Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder, as appropriations chairs, one of my biggest priorities has been to...
• As appropriations chairs, one of my biggest priorities has been to not only help people through this

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met with a quorum present, adopted the April 23, 2026 minutes, and then held a discussion focused on eligible legislatively directed spending items (LDSIs) for the FY 2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee was part of a new transparency process requiring legislators to publicly disclose LDSI requests, including the recipient, amount, and purpose, and noted that the forms must be posted publicly for at least 45 days before inclusion in the budget. He said Senate members submitted more than 500 eligible LDSI forms and House members submitted 750, for over 1,250 total proposals made available online. The chair emphasized that the process is intended to increase accountability and public awareness of how tax dollars are spent, and encouraged the public to review the posted forms on the Senate and House websites. During the meeting, four cards of support were read into the record: Wendy Fallow supported the Literacy Center of West Michigan project; Graham Filler supported the H.H.W. request on behalf of Kalamazoo County; and Mayor David LaGrand and Rob Verhulen both supported the aquarium request. No committee questions were raised, no substantive votes were taken on the LDSI items, and the committee moved through routine procedural actions. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, supported and adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 3, the House's priority legislation for flood recovery and infrastructure funding, was developed
• Each one of you knows that eventually you will come back. we will pass the priorities of the special

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Greg Bonin will file House Bill 3, the House's priority legislation for flood recovery and infrastructure
• Each one of you knows that eventually you will come back and we will pass the priorities of the special

Transcript Highlights:

• But I guess what is the of priority.
• Where are our priorities?
• yes we want to make sure our priorities yes we want to make sure that<01:48:15.920> every<01:
• And then I guess you're starting off with Priority 2. Okay.
• So Priority 2 is a revolving fund ceiling increase amount of $7 million for professional services.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to thank Speaker Mariano, who has made cannabis policy a priority for the House, and I'd
• step in addressing some of those failures by bringing together the agencies that could make this a priority
• It has not been on their list of priorities.
• It's really no secret that the CCC is in desperate need to re-evaluate its priorities, and I think it
• should be... ...really no secret that the CCC is in desperate need to re-evaluate its priorities, and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so who makes, who has the authority to make the decision that has priority over hiking access?
• Um, so who makes, who has the authority to make the decision that has priority over hiking access?
• over hiking access because has priority over hiking access because you<01:16:32.520> know<01:
• You guys are not putting them as a priority, and they're currently on their lands.
• You guys are not putting them as a priority, and they're currently on their lands.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 13, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of housing, land, and resource bills. Early bills included HB 743 on fiscal sustainability, HB 1318 on affordable housing, and HB 1409 on the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Testimony on the housing measures was largely supportive from agencies and advocacy groups such as the Office of Planning, Hawaii Housing Future, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities, and the County of Kauai, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) raised concerns on HB 1318 about public trust duties for ceded lands. On HB 1409, members questioned whether the bill needed updating in light of a separate bill changing the board structure, and witnesses said the measure did not change funding but only the board’s mission and scope. The committee also heard HB 1410, which would create a supportive housing special fund. Supporters, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Appleseed, argued that predictable dedicated funding is needed for supportive housing, social services, and long-term homelessness solutions. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed tax earmarks in general, saying they subvert the constitutional budgeting process. Members asked how the fund would be administered and who could access it; witnesses said HHFDC and the counties would coordinate the process, but DLNR noted the bill did not provide additional administrative capacity and suggested language to address that. Later bills included HB 528 on residential leaseholds, HB 1359 on flood mitigation, HB 1087 on historic preservation reviews, HB 868 on disabilities, and HB 1323 on transfer of non-agricultural park lands. HB 528 drew limited testimony, with a Catholic Charities/Hawaii Public Housing Authority representative offering a general example of leasehold development but saying the bill’s exemptions had not been discussed in detail. HB 1359 prompted discussion of homeowner and county responsibilities for drainage and flood damage, with DLNR saying private owners are responsible for drainage on private property and counties for county roads. HB 1087 was supported by DHHL, which said historic preservation reviews currently take about 165 days and the bill could improve timeliness, while Hawaii Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed it. HB 868 drew support from the Disability Rights Center and DCAB, with testimony focusing on beach access and the need for clearer legal authority. On HB 1323, DLNR opposed the bill, saying it did not reflect Act 90 and that some agricultural parcels should remain under DLNR for conservation, watershed, recreation, or fire protection reasons; DOA, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the measure, arguing that productive agricultural lands should be transferred to agriculture to protect local food production and family ranches.

Transcript Highlights:

• Solvers Caucus, I am especially proud to support this bill because it is one of our 2026 caucus priority
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote on this bipartisan California Problem Solvers Caucus priority.
• You heard about wildfire, but it's also water projects and many other environmental priorities that we

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Solvers Caucus, I am especially proud to support this bill because it is one of our 2026 caucus priority
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote on this bipartisan California Problem Solvers Caucus priority.
• You heard about wildfire, but it's also water projects and many other environmental priorities that we

Summary: The Assembly met with an initial quorum call, then proceeded through routine floor business, guest introductions, and several procedural motions. Members approved requests to suspend rules for adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, removed some bills from the consent calendar, and re-referred or withdrew several measures. The chamber also took up a number of second-reading and concurrence items later in the day. Two major bills drew floor debate. SB 762, a tax measure allowing eligible local governments to seek voter approval for transactions and use tax rates above the statutory cap, was presented as a response to local fiscal pressures and was described by supporters as giving voters local choice rather than imposing a tax increase. It passed with an urgency vote of 54-13 and was sent immediately to the Senate. AB 126, the education budget trailer bill, was presented as a major investment in TK-12 education, special education, community schools, and educator leave; one member supported many provisions but objected to policy changes affecting charter schools being included in a budget bill. The Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments on AB 126 by a vote of 56-1. The Assembly also concurred in AB 35, an urgency environmental protection bill intended to speed implementation of Proposition 4-funded projects by narrowing administrative delay; supporters said it would accelerate wildfire prevention, water, and other environmental projects. The measure passed unanimously, 66-0. The consent calendar was then adopted, including AB 2796 on criminal history information, which passed 67-0. The session concluded with multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remarks honoring victims of a B-52 test flight crash at Edwards Air Force Base, former West Covina Mayor Lloyd Johnson, civil rights leader Harold Brown, educator and activist Kiyoko Nancy Oda, and Auburn Mayor John Mike Holmes, followed by announcements of summer recess and adjournment until August 3.

Transcript Highlights:

• Protecting consumers following wildfire, any declared disaster, is a top priority for CSLB, and we thank
• Protecting consumers following wildfire, any declared disaster, is a top priority for CSLB, and we thank
• Advancing safety and sustainability in the communities where we operate is our top priority.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Updating these guides to reflect the new framework standards has been a priority of our schools over
• Quincy Public Schools also places a high priority on safety.
• provides that labor market information to assure that the Skills Capital Grant applications align with priority

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held an informational hearing at Quincy Public Schools focused on career and technical education (CTE). Committee members said the visit was intended to gather input for statewide CTE legislation, including efforts to expand awareness and access, improve middle school exposure, invest in equipment and facilities, and strengthen ties to workforce boards and labor pathways. Quincy officials described their CTE system as integrated with academics and highlighted support from district, city, and state partners. School leaders outlined Quincy’s CTE offerings, including 15 Chapter 74 programs at Quincy High School and four at North Quincy High School, with about 1,360 students enrolled. Presenters emphasized curriculum aligned to DESE frameworks, work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials, safety training, business electives, dual enrollment and articulation with Quincy College, and grant funding such as Skills Capital and Perkins. They also discussed support liaisons for nontraditional careers and military pathways, advisory committees, and plans to seek Chapter 74 approval for an engineering program at North Quincy, along with new computer science and business offerings. Testimony from MassHire South Shore described workforce partnerships, YouthWorks, job fairs, resume workshops, and the Credit for Life Fair, while the assistant superintendent explained Quincy’s MyCAP planning grant and efforts to build a student-driven college and career readiness system. Three students testified about their pathways in welding, early education and care, and healthcare technology, describing hands-on learning, certifications, clinical or co-op experiences, and future plans for college and careers. Committee members praised Quincy as a model for combining CTE with general education, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and unanimous adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to go on over to slide 9 and just quickly tell you some priorities.
• Positions are filled only when workload demand and legislative priorities clearly justify doing so.
• We had a presentation, but you know that our number one priority is to get a qualified teacher in every

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of State's Division of Historical Resources, demonstrating that this was now a funded priority
• provides that remediation plans may require the properties of any size within the boundary of a priority
• the strike-all amendment ratifies rules relating to the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Priority

Transcript Highlights:

• Another priority of mine is transparency and greater family involvement.
• Robert Astellos: Another priority of mine is transparency and greater family involvement.
• Another priority is just being a good partner for the betterment of our clients with families, providers

Bills: S1002, S1016, S1030, S1594, S1630

Keywords: child welfare, substance abuse, neglect, parental rights, drug exposure, Medicaid, disabilities, employment, healthcare access, income eligibility, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health, aging services, disability assistance, long-term care, Alzheimer's support

Summary: The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably. The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• questions about the new caucus or what questions about the new caucus or what the<00:08:33.360> priorities
• > we<00:08:34.479> are<00:08:35.200> thinking<00:08:35.519> about, the priorities
• we are thinking about, the priorities we are thinking about, um,<00:08:36.479> please<00:08:36.719

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the introduction of 23 House bills by number only after suspending the rules. Members then made several announcements, including birthday recognition for a member from Derby, a farm-to-school and universal school meals observance highlighting local agriculture, school nutrition, and five years of universal school meals, and welcomes for guests including the Garvey family, who were connected to legislation that became H.613. Additional announcements noted upcoming caucus meetings for Working Vermonters, Vermont’s economy, the rural caucus, and House Progressives, along with a reminder that a House photo and workplace training would follow adjournment. On the action calendar, the House took up H.28, relating to adding an affirmation option to oath requirements in titles 1 through 10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. The bill was read a third time and passed on voice vote. The chamber then considered H.409, relating to procedures for bail revocation. Representative Goodnau of Brattleboro offered an amendment, which was adopted on voice vote, and the amended bill was then read a third time and passed on voice vote. The discussion on H.409 referenced a Judiciary Committee straw poll and described the amendment as making the bill a more accurate reflection of its purpose. After completing the day’s orders, members made final caucus and scheduling announcements. The House Democrats and House Republicans said they would not caucus that day, while House Progressives announced a noon meeting in Room 44. The House then voted to adjourn until Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., with the motion approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess if we do have a priority array that we utilize normally in our, and it's normally with our safety
• We call them underfunded critical priorities.
• And those are the five unfunded critical priorities.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee devoted its meeting to a presentation from Troy Suing of the Department of Transportation on state highway preservation needs. Suing said DOT is a leader in asset planning, but that current funding is not enough to keep up with the condition of highways, bridges, and other assets. He distinguished operations and maintenance from preservation, and described the preservation program’s main parts: pavements, bridges, and other highway facilities such as slopes, rest areas, signal systems, retaining walls, and culverts. Suing reported that about 40% of state roads are already overdue for preservation and that, with current funding, as much as 85% could need preservation within 10 years. He said there are more than 7,900 lane miles currently due, and that delaying work past the “lowest life cycle zone” increases risk and can cost three to five times more later. For bridges, he said the state has about 3,400 bridges, an average age of 52 years, and roughly 10% are over 80 years old; the share of bridges in poor condition is about 9.9%, near the federal threshold that could trigger more federal oversight. He also highlighted culvert failures, including one on SR-510, and the closed Carbon River Bridge on SR-165 as examples of how deferred preservation can lead to closures and community disruption. Committee members questioned the comparison to national asset management leadership, liability risk as roads deteriorate, the cost and regulatory burden of bridge projects, and whether DOT is relying more on its own crews for bridge work because of cost and urgency. Suing said the department is underfunded to fully implement its asset plans and is forced to focus on risk, emergent needs, and the most critical bridge work first. He said DOT’s 2026 supplemental budget identified preservation as one of five unfunded critical priorities and estimated a 10-year preservation need of $8 billion to address the backlog and become proactive again. Members discussed whether targeted funding in the next biennium could help move the state back toward the “green zone,” and the chair closed by emphasizing the real-world impacts of bridge and road failures and the need for legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health care is a human right, and our state has made access to care a priority, and that includes accessing
• I am also standing as a proud co-sponsor of this bill, as it also is a Latino caucus priority.
• And I certainly hope and know that this is an area where there should be some priorities placed in the

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several Senate bills focused on health care access, privacy, and public health data. SB 81 (Arreguín) would require health care facilities to create nonpublic areas and bar immigration enforcement from entering without a judicial warrant or court order, while also protecting disclosure of immigration-related information in medical records. The bill drew strong support from labor, immigrant-rights, health care, and patient advocacy groups, with committee members emphasizing patient safety and privacy; one member raised implementation concerns about how the restrictions would work in practice. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with one no vote recorded. SB 250 (Ochoa Bogh) would add skilled nursing facilities to DHCS’s managed care provider directory so Medi-Cal beneficiaries can more easily identify covered facilities. Supporters said the change would help seniors and people with disabilities avoid confusion and rushed placement decisions, especially during hospital discharge, and would make existing information easier to use. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations on a unanimous vote. SB 717 (Richardson) would formally recognize California’s three regional cancer registries in state law to help preserve federal funding and support cancer surveillance data collection. The author and supporters said the measure would protect more than $15 million in annual federal support and strengthen cancer research and tracking; the committee approved it unanimously to Appropriations. SB 504 (Laird) would allow health care providers to disclose personally identifying information about previously reported HIV infections to state or local health officials when needed for disease control or care coordination. The author described the bill as a modernization of reporting and coordination practices, and supporters from the California Medical Association and Planned Parenthood backed it. The committee sent the bill out as amended to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on a unanimous vote. The meeting also included routine consent-calendar action and multiple add-on votes, with the committee repeatedly holding the roll open to record additional members’ votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ARE HOLDING OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MISSION IN TERMS OF ENROLLMENT IN THE PRIORITY OF WORKFORCE
• AND COMPLETIONS AND IT'S AN ELEGANT MODEL AND THAT IT CAN BE VERY RESPONSIVE TO STATE PRIORITY WORKFORCE
• WEIGHTS CAN BE CHANGED IN THE FUTURE WITHOUT CHANGING THE MODEL FUNDAMENTALLY TO BE RESPONSIVE TO PRIORITIES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bob, together with his wife Mary, made philanthropy a priority in the Winona community and far beyond
• Bob and his wife Mary made philanthropy a priority in the Winona community and far beyond, from the Hiawatha
• Bob and his wife Mary made philanthropy a priority in the Winona community and far beyond, from the Hiawatha

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from forming a select committee the day he was sworn in and referring bills on any of the countless priority
• bills that were killed intentionally by letting the clock run out last session were such critical priorities
• If the House doesn't act, priority legislation, like finally ending property taxes, risks failing.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this version of the bill you believe strikes the right balance to kind of balance those competing priorities
• Simple acts such as keeping our youngest passengers rear-facing and making the seat belt law a priority
• The reason that we're here today is that roadway safety is becoming a top priority for the Federation
• And so it is a top priority.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard testimony on several bills, beginning with a major workplace violence proposal for health care settings. Senator Lovely, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, the Massachusetts Hospital Association, and SEIU 1199 all supported legislation requiring hospitals and other health care employers to conduct facility-specific risk assessments, develop violence prevention plans, train workers, and provide reporting and protections for assaulted employees. Witnesses described workplace assaults as frequent and escalating, and committee members discussed balancing worker safety with concerns about criminalizing mental illness; testimony emphasized that the bill targets intentional assaults while preserving treatment and discretion for behavioral health crises. The committee also heard strong support for bills to strengthen traffic safety, including primary seat belt enforcement, rear-facing car seat requirements, and seat belts on school buses. AAA Northeast, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, law enforcement, legislators, and the Massachusetts Insurance Federation all backed the measures, citing crash data, injury prevention, and personal stories of traumatic brain injury. Senator O’Connor testified for school bus seat belts, saying Massachusetts should join other states requiring them, and later Sophia Furzada of the National Transportation Safety Board urged passage of school bus seat belt and child passenger safety bills, saying lap-shoulder belts would reduce injuries and save lives in crashes where compartmentalization is not enough. Other testimony included support for a bill to make 9-1-1 disability indicator forms more accessible and inclusive, with the witness arguing the form should better reflect mental health, developmental disabilities, language access needs, and a fifth-grade reading level. The committee also heard opposition to a proposal to extend Christian’s Law to swimming pools, with a parks and recreation director warning of unintended consequences for municipal camps and underserved communities. Finally, the committee took testimony on a bill to expand the Forensic Science Oversight Board to include workforce representation, which MOSES said would restore technical expertise to the board. At the end of the hearing, the committee adjourned without taking votes on the bills discussed.