Transcript Highlights:

• Business Center all had exception Business Center all had exception requests<01:39:59.920> that
• Derell earlier that he does not believe the free market still exists except in theory.
• Derell earlier that he does not believe the free market still exists except in theory.
• Derell earlier that he does not believe the free market still exists except in theory.
• Derell earlier that he does not believe the free market still exists except in theory.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to be clear that there is um that exception.
• I want to be clear that there is um that exception.
• exception for health and safety reasons. exception for health and safety reasons.
• And so if there are health exception.
• of of the health and the exception of of the health and safety<03:01:03.840> exemption.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and we believe that [clears throat]<00:17:31.360> the<00:17:32.480> exceptions<00:17
• :32.960> in<00:17:33.120> the [clears throat] the exceptions in the [clears throat] the
• exceptions in the bill<00:17:33.600> adequately<00:17:34.160> address<00:17:34.480>
• No police officer should wear a mask covering their face except for an extreme medical or cold weather
• <00:26:24.320> for<00:26:24.559> an covering their face except for an covering their

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on two immigration-enforcement bills: HB 1886 HD1 and HB 2540 HD1. HB 1886 would limit state and federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, require visible identification and restrictions on facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and create offenses for improper masking, lack of identification, and unauthorized civil immigration interrogation, arrest, or detention. HB 2540 would also limit state and federal collaboration, require law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written civil immigration enforcement policies, prohibit stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, and restrict state and county participation in civil immigration enforcement in certain places. Most testimony supported both measures. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and several private individuals said the bills would increase transparency, accountability, and community trust, and would help protect constitutional rights and reduce fear among immigrants and other community members. Several testifiers emphasized Hawaii’s history and the need to keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration enforcement, while others said the bills would help people feel safer going to court, school, work, or public protests. A retired police officer also supported visible identification and uniform standards for officers, including federal agents operating in Hawaii. A few testifiers opposed the use of masked or unidentified officers and argued that local police should not be diverted from ordinary public safety duties to immigration enforcement. One ACLU witness noted that the federal government has increasingly used local and state agencies to expand immigration enforcement, and said the task-force provisions in the bills are important to prevent blurred lines between agencies. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, but it recorded very large numbers of supportive testimonies for both bills, with only a small number in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is no exception. HB 224's fiscal note is entirely one-sided.
• be desired this bill is no exception be desired this bill is no exception hb22<00:21:05.320>
• Currently, you can see this is all the vaccines except I believe flu and COVID are not on here.
• <02:03:37.000> I this is all the vaccines except I this is all the vaccines except I believe
• Yeah, so where—because it says last state to report all House bills not in a second committee except

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 224, which would redirect most money from New Hampshire’s renewable energy fund back to electric ratepayers. The bill sponsor argued the measure would lower energy costs, noting recent utility rate increases and estimating annual savings of roughly $2.5 million to $7.3 million for ratepayers. Supporters said the fund has accumulated money that should be returned to customers rather than used for subsidies, and they emphasized that the state has already rebated similar funds from RGGI for years. Opponents, including Rep. Kat McGee, argued the renewable energy fund is a successful, nonlapsing dedicated fund that supports local clean-energy projects, energy resilience, emissions reductions, and private investment. McGee said the fiscal note overstated the benefit of rebates and understated the loss of investment, claiming the average annual rebate would amount to less than $10 per customer while the program has helped leverage significant private dollars and nearly 10,000 projects. She urged the committee to reject the bill as a poor deal for the state and ratepayers. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, the size of the rebate, whether the bill would set a precedent for other dedicated funds, and whether the program’s incentives amount to picking winners and losers. The Department of Energy testified neutrally, explaining how the renewable energy fund works, including renewable energy credits, alternative compliance payments, and the fund’s use for renewable energy initiatives. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:28:12.600> for<00:28:13.120> 215<00:28:13.919> which sort of separate except
• for 215 which sort of separate except for 215 which you<00:28:14.559> are<00:28:14.799> going
• <00:49:44.680> 22<00:49:45.240> years law okay since it's exception 22 years law okay
• since it's exception 22 years ago<00:49:47.000> um<00:49:47.480> so<00:49:47.799> how
• that's very very similar to this except that's very very similar to this except that<01:38:45.880

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 187, which would allow parents or guardians to seek restraining orders on behalf of a minor child even when the alleged perpetrator is not a family or household member. Tracy Sirles testified that the bill was prompted by her family’s experience after being told by state police to seek a restraining order, only to learn the current law did not allow it because the offender was the child’s best friend’s father. Members agreed the change was straightforward, noted the fiscal note reflected only a small indeterminate cost to the judicial branch, and moved House Bill 187 ought to pass; the motion was approved unanimously. The committee then discussed House Bill 66, a Right-to-Know bill that removes “citizen” language in favor of “person” in some provisions and allows certain New Hampshire-connected requesters to seek records electronically if the records already exist in that format. Members reviewed concerns about defining “member of the media,” the scope of electronic requests, and a sentence stating appeals would have no filing fee or search charge. After debate, the committee voted to amend the bill by removing that fee-waiver sentence, then recommended House Bill 66 ought to pass as amended. The vote was 6-3. Next, the committee heard from the Environment and Agriculture chair about several solid-waste-related bills being folded into trailer bill language, including House Bill 215 and House Bill 171, with discussion of a possible three-year landfill moratorium and the need to address DEES staffing and funding concerns. DEES later clarified that the revised approach would not require new positions or create a fiscal impact because the new solid waste commission would be self-funded through filing fees. The committee voted unanimously to retain House Bill 215. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 566, which requires landfill permit applications to include a detailed leachate management plan and more information about disposal contracts. The sponsor said the bill was developed with DEES to address leachate problems and improve safety oversight. DEES testified that the bill largely reflects current practice and would have no specific fiscal impact, with existing staff able to absorb any review workload. The committee moved House Bill 566 ought to pass, and the motion was approved unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 624, a grant program for local river management advisory committees, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an exception, however, for medical patients for that specific exception.
• These provisions specific exception.
• Thank you, Madam Chair. exception for smoking or inhalation uh exception for smoking or inhalation uh
• <01:15:01.840> that data that's that's utilized except that data that's that's utilized except
• :59.440> requirements provides an exception for requirements provides an exception for requirements

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to that, and I'll cover those five exceptions.
• covered exceptions to ordinarily covered services<01:53:26.320> that<01:53:26.480> Medicaid
• <01:55:06.800> U<01:55:06.920> to<01:55:07.119> provide CMS to get exceptions
• U to provide CMS to get exceptions U to provide certain<01:55:08.239> Services<01:55:09.239><
• <02:47:12.720> on<02:47:12.920> the<02:47:13.040> premium show that exception

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds. Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts. The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• sergeant of arms has asked me to mention is that there's no food or drink allowed in this chamber except
• The people of New Hampshire are largely want to be left alone, except when they need to make sure that
• I don't really have much to say except that I find it grossly typical that Democrats are looking for
• I really don't quite understand that except for the fact that people aren't listening to us.
• We're no smarter than they are in Massachusetts or Connecticut or California except we have held the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fair-minded thing with an exception fair-minded thing with an exception process<01:05:53.920>
• <01:05:55.119> process<01:05:55.520> we >> if there's no exception process we
• >> if there's no exception process we should<01:05:55.839> write<01:05:56.079> that<
• Can we get an<01:06:02.000> exception<01:06:02.880> process<01:06:03.359> in<01:
• Can we get an exception process in by the time it comes back here? Is it something you can...?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Except for the coroner that we bumped higher than Korn Ferry because of shortage.
• “Except, of course, the moderators, selectmen, and supervisors of the checklist that are required to
• Yes, except Representative Davis; he had the bill somewhere else.
• as permitted by this modification except as permitted by this section<05:17:08.680> and<05:17
• as otherwise permitted by rule except as otherwise permitted by the<05:17:26.920> section<05:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing opened on House Bill 192, which concerns the Joint Committee on Employee Classification process for state employee positions. Representative Peter Schmidt explained that the bill is a procedural step to send already-reviewed classifications to Korn Ferry and then into statute and the budget. Department of Corrections staff and Commissioner Helen Hanks testified that one Deputy Director of Medical Services position had been omitted from the bill by mistake even though it had already gone through the JCEC process, and they asked for an amendment to add it. Hanks clarified that the position is an existing classified job being converted to unclassified status, not a new position. The committee discussed how the amendment would work and the quorum requirements for the JCEC, then closed the hearing on HB 192 after no further testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 435, sponsored by Representative Don McFarland, which would clarify professional engineering licensure law. McFarland said the bill is intended to make clear that work in IT security, electronics, digital systems, computing, and software is not the practice of engineering requiring a professional engineer license, while preserving licensure requirements for fields such as civil, structural, and building-related engineering. He said he had consulted with the American Council of Engineering Companies and that the bill is meant to remove ambiguity and legal risk, not deregulate engineering. Several members with engineering backgrounds spoke in support, describing the distinction between licensed PE work and other technical fields, and one member noted that software development and regulated software work typically do not require a PE license. The committee voted ought to pass on HB 435 by a roll call of 16-0 and placed it on consent. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 210, which would create a commission to study the New Hampshire state flag. Representative Tom Corman argued that the current flag is a generic “state seal on a blue bedsheet” and does not meet common vexillological design principles such as simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited colors, and distinctiveness. He said the proposed commission would include legislative members plus representatives of the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New England Vexillological Association, and would review the flag’s history and recommend whether to redesign it and how to do so. He also indicated he intended to add language to avoid costs, but the bill discussion was not completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have too much to add except that the department does support this bill. cannabis program uh with
• c> the<00:19:38.520> department<00:19:38.880> does<00:19:39.080> support except
• that the department does support except that the department does support this<00:19:39.600> bill<
• We're doing everything we can to lower drug prices except this.
• <04:08:17.520> of cannabis program with the exception of cannabis program with the exception

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be available any day except if the court is not in session. Okay.
• That would be available<01:03:20.280> any<01:03:20.440> day<01:03:20.800> except
• This bill does all that they asked for except for striking the original bill.
• Um, this bill does all that they asked for except for striking the original bill.
• This bill does all that they asked for except for striking the original bill.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 129 members present, read the prior journal, and then took up a series of third-reading bills. Early action included unanimous passage of HB 159 (mail theft), HB 412 (child support and driver’s license suspension), HB 912 (trap-neuter-return policies for community cats), HB 914 (Worcester County Board of License Commissioners membership), HB 558 (Prince George’s County wine festival licenses), HB 1400 (shellfish aquaculture penalties), and HB 1463 (Anne Arundel County Board of Education constituent services liaison). HB 582, dealing with Prince George’s County alcoholic beverages licenses and voter registration requirements, drew brief debate over whether it removed or retained a voter registration condition; it ultimately passed 119-12. HB 846, a property tax exemption for the Hagerstown multi-use sports and events facility, passed 126-7 after a system delay interrupted proceedings. Several bills prompted more substantive discussion. HB 1218, the Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act, drew opposing explanations over a proposed public registry of properties with housing violations; supporters said it would help identify serious housing problems and improve compliance, while opponents objected to publicly naming private properties based on administrative findings. It passed 99-36. HB 525, the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, passed 135-1 after questions about enforcement, with supporters comparing it to ordinary classroom discipline. HB 1483, allowing out-of-state clinical professional counseling and social work providers to use telehealth for continuity of care, passed 135-0 after clarification that it applies to people moving into Maryland and allows a six-month continuity period. HB 1504, the Pedestrian Safety Act, passed unanimously. Later, HB 664 (Cecil County alcoholic beverages license quota) passed 134-1, and HB 837 (cardiovascular pre-screening for student athletic activities) passed 133-2 after the sponsor explained that reporting requirements were removed for cost reasons and the bill now mainly requires screening questions. HB 925, regulating PFAS in sewage sludge applied to farmland, generated the most extended debate: one delegate argued the bill’s limits were too weak and lacked liability for industry actors, while supporters said it establishes the first limits, requires wastewater treatment plants to reduce PFAS, and leaves room for future tightening; it passed 130-7. HB 1370, authorizing a pilot stop-sign monitoring program in Rising Sun, passed 109-26. HB 649, expanding Maryland Commission on Civil Rights enforcement to higher education discrimination claims, passed 100-35 after supporters said current protections are stronger for K-12 than for colleges. The House also passed HB 512 on compensation for Anne Arundel County license commissioners and inspectors, and the session continued into HB 661 on commemorative months.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I can't blame the ranking member for wanting to talk about everything except the bill before
• Speaker, I can't blame the ranking member for wanting to talk about everything except the bill before
• Speaker, I can't blame the ranking member for wanting to talk about everything except the bill before
• Everything except the bill before us.
• <03:30:17.920> here principle of free markets, except here principle of free markets, except

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, March 19, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:21:35.919> She<00:21:36.159> built<00:21:36.400> an<00:21:36.640> exceptional
• <00:21:37.200> district Lissa Richardson built an exceptional district team to make sure our
• I don't know why, except Mr.
• <04:39:27.439> Palone<04:39:28.080> kind I don't know why except Mr.
• Palone kind I don't know why except Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that, is there a motion for the commission to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2025, meeting, except
• that, is there a motion for the commission to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2025, meeting, except

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The commission met following an executive session on personnel matters and announced its intent to move forward with hiring Katie Comstock as the new director of the Legislative Research Commission. Members then approved, by roll call vote, a motion to adopt the October 1, 2025 minutes with specified exceptions, approve items under new business, accept and refer communications items 1 through 151 as indicated, and approve the report of the director selection committee. The motion carried with multiple aye/yes votes and no recorded opposition from those present. In other business, President Stivers thanked Speaker Pro Tem Meade and staff for their work preparing for the Southern Legislative Conference in Lexington, noting the event’s size and expected exposure for the area. Meade credited LRC staff, Jay Hartz, and partisan staff for the work, saying his role had mainly involved phone calls and meetings. Several members then offered extended remarks recognizing Jay Hartz for his leadership, professionalism, responsiveness, and long service to the commission and the building. Speakers said his work had set a standard for staff and legislators alike and wished him well in his next chapter. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• lines says allow for the restriction on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except
• And I'm not sure what the gentleman is trying to do except confuse the situation.

Summary: The joint meeting of the Privileges and Elections Committees convened with a quorum present to approve explanatory ballot language for three proposed constitutional amendments scheduled for the November ballot. The committee reviewed the amendments on reproductive freedom, the right to vote, and the right to marry, with staff explaining that the committee was only approving neutral voter-facing explanation language, not the constitutional text itself. Members raised questions about wording, ballot order, and whether the explanations were sufficiently clear or potentially leading, especially on the reproductive freedom amendment. For HJ 1/SJ 1, the committee debated the explanation at length, including objections that it was misleading or incomplete and responses from counsel and supporters that it accurately tracked the amendment text. A motion to insert “Question 1” into the explanation was adopted, and the amended explainer language for the reproductive freedom amendment was then approved. The committee then moved through the right-to-vote and right-to-marry amendments, similarly adding question numbers to the explanatory language before approving the amended explanations. Recorded votes showed the amendments to the explanatory language passing on party-line divisions in both chambers, generally with Senate support from the majority and House support from the majority, while several members voted no. After approving the amended explainer language for all three amendments, the committee concluded the meeting and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• lines says allow for the restriction on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except
• And I'm not sure what the gentleman is trying to do except confuse the situation.

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go to 1080, somewhat similar to what 1051 was doing, except in this particular case there's some
• Similar to what 1051 was doing, except in this particular case there's some authority out there that

Summary: The Local and Municipal Affairs Committee met with five senators present and first adopted the May 7 minutes. The committee then took up a series of local bills, beginning with HB 481, which revises the statutory cap on charges per character for public notices; after brief discussion, it was reported favorable. HB 1051, dealing with Shreveport commercial properties that have received insurance payments after fire damage and are dilapidated, was also reported favorable after questions about insurance, spoliation, and consultation with local departments. HB 1080, a related Shreveport measure clarifying the city’s authority to sue after filing a lien on dangerous property, likewise passed favorably after discussion of insurance-related issues. The committee next considered HB 864, which addresses combustible materials left under bridges and was amended to remove imprisonment as a penalty; it was reported favorable as amended. HB 893, concerning procurement rules for the New Orleans Sewage and Water Board as the city assumes more responsibility, was reported favorable. HB 107, creating a local improvement district, and HB 1153, establishing a statewide framework for parish and municipal burn bans after the I-12 fire, both received favorable reports. HB 213, restructuring the downtown development district and adding homeowners and lease owners to the board, and HB 433, renaming the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce in law to the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, were also reported favorable. HB 326, requiring the police chief of Tickfaw to reside in the village, passed without objection. HB 66, which adds administrative adjudication procedures for Alexandria and defines housing violations, was amended and reported favorable. Senator Barrow then presented SB 343 regarding the Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission, but said she would turn it into a study resolution; the committee deferred the bill without objection. HB 867, allowing the mayor to appoint the police chief in certain municipalities instead of election, was reported favorable. HB 1254, changing the New Orleans Regional Business Park board from 12 to 11 members and adjusting mayoral appointments accordingly, was briefly deferred at the author’s request and then reported favorable after discussion of avoiding tie votes. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law provides exceptions with an ADM of 400.
• Current law provides exceptions with an ADM of 400, and this measure increases that threshold to 550.

Bills: SB710, SB843, SB1317, SB1338, SB1410, SB1477, SB1489, SB1593, SB1614, SB1630, SB1632, SB1633, SB1670, SB1726, SB1734, SB1725, SB1735, SB1894, SB1975, SB346, SB2045

Keywords: teacher preparation, teacher education, teacher shortage, teacher workforce, educator pipeline, alternative certification, apprenticeship, residency program, paraprofessional pathway, high school to teacher pathway, nontraditional teacher candidates, Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, TeachForwardOK, higher education, public school districts, workforce development, grant program, technical assistance provider, mastery-based assessment, emergency clause

Transcript Highlights:

• And the exception would just be face in that where that would be more difficult to cover that.
• to, permitting a bunch of other tattoos: sleeves, torso, back; prohibiting hand tattoos, with the exception

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Codes met in a different room due to scheduling conflicts and considered a series of bills, mostly criminal procedure, penal law, civil rights, and executive law measures. Several bills had previously passed the Senate unanimously and were quickly moved through committee, including measures sponsored by Senators Harkham, Scootis, Bernardis, Scarsella Spanton, Conrad, Ryan, Jimenez, and others. The committee also considered Senate Print 1004A by Senator Brisport, which would amend the Criminal Procedure Law and Mental Hygiene Law to address prolonged detention of incapacitated individuals; Senator Palumbo supported the bill’s intent but objected to the mechanism, and the bill was reported to finance with Palumbo in the negative and Gallivan without recommendation. Senator Bailey’s Senate Print 4525, focused on language access in criminal procedure, drew supportive comments about ensuring non-English speakers are not denied justice, but it was reported with Senator Kavanagh without recommendation and Senators Murray and Palumbo in the negative. The committee also advanced Senate Print 5110A by Senator Scarcella Spanton, which would increase protections for HPD inspectors by making assaults on them a low-level felony; members expressed concern about increasing penalties but agreed the bill had merit, and it was reported with Kavanagh without recommendation and Brisport and Sepúlveda in the negative. The most extended discussion centered on Senate Print 3021C by Senator Hinchy, which would require a uniform tattoo policy for state and local law enforcement. Members debated First Amendment concerns, subjectivity in determining what is “offensive,” and whether the bill should set clearer guardrails or simply require agencies to adopt a policy. Supporters said the bill aimed to create statewide consistency and reflect changing norms around tattoos, while critics worried about subjective enforcement and potential constitutional issues. The bill was moved by Senator Myrie and reported, with Senators Sepúlveda and Brisport without recommendation. The meeting then adjourned after the chair thanked members for the discussion.