Transcript Highlights:

• To make charters accessible, please fund transportation to the charters instead.
• I have a nephew who's an adjunct professor, or was, at a seminary in Minnesota.
• I think that we should have serious conversations about transportation.
• And co-location provides that, that school now, because transportation isn't covered.
• That school now, because transportation isn't covered, we're only funding transportation at 50% for our

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills. SB 1150, by Senator Calatayud, was presented as a measure to help school districts retain school social workers by removing an exam requirement unrelated to the profession. With no questions or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then moved to SB 1514, by Senator Smith, on anaphylaxis response in public schools. After adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment clarifying FDA-approved epinephrine devices and weight-based dosing, the committee heard support from Orange County Public Schools and reported the bill favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1708, also by Senator Calatayud, which would expand Schools of Hope by broadening the definition of low-performing schools from those in the bottom 10% in both math and reading to those in the bottom 10% in either subject, and would authorize co-location of Schools of Hope in underused public school facilities. Senators questioned how co-location would work, who could enroll, how liability and contracts would be handled, and whether the bill would help the specific students most in need. Many public speakers opposed the bill, arguing it would strain already underfunded public schools, reduce space and resources, and unfairly favor charter operators. The sponsor said the bill would not reduce classroom space in use, would require contracts to address safety and liability, and would provide a net positive to districts through a $600-per-student facility payment plus associated funding. After debate from both supporters and skeptics, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered CS for SB 822, by Senator Rodriguez, which would give charter schools more autonomy over governance and operations, including deadlines, enrollment caps, student conduct policies, and data sharing. The Florida Charter School Alliance supported the bill, arguing it would create parity and reduce burdens on charter schools, while committee members pressed the witness on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for those concerns. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on prior tabs, thanked staff, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Minnesota took a look at these payments to these external entities and found that, in general, 16 of
• We're four-star rated, and we have no public transportation available to us.
• I spoke to my colleagues at Boston Medical, arranged for her transportation to be brought immediately
• Caring for her children taught me how to help families with transportation limitations get to medical
• Caring for her children taught me how to help families with transportation limitations, get to medical

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reactions by ensuring that Minnesota reactions by ensuring that Minnesota schools<00:10:09.839><
• </c><00:10:58.160><c> Some</c> Minnesota Department of Health. Some Minnesota Department of Health.
• </c> targeted to pharmacies in Minnesota. targeted to pharmacies in Minnesota.
• Minnesota is not alone in and working. Minnesota is not alone in this<01:05:19.760><c> challenge.
• In fact, we've been Minnesota.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:54.320><c> Emmer,</c> Minnesota, the majority whip, Mr.
• Emmer, Minnesota, the majority whip, Mr.
• Barbara went on to help Michelle in her Minnesota Senate campaign as a volunteer scheduler.
• from Minnesota seek gentleoman from Minnesota seek recognition.
• Owens of Utah and Miss McCullum of Minnesota. Minnesota. Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's where our Minnesota tree is in Thailand, with our name Minnesota on it.
• on Minnesota resources the Minnesota<00:20:47.880><c> Zoo</c><00:20:48.400><c> the</c><00:20:48.559>
• Next page we have the Minnesota Zoo.
• Next page we have the Minnesota Zoo.
• </c> 31.5 next page we have the Minnesota 31.5 next page we have the Minnesota Zoo<00:25:50.320><c> um

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation is very close to wrapping.
• Transportation<00:01:20.000><c> is</c><00:01:20.240><c> very</c><00:01:20.560><c> close</c><00:01:20.720
• ><c> to</c> Transportation is very close to Transportation is very close to wrapping.<00:01:21.360><c
• </c><00:01:28.400><c> Traditionally,</c><00:01:28.960><c> we</c> transportation bill.
• Traditionally, we transportation bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> need and housing and transportation, need and housing and transportation, dealing<02:18:58.479>
• </c><02:57:32.880><c> combined,</c> education, and transportation combined, education, and transportation
• In Minnesota, seen the consequences.
• But Minnesota isn't isn't of dollars. But Minnesota isn't isn't the<03:43:33.840><c> outlier.
• </c><04:57:35.440><c> and</c> the Committee on Transportation and the Committee on Transportation and

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a national divorce decision-making project that is being advanced in Minnesota; we're just way
• It uses private transporters, and in some cases, it doesn't use public transportation.
• My daughter was transported from Austin ISD school by car to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, then by plane
• They asked the transporter to come back to Austin before the therapy even got started.
• Unfortunately, this industry with the transporters took my life away.

Bills: HB168 , HB 1044 , HB1534 , HB1914 , HB2240 , HB2530 , HB3284 , HB3395 , HB3515 , HB3783 , HB4034 , HB4213 , HB168

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• As we heard from California's Transportation Commission, California's projected transportation funding
• I always phrase it as transportation...
• Post the adoption of this, they would be paying more for transportation needs, the investment in transportation
• That we have a transportation system and infrastructure as it relates to transportation that works for
• coalition, the Fair Transportation Funding Coalition... ...28 members of our coalition, the Fair Transportation

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway memorial naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar on an 11-0 vote, with the roll not held open. The chair also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service before adjourning the bill-hearing portion and moving to an informational hearing. The informational hearing focused on alternatives to the gas tax and how other states are responding to declining fuel-tax revenue. A first panel of researchers and policy experts described the erosion of gas-tax receipts due to inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric vehicles, and compared options such as EV registration fees, kilowatt-hour charging fees, delivery fees, transportation network company fees, managed lanes, and road usage charges. Witnesses generally said road usage charges best preserve the user-pays principle, but they also emphasized that implementation costs, privacy concerns, and public understanding remain major obstacles. Committee members raised concerns about fairness for commuters, low-income drivers, and EV adoption, while some members argued a mileage-based system could amount to a new tax unless the gas tax is actually repealed. The second panel featured state officials from Hawaii, Utah, Oregon, and Virginia describing their programs. Hawaii said it launched its road usage charge program on July 1, 2025, using existing safety-check and registration systems, with EV owners initially choosing between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee before mandatory EV participation begins in 2028 and a broader transition plan is due by 2026. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, annual flat fee option, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and recent cost reductions as enrollment grows. Oregon began outlining its structural funding challenges and constitutional cost-responsibility framework, while the hearing overall underscored that states are experimenting with different approaches but have not settled on a single replacement for the gas tax.

Transcript Highlights:

• With more Minnesota, rely on this fund.
• I the future of policing in Minnesota.
• </c><00:44:28.800><c> are</c> hear across the state of Minnesota are hear across the state of Minnesota
• </c> worked with the University of Minnesota worked with the University of Minnesota what<00:47:22.960
• ><c> education</c> Disclosure on the Minnesota education Disclosure on the Minnesota education website

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• limited to animals involved in hunting, entertainment, including horse riding and carriage riding, transportation
• So I believe it’s Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, I believe Minnesota, Colorado, and South Dakota had traceouts
• So I believe it’s Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, I believe Minnesota, Colorado, and South Dakota had traceouts
• So I believe it’s Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, I believe Minnesota, Colorado, and South Dakota had traceouts
• New Mexico, Arizona, I believe Minnesota, Colorado, and Minnesota, Colorado, and South Dakota had traceouts

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, these these greater Minnesota.
• Um, these resources are of Minnesota.
• </c> of homeowners here in Minnesota. of homeowners here in Minnesota.
• </c> are eligible for burial in Minnesota are eligible for burial in Minnesota state<01:13:15.360><c>
• </c> many years in places like the Minnesota many years in places like the Minnesota [clears throat]<

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll note there are some counties in outstate Minnesota, greater Minnesota, where energy costs are
• ,</c><00:07:07.919><c> greater</c><00:07:08.319><c> Minnesota,</c> outstate Minnesota, greater Minnesota
• , outstate Minnesota, greater Minnesota, where<00:07:10.400><c> energy</c><00:07:10.720><c> costs</c>
• </c> Minnesota in the very lightish blue. Minnesota in the very lightish blue.
• :18:38.880><c> that</c> Minnesota has new legislation that Minnesota has new legislation that should<

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota service cooperatives. Minnesota service cooperatives.
• </c> and outcome for Minnesota learners. and outcome for Minnesota learners.
• </c> Minnesota. We had over 70 submissions. Minnesota. We had over 70 submissions.
• </c> an arts uh school, not in Minnesota. an arts uh school, not in Minnesota.
• </c> of our students across Minnesota. of our students across Minnesota.

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation.
• Transportation.
• Transportation favorably. Passed just third reading.
• Transportation favorably. Passed just third reading.
• Transportation favorably. Passed just third reading.

Bills: HR58 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HCR32 , HB43 , HB447 , HB573 , HB1000 , HB1001 , HB1002 , HB1003 , HB1004 , HB1005 , HR46 , HR48 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , SB128 , SB149 , SB174 , SB191 , SB205 , SB213 , SB218 , SB220 , SB229 , SB238 , SB243 , SB375 , SB379 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB781 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB171 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB351 , HB400 , HB413 , HB469 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB149 , HB733 , HB875 , HB868 , HB901

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened in prayer, and received official notice from the Secretary of State certifying Dana Henry and Paul Sawyer to fill vacancies in the chamber. Both members were sworn in. The House also received Senate messages on several concurrent resolutions and a large slate of Senate bills, and it adopted a number of House resolutions recognizing groups and individuals, including agriculture, athletic trainers, GoFar Louisiana, homeschooling families, veterans, and several community honorees. Committee reports and bill referrals were also announced throughout the morning hour. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to floor action on House bills, many of them memorial highway designations and policy measures. The House gave final passage to bills naming roadways and bridges for Officer Trevor Abney, Dr. Harry Blake Sr., Virginia Green Evans, and American Legion Post No. 14, and it also passed bills extending Tax Commission assessment fees, creating a transfer-on-death securities registration act, increasing lender origination fees, expanding assessor certification committee membership, and strengthening protections for eligible adults against financial exploitation. Other bills passed included measures on teacher certification appeals, removing Evangeline Parish from a juvenile justice district, re-creating the Department of Education, and repealing a $25 impaired-driving fine. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 68, which would create a new offense for disturbing worship services and impose a mandatory 30-day jail term for certain misdemeanor conduct, with higher penalties for related offenses. Supporters argued the bill was intended to deter disruptions and reduce the risk of escalation in houses of worship, citing heightened security concerns and incidents in churches nationwide. Opponents questioned the bill’s vagueness, the mandatory minimum sentence, the distinction between misdemeanor and felony treatment, and whether existing law already covered the conduct. The bill remained under discussion as members continued to raise constitutional, enforcement, and policy concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in Minnesota. in Minnesota.
• ,</c><00:53:50.280><c> the</c> Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, the Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota
• :39.840><c> with</c> Habitat Minnesota worked closely with Habitat Minnesota worked closely with other
• Minnesota is urgent.
• </c> policy fellow with the Minnesota policy fellow with the Minnesota Coalition<00:58:50.520><c> for

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen withholding of Medicaid funds in Minnesota, and Minnesota has now sued CMS to challenge that
• across the country, especially in Democratic states, we've seen withholding of Medicaid funds in Minnesota
• We've seen withholding of Medicaid funds in Minnesota, and Minnesota has now sued CMS to challenge that
• And as you've seen in Minnesota, states like ours are not unwilling to challenge what we need to challenge
• So if there's a regional transportation group, it is for making things more accessible.

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly meeting virtually and in person at the State House. The commission approved the December minutes, then heard updates from the chair on planning for the next “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27, focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The chair also previewed planning for the commission’s October National Disability Employment Awareness Month event and invited commissioners and advisory council members to join the planning group. The commission received an update on the advisory council orientation, which was described as well attended and productive, and then heard a detailed presentation from the Attorney General’s Office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts. Topics included challenges to federal actions involving diversity in education, immigration and Haiti Temporary Protected Status, NIH research funding restrictions, and mental health services grants; the presenter also addressed concerns about Medicaid-related federal actions and said the AG’s office is coordinating closely with the governor’s office and other states. Commissioners asked questions about whether disability-related work could be affected by vague DEI restrictions and about the status of CMS communications on Medicaid. The meeting also featured a presentation from Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler and apprenticeship liaison Amara Riemann on registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. They described apprenticeship as paid, structured, employer-driven training with classroom instruction and wage progression, and highlighted the Bridgewater State University Excel program for neurodivergent people and people with disabilities as a model linking pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Commissioners discussed how to replicate similar pathways through community colleges and disability-service providers, especially in high-demand fields. Subcommittee reports followed, including updates on disability employment, long-term services and supports, and health equity, with discussion of a projected state budget gap tied to federal changes, PCA working group recommendations, crisis standards of care, and ongoing collaboration with MassAbility and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements, including several awards and upcoming events, and reminders about the Lowell forum and October planning efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• If Minnesota uses those two groups.
• </c> Minnesota. Thank you so much. Minnesota. Thank you so much.
• </c> from Restore the Fourth Minnesota. from Restore the Fourth Minnesota. Welcome. Welcome.
• The Ark Minnesota is a Minnesota.
• That is a University of Minnesota.

Bills: HF3661 , HF2380 , HF3468 , HF3483

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• state trail system. provides funding for our Minnesota state provides funding for our Minnesota state
• </c> uh that shows how many of Minnesota uh that shows how many of Minnesota state<00:27:15.840><c> trails
• </c> Minnesota for infrastructure needs. Minnesota for infrastructure needs.
• And I think this is a Minnesota.
• </c> letter of support from the Minnesota letter of support from the Minnesota Rural<01:20:15.080><c>

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:04.080><c> for</c> of the word we use in Minnesota for of the word we use in Minnesota for
• Minnesota remains as an outlier.
• </c><00:37:37.040><c> seniors</c> challenges that some Minnesota seniors challenges that some Minnesota
• 00:57:47.039><c> for</c> I'm punished in Minnesota it's time for I'm punished in Minnesota it's time
• </c> governing body that that puts Minnesota governing body that that puts Minnesota essentially<01:10

Committee: House Taxes