Video & Transcript : 'gay studies' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Jun 16th, 2026
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Membership and study goals or direction. So does that help? It does.
- The LEOFF 2 Board last year studied this topic.
- We're bringing a proposal, a study session on the ad hoc...
- What we're going to have is a study session. Well, you wanted to add it again?
- Chair, but I'm certainly happy to talk about things like the LEOFF 1 study.
Committee:
Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy
Summary:
The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics.
Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation.
The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options.
The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you to everyone who came out today to our study.
- I haven't seen a specific study on labor force participation.
- And then I'll just run into the case studies.
- Uh, I have many case studies and examples.
- So this is a real-world case study of seeing that.
Committee:
House Business
Summary:
The committee held a study on the potential effects of living wage or minimum wage laws in Oklahoma, with the chair emphasizing that the discussion was not intended to advocate for or against State Question 832. The first panel focused on economic and workforce impacts. An Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative argued that living wage calculations vary by region and household type, that Oklahoma’s average wages are already near or above many living-wage estimates, and that higher mandated wages could lead employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, automate, or avoid expansion, especially in rural areas where childcare, healthcare, broadband, and infrastructure constraints also affect labor participation. Committee members asked about wage distributions, rural cost differences, training pathways, and whether higher wages might draw workers or businesses out of state; the witness said many low-wage workers move up over time and that Oklahoma has seen net in-migration. A State Chamber Research Foundation witness then testified that a $15 statewide wage floor would raise payroll costs substantially, especially for small rural employers, and cited examples from California and Seattle to argue that higher wages can reduce hours, jobs, and benefits while increasing consumer prices. She suggested alternatives such as expanding the state earned income tax credit and promoting upskilling through existing education and training programs.
A Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative described Missouri’s recent voter-approved minimum wage increase to $13.75, rising to $15, along with paid sick leave provisions. She said the chamber opposed the measure because it would raise business costs, hurt rural communities and youth employment, and force some employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, or close. She cited examples from Missouri businesses facing significant added costs and warned that a future ballot initiative could create a patchwork of local minimum wages. In response to questions, she said Missouri’s law did not distinguish by age or industry, that businesses had raised concerns about union contracts and compliance, and that the chamber viewed the measure as harmful to competitiveness.
Peter Hansen of NFIB presented the final major testimony, summarizing an NFIB study projecting that a higher Oklahoma minimum wage would produce some short-term GDP gains but longer-term losses, with GDP turning negative by the early 2030s and job losses growing over time. He said businesses respond to higher wage mandates by raising prices, trimming jobs, converting full-time positions to part-time, reducing benefits, and shifting investment toward automation or other capital. He argued that the burden falls most heavily on vulnerable workers such as young or marginal employees, who are less likely to be hired when labor costs rise. In questioning, he acknowledged that higher wages can improve pay for some workers and may have some short-term positive effects, but maintained that the long-term employment and investment effects are negative. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- There are studies that show that an asphalt playground can actually reach up to 150° F.
- , one of the biggest studies of U.S. public school students nationwide, and it found that for every 1
- There are studies that show that an asphalt playground can actually reach up to 150° F.
- , one of the biggest studies of U.S. public school students nationwide, and it found that for every 1
- There was a 2025 study here in Hawaii.
Summary:
The Committee on Education heard three tandem resolution packages. HCR 13 and HR 15 sought collaboration among the Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, and DLNR to develop a student coral stewardship program. DOE said it was willing to work with DLNR, and DLNR supported the measure but said it did not want to be the lead agency for reporting or curriculum development because of existing reporting burdens and because it was already active in school outreach. Testimony in support was received, and the committee later amended the measure to restore DLNR as the lead for the report while keeping DOE and the Charter School Commission as collaborators. The committee then voted to pass HCR 13 HD1 and HR 15 HD1 with amendments.
HCR 91 and HR 83 proposed a long-term collaborative program between DLNR and DOE to expand and sustain tree canopy coverage at public schools statewide. DLNR strongly supported the measure, DOE offered comments, and the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute testified in support, citing research on heat reduction, student health, and academic impacts of shade trees. Additional supportive testimony came from the Kaululu Nani Urban and Community Forestry Program Advisory Council and others. The committee voted to pass HCR 91 and HR 83 unamended.
HCR 183 and HR 183 addressed guidance and protections related to immigration enforcement in schools. DOE said it supported the resolution but noted it already had guidance in place; the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute, Roots for Warren Maui, ACLU, 50501 Hawaii, General Strike Hawaii, and others testified in support, emphasizing student safety, attendance, and the effects of enforcement-related fear. A committee member asked about a reported Konawaena Elementary incident, and DOE clarified that the student was not deported and the event occurred off campus, with some newspaper details said to be inaccurate. After discussion, the committee deferred HCR 183 for further work with DOE and the Board of Education on definitions, enforcement, and guidance.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Mar 26th, 2026 at 02:30 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- The International Computer and Information Literacy Study, the acronym is I.
- And so this is an international study, but it was looking at K-3.
- Study, tests fourth grade students every five years since 2001.
- Here, I'll tell you the study, because the study addresses that.
- And the study that they did looked at all the studies out there, and in Rome they put it together.
Committee:
House Joint Committee on Education
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- We haven't studied that.
- But no, we have not studied the Chehalis River.
- Currently, no, we haven't studied the Chehalis River impact yet.
- Have we, as you mentioned, studied that? No. Is it near where we are?
- No studies were done at that time.
Committee:
House Capital Budget
Keywords:
HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> study would be needed to do that work. study would be needed to do that work.
- </c> or uh interim study is another option. or uh interim study is another option.
- 1799 is not a study.
- You mentioned study. >> I did.
- </c> uh it called for a comprehensive study uh it called for a comprehensive study on<01:54:09.440><c
Committee:
House Ways and Means
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Mar 4th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Health and Human Services Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Certainly, and I would love to look closely at that study.
- There were 19 studies done.
- So there's also many different studies. I'd be happy to share all of these with you.
- health effects in any study that I could find.
- acid supplementation because those are different studies.
Bills:
HB3552 , HB2984 , HB4124 , HB3934 , HB3448 , HB3131 , HB4200 , HB4201 , HB3011 , HB1912 , HB3380 , HB3881 , HB3538 , HB3851 , HB3907 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4457
Committee:
House Health and Human Services Oversight
Keywords:
childcare, differential pricing, Department of Human Services, child care subsidy, licensed providers, emergency legislation, child care, subsidy program, annual report, program integrity, overpayments, ivermectin, over-the-counter medication, pharmacy immunity, healthcare access, FDA approval, prescription, public health, dentistry, licensing
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Government Efficiency Jan 15th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- He said that was the study he was aware of, and that Missouri has a culture of life.
- that you cannot know that unless the study specifically addressed it.
- On our website, which I'll provide the link to, there's a study, a comprehensive study, showing that
- That study was done by Dr.
- Scott Matthews from Carnegie Mellon University, an independent study outside of us.
Committee:
House Government Efficiency
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Based on our 2024 study and survey, this could be as much as $14 million in state support that we could
- My name is Filma Fonsenelia, and I'm a middle school ELA and social studies teacher. Thank you.
- My name is Filma Fonsenelia and I'm a middle school ELA and social studies teacher. Thank you.
- The time to act and ensure our stories are part of social studies curriculums in Washington is now.
- I went back and looked, as a good social studies teacher, at the current social studies standards.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program so that instructional space on military bases is excluded from a district’s available space inventory when calculating state construction aid. Staff explained the bill would also require state assistance to equal approved project cost minus federal funding received. Senator Christian said the measure is intended to prevent military-base facilities from unfairly reducing districts’ ability to modernize or build schools. Testimony in support came from OSPI, Clover Park School District, and Medical Lake School District, which said the current formula penalizes districts serving military families and can leave them unable to secure needed renovation funding. No opposition was heard, and the bill was later described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 5860 on school board compensation. The bill would raise director pay from $50 to $100 per day, increase the annual cap, allow child care expenses to be reimbursed, require OFM to periodically adjust compensation, and direct WASDA to develop finance training for school directors. Senator Cortez said the changes are needed to broaden who can serve on school boards and to help working families participate. Supporters from OSPI, WASDA, and South Sound superintendents said compensation could improve diversity and help recruit and retain board members, though WASDA noted concerns about diverting district funds and said its members do not have consensus on mandatory training. Opponents argued the bill would misuse levy funds and that child care and other expenses should not be paid from local education levies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5956 on artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in schools, which would bar automated systems from being the sole basis for discipline decisions, prohibit risk scores and biometric surveillance, require OSPI guidance updates, and direct WASDA to create model policy. Senator Nobles and supporters said the bill is needed to protect students from discriminatory and inaccurate AI-driven decisions; no vote was taken in the hearing.
Finally, the committee heard a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5574, which would require districts to include instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in required social studies courses during the regular curriculum review cycle, with reporting beginning in 2030. Senator Nobles said the bill is meant to address exclusion and bias in history education and to help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Testifiers from education, student, parent, and community groups overwhelmingly supported the measure, saying it would improve belonging, reduce bullying, and build on existing curriculum resources without creating a new course or major new cost. The hearing ended without a vote or other formal action on SB 5956 or SB 5574.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WTL, WTL-HHS Public Hearings 02-10-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, and this is a study, so I think it's good time to get back and have a study completed.
- Okay, and this is a study, so I think it's good time to get back and have a study completed.
- It's a collective... would be not specific for just a study would be not specific for just a study part
- </c><01:04:23.039><c> because</c> conclusion that the LSB study because conclusion that the LSB study
- </c> ready chair this is a separate study ready chair this is a separate study from<01:10:07.560><c>
Summary:
The Water and Land Committee heard several measures related to DLNR, coastal management, and public lands. SB 561, which appropriates funds for conservation enforcement equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, drew broad support from DLNR and multiple organizations, with the chair noting 18 supporters and no opposition. SB 465 would require DLNR to study the carrying capacity of Kīkiʻola Small Boat Harbor on Kauaʻi and report to the Legislature; DLNR supported the intent but suggested the study be timed with an ongoing $41 million capital improvement project. Senator Kouchi explained the bill was meant to close a permit loophole that has allowed operators to increase passenger capacity without additional approval, while one testifier opposed the measure as unnecessary and late. Supporters included county and community representatives, while some written testimony opposed it.
The committee also heard SB 1456, which broadens the definition of beach restoration to include work on eroded beaches and degraded dune systems, including sand management, native vegetation, and removal of abandoned materials. DLNR, the University of Hawaiʻi, and other testifiers supported the measure as an administrative update. SB 1460 would require BLNR lease extensions to use updated forms reflecting current leasing practices; DLNR supported it as an administrative bill. SB 1517 would authorize public land leases for recreational residential use by public lottery limited to county residents. DLNR supported the bill, and Chipper Wiman and others testified that it would help preserve Kauaʻi’s historic recreational cabins and create fairness for local families; the committee also heard concerns about older cabins, market-based auction prices, and the need to keep these leases affordable for residents.
The committee then heard SB 1511, which would prohibit vessels longer than 75 feet from entering Honoliʻi Bay, with an exemption for government vessels; DLNR and at least one additional testifier supported it. SB 1019 would allow the Ocean Stewardship Special Fund to be used for beach restoration planning and grants to nonprofits for cleanup, but DLNR said that purpose fit better under the separate Beach Restoration Special Fund, and the Ocean Tourism Coalition opposed the bill on that basis. Finally, SB 1457 would authorize DLNR to issue interim rules on commercial and recreational water sports equipment use for up to two years; DLNR described it as an adaptive-management tool for changing conditions, while multiple water-sports operators and residents opposed it, arguing it would reduce public participation, expand agency power, and target the foiling community. The hearing closed with the chair noting heavy opposition to SB 1457, including 88 written testimonies against it and only a few in support.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/24/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:07:19.440><c> and</c> literature that showed of studies and literature that showed of studies
- Uh most idea of a study commission.
- Thank you for... what um has been thought of as a study, what um has been thought of as a study, what
- </c> what we would consider a study what we would consider a study commission.<00:24:47.120><c> It</c
- </c> studies that indicate positive impacts. studies that indicate positive impacts.
Summary:
The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services.
Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice.
DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/24/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill requires a study committee to study, analyze, and address specific needs related to assistive
- We'll form a unique and timely study committee.
- We'll form a unique and timely study committee.
- The study committee is unique. Individuals with disabilities across Arizona.
- And I think that this study and the different stakeholders that will be looking into this study is wise
Keywords:
AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, motorcycle registration, safety fund, education, awareness programs, low-income scholarships, motorcycle training, special license plates, transportation, funding, nonprofits, charitable contributions, critical infrastructure, foreign adversaries, China, communications
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In past years and past adequacy studies, this information has been provided across multiple reports and
- since the passage of the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act in 2017, the adequacy study
- This adequacy study process has included a review of these systems.
- Take some time to study through the presentations.
- Take some time to study through the presentations.
Summary:
The committee received a lengthy Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability systems, and adequacy-related requirements. Staff reviewed the history of state curriculum and accreditation laws, the current standards for grades K-12, required high school units and graduation pathways, and recent changes such as career-ready pathways, embedded instruction requirements, and the distinction between courses required to be offered versus courses actually taken by students. Members asked for a chart comparing the 1997, 2003, 2015, 2017, and later law changes, and staff agreed to provide one.
The presentation then turned to the federal ESSA plan and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff summarized ESSA requirements, Arkansas’s long-term goals for proficiency, English learner progress, and graduation rates, and recent data showing that 2025 proficiency rates remained well below the 80% goal, while English learner progress and graduation rates were also below long-term targets. The committee discussed school support and improvement, equitable access to educators, report cards, and the apparent lack of evidence that equity labs are currently being conducted. Members requested follow-up from the Department of Education on equity labs, report card data, and whether the ESSA plan can be changed.
The presentation also covered state assessment results under the Arkansas Accountability Act, including ATLAS, DLM, ELPA 21, ACT, and NAEP data, along with teacher access measures and geographic shortage districts. Staff reported that Title I and high-poverty schools tend to have more emergency/provisional teachers and less experienced staff, and that shortage districts are concentrated in parts of the state. Members asked for additional information on test highs and lows, the number of assessments students take, dropout data, and whether higher teacher salaries have affected shortage areas. The committee also discussed district levels of support under the state accountability system, including the possibility of state intervention at the highest level of support.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't have any studies in front of me.
- I don't have any studies in front of me.
- I don't have any studies in front of me.
- I don't have any studies in front of me.
- I don't have any studies in front of me.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee heard and approved several criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 646 would allow drug-testing tools such as fentanyl test strips and reagent kits to detect adulterants in drugs; it passed unanimously after testimony from the sponsor and supporters describing overdose deaths and the value of early warning. SB 442 would extend the return period for warrants involving digital evidence from 45 days to one year, with prosecutors and law enforcement supporting the change because of encryption, device backlogs, and large volumes of child exploitation evidence; it also passed unanimously. SB 418 would require autism-related law enforcement training and create a Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism; it passed unanimously after supportive testimony from law enforcement and disability advocates. SB 132 would create a statewide database and instructions to help people determine eligibility for restoration of voting rights; it passed unanimously, with discussion about simplifying access to records and eligibility information. SB 748 would require sentencing score sheets to include notice about voting-rights restoration and ensure defendants receive a copy; it passed unanimously. SB 1734 would recognize juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under state law and extend related training, certification, and benefits; it passed unanimously. SB 1660 would designate June as Responsible Firearm Safety Awareness Month; it passed unanimously. SB 1742, as amended by a delete-all amendment, would replace an older offense with a new crime of indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor; the amendment and bill passed unanimously. SB 1750 would expand and tighten career offender registration requirements, and SB 1332, a similar career-offender registration bill later corrected on the agenda, also passed unanimously after a question about empirical evidence for registry effectiveness. Both bills were supported by FDLE and sheriffs' groups.
The most extensive debate centered on SB 1326, which would eliminate Florida’s traditional insanity defense and replace it with a defense based on lack of culpable mental state caused by mental disease or defect, while also changing competency and sentencing provisions. Supporters argued the bill was needed to protect the public from violent offenders with serious mental illness and to close gaps that can leave dangerous people under-supervised. Opponents, including criminal defense advocates and some senators, warned that the bill could leave acquitted defendants without treatment, reduce judicial discretion, raise reliability and cost concerns over malingering assessments, and potentially worsen public safety by pushing more mentally ill people into prison without adequate care. Despite those objections, the bill passed on a divided vote. Near the end of the meeting, the chair also corrected an earlier mix-up and moved SB 1750 to the next committee hearing after a motion to reconsider, while SB 1332 was taken up and reported favorably.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill would beer to interim study.
- Um, have voted down the interimm study.
- </c> motion is to refer to interm study. motion is to refer to interm study.
- </c> interimm study um all in favor say I. interimm study um all in favor say I.
- </c><05:34:47.760><c> is</c> motion of refer to interimm study is motion of refer to interimm study is
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (03/05/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Basically, this establishes a committee to study palliative and hospice care in New Hampshire.
- But basically, like I said, it's a study committee to study palliative and hospice care to see if there's
- ><c> in</c> it's a committee to study the Pala of in it's a committee to study the Pala of in Hospice
- I look forward to the work that this committee could do in this study bill.
- I think this study would be really valuable to the citizens. Thank you. Thank you. Any questions?
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Transcript Highlights:
- As I plan to share the Duke study with the committee, are either one of you aware of the Duke study?
- So I just wanted to know: if they are able to do that kind of study, are they doing that study?
- Gata has the studies right here. Let's see. There are a couple studies on this.
- And it's, again, a study out of Vancouver.
- Given my own experience and what multiple studies...
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery held a public hearing on several harm reduction bills, including measures to decriminalize simple possession and paraphernalia, authorize overdose prevention centers, and expand access to naloxone for first responders. Chair Mindy Domb and Senator John Velis opened by describing harm reduction as an evidence-based public health strategy and noting Massachusetts’ recent decline in fatal overdoses. They emphasized that testimony would help shape whether and how the bills advance, and explained the hearing process, including time limits and written testimony.
Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including Rep. Kate Donaghue, Sen. Cindy Friedman, Rep. Marjorie Decker, Rep. Manny Cruz, public health professionals, recovery advocates, and people with lived experience, argued that harm reduction saves lives, reduces stigma, and can connect people to treatment. They supported overdose prevention centers and decriminalization as tools to keep people alive long enough to enter recovery, and several speakers described personal losses to overdose or family experiences with addiction. Some supporters also framed the bills as racial justice measures, arguing that criminal penalties for possession have disproportionately harmed Black and brown communities.
Opponents, including Sen. Nick Collins and several South End residents, argued that overdose prevention centers and decriminalization would worsen public drug use, crime, and neighborhood disorder, especially around Mass and Cass. They said current approaches such as Section 35, diversion, and police leverage into treatment are more effective, and they urged more treatment beds and recovery facilities instead of harm reduction sites. Committee members questioned witnesses about research, local siting, crime data, and the relationship between harm reduction and treatment, and several members said neighborhood impacts must be considered alongside overdose prevention. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing; it continued receiving testimony and announced a later break before resuming on H. 2196 and S. 1393.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> with this proposed commission to study with this proposed commission to study the<00:31:26.000><
- So no, despite all the studies we had studies showing the masks were no good and the other side had mass
- So no despite all the studies<01:14:45.120><c> we</c><01:14:45.520><c> had</c><01:14:45.920><c> studies
- studies showing the masks studies we had studies showing the masks were<01:14:47.360><c> no</c><01:14
- </c><01:35:55.760><c> from</c> have time to sit and read studies from have time to sit and read studies
Committee:
Senate Education
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, this is SCR 35 by Senator Foyle to urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to study
- And so this resolution is asking the Law Institute to study the And so this resolution is asking the
- Law Institute to study the issue and come back with recommendations and advisability of whether or not
- So anyway, we'd asked that this resolution be passed to allow for a study.
- So anyway, we'd asked that a study, this resolution be passed to allow for a study.
Committee:
House Civil Law and Procedure
Keywords:
liability, regional transit, streetcars, trolley cars, motor vehicles, HB986, vehicular homicide, child support, surviving child, minor child, parent killed in crash, criminal restitution, family law, Louisiana child support schedule, R.S. 9:315.48, R.S. 14:32.1, victim compensation, traffic fatality, wrongful death, sentencing enhancement
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works May 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's what this bill does: to study the historical purpose, viability, and statutory restriction
- of Corrections, our Department of Public Safety, we decided that it was best to do a resolution to study
- But Turin, Italy, the municipality, did maintain this for a while, so we have those case studies to draw
- Owen, are there any studies, or is there any data that show a cost decrease from low bidder and change
- by Representative Jackson urges and requests that the Department of Transportation and Development study
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on May 26 and considered several resolutions and one Senate bill dealing with transportation project delivery, vehicle safety, school-zone safety, flooding, and highway signage. The committee first took up SCR 64, which creates a task force to study construction management at risk (CMAR) for public works. An amendment added representatives from Louisiana Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors to the task force, and the resolution was reported with amendments. The committee also heard HR 282, which creates a task force to study utility terrain vehicles with Louisiana State Police and other stakeholders; an amendment added the State Fire Marshal, and the resolution was reported with amendments.
The most extensive discussion centered on SB 513, which addressed public works project delivery methods and included a proposal for an average-bid award method as well as design-build authority for airports and vertiports. Testimony from a Reason Foundation policy analyst and a Louisiana Associated General Contractors representative opposed the average-bid concept, arguing it lacked U.S. precedent, could encourage collusion, and could raise costs, while airport-related design-build provisions were supported. The committee adopted an amendment in concept to remove the average-bid language, then reported SB 513 with amendments by a vote of 11 yeas and 4 nays.
The committee also reported SCR 62 favorably, which urges DOTD to evaluate all school zones on state highways in response to safety concerns and near misses involving crossing guards and distracted driving. In addition, HCR 112 was reported favorably to study flooding on Louisiana Highway 1 in Shreveport, and HR 275 was reported favorably to study an interstate highway signage maintenance and reporting program. The meeting concluded after all items were acted on and the committee adjourned.