Transcript Highlights:

• When the American people, this Chamber respects them. Politics should never come into play. Mr.
• We need to respect tribal sovereignty and our environment.
• WE NEED TO RESPECT TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.
• Respect that you deserve.
• Resolved, that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn as a further mark of respect to the memory of

Bills: HR874 , HB5371 , HR873

Keywords: Richard B. Cheney, Congress, House of Representatives, respect, resolution, continuing resolution, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, omnibus, government funding, federal budget, USDA, Department of Agriculture, FDA, Food and Drug Administration, Veterans Affairs, VA health care, military construction, legislative branch, Congress funding

Transcript Highlights:

• And while I respect tremendously. Representative Hopper discussed in terms of Jill Glover.
• Life did have an impact on you, and maybe that is why you're here, and I respect that.
• With great respect from my friend Representative Romero.
• I'm trying to be respectful given the subject matter that you just placed before the body.
• But I think that today of all days, we all need a lesson. in learning how to respect each other.

Bills: HB630 , HB420 , HB767 , HB1708 , HB2842 , HB1404 , HB2457 , HB140 , HB333 , HB227 , HB913 , HB201 , HB2198 , HB 109 , HB2763 , HB519 , HB 1261 , HB 1135 , HB1318 , HB2358 , HB2415 , HB2765 , HB2735 , HB3307 , HB1373 , HB694 , HB 1242 , HB272 , HB1437 , HB1888 , HCR78 , HCR12 , HCR128 , HR7 , HR11 , HR37 , HR69 , HR83 , HR89 , HR100 , HR123 , HR129 , HR137 , HR254 , HR258 , HR289 , HR293 , HR318 , HR324 , HR350 , HR368 , HR370 , HR372 , HR379 , HR406 , HR407 , HR432 , HR445 , HR471 , HR504 , HR506 , HR507 , HR528 , HR567 , HR572 , HR591 , HR592 , HR593 , HR603 , HR614 , HR621 , HR673 , HR684 , HR685 , HR687 , HR700 , HR701 , HR711 , HR712 , HR754 , HR757 , HR758 , HR760 , HR764 , HR765 , HR766 , HR767 , HR768 , HR769 , HR770 , HR771 , HR772 , HR774 , HR776 , HR777 , HR778 , HR779 , HR780 , HR783 , HR784 , HR784 , HR6 , HR6 , HR17 , HR17 , HR18 , HR18 , HR49 , HR49 , HR170 , HR170 , HR236 , HR236 , HR247 , HR275 , HR355 , HR356 , HR364 , HR672 , HR690 , HR690 , HR755 , HR755 , HR756 , HR756 , HR759 , HR759 , HR762 , HR762 , HR763 , HR763 , HR781 , HR781 , HR785 , HR785 , SB2 , SB260 , SB569 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 420, Texas Water Code, special district, water district, board meetings, meeting location, teleconference, videoconference, remote meeting, public hearing, tax rate hearing, special districts, Cedar Creek Reservoir, county boundary, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Awareness is that first step in respect. respect. respect.
• whether the environment is safe and whether the environment is safe and respectful. respectful. respectful
• Am I being as respectful as I can? Some Am I being as respectful as I can?
• </c> creating a respectful workplace. creating a respectful workplace.
• . respect. respect.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:54.760><c> to</c><00:02:55.040><c> HB</c> committee with respect to HB committee with respect
• </c><00:09:23.560><c> with</c> while at the same time respecting with while at the same time respecting
• agreement with respect to the question agreement with respect to the question of<00:09:42.680><c> State
• So also, we have seen, with respect, as I've read the literature, with respect to what's going on in
• as I've read the literature with respect as I've read the literature with respect<00:24:42.520><c> to

Summary: The subcommittee work session of the Education Policy and Administration Committee focused on House Bill 131 and House Bill 781, which were described as nearly identical bills addressing student cell phone use in schools. Members noted that HB 781 is an early bill and therefore needed committee action by Wednesday, while HB 131 did not face that deadline. The chair and members discussed the bills’ shared goal of requiring school boards to develop and adopt policies on student personal device use, with debate over whether the state should set minimum standards or leave more to local control. A major topic was funding. One member urged the committee to avoid creating an unfunded mandate and asked for some funding support, while others argued it was too early to commit money and that the committee should first establish the policy framework. The governor’s proposed funding was discussed, including a $1 million figure in the budget and a separate $250,000 amount referenced in the bill, but several members said the money would likely be insufficient to cover all students or pouch systems statewide. The committee also reviewed a handout reflecting proposed budget language that would require school boards to adopt policies on personal device use during the school day, with schoolwide implementation and exceptions for medical disability or language proficiency needs, and a DOE-administered grant program. Members spent considerable time on drafting details, especially deadlines and exceptions. They debated whether the bills should require school boards to “develop,” “adopt,” or also “implement” policies, and whether the effective date of the act should also serve as the deadline for school boards. They also discussed whether exceptions for classroom instructional use should be mandatory or merely encouraged, and whether the bills should explicitly include or exclude charter schools. Additional proposed exceptions included IEPs, 504 plans, English learners, and medical needs such as glucose sensors or insulin pumps, with some members suggesting medical issues be certified by a physician. No final vote or formal action was taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Respect the Subbury Town Meeting vote in favor the provisions of 5521.
• The decisions made at those meetings have been respected and implemented.
• This vote deserves the same respect.
• Those votes should be respected and upheld.
• for the townspeople and the respect for the townspeople.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several late-file local bills, with testimony focused mainly on municipal governance and election-related home rule petitions. Representative Silver supported H.5556 for a Fall River polling place change, saying the locations were reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office and supported locally to improve accessibility, especially for voters with disabilities. Testimony also supported H.5539 for Danvers recall elections and S.3118/H.5542 concerning the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, where witnesses said a candidate was improperly left off the ballot due to an administrative error and should be allowed to fill the full three-year term. Most of the hearing centered on H.5521, Sudbury’s recall-election petition. Supporters argued the measure was lawfully adopted at a heavily attended special town meeting, reflected local self-government, and provided an accountability tool for elected officials. They emphasized that recall provisions are common in Massachusetts and said the bill’s safeguards, including signature thresholds and election procedures, were reasonable. Several Sudbury residents and former officials described the meeting as well-publicized and broadly participatory, and urged the committee to respect the town vote. Opponents, including the Sudbury League of Women Voters, former officials, and residents, argued the bill was rushed, lacked public review, and should go through a fuller charter process. They objected to the absence of stated grounds for recall, the low 10% signature threshold, the short three-month waiting period, and the simultaneous successor-election feature. One witness asked that the bill be sent for further study rather than approved as written. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed by inviting written testimony and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• you had offered before. respect to the other provisions than you respect to the other provisions than
• </c> did with respect to point 11. did with respect to point 11.
• It sounded like you said uh with respect to employment you said uh with respect to employment that we're
• It sounded like you said uh with respect to employment you said uh with respect to employment that we're
• </c> Minnesota Human Rights Act with respect Minnesota Human Rights Act with respect to<00:15:30.000>

Transcript Highlights:

• This vote deserves the same respect. It was lawfully debated. This vote deserves the same respect.
• Those votes should be respected and upheld.
• elected roles, the will of the townspeople, and the respect of the townspeople and the respect of the
• townspeople and the respect ...for their elected roles, the will of the townspeople, and the respect
• We must respect both their participation and the outcome.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Transcript Highlights:

• immigrants and people of color, and we have seen this company refuses to treat this work with the respect
• immigrants and people of color, and we have seen this company refuses to treat this work with the respect
• immigrants and people of color, and we have seen this company refuses to treat this work with the respect
• immigrants and people of color, and we have seen this company refuses to treat this work with the respect
• immigrants and people of color, and we have seen this company refuses to treat this work with the respect

Transcript Highlights:

• Melissa Colossich with Western Growers in respectful opposition.
• Sophia Quach on behalf of the Bay Area Council in respectful opposition.
• Eileen Ricker with California's credit unions in respectful opposition.
• Sophia Quach on behalf of the Bay Area Council in respectful opposition.
• Eileen Ricker with California's credit unions in respectful opposition.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Transcript Highlights:

• With all due respect, I support this resolution as a way for us to move forward so that we as a state
• , honor, cooperation, and include respect, honor, cooperation, and most<00:19:52.160><c> of</c><00:19
• And so this um again with all<00:21:13.360><c> due</c><00:21:13.600><c> respect</c><00:21:13.840><c>
• With all due respect, I committees.
• Um, with all due respect to my chair of Public Safety, and I have high respect for her, and um want to

Transcript Highlights:

• All we're asking is for the House GOP to respect the will of the voters in Shakopee and the will of the
• We need to be able to get to a point where they are respecting the will of the voters of Shakopee.
• the will of the voters and they're going to respect the electoral power that voters gave to Democrats
• the will of the voters in Shaka respect the will of the voters in Shaka and<00:01:28.759><c> the</c>
• :35.520><c> the</c> voters and they're going to respect the voters and they're going to respect the Electoral

Transcript Highlights:

• to being able to have more decision-making authority with respect to their individual utility bills.
• You know, we have a chairman, I respect a lot of people in this room respect, who has been very fair,
• respectful, and somebody that you can talk to.
• YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A CHAIRMAN, I RESPECTA LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM RESPECT.
• I HAS BEEN VERY FAIR, RESPECTFUL AND SOMEBODY THAT YOU CAN TALK TO.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of utility and public service bills and resolutions. A resolution sponsored by Senator Scarcella-Spanton designating April 9, 2026, as Yellow Ribbon Day was adopted after remarks honoring veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The chamber then moved through several Public Service Law measures focused on utility affordability, consumer protections, and PSC procedures, with some bills laid aside and others advanced. Among the bills passed were measures by Senators Mayer, Cleare, Hinchey, Comrie, and Parker. Debate on the Mayer bill centered on limiting utility expenses and fees recoverable in rate cases; supporters said it was part of a broader package to reform PSC practices, while opponents argued it would not lower current bills and had been softened from earlier versions. The Webb bill creating a residential utility usage monitoring program drew extended debate over whether it would meaningfully reduce costs, who would pay for the program, and whether it could lead to government monitoring of household usage; supporters said it would give consumers more control and transparency, while critics said it would not lower rates. The Gonzalez bill, which would add consumer protections during PSC investigations and delay shutoffs in certain circumstances, also passed after questions about whether it applied to rate cases, with the sponsor saying rate cases were explicitly excluded. Several members explained their votes, with supporters emphasizing affordability, transparency, and consumer protection, and opponents arguing the package would not address immediate rate relief and could burden ratepayers or encourage nonpayment. Senator Tedisco and others criticized PSC appointments and state energy policy, while Democratic sponsors argued the bills were part of a longer-term effort to reform utility regulation and address climate and affordability concerns. The chamber restored multiple bills to the non-controversial calendar before final votes, and the recorded results showed passage of the major utility bills by substantial margins, along with one amendment appeal being ruled nongermane and rejected.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with respect continuity of service.
• c> question</c><00:45:01.760><c> uh</c> with respect to your question uh with respect to your question
• I guess to what's happening with respect I guess to the<00:45:27.599><c> follow-up.
• And with respect to enhanced prepayment review, those aren't policy changes.
• ><01:03:31.200><c> review,</c> respect to enhanced prepayment review, respect to enhanced prepayment

Bills: HF3378

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect
• April 15, 2021, which was expanded in scope in Executive Order 14066 of March 8th, 2022, and with respect
• </c><00:07:27.199><c> to</c> national emergency with respect to national emergency with respect to specified
• </c><00:07:47.280><c> to</c><00:07:47.520><c> which</c> 8th, 2022 and with respect to which 8th, 2022
• to specified harmful 14024 with respect to specified harmful foreign<00:09:24.399><c> activities</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government should respect the state.
• The federal government should respect the state.
• The federal government should respect the state.
• The federal government should respect the state.
• The federal government should respect the state.

Bills: HF3396

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: property tax, task force, assessment, state revenue, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• I respect the fact that time, and there's—you can go through a multitude of ranges in these discussions
• Every aspect, I know you all heard the presentations over the years with respect to the challenges at
• With respect to demographics, obviously the predominant population is over the age of 65.
• Now, with respect to pay, is really the biggest difference people are familiar with.
• With respect to turnover... It's not recovered yet there.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Marty Wright, CEO of the West Virginia Healthcare Association, on the state’s long-term care system. He described the continuum from home care to assisted living to skilled nursing facilities, emphasizing that these settings increasingly serve short-term rehab-to-home patients as well as older adults needing round-the-clock care. He also outlined the number of facilities in West Virginia, the predominance of Medicaid as the payer for long-term nursing home care, the private-pay nature of assisted living, and the role of OFAC/CMS in regulation. A major focus of the presentation was workforce shortages and turnover, especially for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, along with declining interest in nursing careers and the impact of regulatory burden and burnout. Wright said the system is also struggling to serve younger patients with substance use disorder, mental illness, or other behavioral needs, who are often not well suited for traditional nursing home placement but have limited alternatives. Senators raised concerns about where such patients are being housed, the long-term effects of opioid and behavioral health issues, and the gap between school-age special needs populations and adult care needs. Wright said Medicaid can cover long-term nursing home care for those who meet financial and medical eligibility requirements, but affordability and spend-down requirements remain major barriers. He also warned that Medicare Advantage can create confusion and shorter covered stays for rehab patients, and he urged early planning around long-term care insurance and estate planning. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know a number of the presenters are here, so I want to be respectful of their time.
• Chris McAley on behalf of the LA Chamber, and respectful opposition to this measure.
• California Retailers Association in respectful opposition.
• Jacob Brent with the California Retailers Association, in respectful opposition.
• And so for that reason, we are in respectful opposition. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with testimony largely focused on workforce development, worker privacy, wage theft, and workplace safety. AB 296 would require schools and districts to host apprenticeship fairs at least once per year; supporters said it would expose students to skilled-trades careers, while school administrators opposed the mandate as too broad, especially for elementary schools and districts without local apprenticeship programs. AB 1221 and AB 1331 both sought to curb invasive workplace surveillance, with labor groups arguing that AI, biometric, and algorithmic monitoring can be discriminatory and chill worker rights, while business and industry groups warned the bills were too broad and could interfere with security, cybersecurity, and ordinary workplace operations. AB 1181 would require firefighter turnout gear to be free of cancer-causing chemicals, and AB 1198 would require prevailing wage rates on public works to reflect the wage in effect when work is performed; both drew support from labor and construction witnesses, while local governments and other stakeholders raised cost and implementation concerns. AB 1251 would require private employers to disclose whether a job posting is for an actual vacancy, and AB 692 would prohibit employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave employment; both bills were supported by worker advocates and opposed by employer groups who said the measures were overly broad or unnecessary under existing law. The committee also heard AB 552, AB 1110, AB 1136, and AB 1234, which respectively would allow the Agricultural Labor Relations Board to locate its main office outside Sacramento, update Cal/OSHA poster information, expand high road training partnership eligibility, and strengthen the wage claim process by encouraging employer participation and allowing judgments when employers fail to respond. Several bills were voted out on due-pass motions, including AB 1198, AB 1251, AB 1221, AB 1331, AB 552, AB 1110, AB 1136, and AB 692; AB 1181 was approved by the committee but remained on call, and AB 296 was heard in subcommittee without a vote. AB 963 was pulled by the author.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I respect the right of the right to work.
• And I respect the right of the right to work, and I respect the right of the right to work in the United
• I believe the NLRB definitely has its authority and I respect that authority.
• I respect the fact that you are from a right-to-work state, and I respect the fact that you can continue
• And so I will present to him. clear facts from all of their respective states.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Keywords: PRO Act, labor laws, worker rights, unionization, right-to-work, public testimony, political polarization

Summary: The meeting centered around an in-depth discussion of the PRO Act, with representatives expressing passionate opinions both for and against the legislation. Representative Chavez de Rimmer emphasized the importance of worker freedom, arguing that the PRO Act would infringe upon individual rights by coercing unionization. This perspective was strongly received by members from right-to-work states, who articulated their concerns about the potential erosion of workers' choices and protections. Speaker after speaker conveyed conflicting views on labor laws, indicating a deeply polarized environment surrounding labor issues at the moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This President’s reckless policies with respect to tariffs.
• This President’s reckless policies with respect to tariffs.
• This President’s reckless policies with respect to tariffs.
• This President’s reckless policies with respect to tariffs.
• This President’s reckless policies with respect to tariffs.

Bills: HCR74 , HJR72 , HR1042 , HR1048

Keywords: joint session, Congress, communication, President, HCR74, national emergency, government authority, Executive Order, legislative action, rule, special rule, House resolution, floor procedure, procedural resolution, firearms, gun laws, less-than-lethal weapons, weapons technology, National Marine Sanctuaries Act, undersea fiber optic cables

Transcript Highlights:

• This instead is an effort to respect... This instead is an effort to respect both.
• This is an effort to respect both.
• This instead is an effort to respect in us to do. This instead is an effort to respect both.
• This is an effort to respect both.
• And again, I have the utmost respect from my good friend.

Summary: The Senate took up several local and special bills on third reading and final passage. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate 1831, a Rutland bill providing killed-in-the-line-of-duty benefits for Joanne Saundi as the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy, and also passed to be engrossed two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum age requirement for police officer appointments. The chamber then enacted bills concerning police age requirements in Newton and Stonem, sending them to the Governor. It also adopted two congratulatory resolutions, including one for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and another recognizing the Italian Consulate in Boston and Italian National Day. The Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition from Rep. Carol Fiola to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, proposing a temporary pilot to let municipalities extend liquor-license hours and allow public consumption in designated districts during summer 2026. The chamber also addressed House 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in a Senate amendment; the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee, naming Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. A major floor debate centered on Senate 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide documents in four clarified categories—budgets, audits, balance-forward transactions, and monetary settlement agreements—while preserving constitutional separation-of-powers objections to broader requests. Opponents argued the Senate should have sought the court’s guidance earlier and that the documents should be produced without further delay. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote, 33-6. The Senate then adjourned in memory of William F. Howard of Beverly and set its next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m.