Transcript Highlights:

• So if your stuff isn't up to date, your ballot can't find you.
• The governor's proposed budgets and proposed cuts in this bill shift costs onto public schools while
• I'm here today to respectfully oppose Senate Bill 626, which proposes to reduce Running Start funding
• This bill proposes to cut the number of credits Running Start students can take.
• This proposal would cost, as you heard from OFM, more in the long run for the state.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education-related bills. Senate Bill 6130 would move public high schools’ voter registration events from Temperance and Good Citizenship Day in January to National Voter Registration Day in September, with schools offering Future Voter registration to eligible students in history or social studies classes. The sponsor, Sen. Krishnadasan, and supporters from King County Elections, Pierce County, OSPI, and the Legislative Youth Advisory Council said the change would better match student interest and improve youth civic engagement at no fiscal cost. A senator asked about community service opportunities, and the sponsor said that could potentially fit within existing community service recognition programs. Senate Bill 6247 would expand financial oversight and training for school districts, especially those in financial distress or binding conditions. It would require additional ESD involvement, add WASDA training on budgeting and financial health for school directors, and impose stronger consequences for knowing financial misconduct, including future employment bars and state reimbursement of certain unrecovered damages. Sen. Dozier said the bill responds to district financial problems, including Prescott School District. OSPI supported the bill, while the Association of Educational Service Districts, WSSDA, and WEA raised concerns about ESDs being placed in an oversight role, the need to align the bill with other pending training legislation, and whether some enforcement duties should instead rest with the state auditor. Senate Bill 6268 would require OSPI to keep an online record of final special education community complaint decisions for 20 years instead of the current five years on its website. OSPI supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency and help families, educators, and policymakers identify patterns and understand how complaints are resolved; the sponsor said the retention period may be amended. Advocates from Washington Autism Alliance, The Arc, and parent advocates testified in favor, saying the records help families avoid repeated disputes and reveal systemic issues. Senate Bill 6278 would change how PESB reviews teacher and principal preparation programs and adjust student-teaching field placement plan submission timing; the sponsor said the goal is to ensure educators are better prepared, and PESB testified neutral, saying many of the review elements already exist and the bill would add flexibility. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6260, a budget-savings bill affecting public education. It would lengthen school bus depreciation to 15 years, withhold up to 1.9% of MSOC funds to pay for the High School and Beyond Plan platform, and reduce Running Start funding from 1.4 to 1.2 FTE. OFM supported the bill as part of the governor’s budget approach, but many testifiers opposed it, arguing it would cut district resources, keep older buses on the road longer, shift costs to schools, and reduce access to Running Start—especially for low-income, rural, and technical-program students. School district, college, PTA, counselor, and student witnesses said the current 1.4 FTE model has expanded access and completion, while supporters of the bill emphasized state budget pressures and said the changes would preserve other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so two-thirds of the states or two-thirds of the Congress shall propose.
• So why did they propose them? Because of state Article 5 pressure.
• So why did they propose them? Because of state Article 5 pressure.
• This would apply to Congress for a convention to propose...
• And I am here to speak against proposed House Bill 764.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 31 yea to 0 nay, 1 present.
• Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by vote of 33 yea, 0 nay, 1 not voting.
• Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 33 yea, zero nay, one not voting.
• The ballot passes by a vote of 33 yea, 0 nay, 1 not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the ballot language is quite clear about what we're trying to do here. Yep.
• I like to write ballot language so that the voters really understand what they're voting on.
• I mean, I really try to write clear ballot language: plain and simple. Plain and simple, yes.
• Briefly to Senator Miles, so we are going to change the ballot language; I forgot we had a... ...floor

Bills: SB3073 , SJR87

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 52 by Low relating to the required use of hand-marked paper ballots for all elections, referred to
• H.J.R. 172 by Pearson, proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from
• H.J.R. 174 by Button, proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from
• H.J.R. 176 by Patterson, proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide
• H.J.R. 179 by Madurazio, proposing a constitutional amendment to exempt from ad valorem taxation the

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Romero, do you have a specific motion and wording that you are proposing?
• Senator Charley, do you understand what the proposal is?
• The proposal would be to take it back to the bill as introduced, if I'm understanding correctly.
• So, I get no ordering to bring or keep a troop of armed persons at polling places, but what about ballot
• I know that the folks that had expressed reservations have reviewed the new proposed language. language

Bills: SB38 , SB17 , SB41 , SB264

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• New transmission lines are being<00:11:23.600><c> proposed</c><00:11:24.079><c> to</c><00:11:24.320><
• c> support</c><00:11:24.560><c> the</c><00:11:24.720><c> data</c> being proposed to support the data
• In January, the FDA released its legislative proposals for fiscal year 2026.
• </c><02:44:13.040><c> for</c> released its legislative proposals for released its legislative proposals
• ,</c><08:02:05.200><c> and</c> early voting and mail-in ballots, and early voting and mail-in ballots

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative in the General Court, 5th Essex District, together with schedules showing the number of ballots
• Altogether, the bill proposes approximately $4.58 billion in bonding for transportation programs.
• change for rural communities across the Commonwealth last year, and I am pleased that we were able to propose
• today in support of House 5375, An Act Financing Improvements to Municipal Roads and Bridges, a proposal
• Today's proposed bill continues to build on that decision and allows the administration to build on the

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a gubernatorial message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also approved several resolutions, including honoring Abby Goodman, reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognizing the Cambodian American Khmer New Year celebration, and observing Elks National Youth Week. Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes were referred to the Committee on Aging and Independence, and the House concurred with those referrals. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended an amended substitute bill, and the House adopted the amendment and advanced the bill to third reading. Later, the House took up the substitute bill, House 5375, and members spoke in support of the Chapter 90 transportation package, emphasizing municipal road and bridge funding, rural road mileage distribution, housing-related infrastructure, lifecycle asset management, DCR deferred maintenance, and MBTA electrified locomotives. A roll call vote was ordered, and the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 155 in favor and 0 against. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston. In addition, the chamber received the certified returns for the 5th Essex District special election and adopted an order creating a special committee to escort the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Executive Council for the swearing-in of Representative-elect Andrew Francis Robert Tarr. Tarr was then administered the oaths of office by Governor Maura Healey and seated. The House later adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative in the General Court, 5th Essex District, together with schedules showing the number of ballots
• Altogether, the bill proposes approximately $4.58 billion in bonding for transportation programs.
• Then, for the Chapter 90 program, specifically, similarly to last year, the bill proposes a one-year
• today in support of House 5375 and an Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, a proposal
• Today's proposed bill continues to build on that decision and allows the administration to build on the

Transcript Highlights:

• are working process the paper ballots are working process the paper ballots are working properly.
• That's what this bill our paper ballots. That's what this bill our paper ballots.
• , but 30 must be physically held ballots, but 30 must be physically held ballots, but 30 must be physically
• in the machine and do what they ballots in the machine and do what they ballots in the machine and do
• that I would like to propose.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Wheeler, what are you doing proposing that we put cannabis into the Constitution?
• ,</c> which way, if we put it on the ballot, which way, if we put it on the ballot, it<00:06:55.759><
• I believe the proposed updates to the law in this state are needed.
• I believe the proposed updates to the law in this state are needed.
• I believe the proposed updates to the law in this state are needed.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, a proposal in the legislature to institute an estate tax?
• That's why I want this on the ballot.
• This bill ensures that people don't go making up their own ballots. Record vote.
• Well, what do you propose with regard to Eddie? Islamophobia.
• The Lake Houston Dredge and Jail proposes a dredging district and reclaiming district.

Bills: HB1500 , HJR7 , HJR112 , HB34 , HB133 , HB 112 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB2756 , HB166 , HB406 , HB186 , HB271 , HB331 , HB380 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1819 , HB621 , HB303 , HB552 , HB366 , HB463 , HB 1211 , HB1327 , HB1461 , HB923 , HB1760 , HB2043 , HB2467 , HB5333 , HB5265 , HB1592 , HB1576 , HB1552 , HB2018 , HB3511 , HB1781 , HB2013 , HB2340 , HB2349 , HB2508 , HB2970 , HB2520 , HB865 , HB2851 , HB3385 , HB3336 , HB3529 , HB3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB1397 , HB4236 , HB1804 , HB1926 , HB4041 , HB1965 , HB1964 , HB2679 , HB2730 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HCR77 , HB3354 , HB163 , HB201 , HB272 , HB333 , HB405 , HB519 , HB569 , HB654 , HB694 , HB791 , HB 1006 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1842 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1894 , HB1943 , HB1990 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB2622 , HB2626 , HB2652 , HB2692 , HB2842 , HB2885 , HB2914 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3129 , HB3248 , HB3251 , HB3255 , HB3479 , HB3611 , HB3623 , HB3701 , HB3724 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3810 , HB3816 , HB3832 , HB3887 , HB4127 , HB4129 , HB4130 , HB4131 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4229 , HB4238 , HB4454 , HB4588 , HB4643 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HB5616 , SB767 , SB1619 , SB1738 , HJR5 , HJR2 , HB1399 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB1445 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2558 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB33 , HB144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB148 , HB3809 , HB2217 , HB220 , HB2421 , HB2363 , HB421 , HB2455 , HB3711 , HB2559 , HB2775 , HB3126 , HB3666 , HB3595 , HB3260 , HB3376 , HB3826 , HB3770 , HB1831 , HB2614 , HB3113 , HB322 , HB431 , HB869 , HB 1203 , HB 1244 , HB1875 , HB1950 , HB2152 , HB2341 , HB2809 , HB2856 , HB3012 , SB1415 , SB1058 , SB487 , SB1499 , SB513 , SB1697 , SB1197 , SB1437 , SB1809 , SB836 , SB1879 , SB1145 , SB963 , SB1038 , SB1147 , SB914 , SB711 , SB1409 , HB3707 , HB589 , HB1360 , HB2337 , HB2391 , HB718 , HB23 , HB2436 , HB1500 , HJR7 , HJR112 , HB34 , HB133 , HB 112 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB2756 , HB166 , HB406 , HB186 , HB271 , HB331 , HB380 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1819 , HB621 , HB303 , HB552 , HB366 , HB463 , HB 1211 , HB1327 , HB1461 , HB923 , HB1760 , HB2043 , HB2467 , HB5333 , HB5265 , HB1592 , HB1576 , HB1552 , HB2018 , HB3511 , HB1781 , HB2013 , HB2340 , HB2349 , HB2508 , HB2970 , HB2520 , HB865 , HB2851 , HB3385 , HB3336 , HB3529 , HB3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB1397 , HB4236 , HB1804 , HB1926 , HB4041 , HB1965 , HB1964 , HB2679 , HB2730 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3354 , HB163 , HB201 , HB272 , HB333 , HB405 , HB519 , HB569 , HB654 , HB694 , HB791 , HB 1006 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1842 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1894 , HB1943 , HB1990 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB2622 , HB2626 , HB2652 , HB2692 , HB2842 , HB2885 , HB2914 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3129 , HB3248 , HB3251 , HB3255 , HB3479 , HB3611 , HB3623 , HB3701 , HB3724 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3810 , HB3816 , HB3832 , HB3887 , HB4127 , HB4129 , HB4130 , HB4131 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4229 , HB4238 , HB4454 , HB4588 , HB4643 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HB5616 , SB767 , SB1619 , SB1738 , HCR77

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2504, ballot measure amendment. HB 2575, school plan and ESA assessments.
• HB 2628, ballot delivery. HB 2630, election officers. HB 2654, permanent early voting list.
• HB 2802, ballot measure. HB 2804, rule affordable. HB 2805, electronic signatures.
• District, 2499 appropriation, ESA. 2,500, supplemental appreciation, 25.03, campaign finance, 2, 504, ballot
• insurance prostate cancer 26 18 veterans scholarships 26 21 public school special education 20x 28 ballot

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to highlight the major funding issues in the proposed Pre-K-12 education budget.
• This is a House proposal that was part of the final budget compromise.
• at... ...with those funding cuts in the future, proposed at roughly $4 billion.
• And they would have essentially 90 days to put that on the corresponding ballot.
• Statutes to conform to the proposed higher education budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I’m trying to understand what the contention is with what’s being proposed here.” Mr. Lunders?
• their district, the appropriate course of action would be to place that matter back on their local ballot
• for the... ...at course of action would be placing that matter back on their local ballot for their
• I would propose that that is absolutely true.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• community organizers, et cetera, to ask them to work on fighting against amendments that were on the ballot
• In this case, the ballot must inform voters of the intent to bond the revenues and explain what the bond
• When I look at your proposal as written, I have I have concerns about the various obligations that exist
• We appreciate the comments as well on the other proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the public has consistently shown strong support for, whether it is in polling or actually a ballot
• People overwhelmingly rejected the Legislature's proposal to...
• People overwhelmingly rejected the Legislature's proposal to try to divest of public lands.

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal is not occurring in a vacuum.
• proposal is not occurring in a vacuum. vacuum. vacuum.
• </c> already underway with absentee ballots already underway with absentee ballots sent. sent. sent.
• Thank you so much for your proposal.
• Because this thing that you're proposing is saying that we don't matter. That you don't care.

Bills: SB1

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• In California, roughly 80% of Planned Parenthood patients rely on Medi-Cal, meaning this proposal would
• In California, roughly 80% of Planned Parenthood patients rely on Medi-Cal, meaning this proposal would
• When we're talking about a proposal that starts in July that would cut 80% of the funding of the rate
• When we're talking about a proposal that starts in July that would cut 80% of the funding of the rate
• And if the governor refuses to sign it, then to put that on the ballot. I think we could save...

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s Medi-Cal program and on community health effects from recent immigration enforcement actions. Committee leaders said H.R. 1 would sharply reduce federal funding, increase administrative burdens, and worsen access to care, especially for Medi-Cal enrollees, immigrant families, rural communities, and reproductive health patients. The second half of the hearing examined how ICE raids and related federal actions are creating fear, reducing clinic and emergency department use, and disrupting children’s access to schools and early childhood education. Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Bass outlined the main H.R. 1 provisions affecting Medi-Cal: work requirements, semiannual eligibility redeterminations, shorter retroactive coverage, new cost-sharing, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, reduced federal support for emergency and lawful immigrant coverage, and a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for prohibited abortion providers. She estimated millions could lose coverage, with tens of billions of dollars in federal funding at risk. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warned the defunding provision could force clinic closures, service reductions, and loss of access to family planning, STI testing, and cancer screenings. The California Hospital Association said the financing changes could cut hospital revenue by tens of billions over 10 years and threaten access, especially for rural and safety-net hospitals. The Western Center on Law and Poverty argued the law would increase churn, paperwork, and uninsured rates, disproportionately harming working adults and people experiencing homelessness. Committee members asked about implementation timelines, notification systems, administrative costs, the effect on immigrant eligibility, and whether California could delay or mitigate some provisions. Bass said the state was still assessing federal guidance, planning county and provider outreach, and exploring a possible delay for work requirements and a transition period for provider-tax changes. Members also discussed how state budget actions may need to be revisited in light of H.R. 1, and how California might preserve access through state-only funding or other policy changes. In the second panel, CHIRLA, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and the Children’s Partnership described the health consequences of immigration enforcement. Speakers said raids and data-sharing fears are causing anxiety, trauma, and avoidance of care, with Los Angeles County reporting declines in emergency, urgent care, and clinic visits after enforcement actions. The Children’s Partnership said school and early childhood absences are rising in some communities and that enforcement is undermining children’s emotional well-being and access to education. Members asked for more data and discussed possible state protections, telehealth, mobile care, and legal and policy responses to reduce fear and preserve access to health and education services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed budget fell short.
• Here, signed in as other on this proposal.
• Testifying is others on the governor's proposed budget.
• , not proposing any cuts to retirees.
• , not proposing any cuts to retirees.

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care