Transcript Highlights:

• you. >> Thank you.
• you. >> Thank you.
• You could possibly dig up iwi kūpuna.
• Um, if you I mean it was before my 70s.
• Um, if you I mean it was before my time,<01:17:07.040><c> but</c><01:17:07.199><c> if</c><01:17:07.360

Bills: HB1924 , HB2121 , HB1928 , HB1979 , HB1650 , HB1543 , HB1981 , HB1982

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to waste, recycling, and environmental review. On HB 1924, which would establish a mattress stewardship program, the Department of Health said it stood on written testimony and offered comments, while Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and one individual supported the bill and the International Sleep Products Association opposed it. No questions were raised and the committee moved on. A large portion of the hearing focused on HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the measure but suggested the bill may be better placed in a different part of state law because the cited waste-management section regulates products after consumption, while still praising the effort to remove disposable vapes from the market and environment. Testimony in strong support came from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii Youth Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, the City and County of Honolulu, and many individuals; supporters emphasized youth vaping, toxic waste, lithium battery fire risks, and environmental harm. There was at least one opposing individual and the International Sleep Products Association was listed in opposition. The committee noted there were many written testimonies and no immediate vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 1928 on the deposit beverage container recycling program. The Department of Health stood on written testimony. The Solid Waste Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents and Upstream supported the bill but urged amendments to better integrate reuse and reusables, strengthen enforcement, clarify definitions, and protect existing redemption centers. The Hawaii Food Industry Association supported the concept of a backdrop program but preferred strengthening the existing program and raised concerns about undefined fees, existing infrastructure, and future audit costs. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the bill, and the chair said the measure needs work and that decision-making would occur in a few days. Finally, the committee took up HB 979 on environmental review and HB 1650 on environmental assessments. For HB 979, OPSD offered amendments, HCDA supported the bill but suggested clarifying the affordable-housing definition, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative supported it, and Earthjustice was asked about the court process for environmental challenges; the chair asked about shortening the challenge period and the relationship between environmental court, the intermediate court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. For HB 1650, OPSD and the State Historic Preservation Division stood on written testimony, OHA asked to retain historic sites, and several groups and individuals testified in support or opposition. Opponents argued that removing Wiki special district and historic sites from Chapter 343 trigger language would weaken environmental review and risk impacts to iwi kūpuna and historic resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• You hi. I just wanted Would you begin? You hi.
• </c> you, Representative F. Thank you, Mr. you, Representative F. Thank you, Mr.
• </c><00:59:14.160><c> You</c> Thank you. You have your light on. You Thank you.
• </c><01:07:51.039><c> Thank</c><01:07:51.200><c> you,</c> you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, you, Mr.
• Do you expect that we'll be meeting again before the end of June?

Summary: The Finance Committee first took up Senate Bill 63, which Representative Maguire described as a straightforward bill setting funding for the Division of Travel and Tourism. He said it was not controversial. The committee voted to retain the bill by roll call, with one no vote and one member absent, and the motion passed 23-1-1. The committee then considered Senate Bill 74, dealing with annual reporting requirements for state departments that issue permits. Representative Maguire explained Amendment 2282 would shorten the reporting burden by requiring summary data on delayed permits rather than listing every permit, and would delay the first report until 2027 so agencies would not have to reconstruct old data. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill was then approved as amended by a 24-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 241 on construction of a public pier at Hampton Beach. Representative Sweeney moved inexpedient to legislate, saying the project was ambitious and lacked public support. The motion passed unanimously 25-0, sending the bill to consent. Division Two then took up Senate Bill 145, a replace-all amendment to the education freedom account bill. Supporters said the amendment clarified the bill, kept the policy intact, removed a reimbursement program and an open-ended appropriation, and established a cap of 10,000 students with priority for current students and certain other groups. Opponents argued the measure was still a major expansion, would increase spending after crossover, and that the cap was not meaningful. After discussion, Amendment 2301H was adopted and the bill was approved as amended by a 25-0 vote, with members noting it could go on consent because no money remained in it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you ready for the question? Roll call. >> Roll call has been requested.
• </c> you ready for the question? you ready for the question? Roll<00:27:50.640><c> call.
• Do you mind if I just ask my question before you answer?
• ><c> question</c><01:19:39.840><c> before</c><01:19:40.080><c> you</c> I just ask my question before
• you I just ask my question before you answer?

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Okay. All right. Thank you.
• Thank you. Okay. All right. Thank you. Okay.
• Thank you.
• Thank you.
• Thank you.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received a Department of Children and Families update from CIO Cole Sousa on three major technology modernization efforts: ACCESS, CWIS, and FASMS. For ACCESS, he described the six-year, $205 million project to replace the aging eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid applications, noting completed releases such as the MyACCESS portal, document management, partner portal, workload management, and client registration modules. He said the system now supports mobile applications, multi-factor authentication, and bot detection, and that the next budget request is $36.625 million to continue moving workers off the mainframe, modernize notices, and complete more worker-portal functions. Members asked about performance data, interoperability with other systems, and the relationship to the FX project and APD; Sousa said API-based real-time exchanges are the goal and that current average case processing time is about 30 days, though he would provide a more exact figure later. The committee then heard about CWIS, a four-year, $75 million child welfare modernization project. Sousa said phase one is complete, including hotline intake, investigations, mandatory reporter, youth, parent, and mobile portals, along with mobile field tools, e-signatures, and customizable dashboards. Current work is focused on case management, assessment and safety planning, licensure, and placement modules, with collaboration from community-based care providers through advisory sessions. For the next fiscal year, DCF is requesting $28 million and expects to finish development by summer and launch in September, while continuing change management and training. Senators pressed on interoperability with ACCESS, FX, and FASMS, the use of a single unique identifier, and whether CBCs would be required to use the statewide system; Sousa said the department’s goal is one statewide system, with licensing costs absorbed by the state and no plan for dual systems after go-live. Finally, Sousa gave a brief update on FASMS, the financial and services accountability system used by managing entities. He said it remains in maintenance mode while DCF prioritizes ACCESS and CWIS, and that modernization of FASMS is still being planned with partner agencies. He estimated current maintenance costs at about $1.3 million and suggested a future modernization could cost roughly $5 million to $7 million, though no firm timeline has been set. The committee expressed support for using data and interoperable systems to improve decision-making, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have a follow-up, do sir? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Because, as you know, there's always risks of how detailed do you put it in Statute or how broad you
• Senator, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• The second one, you got it. So, thank you, members.
• Thank you.

Bills: SB2173 , SB2028 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: landowner, energy negotiation, agricultural preservation, orphaned wells, renewable energy, raw milk, unpasteurized milk, milk products, dairy, pasteurization, food safety, consumer warning label, health warning, farm sales, direct-to-consumer sales, ungraded milk, goat milk, raw milk cheese, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, agricultural regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• you so very much appreciate you and you so very much appreciate you and appreciate<00:23:30.240><c> you
• Um, and thank you for the work that you do. Thank you so much.
• so much Mr chair and just 1934 thank you so much Mr chair and just before<00:47:25.480><c> I</c><00:
• You also have two minutes. deployed thank you uh do you have one deployed thank you uh do you have one
• you everyone thank you adjourned thank you everyone thank you thank<01:21:00.480><c> you</c> thank you

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you please call the roll of who's here, and do you have your microphone on, please?
• Would you please call the roll of who's here, and do you have your microphone on, please?
• Before you, I've handed out the document, as it looks like everybody has identified.
• Before that, it was almost always sheriff that was called.
• I can do a little digging for you.

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, with one member abstaining because of absence and one member opposing. The main informational items were a Department of Health and Human Services update on the rural health transformation grant and a public health briefing on vaccines, followed by a quarterly budget and staffing update and an annual report from the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias. Commissioner Lori Weaver reported that the department submitted the rural health transformation grant application on November 4, described it as reflecting input from communities and providers statewide, and said CMS review and budget negotiations would follow before final approval on December 31. She said the grant could support hiring as long as administrative costs stay within the 10% cap, and that the governor’s office will oversee administration with HHS. Ian Watt then testified that New Hampshire remains committed to vaccine access, including through the universal purchase program and annual respiratory virus guidance for flu, RSV, and COVID-19. He said the state continues to use evidence-based review for vaccine policy, noted the CDC’s change regarding the combined MMRV vaccine for the first dose in young children, and said New Hampshire’s school vaccine mandates remain at nine for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, with statutory exemptions still in place. Department staff also said there have been no supply or funding problems affecting childhood vaccine access. Nathan White, the department’s CFO, reviewed the DHHS budget and vacancy trends. He said DHHS makes up a large share of the state budget, that about 31% of its budget is general funds subject to lapse, and that lapse projections are difficult because much of the budget is driven by utilization rather than personnel. He reported current projected general fund lapse of just under $20 million, compared with about $39 million in the statewide surplus statement, and explained that only about a third of DHHS general funds can actually lapse because of statutory restrictions. He also said the department has about 400 unfunded positions, contributing to roughly a $30 million general fund reduction across the biennium, and that the hiring freeze has pushed vacancy trends upward while critical direct-care positions are being prioritized. The Alzheimer’s subcommittee reported six meetings this year, presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and work toward a new state Alzheimer’s plan. The subcommittee is developing a needs-assessment survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers, with the goal of using the results and other data sources to inform the plan. Its recommendations focus on integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease and aging outreach, embedding brain health into systems of care, adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS, and continuing partnerships with statewide organizations. Members also discussed recent research and prevention efforts, and the committee noted that a separate bill is being pursued to include Alzheimer’s and dementia in existing public health awareness campaigns.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to balance those two conflicting needs, the bills before you today will delay implementation
• This is roll call number 143. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• This is roll call number 144. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• The chair is pleased to announce it does not anticipate any further roll call. Thank you.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and received a resignation letter from Rep. Fana Howard of Lowell, effective March 17, 2026, as she transitioned to the Senate. The chamber then took up several procedural orders, including multiple unanimous or voice-vote suspensions of rules and concurrence with Senate petitions, such as referrals on housing and student transportation matters, and a suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition involving children served by DCF. The main substantive item was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. Members discussed its use of Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, including major support for the MBTA, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and child care, snow and ice costs, regional transit authorities, and other deficiencies such as GIC and sheriff costs. Members also explained the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to recent federal tax changes, with debate over whether to delay conformity to limit state revenue exposure. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill and then passed it to be engrossed by roll call vote, 150-3. The House also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Several local bills were advanced, including a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee, a bill waiving the minimum age requirement for a Boston police officer, a Nantucket charter bill, a Stoneham public safety bill, and a Malden special police officers bill, the last of which was amended before being engrossed. The chamber also considered Amendment 43 to redistribute $100 million of Fair Share revenue more evenly to municipalities for roads and education; supporters argued the current distribution favored statewide priorities over local aid, while opponents said the formula would not adequately address rural road needs. That amendment was rejected 128-25. The House then recessed several times, observed moments of silence for local public servants, welcomed visiting youth sports teams, and finally ordered adjournment to meet the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you need to take a phone call, go out in the hallway so as not to disrupt the proceedings.
• Secretary, you want to call the roll? Chair Gabary? Here. Representative Billings? Here. Here.
• Thank you. Thank you, Madam Senator. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. I was just having a conversation with an Inspector General. I also called Rep.

Summary: The House Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committee met and advanced a series of local bills, mostly by unanimous voice vote after brief questions. SB 430 by Sen. Jenkins renewed the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau’s 1.5% hotel occupancy tax for 12-year periods by voter approval, with discussion about continued planning and coordination among tourism entities. SB 286 by Sen. Duplessis updated the New Orleans Downtown Development District statute by clarifying its status as a political subdivision, streamlining tax collection, removing staggered board terms, and clarifying bond renewal voting boundaries. The committee also favorably reported SB 198 by Sen. Mizell, requiring government projects in historic districts to follow local historic district rules for new construction; SB 172 by Sen. Luneau, expanding a planning-commission waiver process for certain property divisions to municipalities below 150,000 population; and SB 439 by Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, adding pre-screening for esophageal/Barrett’s cancer for firefighters and fire service employees. Testimony on the firefighter bill emphasized the health risks from carcinogen exposure and the value of early detection, and members expressed strong support. Additional bills advanced included SB 458 by Sen. McMath, creating a mechanism for local ethics-entity tax revenues in St. Tammany Parish to be transferred to the district attorney’s office if an inspector general office is created; SB 447 by Sen. Bass, changing Bossier City Police Department promotions from competitive to promotional seniority; SB 281 by Sen. Barrow, expanding the Baker Economic Development District boundaries to include additional commercial areas; SB 385 by Sen. Harris, changing appointments to the City Park Improvement Association board and allowing City Park to opt out of certain ORM insurance coverage; HR 84 by Rep. Walters, urging Shreveport to create an interest-free loan program for TSA workers during federal shutdowns; and SB 417 by Sen. Allain, adding two members to the St. Mary Parish drainage district board. All of these measures were reported favorably, with one member recusing himself from the City Park bill due to board membership. The committee then recessed briefly, noting several remaining bills would be deferred if sponsors did not arrive soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• This is the scenario that you have before you, Mr. Chairman. Well, Mr.
• I mean, the alternative is to call the IRS and say you sold STVs and we haven't used it in six years
• Well, the, what's that place, what's it called? You just said it.
• Thank you, Chair. I would like to be called on when we're done with this subject.

Bills: SB190 , HB247 , HB2 , HB8

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee reviewed drafting instructions and spending sheets for House Bill 2, focusing on both recurring and nonrecurring appropriations, reserve levels, and several late changes. Staff explained that the package would leave reserves around 28% under the current scenario, with the possibility of rising to about 30% if a separate natural disaster reform bill is enacted. Members discussed how disaster funding would be handled through a replacement Section 8 and the appropriation contingency fund, and whether the operating reserve could be tapped with explicit authorization. There was also clarification on fund types, including other state funds and interagency transfers, and on how line items were reflected in the spreadsheets. A major point of debate was how to offset additions by reducing funding elsewhere. Members discussed shifting money from the state fair/multipurpose arena request, the Office of Natural Resources Trustee, and other capital items to accommodate changes. Several senators raised concerns about cutting the Office of Natural Resources Trustee too deeply and about the purpose of those funds, including possible land purchases and floodplain mitigation in Ruidoso. The committee also discussed whether the state fair money should be reduced, with some members supporting a $25 million restoration and others preferring to leave the executive’s request intact. Staff noted that some reductions were not true cuts but swaps or offsets, such as moving local road money and using excess capital outlay reserves. Other corrections and policy items were addressed, including an increase for UNM and NMSU stadium funding, a correction to a project distribution on line 105, and funding for the Health Council. Members also noted that the public employee 1% raise was no longer funded because recurring capacity was used elsewhere, and that no COLA was included. After discussion, Senator Woods moved to adopt the drafting instructions, Senator Gonzalez seconded, and the motion passed without objection. The committee then directed staff to prepare a catch-up cleanup version of House Bill 2 for later review and said House Bill 8 would be taken up the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• To what extent is your staff reviewing the information that's given to you and really digging into the
• To what extent is your staff reviewing the information that's given to you and really digging into the
• To what extent is your staff reviewing the information that's given to you and really digging into the
• need an additional tip before you are able to identify within your agency, based upon the review of the
• need an additional tip before you are able to identify within your agency, based upon the review of the

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you.
• Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Representative.
• You do.
• Thank you. Thank you. Not a small thing, obviously. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
• You know, you can go to them and get your bill drafted.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The Budget Committee met in executive session and considered Senate Bill 1470, with a House Committee Substitute offered and adopted. The bill updates statutes governing the Joint Committee on Legislative Research and its oversight functions. The sponsor and Chairman Deaton described the measure as modernizing LR operations, including reducing the committee from 20 members to 12, adding legislative leadership and minority representation, allowing electronic delivery of reports, and changing references to public colleges and universities. They also explained that the bill would create post-implementation fiscal notes to compare projected and actual fiscal impacts after enactment. A major point of discussion was the bill’s provision allowing legislative oversight staff to access certain Department of Revenue tax-return information under confidentiality rules so they can independently verify data used in fiscal notes, especially for tax policy bills. Several members supported the goal of improving accuracy and checks and balances, while also raising concerns about protecting taxpayer privacy and ensuring the committee does not improperly access confidential information. The sponsor and chairman said the committee would not see individual returns, that staff would remain bound by confidentiality, and that they would follow up on any legal concerns before floor action if needed. Members also discussed a section striking language that had prohibited committee employees from opposing or urging legislation. The sponsor said this was cleanup because LR no longer drafts ordinary bills, only revision bills, and the remaining drafting role is limited and noncontroversial. Representative Mayhew said he would not offer a planned amendment at the meeting but still wanted clarification on the tax-information language. Representative Fogle asked how post-implementation fiscal notes would be shared, and the sponsor said the committee would likely determine the process. After adopting the substitute, the committee voted the bill do pass by a roll call of 25 yes and 1 no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, committee.
• Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Thank you for the question. One more follow-up, please. Thank you, thank you.
• Thank you for the question. You are recognized for a follow-up. Thank you for that.
• Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you Representative.

Bills: SB1177 , SB1177

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Thank you. Chair calls Craig Calden. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Chair calls Jason Abraham. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Chair calls Michael Watts.
• Thank you. Chair calls Matt Henry. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Chair calls Jeremy Mazur.

Bills: HB 13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145 , HB366 , HB470 , HB805 , HB912 , HB13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So the choice before you is basically, what do you want to do less of?
• you've done everything you can do before you start... ...making sure that you've done everything you
• Have you had an experience like that before?
• Something that you had been on years before, would you have done this prior? Yes.
• Thank you. Anybody else from the administration before we go to L.A.O.? Thank you.

Summary: The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review. The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections. The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• one to the General Register this morning, so if you want to go ahead and move the bill before the committee
• Madam Chair, before we do that, uh, I am not allowed to sell you insurance.
• </c> you are aware because I've asked you you are aware because I've asked you before<00:58:42.520><c
• one-half a credit before you graduate.
• </c><01:35:24.280><c> at</c> credit before you graduate I think at credit before you graduate I think

Bills: HF1865 , HF2014 , HF2028

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Your voices to the underlying bill before us. This is a very good bill, thanks to all of you.
• Thank you, Mr. President. Right as to speak in support of the base bill before us today, Mr.
• And through you to the members, the supplemental spending bill before us represents a sensible approach
• In fact, before I came down to talk, we were on a call with HLC working through particulars of certain
• In fact, before I came down to talk, we were on a call with HLC working through particulars of certain

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is roll call number 142, which is in progress and will be open for three minutes. Thank you.
• This is roll call number 143, roll call number 143, roll call number 143. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• This is roll call number 144, roll call number 144, roll call number 144. Thank you. Thank you.
• The chair is pleased to announce it does not anticipate any further roll call. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• I want to remind you that we have a proposal before you, Ms. Pellerin and Ms.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm grateful to be before you with Senate File 2037, which would appropriate resources to the Rare Disease
• </c> and members I'm grateful to be before and members I'm grateful to be before you<00:53:37.559><c>
• </c><00:57:52.680><c> you</c><00:57:52.839><c> have</c> you thank you members do you have you thank you
• Madam Chair, this is a substantially different type of, uh, mining, if you want to even call it that,
• want to even type of uh mining if you want to even call<01:05:30.640><c> it</c><01:05:30.960><c> that

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services