Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Christina DiCaro, a lobbyist for the California Library Association.
• Every subcommittee member has received a letter from the California Library Association highlighting
• The California Library Association is highlighting support for three items: the California Library Services
• I'm the president of the California Library Association.
• I'm also here representing the California Library Association.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If libraries allow events that are inappropriate for children yet are marketed to them, public libraries
• Do you know which libraries there were?
• In the library.
• I enjoy quiet libraries.
• But instead of telling that branch, the Houston Public Library system, or all Texas public libraries

Bills: SB34, SB75, SB330, SB1535, SB18, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Nationwide, according to the American Library Association, over 91% of attempts to censor books now come
• Library Association, the Massachusetts School Library Association, the Mass Freedom to Read Coalition
• Special thanks to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Library Association
• And according to the American Library Association, over 229... ...books in the nation, and according
• Association. ...chains our local municipal policies to the dictates of the American Library Association

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine ceremonial business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, adoption of several congratulatory resolutions, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee. It then took up a supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill (H. 5393 / H. 5493), which Ways and Means reported at about $227.3 million for items including snow and ice costs, no-cost calls, substance use services, homeless programs, and technical changes related to lottery revenue and other outside sections. The bill was advanced through second and third reading and later passed to be engrossed after a roll call vote. The chamber also passed to engrossment a land transfer bill for the Town of Marion (H. 5388) and a Bolton alcohol licensing bill (S. 2628, as amended). The House also enacted two local bills: one further regulating special meetings of the Holyoke City Council and one amending the charter of the town of Reading. A major floor debate centered on S. 2726, an act regarding free expression, which was framed by supporters as a response to book challenges and censorship in public and school libraries. Supporters, including Representatives Garballey and Moran, argued the bill would protect librarians, require reporting of book challenges, preserve age-appropriate access to materials, and keep challenged books on shelves during review; opponents raised concerns about parental rights and local control. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including one that would have removed a criminal-law protection for librarians and educators, and another that would have shifted school review authority more directly to elected school committees. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that challenged material is considered in its entirety, and another narrowing who may initiate certain complaints to parents or guardians of a student in the school. The bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by a large roll call vote. The House also debated and passed H. 5491 / S. 1646, implementing recommendations of the Walsh Kennedy Commission on hot work safety after the 2014 Beacon Street fire. Supporters said the bill would require certification for hot work, strengthen penalties for repeated or reckless violations, and improve public notification and enforcement to prevent future tragedies; the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously or near-unanimously after roll call. In addition, the chamber advanced a local land transfer for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path in Billerica and a bill concerning ownership and maintenance of culverts and dams in Town Line Brook and Lindenbrook. The session included several recesses, quorum checks, and recognition of guests, including Danvers High School graduates, a former state representative, and WGBH representatives for Public Media Awareness Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nationwide, according to the American Library Association, over 91% of attempts to censor books now come
• The types of collections that the American Library Association recommends and builds out in their Library
• Special thanks to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Library Association
• , the Massachusetts School Library Association, the Mass Freedom to Read Coalition, and the Massachusetts
• And according to the American Library Association, over 229 Books in the nation, and according to the

Summary: The House first handled a series of routine actions from the Committee on Rules, including adoption of several congratulatory resolutions and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow petitions to proceed, including a Hingham land transfer petition and a veteran rental assistance bridge program petition. The Ways and Means Committee then reported out several bills, including a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, a bill on hot work/fire safety regulation, a free expression/library bill, a bill on ownership and maintenance of certain culverts and dams, a Walsh-Kennedy Commission implementation bill, and a Billerica land transfer for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path. Each was advanced through second or third reading, with the House adopting committee amendments and ordering the bills to third reading or engrossment as appropriate. The most extensive debate centered on S. 2726, an act regarding free expression, which would address book challenges in public and school libraries, require reporting of challenges, protect age-appropriate materials, and establish review procedures. Supporters argued the bill protects intellectual freedom, librarians’ professional judgment, and access to books amid rising censorship efforts; opponents raised concerns about parental rights, local control, and exposure of minors to explicit material. Several amendments were offered and voted on, including one to strike a criminal-law protection, one to streamline the school review process, one clarifying that challenged material is considered in its entirety, and one narrowing who may initiate complaints to parents or guardians; some were rejected and others adopted. The bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by a 151-3 vote. The House also took up H. 5491 implementing the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot work safety after the 2014 Beacon Street fire. Members emphasized firefighter safety, certification and training requirements, stronger penalties for violations, and public notification of violations; the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously. The supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill, H. 5493, covering snow and ice costs, no-cost calls, substance use services, homeless programs, and several outside sections, also passed after amendment votes. Finally, the House enacted two local bills on Holyoke City Council special meetings and the Reading town charter, and then adjourned to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nationwide, according to the American Library Association, over 91% of attempts to censor books now come
• Special thanks to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Library Association
• , the Massachusetts School Library Association, the Mass Freedom to Read Coalition, and the Massachusetts
• And according to the American Library Association, over 229... ...books in the nation, and according
• to the American Library Association, over 229 titles were challenged statewide in 2025, with 212 of those

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the New Hampshire Municipal Association the New Hampshire Municipal Association<02:32:35.120><c> opposes
• </c> Association opposes Association opposes hb80<02:32:37.240><c> um</c><02:32:37.439><c> currently<
• The school board's association opposes the bill.
• Sarah Buren Cohen, representing the New Hampshire Municipal Association, testified that the association
• Association the New Hampshire Municipal Association support<02:52:48.279><c> uh</c><02:52:48.840><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened its hearing with a procedural discussion about a forthcoming Monday hearing, and the chair confirmed that any amendment deemed non-germane would be made public in advance and included in the calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would replace the word “citizen” in the Right-to-Know law with “any person,” allow requesters to specify the format of records, and expressly reference preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body as disclosable material. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clarify existing law, remove uncertainty after a Rochester-related dispute over requester eligibility, and make records easier to obtain electronically unless doing so would be impossible, unusual, unduly burdensome, or harmful to recordkeeping integrity. Testimony was mixed. Cordell Johnston, speaking for himself as a municipal attorney, opposed most of the bill, especially the requirement that records be delivered electronically or by mail, arguing that out-of-state or out-of-country requests can be fishing expeditions that impose significant burdens on towns and clerks. He said local residents already can obtain records at town hall and that many municipalities voluntarily email records as a courtesy, but should not be required to mail large volumes of material. He also said the preliminary-draft language was unnecessary because such drafts are already covered when circulated to a quorum or majority. Representative Alexander raised concerns about the breadth of “any person,” potential abuse by bad actors, and the cost to municipalities, while Representative Peternell asked about whether the bill should account for nonresident property owners and business owners. The sponsor responded that limiting requesters by residency would not meaningfully stop abuse and said he did not know the bill’s fiscal impact, though he suggested it might improve efficiency. Yil Biset of the ACLU of New Hampshire testified in support of HB 6, calling it a modest and reasonable transparency measure. He said the preliminary-draft language was acceptable and consistent with existing exemption language in the public-meeting and documents statutes, and he said he was not aware of foreign-bot document requests occurring in New Hampshire. He also noted that current law already requires electronic disclosure when records exist electronically and can reasonably be provided that way. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked closely with the California Library Association to make sure that this policy works on the ground
• I worked closely with the California Library Association to make sure that this policy works on the ground
• I'm Christina DeCaro representing the California Library Association.
• The California Library Association has...
• The California Library Association has officially removed its opposed position on this bill, the May

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also the legislative chair of the Minnesota Library Association.
• Association representing librarians from public, school, academic, and special libraries.
• </c><00:03:56.319><c> Association</c> the Minnesota Library Association the Minnesota Library Association
• Libraries drive discovery, and library patrons are also book buyers.
• Libraries are to the libraries today.

Bills: HF3698, HF4243, HF4239, HF4241, HF4242, HF4240

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, campaign finance, elections, political contributions, disclosure, reporting thresholds, economic interest statements, financial disclosure, ethics, public officials, local officials, metropolitan governmental unit, metropolitan area, candidate filings, principal campaign committee, political committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It's my understanding the Library Association on slide four specifically mentions IEPs, individual education
• It's my understanding the Library Association on slide four specifically mentions IEPs, individual education
• Uh, Independent Book Publishers document, uh including the PowerPoint for Library Association, not totally
• </c> for a library bill. for a library bill.
• I have found lots of ways for libraries. libraries. libraries.

Bills: HF4456, HF4544, HF3698

Keywords: data broker, data brokerage, consumer privacy, personal data, data privacy, Minnesota attorney general, registration, public registry, civil penalties, enforcement, special revenue fund, privacy rights, data sales, data collection, consumer protection, chapter 325M, controller, processor, data broker registry, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• , Woburn Public Library, and Brockton Public Library.
• Is there like a national library association that you talk to across the country and get together with
• She's the president-elect of the American Library Association. Thank you. Thank you, Dr.
• member of the Massachusetts Library Association, the Minuteman Library Network, and I am president-elect
• of the American Library Association.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of recent federal policy and budget actions on Massachusetts libraries, humanities organizations, arts institutions, and tourism. Testimony from library leaders described the loss or jeopardy of Institute of Museum and Library Services funding, including statewide databases, local grants, staff positions, E-rate/hotspot support, and digital equity programs. Witnesses said the cuts have already forced reductions in services, canceled grants and workshops, and in some cases left schools, students, job seekers, and low-income patrons without access to key resources. Members of the committee asked for lists of affected communities and databases, and several witnesses said they would provide additional written detail. Arts and humanities witnesses said federal terminations from the NEA, NEH, and IMLS have hit organizations across the Commonwealth, including Mass Cultural Council, Mass Humanities, Mass MoCA, and local museums and historical societies. They described canceled or rescinded grants, layoffs, reduced programming, and a chilling effect on future applications and on artistic and scholarly work, especially where federal awards had already been matched with local or private funds. Several speakers also raised concerns about executive-branch DEI conditions attached to funding and about book challenges and book banning, saying these trends threaten intellectual freedom and public access to culture and history. Committee members emphasized the economic importance of the sector and the need to publicize the impacts. Tourism officials from Meet Boston and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism testified that federal cuts and broader geopolitical and tariff issues are hurting international visitation, especially from Canada and Western Europe, and could affect major upcoming events such as the 2026 World Cup and Sail Boston. They said reduced funding for Brand USA and Discover New England will weaken long-term marketing efforts and international partnerships, with downstream effects on hotel tax revenue, jobs, and workforce recruitment. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members mainly asking questions and requesting follow-up written testimony and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked closely with the California Library Association to make sure that this policy works on the ground
• I worked closely with the California Library Association to make sure that this policy works on the ground
• I worked closely with the California Library Association to make sure that this policy works on the ground
• I'm Christina DeCaro, representing the California Library Association.
• The California Library Association has officially removed its opposed position on this bill, the May

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student health, access, equity, and career preparation. SB 608 by Sen. Menjivar would expand access to condoms and related sexual health resources for students in grades 7–12 and direct the Department of Education to align with the California Healthy Youth Act. Supporters argued the bill would help address high STI rates among youth and remove barriers to access, while opponents raised concerns about parental authority, local control, and encouraging early sexual activity. The bill was approved on a 6-1 vote and sent to the Health Committee. SB 965 by Sen. Blakespear would prohibit libraries from requiring a parent to be physically present for a 16- or 17-year-old to obtain a library card, while still allowing libraries to require parental consent or signature. Supporters said the current rule creates unnecessary barriers for teens and school research projects, and the California Library Association said it was now neutral after amendments. The committee passed the bill 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 998 by Sen. Gonzalez would define and expand the duties of discrimination prevention coordinators in the state’s Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability coordinator and deputy coordinators focused on anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Latino, and anti-Native American discrimination. Testimony emphasized the need to address rising hate incidents and discrimination in schools, especially for Black, LGBTQ+, AAPI, and other marginalized students. The bill was approved and sent to Judiciary with amendments to be processed there. SB 845 by Sen. Perez, which expands work-based learning and youth apprenticeship opportunities, also received broad support from education, workforce, and industry groups and passed unanimously to Labor and Employment. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills and adjourned after all items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• where these things occur, but the American Library Association has been a strong supporter of these
• We found that library...
• This bill does not affect chamber commerce, parent-teacher associations, fire associations, police associations
• , when we have the Sheriff's Association Association.
• That's why you have your association. That's why we have our association.

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• This hearing will focus on both the CSU and the library budgets, the State Library budgets.
• reductions to the library.
• I am the library director of the Braille Institute Library.
• Go to the library.
• I'm Christina DeCaro, the lobbyist for the California Library Association.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met to review CSU and State Library budget issues, enrollment trends, the Capital Fellows program, and a Title IX update. Chair David Alvarez opened by stressing that CSU faces serious financial pressure, including a systemwide deficit and proposed cuts that he and several members said were too large and likely to harm access, course offerings, and student services. Public comment focused heavily on the Braille Institute Library, with patrons, staff, veterans, and advocates urging restoration of funding and warning that the proposed cut would severely affect blind and visually impaired Californians across Southern California. Several CSU faculty, staff, and union representatives also opposed the proposed reductions and warned of larger class sizes, fewer sections, and layoffs. On the CSU core operations item, the Department of Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to reduce ongoing General Fund support by about $375 million and defer a 5% base increase, while the LAO said CSU core funding would be roughly flat once tuition and targeted augmentations were considered, but warned that rising costs and prior shortfalls would still force campuses to cut spending. CSU’s Chancellor’s Office said the proposed cut would deepen existing problems, citing prior-year budget gaps, job losses, reduced course sections, and student-service reductions. Members pressed Finance and the LAO on whether cuts could be made more surgically, especially at the Chancellor’s Office or in institutional support rather than in instruction, and the LAO said the Legislature has flexibility to target cuts more specifically. CSU also described ongoing consolidation efforts, including shared services among campuses and the planned Cal Maritime/Cal Poly San Luis Obispo integration, while cautioning that savings are not yet fully known. The committee then discussed CSU enrollment. The LAO recommended holding enrollment targets flat because the budget does not add new funding, while CSU reported strong recent growth, including more California residents, record first-year enrollment, and expanded direct admissions and transfer pathways. Members questioned why some campuses with high demand turn away many applicants while others continue to lose enrollment, and CSU said it is shifting resources from campuses with sustained declines to those with demand, using a 10% below-target threshold. The committee also discussed whether enrollment declines mirror local population trends, how to improve marketing and program alignment, and whether lessons from Cal Poly Humboldt’s conversion could inform other campuses such as Sonoma State. The Capital Fellows item drew a Finance proposal for a salary increase and an LAO counterproposal for a smaller raise plus future COLA language; the committee kept the item open. Finally, CSU reported progress on Title IX compliance, saying it has completed most State Auditor recommendations, expanded civil rights staffing, and increased training, prevention, and case-management efforts, though members asked how proposed budget cuts might affect those services.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the library.
• Library, law library operations. I can also answer questions. Thank you.
• libraries.
• I'm **Christina DeCaro**, the lobbyist for the California Library Association.
• public libraries.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, rural libraries. Rural libraries are often the only infrastructure in the towns they're in.
• Libraries are a good model.
• So in Carrizozo, the library, the library...
• So the eligible libraries are any libraries in towns of 3,000 people or less, and any libraries that
• So every library...

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative in support of fully funding the rural library endowment with an additional $29.5 million. The presenters described rural libraries as essential community infrastructure that provide not only books and internet access, but also early childhood programs, adult education, workforce support, telehealth, disaster response, and civic meeting space. They argued that the endowment would provide stable annual support for staffing and operations, help sustain libraries in very small towns and tribal communities, and support new or developing libraries. Members asked about eligibility, county coverage, how funds are distributed, and whether the state tracks broader outcomes such as job placements or certifications; the presenters said the State Library administers the funds and that the initiative itself is a nonprofit capacity-building organization, not the fund manager. Some members raised concerns about whether an endowment is the best long-term model versus recurring annual appropriations, and about the need for better reporting and state-library involvement. The committee then heard from food bank leaders Jill Dixon and Katie Anderson about food security and its economic impact. They said New Mexico’s five food banks and more than 500 partner agencies serve all 33 counties, distribute over 45 million meals, and rely mostly on philanthropy, with some state and local support. They emphasized that SNAP is a major economic driver, supporting grocery access, jobs, and local spending, and that recent legislative growth funding helped food banks respond to a surge in demand during a SNAP disruption. They also highlighted food banks as community hubs that can connect people to health care, job training, and other services, including through clinic referrals and closed-loop systems. In response to questions, they said food access gaps remain in some rural areas, that clients can generally seek food at other distribution sites without barriers, and that longer-term solutions should include more grocery access, healthy corner stores, and stronger broadband and health care infrastructure. The final presentations came from the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Gallup-McKinley described a shrinking workforce, youth outmigration, crime, health care shortages, malpractice costs, and gross receipts tax burdens as major barriers to rural economic growth, and urged action on workforce pipelines, housing, public safety, malpractice reform, and tax/regulatory changes. Artesia highlighted its murals, library, sports tradition, oil and gas, agriculture, federal training center, and refinery, while also noting workforce shortages, health care recruitment challenges, housing constraints, and the need for quality-of-life investments and more flexible regulation. The committee also briefly heard a bill presentation proposing a New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade and investment, especially in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. No votes were taken because quorum was not reached, and the endorsement item was not acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the way that the funds come to the State Library, the Library Networking Fund, so the portion that
• I learned that at the library. You said that the libraries will use these funds for STEM kits.
• Theater Association.
• Chairman, members of the committee, Randy Schaar, representing the Missouri Library Association.
• I was working with Kina when we passed this... ...representing the Missouri Library Association.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee first met in executive session and voted do pass House Bill 3405. Members described the bill as clarifying how pass-through entity tax information and related deductions are handled, while retaining the tax credit. The roll call vote was 8 in favor and 1 absent. The committee then held hearings on several bills dealing with tax credits and earmarked revenue for charitable and cultural purposes. House Bill 2457 would extend the food pantry/soup kitchen/homeless shelter tax credit through 2032, add food banks as qualifying entities, and raise the cap; supporters said it would help address rising hunger and food waste. House Bill 1782 would remove the sunset from the food pantry tax credit, and witnesses from Community Services League and others supported making the credit permanent, while members questioned whether sunsets should remain for periodic review. Samuel Lee of Campaign Life Missouri noted that some other tax credits already have no sunset and argued that benevolent credits should be treated differently from business credits. House Bill 3518 drew the most testimony. The sponsor said it would restore the original intent of the arts and entertainment tax by moving the revenue into a dedicated fund and distributing it by set percentages to arts, humanities, libraries, public broadcasting, and historic preservation, while extending the sunset to 2060. Supporters from arts groups, libraries, and humanities organizations said current appropriations fall short of the amount collected, creating instability and limiting planning, and they emphasized the economic and community benefits of stable funding. Committee members raised concerns about oversight, the loss of general revenue flexibility, and whether the legislature should retain the ability to review or redirect the funds, but no vote was taken on the hearing bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our library was not ADA compliant.
• ,</c><00:22:37.600><c> our</c><00:22:37.840><c> town</c> replace our library, our town replace our library
• ,</c><01:37:38.239><c> not</c> Hampshire Municipal Association, not Hampshire Municipal Association,
• ,</c><02:28:18.479><c> condominium</c> homeowners associations, condominium homeowners associations,
• </c> associations, age limited communities associations, age limited communities and<02:28:22.240><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To address this issue, HB 1480 amends government code to clarify that library and library systems may
• infrastructure of a library and associated expenses.
• I believe there is a witness from the Texas Library Association, as well as a resource witness from the
• We have you registered as Gretchen Pruitt with Texas Library Association itself, you're retired librarian
• I'm also the immediate past president of the Texas Library Association or TLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• American Library Association.
• The American Library Association and its affiliates align with the adult entertainment industry. ...in
• The American Library Association just released their report on censorship in U.S. libraries for the last
• The Texas State Library Association and the Library and Archives Commission for working with us.
• And I think the State Library Association had testified early on about some questions regarding access

Bills: HB45, HB45, HB755, HB 1232, HB1555, HB2460, HB2702, HB2973, HB3120, HB3225, HB3314, HB3356, HB3371, HB3634, HB3638, HB4247, HB4283, HB4290, HB4302, HB4503, HB4511, HB4565, HB4581, HB4627, HB4632, HB4660, HB4668, HB4960, HB5042

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money

Transcript Highlights:

• libraries, Minitex library libraries within the Minitex library network, and so on and so forth.
• I am also the legislative chair of the Minnesota Library Association, serving libraries statewide.
• This issue has been unsustainable for over a decade, and it's a priority of the Minnesota Library Association
• Library Association serving um Minnesota Library Association serving um libraries<00:07:18.479><c> statewide
• </c> libraries statewide. libraries statewide.

Bills: HF3698, HF3067, HF3730

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction