Transcript Highlights:

• I’m also going to serve as a 2025 to 2026 Hawaii Future Farmers of America Association secretary.
• :22.599> Farmers a 2025 to 2026 Hawaii Future Farmers a 2025 to 2026 Hawaii Future Farmers America
• Association<00:43:24.400> secretary<00:43:25.400> being<00:43:25.640> in America
• Association secretary being in America Association secretary being in FFA<00:43:26.280> for<00
• <00:46:19.599> or Hawaii or whether they're in America or Hawaii or whether they're in America

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas State Board of Education representing the wonderful counties along the Gulf of America.
• DEI purports that it benefits blacks and people in America. But it doesn't.
• Please. 4% of DEI hires in America are only black. They're black, right?
• Dividing America instead of dividing America. Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your testimony. Senator.
• America, our first generation. In Texas, nearly 74 public schools have students of color.

Bills: SB12, SB1565, SB13, SJR12, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB112, SB400, SB813, SB 12, SB 13

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, school district, grievance procedure, public education, diversity and inclusion, funding penalties, school libraries, library advisory councils, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, constitutional amendment, school choice

Transcript Highlights:

• asked to remain standing and join with me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules recommendations. It adopted two commemorative resolutions: one honoring the Norton Public Library during 2026 National Library Week and another commemorating Middleton’s new Municipal Complex. The House also adopted an order extending until May 22, 2026, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Education on House Order C 5367, and concurred in a Senate petition concerning the Franklin Regional Council of Governments. In addition, Joint Rule 12 was suspended for a petition on assisted living residences, referred to the Committee on Aging and Independence. The Committee on Steering and Policy recommended several bills for House consideration, including a Tewksbury charter change on the town manager residency requirement, a bill reducing tax liability for grandparents raising grandchildren, a bill on fraternal organizations conducting bazaars, a Boston land/easements bill, and a Bourne alcohol license bill. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave these bills second readings, and ordered them to a third reading. It then passed House Bill 4621, changing the Boylston Board of Selectmen to Select Board, to be enacted. Under orders of the day, the House passed to be engrossed House Bills 4702 (exempting certain Leominster police positions from civil service), 5053 (establishing a charter for Orange), and 5097 (allowing Salem to convert seasonal alcohol licenses to annual licenses). House Bill 4201, changing Chicopee’s mayoral term from two years to four years, was amended to specify that the change would be held in 2027, and then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House also adopted an order to meet again the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• please remain standing and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several local bills after suspending procedural rules and Joint Rule 12 for a petition from Mark J. Cusack concerning military creditable service for judges, referring it to the Committee on Public Service. The House also considered four local measures: a Harwich affordable housing trust bill, a Charlemont commercial recreation tax bill, a Millis senior property tax exemption bill, and a Falmouth sewer-related funding bill. All were advanced through second reading and ordered to a third reading. The chamber then passed to engrossment a series of additional local bills, including a Hopkinton bridge designation bill, a Nantucket charter amendment, a Swampscott disability property tax exemption bill, an Arlington senior tax exemption amendment, and a Reading home rule charter bill. Each was approved without recorded opposition. The House later recessed and returned to consider a supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill, House Bill 5348, reported out of Ways and Means with a total appropriation of $300 million. House Bill 5348 was taken up by suspension of the rules, read a third time, passed to be engrossed, and then passed to be enacted after the constitutionally required separate vote, with no votes in opposition recorded. The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• House will remain standing and join me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural and legislative matters. Members adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee on House Document 4654, and later suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition by Frank A. Moran for a commission studying topical steroid addiction and topical steroid syndrome to go to the Public Health Committee. The House also approved scheduling and advancing a local bill designating the tennis courts in Wether Park, Roslindale, as the Kim O’Connell Tennis Courts. The chamber considered a Senate amendment to House No. 4615, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, but voted not to concur and instead appointed a conference committee. The House also moved several bills through second and third reading, including measures on child safety, loading light vehicles from car carriers on public ways, increasing penalties for passing stopped school buses, the retirement of Walter L. Gurn of Attleboro, and the Marlborough Ward 7 counselor office. Senate No. 2563, relating to individuals with disabilities, was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. On final action, the House adopted the emergency preamble and passed House No. 4009, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon, and passed House No. 3901, exempting the assistant fire chief position in Natick from civil service. It also engrossed House No. 3897, authorizing Quincy to extend a lease with Quarry Hills Associates, and House No. 4381, regulating the term of the Norwood town moderator. The House then adopted an order to adjourn until Wednesday at 11 a.m. and stood adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please remain standing and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• America. The Clerk will take the roll. Thank you. Thank you for watching. Thank you. Perfect.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands
• fortunate that I was able to get a job right out of college, starting in 1983, working in corporate America
• You know, fast forward to a couple of other job sites that I worked at, again, corporate America, they

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard testimony on several bills affecting correctional facilities, disability access, public health, youth education, parole, and vehicle noise. Early testimony focused on H. 2736/S. 1762, “Matt’s Law,” which would permanently ban free weights in medium- and maximum-security correctional facilities and require exercise equipment to be secured. The bill was supported by the Tidman family, Rep. Wells, and the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, who described the assault on Corrections Officer Matthew Tidman and argued the measure would prevent similar attacks. Committee members expressed sympathy and asked whether the Department of Correction could make the change administratively; witnesses said free weights had already been removed but that codifying the policy in law was needed. The committee also heard S. 1753 on synthetic drugs in correctional facilities, which would make possession, distribution, and use of Class C synthetic substances in prisons and jails a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence. Senator O’Connor and MCOFU said synthetic drugs like K2 are being smuggled in through mail and are causing violence and medical emergencies among inmates and staff. H. 4123, filed by Rep. Donahue and Chair Vargas, would require correctional facilities to offer two doses of naloxone to people upon direct release; Donahue cited overdose risk after incarceration and her personal loss of a son to overdose. Sheriff Donna Buckley also testified in support of a commission to study sentencing jurisdiction and whether more people should be sentenced to county houses of correction rather than DOC facilities. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to S. 1733, “An Act Building a More Accessible Massachusetts,” which would expand the Architectural Access Board’s authority over older buildings, workplace areas, and adaptable housing units. Chris Ho, disability advocates, and people with disabilities testified that the bill would help close gaps in accessibility for employment and housing, reduce long waits for accessible units, and support aging in place and independent living. The committee also heard S. 1721 on educational rights for incarcerated youth, with Avery Farmer arguing that 18- to 21-year-olds in DOC and houses of correction should receive the same educational services and disability supports as youth in DYS custody. Additional testimony supported S. 1716 regulating illegal exhaust systems, with one witness citing public health harms from vehicle noise and another opposing the bill as overbroad and harmful to classic car owners. Finally, Claire Massington testified for H. 2694 on equitable access to parole, calling for a more transparent, best-practices-based parole system with a revised board composition and a presumption of parole unless the board shows otherwise. The hearing ended with the chair adjourning the meeting due to a roll call in the House and Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• for Catholics with the goal of mobilizing the Catholic community to get involved in the fight for America
• group is honored to be one of the organizations listed on the White House website, joining their America

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and heard introductions of guests. Members then adopted several procedural motions, including extending the second regular session, suspending the seven-bill limit for Representative Livingston on budget-related measures, and requesting the Senate return SB 1786 on artificial intelligence content verification for reconsideration. The House also moved into Committee of the Whole to consider calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, the House recommended do pass on SB 1057, SB 1171, SB 1424, and SB 1515, while retaining SB 1178 on the calendar. SB 1171, dealing with fingerprinting and fraud prevention in health and human services, was amended and received supportive comments about accountability and Medicaid fraud. SB 1424, concerning firearm safety instruction in schools, drew extensive debate: a proposed Gutierrez amendment modeled on “Christian’s Law” to require secure firearm storage measures was defeated by division vote 23-31, and the bill itself was defended as age-appropriate firearm safety education while opponents argued it was an unfunded mandate, a parents’ rights issue, and an improper burden on schools. SB 1515, creating a public safety parity fund for DPS and corrections bonuses from rainy-day fund interest, was amended and recommended do pass. The House then considered an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1552, adopted a floor amendment, and recommended the bill do pass as amended. In third reading, SB 1021 failed 22-35, while SB 1215, SB 1345, SB 1456, and SB 1493 all passed, with SB 1345 drawing a floor explanation about an added regulatory requirement for health care facilities. The House also received first readings of several appropriations bills and announced a special Joint Appropriations Committee hearing on the budget the next morning before adjourning until Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had my webmaster go ahead, and I paid my webmaster with my check, and they went to Bank of America
• I know that that’s happening, and that’s why I call Bank of America the Bank of China.
• I know that that’s happening, and that’s why I call Bank of America the Bank of China.

Bills: SB1049, SB1053, SB1058, SB1093, SB1160, SB1211

Keywords: spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, concealed carry, gun permits, firearms training, public safety, criminal history checks, local recognition, firearms, merchant codes, financial privacy, Second Amendment, data protection, riot, planning, racketeering, criminal conspiracy

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 1160 would make it a class one misdemeanor to fly a drone within one mile of a ticketed entertainment event, with exceptions for authorized personnel or written consent; NASCAR testified in support on public safety grounds, and the bill received a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote. SB 1093 would expand the definition of riot to include force or threats causing property damage and add riot as a predicate offense for conspiracy and racketeering; the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice opposed it as overly broad, while the sponsor argued it would target organized, paid riot activity. The committee approved it 5-2. SB 1049 would place a finite limit on spousal maintenance awards and direct the Supreme Court to consider related guideline factors; the sponsor said it was intended to prevent open-ended maintenance, while members questioned the fairness of a four-year cap in long marriages. It passed 5-2. SB 1053 would require Arizona residents to pay 10% of the nonresident fee for concealed weapons permits, with the director able to adjust fees to keep the program revenue neutral; supporters said residents should not pay the same as nonresidents and that the bill could encourage training and background checks, while opponents argued it could reduce state revenue. It passed 6-2. The committee also approved SB 1058, which bars government entities and certain private financial actors from maintaining firearm registries or using merchant category codes to identify firearm retailers, with supporters framing it as a privacy and Second Amendment measure and opponents warning about tracking and debanking; it passed 6-2. Finally, SB 1211 would allow victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence to seek a lifetime injunction against the offender; domestic violence and victim advocacy groups supported it as closing a gap for repeat victims, and the bill passed unanimously 9-0 after discussion clarified that no amendment was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023, at the America Fest conference, Mr.
• Charlie Kirk’s death forced America to confront political violence and extremism. Thank you.
• The most diverse country in the world is here in America.

Bills: S0194, S1246

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, remembrance, free speech, civic engagement, youth leadership, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum and first considered SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s Line Fund for health service workforce shortages. Senator Davis explained that the bill would broaden eligibility beyond nursing to include health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit use of funds for scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which professions would qualify, and Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility but could be made more concrete. Several witnesses supported the bill, and the committee reported SB 1246 favorably without additional funding being requested. The committee then took up SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday. The bill drew both support and opposition from public speakers, with supporters emphasizing Kirk’s advocacy for free speech and unborn children, and opponents arguing that his public statements on race, civil rights, and Black leaders made him an inappropriate figure for state honor. Members also debated whether statute was the right vehicle for such recognition and whether the bill could encourage future requests for similar commemorations. A late-filed amendment by Senator Jones would have added George Floyd to the remembrance language, framing the issue as selective remembrance and pointing to Floyd’s death as another national reckoning. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated SB 194 at length, with supporters describing Kirk as a defender of open debate and opponents saying the bill would legitimize divisive rhetoric. The committee ultimately reported SB 194 favorably, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones voting no, Senator Rodriguez and Chair Simon voting yes, and Chair Calatayud casting the deciding favorable vote. The committee then adjourned after a motion to record Tab 2 in the affirmative was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge to the flag of the United States of America.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• population under the age of 20 is 4.6 million, which is greater than the total population of 22 states in America

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and Domestic Security met for its first meeting of the 2025-26 session and heard presentations from Major General John Haas, Adjutant General of Florida, and Tim McGregor, executive director of the Florida Defense Support Commission. General Haas reviewed the Florida National Guard’s missions, statewide footprint, domestic disaster response, and federal deployments, emphasizing the Guard’s role in hurricanes, border-related support, and other state operations. He also discussed recruiting and retention, noting that recruiting remains strong but retention is challenged by the Guard’s high operational tempo, and he outlined efforts to expand force structure, improve facilities, and modernize units, including Camp Blanding upgrades, new armories, additional infantry, engineer, military police, and aviation assets, and the Air National Guard’s F-35 conversion. Members asked questions about recruiting methods, typical brigade size, and how many personnel would be needed to reduce the average duty burden back toward the statutory 39 days. Haas explained that Florida’s large population helps recruiting, especially through community and school outreach, but that the state’s frequent domestic missions make the current 12,000-member force too small for its workload. He said the Guard’s high tempo is the main reason members leave for the reserves and argued that more force structure is needed to reduce strain. Committee members also discussed prior efforts to influence National Guard stationing decisions based on population shifts and domestic mission demands. McGregor then described the Florida Defense Support Commission’s work to protect military installations, prevent encroachment, support workforce and economic development, and improve the military-friendly environment for service members and families. He highlighted the commission’s grant programs, the military benefits guide, and a spouse license reciprocity matrix, as well as site visits to installations and defense-related facilities across the state. Members asked about Lockheed Martin’s innovation and simulation work in Orlando and discussed the value of military spouse reciprocity compacts. No bills were heard, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have blessed us to live in one of the largest states in these United States of America.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
• We are home to the largest petrochemical complex in North America, a growing port, and a vibrant farming

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• And I will never allow Sharia law to come into the state of Arizona or these United States of America
• And this law is one or these United States of America. And this law is one great law.
• It authorizes a commemorative plaque to be recognized in the Service, Arizona of America, 250 commission
• I have been studying a book on the history of taxation in America.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed several guests in the gallery, including a high school student and an advocate connected to the domestic violence bill HB 2995. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, first advancing HB 4155, HB 4156, and HB 4157, then HB 4164, HB 4165, and HB 4166, all with do-pass recommendations and no substantive amendments on those calendars. Later, the House also considered SB 1326, a victims’ rights measure, adopted a floor amendment, and reported it out as amended. The House corrected an earlier clerical error regarding HB 4155-4157 being referred to engrossing rather than third reading. The House then took up a long series of final passage votes on Senate bills. SB 2174, SB 2611, SB 1011, SB 1012, SB 1016, SB 1018, SB 1038, SB 1039, SB 1040, SB 1053, SB 1055, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1061, SB 1068, SB 1069, SB 1075, SB 1100, SB 1113 on reconsideration, SB 1160, and SB 1170 all passed. SB 2873, SB 1004, SB 1009, SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1049, SB 1093, and SB 1143 failed. SB 2995, the emergency family-law/domestic-violence bill known as the Alec and Lydia Act, passed with the required two-thirds vote after extensive debate; supporters said it would better protect children and clarify judicial standards, while opponents argued its definitions were overly broad and could harm families. SB 1018 on foreign laws also drew extended debate over Sharia law, with supporters framing it as a defense of American values and opponents calling it unnecessary and discriminatory. Several votes included explanations focused on policy concerns. SB 1004 on sex-offender registration and monitoring drew debate over whether electronic monitoring is effective. SB 1040 on voter registration transparency prompted arguments over public access to voter rolls versus privacy and security. SB 1118 on municipal zoning and historical homes was debated as a property-rights and local-control issue, with supporters saying it could help preserve affordable housing and opponents warning it would override local decisions. The House also adopted motions to reconsider prior actions on SB 1043 and SB 1100, and it requested the Senate return SB 1552 for reconsideration. The session ended with the House still processing additional Committee of the Whole business, including HB 4158, HB 4159, HB 4160, HB 4161, HB 4162, and HB 4163, with HB 4162 and HB 4163 receiving floor amendments and do-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:08:18.919> of allegiance of the United States of allegiance of the United States of America
• <00:08:20.159> and<00:08:20.360> to America and to America and to the<00:08:22.360>
• Colin, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America and
• /c><00:13:50.399> of allegiance to the United States of allegiance to the United States of America
• America to the United States of America America to the United States of America and<00:13:53.000

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are asked to remain standing and join me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. ...to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred with a Senate referral of a petition by Joan B. Lovely to study discrimination in public accommodations for individuals with service animals, sending it to the Committee on Consumer, Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions by Adam J. Scanlon: one asking CHIA to analyze eliminating or capping copays for mental and behavioral health services, and another concerning no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals, referring them to the appropriate committees. The House then took up a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and, after suspending Rule 7A, ordered several to third reading. These included Marnie’s Law on inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Haverhill election bills, a New Salem election validation bill, Plymouth charter and digital legal notice bills, a Nantucket charter gender-neutrality bill, and a Nantucket land conveyance bill. The House also separately suspended Rule 7A for House Bill 2614 on medical parole and ordered it to third reading. On final passage, the House passed House Bill 4249 on vital statistics to be reenacted, adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 3388 designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for House Bill 1024 concerning sewer service in Sharon, and passed House Bill 23/Senate Bill 23 on alternate members to the Squabskine Conservation Commission. The House also engrossed Senate Bill 1830 on continued employment for Herbert A. Chafee II in Brookfield, House Bill 4109 on harbor line changes in New Bedford Harbor, and House Bill 4524 renaming Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen as the Select Board. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural motions. It adopted congratulatory resolutions for Fire Chief Michael Sullivan of Wakefield and Joan Smith of Abington, and approved an extension until December 7, 2025 for the Committee on Public Health to report on current House documents. The House also concurred with a Senate referral of a petition on assisted living billing practices to the Committee on Housing, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send two additional petitions to committee: one on penalties for reckless or negligent vehicle operation and another designating May 2 as Veterinary Youth Day. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommended six House bills for consideration, and the House suspended Rule 7A to take them up on second reading. Those bills concerned the Great Barrington Fire District, a technical change to the George L. Dairy Inland Fisheries and Game Fund, teacher strikes, an Arlington town manager act amendment, payment of an unpaid bill by the town of Ludlow, and additional liquor licenses for Scituate. The House ordered all six bills to a third reading. The chamber also observed silent tributes to Anthony Dugnan of Hamilton and Boston police Detective Bruce Higgins. On third reading, the House passed to be engrossed Senate Bill 23 on alternate members for the Swampscott Conservation Commission, House Bill 2879 on continued employment of a Lancaster firefighter, House Bill 3977 on alternate members for the Beckett Conservation Commission, and House Bill 4529 designating the Wider Park tennis courts as the Kim O'Connell tennis courts. The House then adopted an order to adjourn to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• School girls' swim team in leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Wellesley High School girls’ swim team leading the Pledge of Allegiance and being formally recognized for winning its sixth Division Two State Swim and Diving Championship. The chamber also received a resignation letter from Representative Natalie M. Blais of the First Franklin District, effective January 19, 2026, which was placed on file. The House then acted on several procedural and local matters. It adopted committee reports extending reporting deadlines for the Education and Public Service committees to March 18, 2026, and advanced three bills to third reading: a Boston Police age-waiver bill for Louis Cabral and sick leave bank bills for Marnie Jean Goldstein and William Blaylock. The House also passed to enactment charter amendments for Provincetown and Greenfield, concurred in a Senate amendment to a Wellesley land-conveyance bill, and engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District Board of Water Commissioners and Milton alcohol licensing. On House No. 4717, relating to the annual town meeting for Orange, the House adopted an amendment offered by Representative Walsh and then passed the bill as amended. Later, on House No. 1110 concerning subprime loans, the House adopted an amendment discharging the bill from the Bills in the Third Reading committee and referred it to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Salvatore Semino and adjourned to meet Tuesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota, who will lead us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred in a Senate referral concerning a petition from Joanne M. Comerford to designate an official vegetable of the Commonwealth, sending it to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported several local bills for consideration, including measures affecting Topsfield, Andover, Colrain, Salem, Oxford, and South Hadley. The House suspended Rule 7A and took up second readings, then ordered those bills to a third reading. The House also passed to be enacted House No. 4399, amending the charter of the town of Middleton. Several other local bills were then released from the Committee on Bills in Third Reading and passed to be engrossed, including a Rutland recall elections bill, a Rehoboth tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a deputy chief, a Millis senior property tax exemption for school construction, and a Falmouth sewer-related funding bill. The House also considered a Springfield disability pension bill for Ms. Al Rodriguez, which was amended by substitution with House No. 5391 before being engrossed. Additional amendments were adopted on bills concerning North Adams special police officers, a North Attleboro senior property tax exemption, and a Salem excise on the transfer of parking spaces, after which each bill was passed to be engrossed as amended. The House then held a moment of silent tribute for Stephen Fennell of Falmouth. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to meet then in informal session.