Transcript Highlights:

• And a call machine. Those opposed, nay.
• call machine is open for your voting.
• </c> roll call machine. Those opposed, nay. roll call machine. Those opposed, nay.
• And a call machine. Those opposed, nay.
• call machine is open for your voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• of years, and it's only gotten more difficult with our commissioners, and we're changing voting machines
• Elections, administering closed party primary procedures, operating and monitoring voting machines and
• In the next few years, when we get those new election machines, when we have verified paper ballots,
• we're going to ...those new election machines, when we have verified paper ballots, we're going to be
• may also vote by electronic voting machine that publicly displays how each member votes.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee met on March 31 with a quorum present and heard three bills by Representative Bacala. House Bill 205 sought to increase compensation for election commissioners, with the author and several clerks of court and commissioners testifying that pay had not changed in 19 years despite greater responsibilities, longer hours, and additional training tied to election security and new voting systems. To avoid a state fiscal note, the committee adopted amendment set 2855, which removed the base pay increase and instead allowed parish governing authorities to provide a supplemental payment of up to $100 for commissioners in charge and those who complete instruction. The bill was then reported favorably. House Bill 67 addressed protected information for certain public officials and aligned the rules for clerks of court with those already applied to the Secretary of State’s office. The author described it as a technical correction to prior legislation governing what personal information may be published or removed. Stephen Procopio of PAR raised broader concerns about transparency, possible constitutional issues, and inconsistent treatment of information depending on the source, suggesting the law may need a larger review. The committee did not amend the bill and reported it favorably. House Bill 73 would allow local public bodies to vote by electronic voting machine, so long as the vote is publicly displayed, instead of being limited to voice votes. Bacala said the change was intended to clarify that electronic in-place voting is permissible and does not affect quorum, proxy voting, or remote participation. Representatives asked about whether members and the public must be able to see the vote and whether the bill changed existing procedures; the author said it did not. Support came from local government associations, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk activates the machines. Sergeant's notes: roll call in the hall.
• Clerk, activate the machine. Sergeant-at-arms, roll call.
• Clerk, activate the machine. Sergeant-at-arms, roll call. The roll call is now in progress.
• Clerk, activate the machine. Sergeant-at-arms, roll call in the hall. Roll call is now in progress.
• Clerk, activate the machine. Sergeant-at-arms, roll call in the hall. Roll call is now in progress.

Bills: HB2936 , HB2967 , HB3627 , HB3721 , HB4132 , HB4303 , HB4478 , HB4322 , HB4227

Summary: The House convened, took the roll, offered an invocation, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized the nurse of the day, Stephanie Cooper. Members also adopted motions related to a multi-day adjournment request and received several guest introductions, including students, athletes, family members, and constituents in the galleries. The chamber then considered and passed several bills. HB 2936 clarified that certain offenders may not adopt children, including in surrogacy-related situations; it passed 71-0. HB 2967 exempted certain vehicle title transfers between guardians and children or grandparents and grandchildren from motor vehicle excise tax; it passed 69-10. HB 3627 added the State Committee of Blind Vendors to the list of public bodies allowed to meet by video or teleconference and passed 70-2, with the emergency clause also approved. HB 3721 created a survivor-benefit option for children of unmarried public safety officers who die before retirement after qualifying for benefits; it passed 77-3, and the emergency clause was adopted. Additional measures passed included HB 4132, a data protection bill, by 77-0; HB 4303, extending the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances, by 70-0; HB 4478, raising the daily deposit threshold for school activity funds from $100 to $500 while requiring weekly deposits, by 73-5; HB 4322, removing the requirement that a funeral director in charge also be a licensed embalmer/director, by 61-17; and HB 4227, protecting the legal rights of child sexual abuse victims, which was amended with cleanup language and then passed with no recorded nays. The House then adjourned until Monday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alvie Pasqua machines star as I recall. Noel Ro calls in progress. Mr.
• Activate the machines, announce roll call in the halls. Roll call is now in progress.
• Clerk, activate the machines; sergeants, announce roll call in the hall.
• Clerk, activate the machines; sergeants, announce roll call in the hall.
• Clerk, activate the machines; sergeants, announce roll call in the hall.

Bills: HB4319 , HB4317 , HB1225 , HB3076 , HB3081 , HB4226 , SCR17 , HB4432 , HB3304 , HB3411 , HB3435 , HB4339 , HB4331 , HB4341 , HB4342 , HB1770 , HB1016 , HB4113 , HB2950 , HB4141 , HB3277 , HB2988 , HB3029 , HB3338 , HB1889 , HB3834 , HB3831 , HB2939 , HB3045 , HB3657 , HB1739 , HB3759 , HB3755 , HB4484 , HB4486 , HB4108 , HB1250 , HB2961 , HB1219 , HB3025 , HB1782 , HB1907 , HB3718 , HB4459 , HB2976 , HB3548 , HB3545 , HB2952 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB2973 , HB3055 , HB3086 , HB3040 , HB3794 , HB4336 , HB3151 , HB1590 , HB3581 , HB3313 , HB3429 , HB3448 , HB1752 , HB2650 , HB3584 , HB4202 , HB3586 , HB4321 , HB4280 , HB3650 , HCR1020 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB4301 , HB3625 , HB3147 , HB3403 , HB3498 , HB3970 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3980 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB3638 , HB3880 , HB3930 , HB3942 , HB3944 , HB4191 , HB3242 , HB3678

Keywords: administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:28.120><c> gun</c> law, firearm crimes, machine gun law, firearm crimes, machine gun convertible
• </c><00:35:03.640><c> And</c> machine guns, convertible pistols.
• And machine guns, convertible pistols.
• </c> safe from machine guns. safe from machine guns.
• </c><00:36:43.760><c> And</c><00:36:43.920><c> so,</c> machine gun. And so, machine gun.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roll call machines are now open and will remain open for five minutes.
• Roll call machine is now open and will remain open for five minutes.
• The roll call machine is now open and will remain open for five minutes.
• The roll call machines are now open and will remain open for five minutes.
• The roll call machine is now open and will remain open for three minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the money goes into this machine and it goes into a digital wallet.
• </c><00:02:35.520><c> and</c> And the money goes into this machine and And the money goes into this machine
• You will cast the ballot into an OMR machine just like you do at the precinct.
• You will cast the ballot into an OMR machine just like you do at the precinct.
• You will cast the ballot into an OMR machine just like you do at the precinct.

Committee: Joint Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker is about to start the roll-call machine. The roll call vote has been requested.
• The Speaker is about to start the roll-call machine. The Speaker has started the roll-call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll-call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll-call machine.
• The Speaker is about to start the roll-call machine. The Speaker has started the roll-call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll-call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll-call machine.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1604 , HB1798 , HB1002 , HB1065 , HB1155 , HB1269 , HB1916 , HB2120 , HB2123 , HB2158 , HB2178 , HB2264 , HB2309 , HB2411 , HJM4004

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker is about to start the roll-call machine. A roll call vote has been requested.
• The Speaker is about to start the roll-call machine. The Speaker has started the roll-call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll-call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll-call machine.
• The Speaker is about to start the roll call machine. The Speaker has started the roll call machine.
• The Speaker is about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker has locked the roll call machine.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1604 , HB1798 , HB1002 , HB1065 , HB1155 , HB1269 , HB1916 , HB2120 , HB2123 , HB2158 , HB2178 , HB2264 , HB2309 , HB2411 , HJM4004

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a National Anthem performance, and a prayer offered by Washington Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Cole. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 4675, honoring the Washington National Guard for its service in emergencies, search and rescue, disaster response, and military readiness. Members spoke in support, highlighting the Guard’s history, its role in recent flood and landslide responses, and the sacrifices of service members and their families. The resolution passed by voice vote, and Guard leadership and members present in the galleries were recognized. The House also recognized Congressman Dan Newhouse in a point of personal privilege, with remarks praising his service in state and federal office and his ties to agriculture. The chamber then moved to the Fourth Order of Business and debated a motion to suspend House rules to send two initiatives to the Education Committee for prompt public hearings. Supporters argued the Constitution requires precedence for initiatives and that the House should hear them promptly; opponents argued the Constitution allows the Legislature to take no action and that the motion was unnecessary. The motion to suspend the rules failed on a recorded vote, 38 yeas and 57 nays, with three excused. Next, members debated the routine motion to refer the bills, memorials, measures, and resolutions on the introduction sheet to committee. Some members again argued the two initiatives should be given priority and public hearings before other business, while others supported normal referral of the day’s measures. The motion passed on a recorded vote, 57 yeas and 38 nays, with three excused. Committee reports were then accepted and referred as designated, and the House adjourned until Thursday, January 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Open machine. Madam Clerk. >> Is everyone voted? >> Is everyone voted? Close the machine.
• </c><00:09:50.800><c> Madam</c> I don't see any open machine. Madam I don't see any open machine.
• Close the machine. Madam Clerk, by vote 116 yay, zero nays. Bill passes.
• Close<00:14:24.399><c> the</c><00:14:24.560><c> machine.
• Madam clerk, by vote Close the machine.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will lock the machine; members, cast your votes.
• The clerk will lock the machine and record the roll.
• The clerk will lock the machine; members, cast your votes.
• The clerk will unlock the machine; members, cast your votes.
• The clerk will lock the machine; members, cast your votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• vote cler lock machine record the votes vote cler lock machine record the votes 999 three 999 three
• lock machine record to votes vote clerk lock machine record to votes 102 I Zer Nays HB 184 has been
• vote clerk lock machine Court to vote vote clerk lock machine Court to vote 100 two I Zer nay HB 183
• and the members will vote clerk lock machine record to vote2 vote clerk lock machine record to vote2
• the members will vote clerk lock machine Court to vote vote clerk lock machine Court to vote 100 i z

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> most damage versus any of our machines most damage versus any of our machines thank thank thank
• </c><03:11:06.279><c> to</c> private land you can't get a machine to private land you can't get a machine
• to two-stroke machines.
• You're, um, presumably not changing the... shared with sow machines that's all well shared with sow machines
• </c><03:42:03.279><c> weighed</c> went across and my snow machine weighed went across and my snow machine

Summary: The meeting was an orientation for the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, led by Chair Bob Harb. He reviewed committee procedures, including pink cards for witnesses, blue sheets for counts, use of drawers in the committee room, scheduling practices, and how bills would be posted and distributed. Members briefly introduced themselves and explained why they wanted to serve on the committee, with several citing interests in conservation, water quality, outdoor recreation, land use, and related local issues. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1113, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways within the town of Windsor. Representative Ré Colcombe, the sponsor, explained that the bill would allow local OHV/UTV access across a short section of state road in Windsor so residents on divided portions of town could travel legally between areas. He said the town selectmen were already allowing OHRV use on town roads, the route was paved, traffic impacts were expected to be minimal, and local police had no objections. He also said the town would hold public hearings and notify abutters as required, and that if the select board ultimately opposed the proposal he would recommend killing the bill. Members asked about the legal authority for the change, speed limits, traffic volume, winter maintenance, and whether the Department of Transportation or select board had to approve the route. Colcombe said the town must hold a public hearing and that the change would need to be incorporated into RSA 258:10, section 4. He said the road is maintained by the town in winter and by the state in summer. An opponent, Anne Davis, testified that she opposed the bill, saying ATV use should be treated as a tool for forest management rather than recreation, that law enforcement capacity in Windsor was a concern, and that she believed affected residents should be fully notified before any approval. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so the they will not only machine.
• </c><00:15:36.480><c> at</c> casting a ballot into the OMR machine at casting a ballot into the OMR machine
• And I that machine and you get results.
• </c> which is again the name of the machine. which is again the name of the machine.
• ,</c> final votes that go into the machine, final votes that go into the machine, which<00:17:20.720>

Committee: Joint Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Open the machine, Madam Clerk. Close the machine. Madam Clerk, there's a quorum present. Mr.
• Madam clerk, there's close the machine.
• Close the machine. Madam clerk, by vote Close the machine.
• Closing machine.
• Madam clerk, by vote 117 yay, machine.

Transcript Highlights:

• The roll call machine is open and will be open for three minutes.
• The roll call machine is now open. It will be open for three minutes.
• The roll call machine is now open. It will be open for three minutes.
• Roll call having been ordered, the roll call machine is now open.
• Roll call vote, the roll call machine is now open.

Summary: The House considered House No. 57, a $425 million supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 to fund the emergency shelter/emergency housing assistance system and related activities. The bill, as described by the chair of Ways and Means, included major policy changes requested by the Governor: immediate residency verification at intake, limits on eligibility, required criminal history disclosures and CORI checks, a reduced maximum shelter stay from nine months to six months with hardship waivers, temporary respite sites for 30 days, and a cap on system capacity. Supporters argued the changes were needed to preserve the right-to-shelter system amid fiscal strain and federal inaction; opponents said the bill still did not go far enough or, in some cases, went too far and risked harming families and children. The House debated and voted on numerous amendments, mostly focused on tightening eligibility or changing shelter operations. Several Republican amendments to reduce funding, impose a one-year residency requirement, require broader background checks, limit eligibility to homelessness caused within Massachusetts, and require cooperation with ICE were rejected, often after roll call votes. A point of order was sustained on multiple amendments as beyond the scope of the bill, including proposals affecting court officers, law enforcement, and ICE-related provisions. The House also rejected amendments to cut the appropriation from $425 million to $200 million and to add other restrictions on eligibility and administration. Some amendments were adopted. A redrafted Amendment 27, offered by Rep. Decker, was adopted 25-25 on a tie vote and expanded protections to children under age six and added related hardship/extension language. A subsequent amendment by Rep. Consalvo was adopted unanimously to add disability-related protections and extend benefits in certain cases. Another amendment by Rep. Finn was adopted to modify language about seeking federal reimbursement, and Amendment 9 was adopted to require competitive bidding for certain service funds. After debate and roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 126-26. The House then observed a moment of tribute for Doug Selfick and adjourned to meet again Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, activate the machines. Sergeants announced roll call in the halls.
• Clerk, activate the machine. Sergeants announced roll call in the halls.
• Clerk, activate the machine. Sergeants announced the roll call in the halls.
• Clerk, activate the machine. Sergeants announced roll call in the halls.
• Clerk, activate the machines. Sergeants announce roll call in the halls.

Bills: HB3329 , HR1039 , HR1040 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB3706 , HB3711 , HB4139 , HB1268 , HB3660 , HJR1023 , HB3298 , HB3056 , HJR1084 , HB3934 , HB3919 , HB4118 , HB4119 , HB3791 , HB4260 , HB4178 , HB4215 , HB4324 , HB3270 , HB4352 , HB4305 , HB2955 , HB3315 , HB3066 , HB1245 , HB4125 , HB3075 , HB3129 , HB3239 , HB4153 , HB3265 , HB4491 , SB680 , HB4263 , HB4268 , HB1675 , HB3885 , HB2984 , HB3697 , HB2959 , HB3671 , HB3852 , HB2933 , HB3057 , HB3802 , HB4294 , HB4285 , HB3708 , HB3979 , HB3977 , HB3986 , HB3985 , HB3588 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HJR1070 , HB3590 , HB3595 , HB3391 , HB3183 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB1002 , HB4434 , HJR1086 , HB4060 , HB3881 , HB3500 , HB4408 , HB3648 , HB3127 , HB3606

Keywords: long-term care, advisory board, sunset legislation, mental health, psychologists, University of Oklahoma, gymnastics, NCAA, congratulations, sports excellence, recognition, honor, athletics, Joseph Castiglione, leadership, education, sports management, HB3413, public finance, state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will record their presence. Amen.
• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will record their presence.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote.
• The clerk will unlock the machine.
• The machine announced the presence of a quorum. Ninety-nine members voting.

Summary: The House took up the special order calendar for a proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes, CS/HJR 1F, which would create a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property, and restrict how counties and municipalities may use ad valorem tax revenue. The sponsor, Rep. Overdorf, said the measure would give homeowners tax relief and argued local governments could adjust spending or use other revenue sources. Opponents repeatedly questioned the ballot language, the lack of a fiscal estimate or backfill, and the potential impact on local services, public safety, and debt obligations. The House adopted the special order report and then debated the resolution and a series of amendments. Several amendments were offered to carve out or protect specific services from the tax changes. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to protect Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was supported by members who said those entities fund early learning, mental health, aftercare, and other services for children and working families, but it failed 25-74. Rep. Cross offered an amendment to include water management districts in allowable ad valorem uses, warning of impacts on flood control, water quality, Everglades restoration, and water supply; that amendment also failed. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment requiring the Legislature to backfill public safety funding if local revenues fall, arguing police and fire services, staffing, and response times would be at risk; it failed 25-71. The chamber then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other local senior programs, and opponents saying the proposal was outside the bill’s scope. Finally, Rep. Gant offered an amendment to protect veteran services, saying local governments fund housing, mental health, transition, and family support programs for veterans; debate emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and avoiding cuts to those services. The transcript cuts off during debate on that amendment, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Please close the machine. Please close the machine.
• Please close the machine. Please close the machine.
• Please close the machine. Please close the machine.
• Please close the machine. Please close the machine.
• </c> Please close the machine. Please close the machine.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will record their presence.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote: 96 yeas, 2 nays, Mr. Speaker.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 81, 181, 16. Members voted.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum calls, and several recognitions before taking up a series of Senate messages and House motions. Members also recognized House Sergeant at Arms staff, visitors in the gallery, and family members. The chamber approved the journal and then moved into message lists and concurrence motions on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1668, relating to the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), the House concurred in a Senate amendment that clarified that if the NICA plan lacks adequate cash flow, the Office of Insurance Regulation may authorize a cumulative transfer of up to $20 million over the life of the plan and removed a proposed time limit on provider assessments. The bill then passed 96-2. The House also concurred in a Senate amendment to CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the foreign influence bill, after debate over a proposed strike-all amendment that would have removed surrogacy-related language; that amendment failed. Supporters said the bill still retained key foreign-influence restrictions, while opponents objected to the surrogacy provisions and other remaining restrictions. The bill passed 83-17. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1279 on education. The Senate amendment added provisions on tuition residency for certain military and State Department families, a one-year deferral option for Benacquisto Scholarship recipients, virtual school notifications, educational emergency authority for persistently low-performing schools, epinephrine flexibility, VPK and New Worlds Reading changes, math pathways, dance credit, IEP service notifications, charter school safety officer options, and FEFP adjustments for Florida advanced courses, while removing several House provisions including the 95% Florida resident requirement for preeminent universities, the 5% cap on undergraduate international enrollment, and DEI-related provisions. Debate focused heavily on the educational emergency and collective bargaining language for persistently low-performing schools, with supporters saying it would help districts improve student performance and opponents warning it would weaken unions and affect schools that are not truly failing. The bill passed 81-16. Finally, the House considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. An amendment to repeal portions of last year’s SB 180 was ruled not germane. The House then took up a Senate amendment on compost facilities that would bar local governments from conditioning compost-facility approval on the purchase of additional property to expand a privately owned road and would limit local revocation of permits when facilities comply with state or regional environmental regulation; debate began on that motion as the transcript ended.