Transcript Highlights:

• on all this and we appreciate the work that you are doing.
• on all this and we appreciate the work that you are doing.
• on all this and we appreciate the work that you are doing.
• really hard on all this and we appreciate the work that you are doing.
• Thank you for your work on this. Seeing none, without objection, this rule stands reviewed.

Summary: The committee reviewed a series of Arkansas DHS and Department of Health rules, most tied to 2025 legislation. Early items covered Medicaid changes including presumptive eligibility application timing, adding a fictive kin definition for foster child eligibility, raising the able account disability onset age to 46, allowing continuous glucose monitors to be billed by both pharmacy and DME providers, increasing the RSV vaccine administration fee for children, a telemedicine exemption for ET3 ambulance services, and a physical therapy access rule that also included occupational therapy. Members generally asked limited questions and most rules were reviewed without objection. A major portion of the meeting focused on the dental rate increase rule under Act 1025. DHS said it implemented rate increases for certain pediatric, special-needs, and oral surgeon services, but not orthodontics, and it interpreted the act as applying only to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, not general dentists. The Arkansas State Dental Association and legislative sponsors testified that the intent was to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures for special-needs patients, estimating the broader interpretation would add about $1.5 million annually. Committee members debated the plain language of the act versus legislative intent, and the rule was reviewed, but with testimony noting the issue should be fixed in future legislation. Later items included the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies rule adding doula and lactation consultant billing and remote monitoring benefits; an adverse decisions rule extending provider appeal time from 35 to 65 days; CNA training program updates; PASSE network-status disclosure rules; certification rules for community-based doulas and community health workers; cosmetology, massage therapy, lead-based paint, radiation, radiologic technology, and RV park rule updates. Most of these were described as technical, statutory, or federally driven changes and were reviewed without objection. The committee briefly reopened the CGM rule after a motion to expunge the prior vote, and Representative Wardlaw said he would hold the rule for further review because he believed the billing changes did not match the law’s intent. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody's been working firearms.
• They added some scope and objectives to the working group. We should pass this working group.
• and objectives to the added some scope and objectives to the working<02:49:29.279> group.
• We should pass this working group. We should pass this working<02:49:30.319> group.
• working group. Thank you very much. working group. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're working through a full design phase.
• Number 14 is Department of the Military with Net at Work.
• But I'm going to tell you that it's an important program and it works.
• This program works and we need to utilize it.
• This program works and we need to utilize it.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Creem: Author's right to challenge the removal of their work.
• The removal of their work. Okay. So Amendment Number Four is now before us. Senator Creem.
• It could also limit the scope of the author's readership, which affects the size of future book deals
• The removal of their work stifles their voices, restricts their freedom of expression.
• I appreciate his work, and I appreciate his bringing a lot of personal insight into this matter.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate resumed debate on Senate No. 2696, An Act Regarding Free Expression, a bill addressing challenges to books and other library materials in school and public libraries. Senators supporting the bill argued it protects free expression and gives students, parents, guardians, and others a court path to challenge removals, while opponents raised concerns about parental rights, school control, and the scope and timing of the review process. Several speakers also emphasized the broader context of book bans and the impact on authors, librarians, and students. A number of amendments were considered. Amendment 4, offered by Senator Creem, was adopted and extended standing to authors and creators to challenge removals of their works, including in municipal libraries. Amendment 5, by Senator DiDomenico, was adopted and limited who may initiate challenges to those connected to the school community. Amendment 6, by Senator Comerford, was adopted to require that challenged materials be considered in their entirety. Amendment 8, by Senator Tarr, proposing parental notification of challenges, was rejected after a roll call. Subsequent Tarr amendments on parental opt-out, reporting, public process, and written policy were also rejected, while Amendment 19, requiring written reasons when librarians remove outdated or successor materials, was rejected as well. Amendment 7, a Ways and Means amendment, was adopted. The Senate then ordered the bill to a third reading and passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35 in favor and 3 against. The chamber also adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• with their security, working with the faculty, working with those agencies, if you will.
• they're going working with their security<00:19:51.760> working<00:19:51.919> with<00:
• with the faculty working<00:19:53.039> with<00:19:53.919> um working with um working with
• work to support New Hampshire voters. work to support New Hampshire voters.
• don't work, we don't want commissions. don't work, we don't want commissions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:05.120> balancing We worked very hard on balancing We worked very hard on balancing
• So with hard time and work on this.
• That’s just the way it works.
• We work with him, too.”
• We work with Gray?" She goes, "Oh, yeah. We work with him,<05:23:44.798> too."

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, that's the scope of this.
• So how would SB 111 work?
• You know, maybe how these work together will have to be worked out. So, Mr.
• You know, maybe how these work together will have to be worked out. that change continuing onto um uh
• So that would be something that we'd be willing to work with the committee on. ...be willing to work

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciate the opportunity to come before you today, and more than that, I appreciate all the great work
• Sam, your friend is asking, like, hey, you work at APS, what's going on with these data centers?
• Sam, your friend is asking, like, hey, you work at APS, what's going on with these data centers?
• making sure that The amendment, to clarify what that was, that was just narrowing the scope, making
• And so there's still a little bit of work that needs to be done. Thank you.

Bills: HB2133, HB2592

Keywords: sexual material, consent, synthetic depiction, privacy, internet regulation, rights protection, artificial intelligence, government regulation, innovation, procurement, administrative burdens, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• photos that I personally took of license plates in on the Turnpike you know where I live on my way to work
• makes it less comprehensive in its scope when establishing a framework for setting up new additional
• I encourage the proponents of SB 594, the sponsors, to reach out and work with us to address whatever
• I encourage the proponents of SB 594, the sponsors, to reach out and work with us to address whatever
• That person just wants them gone from where he or she is, and that's just not going to work.

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several bills and agency priorities. SB 44, as amended, increased penalties for operating a vehicle with unauthorized red or blue lights and for obscuring a license plate, including new penalties for using, possessing, manufacturing, or selling license-plate obscuring devices. The sponsor and supporting law enforcement witnesses said the bill addresses widespread plate obstruction and enforcement problems; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 654, designating a railroad overpass in Starke as the Heroes Memorial Overpass, and SB 620, creating a Miami-Dade College specialty license plate with proceeds supporting scholarships and limited administrative/marketing costs. The committee then considered SB 594, which would allow Florida deep-water ports to seek Fish and Wildlife Commission approval for no-anchoring/no-mooring buffer zones adjacent to port channels and turning basins. An amendment clarified the application process, review timeline, rulemaking, and enforcement. Port representatives supported the bill as a way to protect channels and commerce, while several boating and cruising advocates opposed it, arguing the 5,000-foot buffer was excessive, could create safety issues, and would displace anchored vessels without adequate alternative dockage. Despite the opposition, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on its 2025 legislative priorities, including stricter proof-of-address and identification requirements for vehicle registration, changes to tank vehicle and IFTA rules, a higher crash-report damage threshold, and electronic notice options. Secretary Perdue then outlined FDOT priorities focused on workforce development, research, rural road funding, small business participation, consistent traffic-control standards, modal infrastructure, transit accountability, spaceport support, advanced air mobility, and shifting some power-consumption revenues to the Transportation Trust Fund to offset electric vehicle impacts. No votes were taken on the agency priorities, and the meeting adjourned after members recorded additional affirmative votes on SB 44 and SB 654.

Transcript Highlights:

• internship that that work that piece. internship that that work that piece.
• this process actually works. this process actually works.
• They they they watch you work. work. work. >> Question. >> Question. >> Question.
• >> That is the work. There's the question. >> That is the work.
• scope here. scope here.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have enough work to do, but this job is beyond the scope of what they should be doing, and this
• as part of our work we have worked to as part of our work we have worked to close<03:43:12.960><
• <04:35:08.840> with work to think about yeah I'd work with work to think about yeah I'd work
• a desire to work on it.
• we work with them as much as they work we work with them as much as they work with<05:17:41.878>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, work.
• That happens on a lot of these work areas that I work on.
• Same with concrete work per job. job. Same with concrete work per job.
• It's not going to work. towards that. It's not going to work.
• It needed tons of work. was dilapitated. It needed tons of work.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My staffer, Brian Murray, did an unbelievable amount of work going through the committee structure for
• So I would like to take just a minute to kind of save our work that we did over this summer and that
• has happened in the—I don't know... ...save our work that we did over this summer, and that has happened
• I think this one, I obviously think this one is one that would work well.
• The department would consider plans for providing business services to microenterprises, the scope of

Bills: LB737, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB1216, LB1256, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787, LB365A, LB823, LB900, LB903, LB940, LB954, LB1127, LB1127A, LB1205, LB1240, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR505, LR507

Keywords: LB737, Olmstead, developmental disabilities, disability services, community-based services, integrated settings, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, stakeholder advisory committee, independent consultant, public hearing, legislative oversight, disability rights, community integration, housing, employment, education, transportation, community supports, self-advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'll work on that.
• But I'll work on that.
• work on the Day of Atonement.
• work on the Day of Atonement.
• work on the Day of Atonement.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232 from prime sponsor Representative Mark Pearson, who said the bill is intended to protect conscience rights for health care professionals and students, especially in relation to abortion and sterilization-related procedures. He argued that protecting ethical objections would help retain and recruit medical workers in New Hampshire, reduce moral injury, and preserve patient access to care. Pearson said the bill is not meant to allow discrimination based on protected characteristics and emphasized that it is limited to objections to specific procedures, with an amendment added to address concerns raised by Chairman Lynn. Members questioned Pearson closely about the scope of the bill and amendment, including whether it could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers or receptionists, whether a provider could refuse emergency care, and who would determine when an emergency exists. Pearson said the bill does not apply to emergency situations or to treatment after an abortion has already occurred, and he stated that emergency triage would control in obvious emergencies. He also said the intent was not to allow a person to take a job and then unexpectedly refuse duties, and he suggested the amendment could be tweaked to clarify its application to facilities and staff. Additional questions focused on whether the bill should be broader than the procedures listed, how it would interact with federal conscience protections, and whether it could affect contraception-related services, including pharmacies. Pearson responded that the bill addresses the specific issues raised by people he and his wife had spoken with, and he was open to revising the amendment to reduce ambiguity. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:24.920> to that it's kind of beyond their scope to that it's kind of beyond their scope
• until noon but we were literally working until noon but we were literally working all<00:09:24.920
• How does it work here? But to say we have a statewide standard that works, as you heard from Mr.
• How does it work here? But to say we have a statewide standard that works, as you heard from Mr.
• How does it work here? But to say we have a statewide standard that works, as you heard from Mr.

Bills: HF1051, HF16

Keywords: sacred communities, micro units, religious institutions, housing regulations, homelessness, conditional use permits, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, sanctuary city, noncooperation ordinance, ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal immigration authorities, deportation, undocumented immigrant, undocumented person, immigration status data, data sharing, preemption, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• But that work, and that strategy is working, and it's helping many, many in putting the recommendations
• I think our goal is to try to align community work with landscape work.
• Well, again, most of our work and Cal Fire's work is accomplished through grants to local and regional
• It doesn't work so well. We need you to do this because we told you so. Doesn't work so well.
• So our team is designed to work our and work with our residents to become compliant.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and how the process works.
• There are work requirements, so people are required to work when they're on the program.
• for work supports.
• I have experts working on how would we do a model program and what works, what doesn't work.
• Foundations are being worked on. Excavation is underway, and it's working.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 10 minutes and then received a DEQ base budget summary and agency overview. DEQ staff explained that the agency is largely federally and special funded, with major ongoing costs in salaries, operating expenses, grants, and continuing appropriations. Director Dave Glatt and accounting director Beth Jacobson highlighted core programs, the move to a new chemistry laboratory, the new state fuel inspection program, wastewater-related funding from HB 1577, and implementation of SB 2267 for on-site wastewater rules. They also noted the agency’s spending patterns, possible federal EPA cuts, and the likelihood of some fee adjustments or program changes if federal support declines. Members asked about DEQ’s travel, field offices, future staffing, and how the agency would respond to reduced federal regulation. DEQ said most staff are based in Bismarck, with field offices in Fargo, Sawyer, and Gwinner, and that travel is driven by inspections and spill response. Glatt said the agency would continue to rely on science and law, and that any future federal retrenchment could mean more state responsibility but likely not a wholesale increase in FTEs. The committee also discussed a feedlot enforcement case in the Minot area, with DEQ explaining its role in ensuring compliance, permitting, and animal-waste management standards. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented on FTE block grant reporting, TANF balances, child care transfers, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Donna Ockland explained that no line-item transfers had occurred yet for the new rural health work, but about 33 positions were planned and some current staff time could be reimbursed through approved cost allocation. HHS also reviewed TANF’s frozen eligibility and block grant structure, the transfer of up to 30% of TANF funds to child care, and recent program changes that increased benefits and raised the income limit. Staff said the department is using TANF more strategically to support child care and other allowable uses, while still carrying over unused funds as many states do. Finally, Pat and HHS staff gave an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying the first funding opportunity was being posted and that the state is on track to obligate the federal funds within the required timeline. They described priorities such as workforce retention, preceptor development, technical assistance for critical access hospitals, community wellness projects, and ambulance upgrades. Members asked about rural versus urban eligibility, immigrant recruitment, evaluation of year-two funding, and how the program would address varied local workforce needs. The meeting then shifted to an Office of Management and Budget update on the new State Hospital project, where Lindsay Ashley reported continued construction progress, updated cost information, and selected alternates, with photos and details showing work underway in multiple building sections.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does that work?
• Yeah, I think there's things that work. I definitely think there's things that work.
• Would that work?
• He works at BCI.
• We'd like to show our work. We like to show our work.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > adviserss<00:09:02.720> both Um, working with academic adviserss both Um, working with
• committee, we've talked about work committee, we've talked about work that's<00:13:01.040> been
• We continue to work on students. We continue to work on operational<00:13:48.839> efficiencies.
• <00:15:15.519> and of their responsibilities for work and of their responsibilities for work
• its scope. its scope.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard updates from the chancellors of the state university system and the community college system on ongoing restructuring, collaboration, and enrollment trends. The university system said its office move to the NHTI campus is ahead of schedule and should save students about $250,000 a year while creating revenue for the community college system. Both systems described continued work on transfer pathways, direct-admit outreach, shared advising, and broader efforts to shrink footprints, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency in response to declining enrollment and demographic pressure. A major topic was a possible federal change to Pell Grant eligibility that would require students to enroll in at least 7.5 credits. The chancellors said most community college students are part-time because of work and family responsibilities, and that the change could affect roughly 2,000 current Pell recipients and make it harder for students to afford or sustain enrollment. Members also discussed how the state’s governor’s scholarship statute largely benefits full-time students, suggesting possible future statutory changes. The chancellors explained how credits typically work, noting most courses are three or four credits and that students would likely need to add an entire course to meet the proposed threshold. The committee also discussed the broader higher education landscape, including declining high school cohorts, competition among New England institutions, and the need to right-size capacity. One member raised concerns about the health of regional campuses such as Plymouth and Keene; the chancellors said incoming enrollment is down at UNH and Plymouth and holding at Keene, attributing the trend to demographics rather than one campus drawing students away from another. They emphasized the importance of community colleges, adult learners, and short-term workforce programs as part of the state’s future education mix. Finally, the committee touched on the value of the university system’s research enterprise. The chancellor said about $250 million a year flows into the university system in federal research grants, with about $9.5 million currently under stop-work orders from federal agencies. She said the immediate concern is not DEI-related but federal cuts and possible caps on indirect cost recovery. Members noted that the R1 research designation supports business partnerships, student opportunities, and economic development projects such as West Edge in Durham.

Transcript Highlights:

• , working on weekends.
• Telework works. The data proves it.
• We have not stopped working since we became to work college.
• We have not stopped working since we become to work college.
• Telework works.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.