Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have and being on a commission have and being on a commission understanding<00:15:31.760><c> about
• , and past service on various commissions and committees.
• </c><00:31:18.240><c> I</c> Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. I Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
• </c> these are all Hawaiian Homes Commission these are all Hawaiian Homes Commission policy<00:32:06.880
• . commission. commission.

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard nominations for several members of the Burial Council and the Hawaiian Homes Commission. For Burial Council nominations, the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Historic Preservation Division testified in support of Leimana Abunes, Cyrus Sito, Chantel Freeman, and Chadley Shiml Fenig, emphasizing their genealogical ties, cultural knowledge, experience with iwi kupuna, and commitment to preservation and reinterment. Each nominee also briefly introduced themselves and described their background and motivation to serve. Committee members said they had favorable conversations with the nominees and indicated votes would be taken at the end of the agenda. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 773, Shaylin Ornellas, for the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Testimony in support was strong, including 45 written supports and no opposition, along with oral testimony from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and community supporters. Supporters highlighted Ornellas’ education, real estate and development experience, public service, and connection to Kauaʻi and homestead communities. Ornellas said she was answering a call to serve and discussed her background and commitment to the community. Members questioned Ornellas closely about Act 279, the DHHL waitlist, beneficiary consultation, housing options, and the department’s “paper lease” practice. She said Act 279 was intended to help reduce the waitlist, supported broader housing options and beneficiary input, and acknowledged limited familiarity with the technical details of paper leases. One senator raised concerns that paper leases may not guarantee actual lots and urged further research. The discussion also touched on policy issues such as beneficiaries maintaining their waitlist positions after declining offers or taking rentals, with committee members noting these are commission policy choices rather than statutory mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2236 makes a number of changes to the Housing Finance Commission laws.
• House Bill 2236 makes a number of changes to the Housing Finance Commission laws.
• The commission is required to adopt and periodically update a housing finance plan.
• So House Bill 2236 would make a number of changes to the Housing Finance Commission laws.
• testimony on behalf of the commission.

Bills: HB2118 , HB2236

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: common interest communities, restrictions, property rights, homeowners association, community governance, housing finance, affordable housing, housing commission, state agency, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the policy of the commission that individual commission members may participate in the meetings
• The policy of the commission is that individual commission members may participate in meetings electronically
• HB 371, also from Delegate Price, deals with this commission and changes the membership of the commission
• This bill was a recommendation of the Commission.
• I, in the spirit of following up on prior work of the Commission, I just want to remind the Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Denita. >> Commission office has been very busy.
• I want to update the commission, the full commission, about hiring an executive director.
• And then that decision will be ultimately made by the commission.
• And then that decision will be ultimately made by the commission.
• And then that decision will be ultimately made by the commission.

Summary: The meeting began with a procedural motion to have the record reflect that the Government Contracts Review Committee had met earlier that morning, that the chairman had attended in person, and that the committee approved a retroactive contract for enforcement counsel in the case under consideration. The motion was seconded, clarified to include any future ratification or approval if needed, and then approved unanimously. The commission then took up a motion to deny a motion to dismiss in matters 24 LEC3 and 24 LEC6; after clarifying that it was denying the motion made on August 18 and not considering a new filing, the motion passed unanimously. Staff then reported that the commission office was busy with required forms and that the budget remained in good standing and within parameters. The commission approved the financial report by motion. It was also noted that informal advisory opinions issued since the last meeting were included in the materials for review, with any questions to be handled in closed session if needed. The chairman updated members on the search for a new executive director, saying Denita would serve as acting executive director in the interim. He reported that several strong applications had been received, that a committee was reviewing and ranking candidates, and that the formal application period had closed on August 15. Members were told they could forward recommendations to the personnel committee, but that the full commission would make the final hiring decision. In new business, a member offered a remembrance of Representative Jeff Greer, and the commission observed a moment of silence in his honor before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Districting commission.
• The main difference is that it's a difference between an independent commission and a bipartisan commission
• The main difference is that it's a difference between an independent commission and a bipartisan commission
• The last thing I'll say is about who can't serve on the commission.
• </c><00:51:07.559><c> to</c> principles uh for the commission to principles uh for the commission to

Transcript Highlights:

• The commission follows the general agency schedule and commission policy 16-01.
• Again, I commend the commission for this annual refresher.
• Again, I commend the commission for this annual refresher.
• Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the commission. J.
• That is the second 10-year schedule the commission has adopted.

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizen Commission on Tax Preferences met on May 7, 2025, with quorum present and first approved the October 22, 2024 meeting minutes. The Attorney General’s office then provided the annual open government refresher, reviewing key requirements of the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including broad disclosure obligations, records retention, response procedures for public records requests, and meeting rules for quorums, executive sessions, and notice requirements. Staff then reviewed the 2025 legislative session, noting 23 tax-preference bills passed, with five signed by the governor at that time. Highlights included legislation extending or repealing several preferences, adding reporting requirements for newspaper and digital content tax exemptions, and creating a new exemption for zero-emission buses. The commission also approved updates to the 2026 tax preference review schedule, which includes eight preferences in seven reviews, and approved unchanged 2025 testimony questions for use in future reviews. JLARC staff presented the 2025 expedited tax preference review report covering 52 preferences, using Department of Revenue studies and prior JLARC work rather than full new reviews. Staff also outlined development of the next 10-year review cycle for 2027-2036, including a possible rolling schedule approach, with legislative input to be sought over the coming months. The meeting concluded with thanks and recognition of Ron Buing’s service as he steps off the commission, and no public comment was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• to money, and whether the Ethics Commission needs to be able to oversee the Auditor.
• The attorney for the Ethics Commission, is the attorney for the Ethics Commission also a SAG? Yes.
• It would just simply be taking current code, adding Ethics Commission.
• There you see there's a list of like Public Service Commission, Insurance Commissioner, etc.
• but the Governor and State Auditor and Ethics Commission in 23 through 27.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee reconvened and reviewed the status of several bills. The chair said bill 1377 could not be acted on until the House finished work on campaign finance bill 2156, and bill 1535 likely would not be ready because of unresolved concerns from Representative Davis and planned meetings with Highway Patrol and BCI. The committee therefore focused on bill 1601, which dealt with when the Attorney General may refuse or revoke special assistant attorney general appointments for certain state offices and entities. Members debated the policy and constitutional implications of the bill, including whether it was solving a real problem or creating a potential conflict, and whether statewide elected officials and independent bodies should have their own counsel. After testimony from the Chief Deputy Attorney General clarifying current law and the appropriations process, the committee amended the bill to add the Ethics Commission to the list of entities and to narrow the affected offices to the Governor, State Auditor, and Ethics Commission. The committee also changed one provision from “and” to “or” to clarify the standard for refusal or revocation. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a 6-0 vote and designated Senator Braunberger as the carrier. The chair said the committee would not meet the next morning and would instead reconvene the following week at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have GM547, Joanna Ready, nominee for the Commission on Hawaii Advisory Commission on drug
• </c> Next we have Hawaii Advisory Commission Next we have Hawaii Advisory Commission on<00:02:50.800>
• </c> her reappointment to our commission. her reappointment to our commission.
• nominee for the Commission nominee for the Commission on<00:05:51.039><c> Hawaii</c><00:05:51.680><c
• </c> be in commission on fatherhood. be in commission on fatherhood.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard and considered a series of gubernatorial nominations and reappointments, primarily to the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation board, the Commission on Fatherhood, and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive across the measures. The Department of Health repeatedly testified in support of the drug and controlled substances nominees, and several nominees and supporters emphasized experience in public health, rural health access, disability advocacy, family services, and elder affairs. Some nominees were not present live but had submitted written answers, which the chair noted had been posted online. For the developmental disabilities nominations, testimony highlighted lived experience and representation from neighbor islands, with supporters saying the nominees would bring valuable perspectives and help strengthen services and advocacy. For the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation nominations, testimony stressed rural health, system collaboration, and broad community and hospital experience. The Commission on Fatherhood nominee said he wanted to advocate for fathers and be a voice for them, and supporters from Maui Family Support Services backed that nomination. The elder affairs nominee also received support from caregiver and aging-related organizations. At the end of the hearing, the committee moved to advise and consent on the nominations it had heard, and each recommendation was adopted by the members present. The chair noted that all members were present for the votes, and the meeting concluded with congratulations to the nominees and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:05:17.640><c> has</c> establishment, it's a commission, has establishment, it's a commission
• </c> commission will make recommendations. commission will make recommendations.
• , the commission is the commission, the commission is prescribed<00:08:08.360><c> in</c><00:08:08.520
• </c> actually on the commission. actually on the commission.
• >> A commission. The Kirwan Commission. >> So, thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• resources from the Corporation Commission for plugging?
• be considered for resources from the Corporation Commission for plugging?
• I got a couple for the commission. I had a couple for the commission.
• I got a couple for the commission. had a couple for the commission.
• Appreciate the Corporation Commission for their partnership in this.

Bills: SB1191 , SB1314 , SB1319 , SB1333 , SB1346 , SB1439 , SB1509 , SB1510 , SB1613

Committee: Senate Energy

Summary: The Senate Energy Committee met and first laid over a couple of items before taking up a series of energy and water-related bills. Senate Bill 1333, presented by Sen. Hall, was framed as a symbolic reflection of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board’s budget request and the state’s estimated $24 billion water infrastructure need through 2030. Members asked about project prioritization, emergency needs, long-term funding, federal matching dollars, and whether some proposed spending would go to outreach or new programs rather than direct infrastructure. Supporters emphasized the statewide water crisis, rural and municipal needs, and the goal of building a comprehensive water package; the bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1191, presented by Sen. Daniels, would eliminate an unused board tied to the Low Carbon Energy Initiative; the deputy secretary testified the board was never actually founded and collected no research, and the bill passed 11-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1439, the Energy Security and Independence Act, also by Sen. Daniels, which would shield fossil fuel companies operating lawfully and within permits from certain climate-change and emissions-based lawsuits. Questions focused on why the bill applied only to fossil fuels, whether it could affect landowners’ rights or environmental standards, and whether it would create a lower regulatory bar in Oklahoma. The author said it was aimed at a specific category of litigation seen in other states and would not protect unlawful conduct; the bill passed 10-1. Senate Bill 1314, by Sen. Yek, would raise the cap on the well drillers and pump installers indemnity fund from $50,000 to $100,000 and increase the per-well cap from $10,000 to $25,000; members discussed how the fund works and its limited size, and it passed 10-0. Senate Bill 1509, also by Sen. Yek, would update groundwater well spacing rules so the Water Resources Board could apply spacing requirements across all groundwater basins, not just those with maximum annual yield studies. The board said the bill is meant to protect existing commercial wells from encroachment, with exceptions if water cannot be found elsewhere on the property; it passed 10-0. Senate Bill 1319, presented by Sen. Hall, would allow the Corporation Commission to use plugging funds in rare cases where homes are affected by historic oil and gas activity or orphan wells; members raised concerns about caps, proof of contamination, remediation versus plugging, and whether landowners could present expert evidence. The author said the language was still being refined with the Commission, and the bill passed 10-0. Senate Bill 1346, by Vice Chair Woods, would direct the Water Resources Board to establish a water and wastewater infrastructure program with competitive loans for eligible entities; it was described as part of a broader effort to consolidate water measures into a comprehensive package and passed 9-0. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1613, which would let the LP Gas Administration buy, lease, and own its own vehicles instead of using the OMES fleet and would rename a miscellaneous permit as a food truck permit; it passed without debate. The meeting ended with adjournment and notice that there would be no committee meeting the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also added a definition of commission as referring to the North Dakota Industrial Commission in order
• And if it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is...
• And if it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is probably
• And if it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is probably
• The Gaming Commission did go through it in the rules.

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We are now online, and welcome to the 16th and last meeting of the Massachusetts Special Commission on
• The other special commission that had 16 meetings met once in person.
• Once again, I want to commend the commission. The work you've done is excellent.
• I did have some aspirations for this commission. They’ve been met and exceeded.
• are put together and really nothing of substance comes out of those commissions.

Summary: The commission held its 16th and final meeting to review and vote on revisions to its draft report on combating antisemitism. After roll call, members approved the prior meeting minutes, adopted a procedure for handling substantive and technical edits, and authorized limited technical corrections after the meeting. Senator John Velis’s letter was read into the record noting his military deployment and support for the final report, and the commission discussed the scope of the report, including its 118 findings and recommendations and the large volume of testimony received over the year. Members then worked through a series of amendments to the report. The chair’s prefatory statement was revised to restore language and data about Massachusetts Jews’ relationship to Israel and the impact on the commission’s work. Commissioner Liken’s proposal called for DESE guidance and teacher training to support intellectually diverse K-12 classrooms; members debated how to ensure it could not be used to justify biased or false material, and the amendment passed with discussion about existing guardrails. Commissioner Hay’s technical edits were adopted, and commissioners also discussed whether DESE’s new reporting system should anonymize data; the language was revised to specify anonymized data and approved. Additional amendments were adopted on public safety and higher education, including clarifying support for nonprofit security grants and personnel grants, refining language on academic boycotts, and adding references to Zionist identity and presumed Zionist identity as possible bases for antisemitic treatment. Commissioner Kipnis’s revisions to the prefatory statement were also considered, with some members objecting to the removal of language about minimization and traumatic invalidation and others supporting a more concise, fact-driven tone. The commission also approved language strengthening recommendations by changing several “should” statements to “must.” Treasurer Deborah Goldberg then delivered closing remarks praising the commission’s work and sharing personal family history to illustrate the persistence of antisemitism in Massachusetts. She said the report offers a practical roadmap, including bias reporting in schools, security coordination, and broader anti-discrimination training, and emphasized that the recommendations will help all communities. Commissioners thanked her for her leadership and testimony. The meeting continued with further amendments, including one on law enforcement security grants and another on higher education findings and recommendations, and the commission repeatedly voted by roll call, generally approving the revisions unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's called the Independent Redistricting Commission.
• And adopted these independent redistricting commissions.
• were racially gerrymandered by the Commission by the Commission yeah by the Redistricting Commission
• is this, and why didn't we do it like the old commission?
• of districts established by that Commission intact.

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• our own roles as a commission.
• That's just a request for the full commission to have a conversation.
• 250th Commission, and I can drop the link in the chat.
• Can I get a motion to recommend this to the full commission as something we'd like the commission and
• To ask the full commission to add the potluck.

Summary: The DEIA subcommittee of the Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution met with a quorum and discussed planning for the upcoming Patriots Day period, grant opportunities, and ways to make 250th programming more inclusive. Dr. Trent reported on a Virginia 250 conference and shared examples such as the Made by Us youth engagement toolkit and a Smithsonian-related traveling exhibition. Brian also updated the group on Mass Humanities’ grant programs, including Museum on Main Street, Reading Project Douglas Together, and the Promises of Revolution grants, noting that the latter has $600,000 available and is expected to fund roughly 30 to 40 projects through letters of intent due in June. The committee also noted that state tourism 250th grants are open with an April 11 deadline. A major discussion focused on ensuring respect for Indigenous sovereignty and improving representation in marketing. Members raised concerns that Indigenous leaders were not being treated with sufficient respect in state-level engagement, and they discussed whether the full commission should hear from tribal leaders and whether the subcommittee should recommend a broader conversation at the next commission meeting. On marketing, members criticized recent promotional materials as too formulaic and insufficiently reflective of Massachusetts’ diversity, especially in their limited inclusion of Indigenous people, Black patriots, women, and other communities. The group agreed that the commission should push for more inclusive visuals and narratives, and that there is still time to influence digital and future materials. The subcommittee also discussed possibly inviting the marketing and education committees, or commission staff and the outside marketing agency, to explain the rollout and scope of possible changes. The committee then considered a Utah 250 idea for a July 5, 2026 “America’s potluck” style community event and agreed it could be adapted for Massachusetts as a foodways-focused, culturally diverse statewide activity. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to recommend that the full commission and MOTT promote the potluck concept. The meeting ended with agreement to continue developing recommendations on representation, Indigenous engagement, and public outreach, and then adjourned by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• indicated they will be acceptable to the commission.
• action against the commission.
• One commission might have accepted it.
• One commission might have accepted it.
• And they were negotiated again with this particular Commission, which was a different Commission representative

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 12, the physical therapy licensure compact. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would increase access to care and help recruit physical therapists in New Mexico, especially in rural areas and for neurodivergent patients. Support came from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Desert States Physical Therapy Network, Think New Mexico, the state Health Care Authority, and Americans for Autism Advocacy. A trial lawyer raised concerns about immunity, venue, and loser-pays language, and committee members discussed whether New Mexico-specific amendments would be accepted by the compact commission. Two amendments were adopted, including clarifying language on background checks, data, federal court standing, and repeal procedures, plus an immunity-related amendment. The bill was then reported out with a 9-0 due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 10, the physician assistant interstate compact. Supporters again emphasized workforce shortages, telehealth access, and the need to join the compact to qualify for Rural Health Transformation Program funding. The Health Care Authority said the compact was part of New Mexico’s commitments tied to federal funding, and a trial lawyer again raised concerns about loser-pays language. Two amendments were adopted to clarify New Mexico’s authority over reproductive and gender-affirming care issues, confidentiality of New Mexico licensee data, joint investigations, and contingent repeal procedures. After discussion about malpractice exposure, oversight, and the need for compact commission approval of language changes, the bill received an 8-0 due pass recommendation. House Bill 34, dealing with school nurse licensure provisions, was presented as a cleanup bill to clarify implementation issues from last session. The changes would add charter schools, align contract language with teacher contracts, and adjust supervision and evaluation rules for tiered school nurses in small districts. The New Mexico School Nurses Association supported the bill, and it passed unanimously with an 8-0 due pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Memorial 21, which would direct the Department of Health to study overdose prevention centers and other harm reduction strategies. Supporters from the ACLU, All Safe New Mexico, the Drug Policy Alliance, and Families and Youth Innovations Plus argued that New Mexico’s overdose crisis remains severe and that evidence-based interventions could save lives and connect people to treatment. The Department of Health provided background on overdose trends and said it was neutral but available for technical questions. After discussion about fentanyl trends, drug prices, and public health approaches, the memorial was approved on a 7-1 due pass vote. The committee also announced that Senate Bill 130 would be rolled over to Sunday’s meeting because a new substitute needed review.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:55.360><c> We</c> commission. There's a path out there. We commission.
• /c><00:32:31.760><c> Queen</c><00:32:32.000><c> of</c> commission point of view, Queen of commission
• commission commission or revenue commission chairman<00:57:18.319><c> uh</c><00:57:18.559><c> committee
• </c> the gaming commission on February 20th. the gaming commission on February 20th.
• </c> by some rule by the gaming commission. by some rule by the gaming commission.

Bills: SF0044 , SF0046

Committee: Senate Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> number two, recommends the commission number two, recommends the commission establish<00:32:46.320
• c> review</c><00:33:00.159><c> its</c> And that the commission review its And that the commission review
• ><00:36:07.040><c> an</c> recommends the commission developing an recommends the commission developing
• </c><00:36:26.560><c> make</c> page 18 recommends the commission make page 18 recommends the commission
• </c> recommends that the liquor commission recommends that the liquor commission revoke<00:38:11.599>

Summary: The committee first approved the June 20, 2025 minutes, with several members abstaining, and then adopted the consent calendar after removing items 223 and 224 under tab five, item 222 under tab six, and item 231 under tab seven. The committee also noted that an old business item related to YDC claims administration would be removed at a future meeting because the fiscal year had closed and no further committee action was needed. The main substantive discussion centered on Department of Health and Human Services requests. Item FIS-223 would fund a shared database between the Department of Education and HHS to identify children eligible for the summer EBT program; members asked whether it could also help with Medicaid or school reimbursement tracking, but the witness said the item was specifically for summer EBT and that broader integration questions would need follow-up with Education and Medicaid staff. The committee then adopted the item, with Representative Mooney voting no. Item FIS-224 concerned the phrase "high quality services" in child care-related funding; HHS said the standards come from the federal Office of Child Care, and the committee adopted the item. Item FIS-222 related to Money Follows the Person; HHS explained it is a 100% federally funded program that supports transitions from institutions to community living with services such as housing navigation, furnishings, and case management. Members questioned the scale and cost of the program, and HHS said the initial federal award was $5 million, with additional federal IT funding later approved; the committee adopted the item, again with Representative Mooney voting no. Under tab seven, the committee discussed item 231 involving ARPA funds and the YDC project. The Department of Administrative Services explained that recent Treasury guidance allows leftover ARPA dollars from approved projects to be repurposed only for additional work on already approved projects, not new projects. Members asked about whether the project was over budget and whether some items had been in the original plan; officials said the work reflected add alternates from the original bid and that the project was on track to meet the deadline. The committee adopted the item. The meeting then moved to the audit presentation on the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s fiscal year 2024 management letter, which identified 13 internal control comments, including two material weaknesses, largely tied to the new NextG system. Recommendations included strengthening controls, formal risk assessment, reconciliations to New Hampshire First, cash receipt controls, subsidiary ledgers, SOC reports for vendors, internal audit functions, lease accounting, gift card breakage reporting, and IT security and access controls. The Liquor Commission said it concurred with most findings, described the system transition as successful overall, and said remediation would continue; committee members asked for estimated completion dates for audit findings and discussed the need for more regular follow-up on audit issues and budget monitoring.

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, we will begin the Incentive Evaluation Commission meeting.
• Like you say, we'll do whatever the commission wants.
• They do not go on the commission website.
• OMEs and commission works on the draft that goes to the.
• , but also Ocast and the Development Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please join me in welcoming Marie Prem to the Texas Ethics Commission.
• We admit Texas Ethics Commission exhibits 1 through 9.
• The commission will now. to issue a final order in this matter.
• We need to select a date for the next commission meetings.
• If a filer has been inactive for more than a year, the commission...

Transcript Highlights:

• They formed their own commission to look at the feasibility of Pappas, but I knew what that commission
• Chairman, to the other commission.
• What this commission is charged with doing, and why the Legislature adopted this commission...
• was a shutdown commission.
• back to the commission.

Summary: The hearing focused on the future of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, with commissioners, agency officials, workers, and families describing the hospital as a unique integrated setting combining medical care, rehabilitation, education, residential services, and adaptive engineering. Opening remarks from legislators emphasized continued budget funding, the legal requirement that Pappas not close before the commission reports, and a request to extend the commission’s deadline. Several commissioners and witnesses argued that admissions have effectively been curtailed while discharges continue, creating what they described as a de facto closure. Union leaders from AFSCME, SEIU, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association said staff are experiencing uncertainty, morale problems, and loss of confidence because referrals are being discouraged and the census is shrinking. They urged immediate action to stop admission denials and unnecessary discharges, and some proposed temporary modular units or other short-term investments to restore admissions while longer-term plans are developed. Parents and former patients testified that Pappas provided life-changing opportunities and supports that they could not find elsewhere, and that alternative programs or proposed Western Massachusetts options would not meet the same needs. Department of Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein said the administration supports keeping Pappas open and stable during the commission’s work, but argued that admissions must comply with hospital-level-of-care rules and that the campus’s deteriorating infrastructure limits who can be safely served. He said DPH is continuing admissions where appropriate, backfilling staff, and exploring ways to expand services, including outpatient therapies and adaptive engineering, while also acknowledging that Pappas is a one-of-a-kind system with no true in-state duplicate. Commissioners requested de-identified admissions and denial data and continued to press the department on whether the current operational changes amount to a silent closure.