session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will this joint session of the Alaska State Legislature please come to order?
• 59 members present in the joint session. Thank you.
• With 59 members present, this joint session has a quorum to conduct business.
• Will the joint session please come back to order? Will the joint session please come back to order?
• President, I move the joint session be adjourned.

Summary: The Alaska Legislature met in joint session with a quorum to consider veto overrides on five bills: HB 52 on minors in psychiatric hospitals, SB 41 on mental health education, HB 314 on architects, engineers, surveyors, and interior designers, SB 21 on the Alaska Work and Save Program, and HB 195 on pharmacists and physician associates. Supporters of HB 52 argued it would improve transparency, family communication, oversight, and reporting in psychiatric treatment for minors; opponents were not recorded in the excerpt. The joint session voted 36-24 to sustain the governor’s veto, so HB 52 did not become law through override. For SB 41, supporters said the bill would create developmentally appropriate mental health education guidance for schools and help address Alaska’s high suicide rate, while the governor argued it would intrude on local control. The override failed 38-22. For HB 314, members said the bill was needed to extend the AELS Board and avoid disruption to professional licensing and oversight; the override passed 45-15, so the veto was overridden. For SB 21, supporters said the Work and Save Program would expand retirement savings access for workers and small businesses, including an option to direct PFD funds to retirement; the override failed 39-21. For HB 195, supporters said it would expand access to care by allowing pharmacists to provide more services under a standard-of-care model, especially benefiting rural residents and families seeking lower-cost treatment, while opponents raised concerns about abortion-related implications and scope. The joint session voted 43-17 to override the veto, so HB 195 was enacted over the governor’s objection. The session then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll open the executive session and take a motion to go into executive session on House Bill 123.
• <00:08:03.759> on Murphy to go into executive session on Murphy to go into executive session
• It's been moved by Senator Murphy, seconded by Senator Sullivan to come out of executive session.
• It's been moved by Senator Murphy, seconded by Senator Sullivan to come out of executive session.
• It's been moved by Senator Murphy, seconded by Senator Sullivan to come out of executive session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have to wait till session to build anything.
• First, I just wanted to do a quick recap of some data from the session.
• In the 2026 session, 610 bills were introduced between both chambers.
• And enrolling and engrossing, 180 certificates were drafted this 2026 session.
• Since the end of session, we have had two groups use the Chambers here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so we are getting close to the end of session here, and so these are starting to pick up a little
• Yeah, and I've I keep hearing people talk about a June special session and things like that, but as of
• They don't need to be putting more money into a special session.
• a special session. Let's get this done. a special session. Let's get this done.
• looking at where we came from as session looking at where we came from as session started<00:05:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't have any bills this session, do you? Thank you. OK. OK.
• So this is, uh, I think this is the 2nd session, maybe 3rd session I've carried this legislation and,
• Um, we've talked a lot about ESG last session. I'm sure it'll come up again this session.
• The bill passed unanimously out of this committee last session.
• get it done this session.

Bills: HB 408, HB 787, HB 1029, HB 1126, HB 1136, HB 1607

Keywords: cultural attractions, highway signs, Texas Department of Transportation, travel guidance, Museum of the Big Bend, traffic control, tourism, sunscreening devices, motor vehicle, judicial specialty license plate, vehicle safety, Texas Transportation Code, disability, parking, Governor's Committee, mobility impairment, disabled veterans, legislative recommendations, license plates, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• [The speaker appears to be introducing the meeting and the topic of the work session.]
• So offering in-person sessions during the day was not working for them.
• So in the first info session, we would give them information about the So in the first info session,
• And having those personalized information sessions really helps as well.
• And having those personalized information sessions really helps as well.

Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• This session, the committee will tackle important legislation from all industries and sectors, but of
• So I think there's a lot of opportunity this session as you all are looking at policy questions.
• We appreciate your efforts last session and the bills that you've, uh, filed this session as well, Chairman
• This is a horrible problem to have in session.
• In our opinion, we do not need additional market design changes this session.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was last session.
• working with you this session on this.
• The news here is that last session, and in previous sessions, this fund was headed for depletion, but
• I think that's important because I know that last session, or the session before last, it was an issue
• I think that's important because I know that last session or session for last was an issue as to making

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Do you remember what that increase last session was?
• after session, and it's not getting any better.
• after session, and it's not getting any better.
• Every session we come here.
• with the 85 million and the previous sessions.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judiciary Committee last session, but this number just looks like quite a big difference.
• We did increase it a little bit a couple sessions ago, but it is capped there.
• We did increase it a little bit a couple sessions ago, but it is capped there.
• Hopefully, we can find some other sources of revenue in the next session.
• We were trying to work out at the end of last session.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we do have the notice executive session today. There's only four bills on the list.
• The executive session for Senate Bill 438 is closed.
• Bill 438 is executive session for Senate Bill 438 is closed.
• that session that session for<00:18:56.919> me<00:18:57.080> as<00:18:57.200> the
• 223 is executive session on Senate Bill 223 is closed. closed. closed.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The ten-minute rule is in effect the last several days of session.
• We started this session with the comptroller telling us that we had almost 24...
• Much of our surplus was spent last session, or the session before, when we made budget promises to the
• It truly has—I've been here seven sessions now, and every session the conversation about judicial pay
• On those issues, we've made some progress this session.

Bills: SB1637, SB1, HB300, SB2601, SB37, HB2011, HB3595, HB3071, SB12, HB3372, SB457, HB2067, SB2337, SB447, SB1506, SB1566, SB763, HB3556, SB13, SB2018, SB331, SB379, HB145, SB441, SB2878, HB2885, HB2017, HB5246, SB8, SB2308, SB1540, HB 119, SB1405, SB3059, SB15, SB568

Keywords: SB 1637, deadly conduct, Texas Penal Code, Section 22.05, firearm, gun, pointing a gun, recklessness presumption, peace officer, law enforcement, police, officer-involved shooting, use of force, justification, self-defense, defense of others, Chapter 9, criminal prosecution, Penal Code amendment, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the Senate president who made clear at the start of this legislative session that she
• Regular formal sessions will conclude on July 31st in the second year of the legislative session, but
• So moving the date... ...a day or two before the end of the legislative session.
• The Senate will return to session at the hour of 3 p.m. That'll be in order.
• The Senate will return to session at the hour of 3 p.m. That'll be in order.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first adopted three congratulatory resolutions recognizing the retirements of Dolores Hayes, Lisa Audet, and Kate Fitzpatrick. It then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 to refer a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to the Committee on Public Service and referring House petitions to their respective committees. The chamber also adopted a conference report on the joint rules for the 2025-2026 session after remarks from Senators Creem, Tarr, Lovely, and Fattman emphasizing transparency, public access, recorded votes, longer notice for hearings and conference reports, remote participation, and periodic review of the rules. The report was accepted by a 40-0 roll call. The Senate then took up the bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth, Senate No. 2538, commonly described as Shield Act 2.0. Senator Friedman and others argued the bill was needed to protect reproductive and gender-affirming care from out-of-state and federal interference, to limit disclosure of sensitive information, to create a state-level EMTALA-style protection for emergency care and active labor, and to strengthen privacy and licensing protections for providers and institutions. Senators Cyr, Lovely, and Fattman also spoke in support, framing the bill as a response to recent federal and state threats and as an extension of Massachusetts’ prior shield-law work. The chamber considered numerous amendments. Several were rejected, including amendments by Senators Finegold and Keenan and multiple Tarr amendments on topics such as medical records, consistency with existing law, and public health data collection. Some amendments were adopted, including a Montigny amendment on health-connected data disclosure, a Brownsberger amendment further protecting privacy for reproductive and gender-affirming care, a Rauch amendment clarifying protections for patients in active labor, a Tarr amendment removing an exemption for data from personal tracking devices, and a Rodrigues corrective amendment. After the amendments, the Ways and Means substitute was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and it then passed to be engrossed by a 37-3 roll call. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted a memorial adjournment in honor of former Senate Majority Leader Louis P. Bertinazi. The Governor also filed a message submitting a bill to build resilience for Massachusetts communities, authorizing future capital spending for energy and environmental affairs, which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 1 p.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you're looking at the executive session language. >> Right.
• session language. session language.
• It works in taken during executive session. taken during executive session.
• . session. session.
• . session. session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• passed the Senate, but even more restrictive in that where the piece that passed the Senate last session
• went up through Senate last session went up through grade<00:05:20.240> six,<00:05:20.800>
• <00:08:31.360> and<00:08:31.599> you forward into this new session and you forward
• into this new session and you can<00:08:31.919> get<00:08:32.000> some<00:08:32.159>
• I only wish we had the coming session.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all