Transcript Highlights:

• It also proposes reauthorization of popular programs funded by the FY22 Transportation Bond Bill, which
• If you can get the bonding, we'll accept it. That's bottom of a deal.
• For example, for the first time this year, the Governor's Chapter 90 bond bill provides $200 million
• As you know, our environmental bond bill, which has been reported favorably both out of the Committee
• For example, for the first time this year, the Governor's Chapter 90 bond bill provides $200 million

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization. MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades. Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• projects and using revenue, what I'd call pledged revenue from our housing unit, to pay for those bonds
• . ...our housing unit to pay for those bonds.
• If any local banks or local financial institutions would be interested in buying those bonds, in essence
• That was a process that even NDSU and Bruce's team, they sort of shifted to working with their own bond
• of a CFO while you're in a bonding process can impact that funding.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• projects and using revenue, what I'd call pledged revenue from our housing unit, to pay for those bonds
• . our housing unit to pay for those bonds.
• I, I think that, you know, what I can tell you is that DSU was working with bond counsel prior to the
• That was a process that even NDSU and Bruce's team, they sort of shifted to working with their own bond
• of a CFO while you're in a bonding process can impact that funding.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• My child was denied critical early bonding, and I was denied the opportunity to care for and nurture
• I was simply locked away while the fragile bond that I was trying to maintain with my child was quietly
• future of families reuniting and families becoming stabilized, that bonding is imperative.
• Bonding, and as we want to look toward the future of families reuniting, families becoming stabilized
• , that bonding is imperative.

Summary: The committee first adopted a seven-bill consent calendar, then heard several public safety measures. AB 1127 by Assembly Member Gabriel would restrict sale of certain semi-automatic handguns that can be easily converted to automatic weapons with “switches”; supporters, including Everytown and Moms Demand Action, said it targets a specific Glock-style design flaw linked to mass shootings, while the NRA and gun-rights groups argued the bill duplicates existing federal law and effectively bans popular handguns. The bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Judiciary and remained on call. AB 468, also by Gabriel, would increase penalties and clarify offenses involving looting and impersonating emergency personnel in evacuation zones and during disasters; firefighters, district attorneys, and law enforcement supported it as a deterrent, while public defenders and justice advocates warned it was overbroad and could worsen racial profiling. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, also held on call. The committee then heard AB 1187 by Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez, which would require eight hours of firearm safety training, including live-fire instruction, before obtaining a firearm safety certificate and would add a requirement for new residents who import firearms. Supporters said California should require training comparable to other safety-sensitive activities and that the measure would reduce gun deaths; opponents argued the bill misunderstands the existing FSC process, would be hard to implement because of range and instructor limits, and would burden a constitutional right. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and was held on call. The committee also heard AB 1424 by Rodriguez, which would require CDCR climate resiliency and heat-safety measures in prisons, including temperature monitoring, shade, showers, fans, and emergency planning. Prisoner-rights and labor groups strongly supported the bill, citing extreme heat, wildfire, and flooding risks, while one opponent said the monitoring mandate could be too costly; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Labor and Employment and held on call. Finally, the committee began hearing AB 1258 by Assembly Member Kalra, which would extend the sunset of the Young Adult Deferred Entry Program through 2029 for selected counties. Kalra and Santa Clara County Judge Erica You described the program’s success in reducing recidivism and providing wraparound services for young adults with felony charges, including housing, counseling, and parenting support. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on AB 1258.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, it's not as clean of a bill for GO bond for capital investment.
• Chair, it's not as clean of a bill for GO bond for capital investment.
• for capital investment for goo bond for capital investment um<00:32:37.679> if<00:32:37.880><
• The outcomes of those trips include improved well-being and stronger community bonds.
• various hard times that group is bonded various hard times that group is bonded and<01:19:14.199

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the daily market value. ...here is the fund value, here's the daily market value, and it's broadly bonds
• the in-state investment itself, that if it's not called for, it just stays in an investment, either bonds
• at any kind of investment operation, whether it is in the public arena like public stocks or public bonds
• owning stocks, but the same kind of stock risk embedded in things like real estate, in high-yield bonds
• in the capital stack. ...and also recycling the money, because even if it's a relatively long-term bond

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mention here is that there are only several eligible activities that are allowed under the severance tax bond
• ago before we got the first tranche of money, if you will, with the State Board of Finance and their Bond
• The next slide here is the severance tax bond certified use allocation.
• won't close for a year because they've got to get all the LIHTC funding and potentially taxes and bonds
• That's about $200 million more than we have available from both the severance tax bonds and the remaining

Transcript Highlights:

• They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.
• They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.
• They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.
• They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.
• They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 22, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, the Office of the Public Defender, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, argued the bill would protect due process and constitutional rights regardless of immigration status. Some supporters requested amendments, including removing a probable-cause terrorism provision, adding enforcement language, and preserving warrant requirements. Public testimony was heavily in favor, with the chair announcing 91 testimonies in support and 52 in opposition. The committee then heard HB 73, which would prohibit setting aside public lands for immigration detention facilities. Testifiers in support said public land should serve local needs, not detention centers, and cited housing, food security, and community trust concerns. The Office of the Public Defender and others also supported the measure, and the chair reported 85 testimonies in support and 40 in opposition. The committee next took up HB 438, which would fund legal representation for people in immigration proceedings. Supporters, including the Public Defender, the University of Hawaiʻi Law School Refugee and Immigration Clinic, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU, emphasized the civil nature of immigration court, the severe consequences of removal, and the need for more pro bono and trained attorneys. Several suggested amendments focused on training and building a legal-services pipeline; the chair reported 83 testimonies in support and 51 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 457, aimed at requiring notice to detained individuals about their rights when ICE seeks to interview them or has a detainer request. Supporters said the bill would ensure people understand their right to remain silent and to refuse interviews, and the Legal Clinic suggested the warning be given orally, potentially via recorded messages, rather than only in writing. The Office of the Public Defender noted the bill aligns with existing due-process warnings in criminal court and suggested referencing current law. Finally, HB 476, which would raise the capital gains tax rate, drew support from Hawaiʻi Appleseed on fairness grounds; the Department of Taxation said it would review revenue questions but had no estimate available. After recess, the committee returned to decision-making and moved HB 22 forward on the chair’s recommendation of HD1, with the chair noting that the bill already contained language allowing counties to adopt stronger standards and protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of those, if we're going to do those sorts of specified projects, those all show up in the bonding
• putting together the the bonding putting together the the bonding committee.<01:43:37.600> A<
• Bonding bill. Bonding bill. All right. You can adjourn. >> Excellent.
• Bonding Committee or do we need to make a request that they come here? Senator Dziedzic.
• Um, I think for the purpose, we will hear, even if for hearing a bill that is in the Bonding Committee

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Treasury bond, which tends to be a lower interest rate, okay?
• Treasury bond, which tends to be a lower interest rate, okay?
• Treasury bond.
• Treasury bond, which tends to be a lower interest rate, okay?
• Treasury bond.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:12 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:34 Actuarial Valuation Update – KPPA: 00:02:10 Actuarial Valuation Update – TRS: 00:25:32, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from KPPA officials Ryan Barrow and Erin Saratt on the annual actuarial valuations for the retirement and insurance systems. They said the systems’ funding status improved overall, with three of five insurance funds fully funded, CERS hazardous dropping from over 100% funded to 90.9% because of premium changes, and KRS receiving $650 million in supplemental funding over the biennium. They also reported strong investment returns above assumed rates, higher payroll and membership counts, and resulting actuarial losses tied to higher salaries and premiums, especially on the insurance side. Members asked several questions about what drove the actuarial losses and whether legislation affected them. KPPA said the CERS insurance loss was driven by premium increases and Senate Bill 10, while the pension-side losses were largely due to higher payroll and benefits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 members. They explained that new Tier 3 employees are designed to add no additional unfunded liability, and that the state administers the systems but does not directly control all hiring. Questions also focused on retiree health premiums, which KPPA said rose about 15% for non-Medicare retirees and 38% for Medicare retirees, with the increase attributed to utilization, prescription costs, and the Inflation Reduction Act. The committee then heard from TRS Deputy Executive Secretary and General Counsel Beau Barnes on the 2025 TRS actuarial valuation. He reported that the Retirement Annuity Trust and Health Insurance Trust both received full funding, the retirement trust’s funded ratio improved to 61%, TRS 4 remains well funded with no liability, and the health insurance trust improved to 89.1%. Barnes said TRS is on track to fully fund legacy liabilities within the amortization period, with 2044 as the point when the system reflects 100% funding and 2046 as the last year needing additional dollars for the legacy liability. He also explained that lower assumed investment returns and updated mortality assumptions increased liabilities, but that TRS uses direct rate smoothing for budgeting purposes. At the end of the meeting, the chair circulated a proposed set of “do’s and don’ts of pensions,” emphasizing that future legislation should not create unfunded liabilities. Barnes also noted he would later discuss several legislative proposals for the 2026 session, but the transcript provided ends before that discussion or any votes on those proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• superintendent didn't say was the Amherst voters had shot down the last three ballot initiatives for a new bond
• superintendent didn't say was the Amherst voters had shot down the last three ballot initiatives for a new bond
• superintendent didn't say was the Amherst voters had shot down the last three ballot initiatives for a new bond
• superintendent didn't say was the Amherst voters had shot down the last three ballot initiatives for a new bond
• superintendent didn't say was the Amherst voters had shot down the last three ballot initiatives for a new bond

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a bond attorney with Taft Law and representing the Minnesota Institute of Public Finance today.”
• She said this is still more than required by federal law for the types of bonds to which federal law
• She said this is still more than required by federal law for the types of bonds to which federal law
• Sections 7 and 8 relate to deadlines for bonds issued under the volume cap program at the state level
• Sections 7 and 8 relate to deadlines for bonds issued under the volume cap program at the state level

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, would you consider bringing it in bonding?
• <01:46:32.880> Um putting this in a bonding request.
• Um putting this in a bonding request.
• The bonding this from the general fund.
• bringing it in bonding? bringing it in bonding?

Bills: HF1323, HF3500

Keywords: undocumented, financial aid, state policy, higher education, noncitizen eligibility, funding, storm damage relief, Bemidji State University, reforestation, state appropriations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, HB 2253 fills the gap in current law by allowing local governments to cancel bond elections
• Um, my question to you is, we have a difference in what we think about most bond...
• You and I agree that there should be more voters, especially when we're doing a bond election.
• Whether I believe in bonds or not, I believe that it's important. for the mass number.
• This prevents a few people from passing, perhaps, a bad bond in the wake of a national disaster.

Bills: HJR73, HB31, HB279, HB370, HB4768, HB513, HB875, HB982, HB 1085, HB2677, HB2874, HB5478, HB4880, HB4798, HB4514, HB4958, HB4508, HB3758, HB3830, HB3744, HB3622, HB741, HB2204, HB2860, HB4659, HB4578, HB813, HB712, HB1551, HB2790, HB2698, HB3365, HB3504, HB3118, HB2959, HB1862, HB 1026, HB4401, HB4164, HB3920, HB4737, HB4966, HB4967, HB1958, HB4979, HB5459, HB3862, HB1823, HB4415, HB4893, HB2343, HB 1228, HB4337, HCR141, SB250, SB1883, SB617, SB2411, SB2306, SB2929, SB552, SCR27, HJR218, HB168, HB2545, HB5436, HB4926, HB5165, HB4811, HB4755, HB3179, HB4310, HB4611, HB3637, HB3153, HB2786, HB2966, HB2159, HB5081, HB638, HB640, HB876, HB4809, HB5308, HB4687, HB5623, HB4412, HB3284, HB3420, HB3449, HB4098, HB4281, HB4120, HB4504, HB4370, HB4421, HB 1106, HB4070, HB2370, HB2407, HB2253, HB2273, HB2040, HB1586, HB3788, HB3993, HB4690, HB4696, HB2308, HB 1142, HB1533, HB1621, HB2242, HB2012, HB2193, HB2464, HB2348, HB2313, HB2289, HB1942, HB2011, HB1629, HB2993, HB3592, HB4076, HB4623, HB4535, HB4327, HB4520, HB3824, HB4921, HB2494, HB3066, HJR112, HB2695, HB3138, HB2442, HB3863, HJR73, HB4773, HB 1091, HB5115, HB5515, HB3372, HB5659, HB 127, HB386, HB 115, HB2868, HB 1249, HB4766, HB3720, HB4656, HB4879, HB 105, HB5383, HB4621, HB5431, HB5678, HB5534, HB4174, HB4212, HB3954, HB3966, HB3636, HB3918, HB1422, HB4765, HB4732, HB4742, HB5122, HB4518, HB5084, HB3986, HB4045, HB4144, HB3911, HB3976, HB4473, HB3425, HB3641, HB3642, HB3475, HB3509, HB3424, HB3383, HB4744, HB4531, HB4539, HB3159, HB5228, HB5370, HB4359, HB4398, HB4443, HB4466, HB3861, HB3849, HB4240, HB4706, HB4685, HB5354, HB5141, HB5686, HB3629, HB3554, HB3567, HB2015, HB3575, HB5381, HB1431, HB3514, HB4614, HB4546, HB4683, HB5681, HB5673, HB5663, HB4271, HB4350, HB4035, HB3807, HB3812, HB3552, HB3540, HB3715, HB3710, HB3664, HB4196, HB4233, HB4173, HB1998, HB3333, HB3510, HB4222, HB2070, HB2854, HB2347, HB 113, HB983, HB4847, HB1449, HB3833, HB5151, HB265, HB1845, HB782, HB 108, HB1960, HB158, HB1954, HB1955, HB2512, HB605, HB2581, HB2803, HB627, HB2667, HB1738, HB636, HB3679, HB2638, HB2655, HB871, HB2438, HB 1107, HB1765, HB1822, HB2153, HB4099, HB3732, HB3171, HB3178, HB3182, HB3749, HB2814, HB3977, HB4204, HB4207, HB4449, HB1820, HB1876, HB1939, HB1347, HB2593, HB2136, HB2132, HB2658, HB2413, HB2757, HB2080, HB3154, HB3063, HB3009, HB3448, HB3006, HB2844, HB3241, HB3680, HB3169, HB2078, HB2507, HB4559, HB3946, HB3460, HB3405, HB475, HB3463, HB3441, HB3520, HB2060, HB4731, HB4991, HB1991, HB5596, HB2014, HB2142, HB2673, HB2731, HB2417, HB2399, HB2301, HB3335, HB3234, HB3320, HB5573, HB4848, HB4748, HB4769, HB4795, HB2086, HB2234, HB2203, HB4916, HB5624, HB4505, HB139, HB5093, HB5302, HB5402, HB5606, HB2333, HB4630, HB4701, HB2583, HB2983, HB4924, HB3339, HB3793, HB3631, HB4882, HB5509, HB5499, HB5430, HB5561, HB5611, HB5043, HB5064, HB3733, HB3781, HB3219, HB32, HB4515, HB5348, HB3902, HB4420, HB3269, HB469, HB336, HB316, HB5396, HB993, HB1342, HB5216, HB2046, HB2188, HB2450, HB2813, HB2857, HB4075, HB2911, HB4682, HB3117, HB3253, HB3442, HB4820, HB4336, HB5356, HB3669, HB3428, HB5465, HB3662, HB2590, HB2288, HB1886, HB3458, HB5603, HB5620, HB1489, HB4101, HB4990, HB5685, HB4950, HB4980, HB5684, HB3507, HB3566, HB4487, HB4462, HB4876, HB4915, HB4663, HB5570, HB2929, HB5261, HB2920, HB4642, HB4746, HB1609, HB5403, HB5453, HB3844, HB2336, HB1572, HB 1226, HB2806, HB2617, HB2827, HB3948, HB3945, HB4266, HB4542, HB3319, HB1772, HB2496, HB1970, HB3434, HB5545, HB5577, HB31, HB279, HB370, HB4768, HB513, HB875, HB982, HB 1085, HB2677, HB2874, HB5478, HB4880, HB4798, HB4514, HB4958, HB4508, HB3758, HB3830, HB3744, HB3622, HB741, HB2204, HB2860, HB4659, HB4578, HB813, HB712, HB1551, HB2790, HB2698, HB3365, HB3504, HB3118, HB2959, HB1862, HB 1026, HB4401, HB4164, HB3920, HB4737, HB4966, HB4967, HB1958, HB4979, HB5459, HB3862, HB1823, HB4415, HB4893, HB2343, HB 1228, HB4337, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, tax limitation, elderly, disabled, low-income, homestead exemption, constitutional amendment, juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit

Transcript Highlights:

• We also pay for our debt service out of that set aside when there's a bonding bill and we have to pay
• We also pay for our debt service out of that set aside when there's a bonding bill and we have to pay
• We also pay for our debt service out of that set aside when there's a bonding bill and we have to pay
• We also pay for our debt service out of that set aside when there's a bonding bill and we have to pay
• We also pay for our debt service out of that set aside when there's a bonding bill and we have to pay

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• bill is going to occur successfully, and so having that bonding authority now limits our complexity
• So we think it's very important to increase that bonding authority.
• If not, then we would reserve the right to come back and ask the bonding committee for money to build
• Authority uh there is no bonding Authority uh there is no corresponding<00:29:29.000> cash<00
• to come back and ask the bonding to come back and ask the bonding committee<00:30:32.440> for

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bonds that come from the capital investment committee are just not consistent enough that we can
• So, you know, I do think we need to look at bonding bills every other year, get back to that cadence,
• The bonds that come from the capital investment committee are just not consistent enough that we can
• So, you know, I do think we need to look at bonding bills every other year, get back to that cadence,
• of you have been on the bonding of you have been on the bonding committee<00:30:24.519> there's

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud Financial they partnered with Lloyd's of London and have bond protection for things such as loss
• bond protection for<01:59:58.120> things<01:59:58.480> such<01:59:58.800> as<01
• that your organization sort of a bond that your organization pursues. pursues. pursues.
• coverage in the over overarching bond coverage in the event<02:06:50.280> of<02:06:50.640>
• <02:07:08.640> protection<02:07:09.280> or<02:07:09.360> insurance have bond

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• received a mix of general funds and bonding funds.
• <01:40:03.239> um initially was funded only through um initially was funded only through um bonds
• And then to offset that reduction, the bonding proposal would include a $2.7 million increase.
• If we could put that back up, the ask for an increase in labor... bonding proposal would include a $2.7
• bonding proposal would include a $2.7 million million million increase<01:40:34.000> and<01:40

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The prophet Isaiah taught us what genuine service to you looks like: to loosen the bonds of injustice
• Bonds of injustice, to let the oppressed go free, to share bread with the hungry, and to turn toward

Keywords: 998, house, all