Transcript Highlights:

• We do that through an arrangement with the Judicial Council.
• Our budget, I should say, comes from the budget of the Judicial Council.
• Council uh our budget um is the judicial Council uh our budget um is uh<03:02:05.080><c> our</c><03:
• </c><03:02:10.040><c> Council</c> from the budget of the judicial Council from the budget of the judicial
• The Judicial Council seeks a budget from the governor and then ultimately from the House.

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:

• </c><04:50:05.440><c> health</c> responded to a 25 behavioral health responded to a 25 behavioral health
• A behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment facility, behavioral health entity, or other
• </c><04:56:02.718><c> health</c> responded to a 25 behavioral health responded to a 25 behavioral health
• A behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment facility, behavioral health entity, or other
• facility where behavioral health crisis services are offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the strike-all is the Senate bill, the Judicial System Operation Fund.
• </c> uh the Judicial System Operation Fund. uh the Judicial System Operation Fund.
• uh judicial operations me talk about the uh judicial operations fund<03:48:52.760><c> and</c><03:48:52.920
• </c> you remember, there was the judicial you remember, there was the judicial operations<03:49:06.400
• </c><03:51:25.920><c> operations</c> fund uh what was the judicial operations fund uh what was the judicial

Transcript Highlights:

• I sent to you a judicial order regarding the concern of continuity of care not being followed.
• I I sent to you a a a judicial<00:01:45.200><c> order</c><00:01:46.320><c> uh</c><00:01:46.560><c> regarding
• </c><00:01:47.600><c> the</c><00:01:47.920><c> concern</c> judicial order uh regarding the concern judicial
• files related to the same topic: billing and payment oversight for disability, older adult, and behavioral
• </c> behavioral health services. behavioral health services.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Keating, State Court Administrator for the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, and I'm joined by Donna
• Director of the Division of Behavioral Health, and Meredith Tellis, Director of the Division of Program
• Although I do see that the certified community behavioral health clinics do provide mental health care
• Again, Katia Fox, director of the Division for Behavioral Health. That's a great question, Health.
• Uh, certified community behavioral health clinics are relatively new to New Hampshire.

Summary: The Fiscal Committee opened by approving the May 15 minutes and then recognized Pam Ellis for her long service with the Legislative Budget Assistant’s office and upcoming retirement. The committee adopted the consent calendar with two items removed for separate consideration, then approved transfers for the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Environmental Services after questions about court benefit costs and dam project funding. The Department of Health and Human Services also received approval for a general fund transfer item. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Youth Development Center settlement fund. New administrator Jared Boyle, joined by the Attorney General, described the fund’s remaining caseload, the payment matrix, and the need for additional funding to begin hearings in August. Members raised concerns about administrative costs, attorneys’ fees, payday loans, structured settlements, and the long-term fiscal impact on the state. Boyle requested $55 million, but the committee ultimately approved a reduced appropriation of $20 million, with members noting the possibility of returning for more funding later depending on revenues and the October revenue review. The Department of Corrections then received approval for a smaller shortfall transfer and a larger overtime-related transfer, with officials citing a 52% corrections officer vacancy rate, ongoing recruitment, academy classes, and efforts to use civilian staff in some non-security roles. A late item from the Veterans Home was also approved to cover overtime, holiday pay, and indirect cost shortfalls within its existing budget. The committee then heard an informational presentation on implementation of Senate Bill 134 and the new federal Medicaid work-requirement rule. DHHS said it plans to submit a state plan amendment, seek approval for hardship exceptions, start with one eligibility check cycle, and use existing federal grant funding to make system changes. Finally, the committee received a performance audit of the Doorway opioid treatment program, which found weak written procedures, incomplete data use, reimbursement delays, and problems with the Governor’s Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention. Members discussed follow-up reporting, and the next Fiscal Committee meeting was scheduled for August 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the judicial system that seems to be falling so short, even when police or an animal control officer
• Not because of anything she had done, not because of her behavior or her history, but because of what
• Housing providers will still be able to act on a dog's actual behavior.
• We think about the criminal behavior and how that will be penalized.
• We also think about civil penalties for behavior of cruelty to animals that impinges on their welfare

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items and several unanimous or voice votes, including adoption of a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout. It then enacted two bills: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a police officer applicant. The chamber also handled a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while on Navy training, and it printed that statement in the journal. The Senate next considered multiple local bills and committee reports, including third-reading and engrossment votes for a Rutland recall elections bill, a Boxford liquor license extension bill, and another Boston police age-waiver bill. It also adopted several extension orders for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Committee on Health Care Financing, with senators explaining that some matters were late files or required additional stakeholder input, hearings, or coordination with larger bills. Most of these procedural motions were adopted by voice vote after brief debate. A major portion of the session focused on H. 2145, designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, which passed to be engrossed by roll call, 38-0. Senator Feeney gave an emotional floor speech describing the bill as a way to create space for awareness and support for families experiencing pregnancy loss. The Senate then adopted a resolution recognizing March 2026 as Endometriosis Awareness Month, with Senators Kennedy and others highlighting the need for greater awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis. The chamber then took up the omnibus “Pets Act,” S. 3014, which combined several animal welfare measures. Senators Montigny, O’Connor, Todd, Rauch, and Payano spoke in support of provisions banning retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits from pet shops, strengthening animal cruelty enforcement, expanding protections for pets in housing, and prohibiting breed discrimination in certain housing and insurance contexts. Senator Keenan offered amendments on renter insurance, nuisance/quiet enjoyment, and property damage; one nuisance-related amendment was adopted, while the insurance and property-damage amendments were rejected. Senator Tarr’s amendment on research animals was adopted, as were amendments expanding animal welfare standards and, after negotiation, a compromise amendment broadening tethering protections to all domestic animals and directing related funds to the homeless animal fund. The Ways and Means amendment was then adopted as amended, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and the Senate began a roll-call vote on engrossment when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• reinstate a preliminary injunction against the law, so the Mississippi law remains in effect pending judicial
• That includes not only taking into account income but past payment behavior.
• But if you lie to consumers and you do it from a position to manipulate consumer behavior, that’s always
• But if you lie to consumers and you do it from a position to manipulate consumer behavior, that's always
• Brains that are still developing need protection from addictive substances or behaviors, potentially

Bills: SB5976 , SB6111 , SB6250 , SB6257 , SB6289 , SGA9060 , SGA9169 , SGA9265 , SGA9266

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: commercial email, spam regulations, online marketing, privacy, consumer protection, SB 6111, Washington Protecting Children Online Act, online child safety, minor privacy, age verification, parental consent, social media regulation, digital platforms, user-generated content, content moderation, online harms, youth protection, data privacy, geolocation, targeted advertising

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Amar Rashid, the Director of Legislative Affairs for the County Behavioral Health Directors
• of California, an association representing the leaders of the public behavioral health agencies that
• counties to significant liability risk and a potentially unfunded workload increase for county behavioral
• cities weren't the right local government entity to do that inspection and that counties have the behavioral
• I felt we were trying to balance it where the amendment she said she's taking her from judicial.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:26.440><c> and</c> address any problematic behavior and address any problematic behavior and
• what is considered this egregious what is considered this egregious behavior. behavior. behavior.
• ,</c><00:35:12.440><c> yelling</c> you know, aggressive behavior, yelling you know, aggressive behavior
• But address some problematic behavior.
• </c><00:38:13.000><c> causing</c> defined as assaultive behavior causing defined as assaultive behavior

Bills: HB1890 , HB1888 , HB1676

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committees heard three measures, beginning with HB 1890 HD3, which would provide automatic step increases and a COVID-era retention bonus for teachers. Supporters included HSTA, the Democratic Party’s Education Caucus, and a student who said higher pay and predictable salary growth would help retain teachers in Hawaii. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked that the bill be expanded to cover all department employees. The Attorney General’s office said the draft needed clarification to avoid conflict with Chapter 89 and to make clear any funding was subject to legislative appropriation. The Office of the Public Defender and B&F testified in opposition, and committee members questioned whether the step increases were already in the current contract and whether the bill was needed. HSTA said the current contract includes automatic step increases subject to funding, but argued the bill was still needed because funding is not guaranteed and the measure would codify the policy. HSTA also said the COVID bonus would apply only to active teachers who worked during the pandemic and estimated the total cost at roughly $150 million to $200 million over four years. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1888 HD3, which would require DOE and charter schools to report harassment incidents and strengthen penalties for harassment of educational workers from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. DOE supported the bill and suggested narrowing language about assisting workers with temporary restraining orders, saying that function would be better handled through the Attorney General’s pilot program. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the harassment language was overly broad, vague, and potentially unconstitutional, and that existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes already protect educational workers. HSTA, the State Commission on the Status of Women, and several individual testifiers supported the measure, describing increased intimidation and harassment of teachers and other school staff, especially since COVID. The Special Education Advisory Council opposed the bill’s language on “disrupting and interfering” with school functions, saying it could chill parents of students with IEPs from advocating for their children. Testimony was split, with the chair noting 20 in support and 16 in opposition in the portion shown. A final witness, Michelle Pestana, testified in opposition based on her family’s experience with special education services, describing alleged seclusion and restraint of her daughter and expressing concern that DOE testimony in prior hearings had targeted special education parents. Her remarks were cut off as time expired. The transcript ends before any committee action or vote on HB 1888 was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• clarification on the administrative process for Live Local developments; may not require any quasi-judicial
• admissions of guilt and cannot be used against the employee in any civil, criminal, administrative, or judicial
• Tab 8, SB 308 on public records, Judicial Qualifications Commission.
• creates a public record exemption for the personal information of current and former employees of the Judicial
• And I have not seen or read of any behavior that you're referencing while serving on the commission.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recognizing the chair of the judicial<00:02:41.400><c> proceedings</c><00:02:41.880><c> committee.
• </c><00:24:05.880><c> health</c> total funding for behavioral health total funding for behavioral health
• c><00:36:28.760><c> at</c><00:36:28.880><c> is</c><00:36:29.000><c> illegal</c><00:36:29.480><c> behavior
• </c> trying to get at is illegal behavior. trying to get at is illegal behavior. Correct?
• >> Any member can request a confidential opinion if they would like. >> Did any member from the Judicial

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill draws a clear and necessary distinction between disruptive behavior and constitutionally lawful
• This type of judicial debate shows that courts are already actively redefining the law, which suggests
• , I believe we already have laws in place that would essentially hold people accountable to that behavior
• When actually the aggravated assault statutes will cover these behaviors, it becomes eventually an equal

Bills: SB1039 , SB1061 , SB1068 , SB1069 , SB1099 , SB1127 , SB1148 , SB1271 , SB1426 , SB1448

Committees: House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Keywords: attorney discipline, legal costs, reputation damage, state bar, court costs, fentanyl, drug offenses, narcotic drugs, criminal penalties, Arizona Revised Statutes, educational institutions, public order, disruption, concealed weapons, safety regulations, firearms, muffling devices, weapon regulations, Arizona law, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's behavior change, right? That's the goal we're trying to set.
• But it's behavior change, right? That's the goal we're trying to set.
• And so we're trying to change that behavior. It's a costly piece.
• Because so many times, you know, we get everybody back online and then we let the judicial system play

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Utilities Committee first met in executive session and voted House Bill 2397 and House Bill 2000 do pass, each by 19 ayes and 1 no. HB 2397 would let water district boards lower the threshold to dissolve a district from two-thirds to four-sevenths if they choose, while HB 2000 would allow certain notices to be sent by first-class mail instead of certified or registered mail. The committee then moved into public hearing on four related bills on robocalls and caller ID spoofing: HB 2147, 2472, 2546, and 2658. Sponsors said the robocall bills would expand Missouri’s no-call protections to business lines, close loopholes for appointment setters and donation solicitations, require use of the reassigned numbers database, and create anti-spoofing rules using STIR/SHAKEN authentication. They also described civil remedies for caller ID spoofing, with one bill adding criminal penalties for fraudulent spoofing. Committee members asked about enforcement, whether the bills could affect prank calls or political/fundraising texts, and how the rules would interact with federal law and phone carriers. Witnesses from T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T said they support the goal of stopping illegal calls but warned against conflicting state laws and urged coordination with federal rules. Bank and business groups supported the bills, citing fraud, wasted staff time, and consumer harm, while committee members and sponsors discussed possible substitute language. The committee then heard HB 2383, which would add wireline communication facilities to Missouri’s critical infrastructure protections and strengthen penalties for copper theft and related damage. The sponsor and utility witnesses said copper theft and related vandalism are causing major service disruptions, public safety risks, and high costs, especially for telecommunications, broadband, electric cooperatives, water utilities, and municipalities. They said the bill would give prosecutors more tools, better define unauthorized possession of copper and related materials, and deter theft that can interrupt 911 service and other essential systems. Members asked about the penalty thresholds, liability for possession, and how the bill would apply to abandoned wiring or people cleaning up debris, but the bill received broad support from industry and municipal witnesses and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• There would have to be some sort of judicial finding, either in a civil or criminal context, that there
• are the consequences when you violate those expectations, we can create a safer, more predictable behavioral
• pattern for everyone in the state... ...more predictable behavioral pattern for everyone in the state
• But what you have before you today has to do with deterring individual behavior that's dangerous for

Bills: HB2095

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, there would have to be some sort of judicial finding, either in a civil or criminal context
• are the consequences when you violate those expectations, we can create a safer, more predictable behavioral
• in the past, if I was completing a collision report for the Washington State... more predictable behavioral
• But what you have before you today has to do with deterring individual behavior that's dangerous for

Summary: The House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on HB 2095, which would create training requirements for law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges on negligent driving involving vulnerable users of public ways, and would establish a rebuttable presumption of negligence in certain civil claims when a vulnerable user is injured or killed in a protected area such as a sidewalk, crosswalk, bike lane, or similar designated space. Staff explained that the bill also allows recovery of actual damages, statutory damages, attorney’s fees and costs, and, in limited circumstances, punitive damages if the defendant has previously injured or killed three or more vulnerable road users. Members questioned the unusual nature of punitive damages, the burden-shifting presumption, the three-incident threshold, and whether the education component was tied to the bill’s purpose. The prime sponsor said the training is meant to improve reporting and understanding of existing vulnerable-road-user laws, and said the bill was intended to narrow liability to protected areas and could be amended further, including on the punitive-damages threshold. Supporters, including a widow whose husband was killed while bicycling, Washington Bikes, trial attorneys, a bicycle commuter advocate, and a physician, argued the bill would better protect pedestrians and cyclists, improve police reporting, and reduce the burden on injured people and families who currently must prove negligence after serious crashes. They said the presumption would encourage safer driving and align Washington with similar frameworks used elsewhere. Opponents, including defense lawyers, the Association of Washington Cities, the Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, the Washington Trucking Associations, and the Washington Liability Reform Coalition, said the bill would expand litigation, create uninsurable risks through fee shifting and punitive damages, and could draw cities, businesses, and taxpayers into lawsuits. Some opponents also urged narrowing the bill to individuals and clarifying the protected areas and training requirements. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing and encouraged follow-up and amendment requests before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the legislature did not intend to limit either the right to make records requests or to seek judicial
• relief to vindicate any judicial relief to vindicate any violations<00:11:23.360><c> of</c><00:11:23.600
• There is no trial-related, no judicially related reason to do this.
• </c> There is no trial related, no judicially There is no trial related, no judicially related<01:33:
• Particularly those nonprofits who are in the behavioral health space, as well as those who are in the

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> be</c> ...under the second half of Article 5, this would regulate the conduct and the voting behavior
• <02:42:19.439><c> can</c><02:42:19.720><c> strike</c><02:42:20.319><c> down</c> judici can strike down
• judici can strike down legislation<02:42:22.520><c> and</c><02:42:22.880><c> this</c><02:42:23.000><
• precedence and frankly just judicial precedence and frankly just ignoring<04:14:25.279><c> of</c><04
• </c><04:37:37.240><c> Health</c> Development Behavioral Health Development Behavioral Health recreational

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• using a structured decision-making tool that includes comprehensive risk assessment, institutional behavior
• incentive structure that promotes people to engage in programming, take accountability, or change their behavior
• This is not how the state judicial and parole system is supposed to work. Thankfully, Mr.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several privileges-of-the-floor recognitions, including birthday wishes for Senator Archuleta and tributes to former Senator George Runner and visiting guests from Portugal in connection with Portuguese Heritage Month. The body then proceeded to governor appointments, beginning with multiple confirmations to the Board of Parole Hearings. Debate on the parole board nominees focused heavily on public safety, transparency, and recent high-profile parole decisions involving violent sexual offenders, with opponents arguing the board had been too lenient and lacked public accountability, while supporters said commissioners were applying the law as written and using structured risk assessments. William Muniz and Michael Ruff were both confirmed after roll-call votes, despite opposition centered on parole outcomes and board transparency. Rosalind Sargent Burns and Mary Thornton were also confirmed after similar debate. The final parole board confirmation, Jack Weiss, drew the most extended discussion, including a failed request to read material into the record and repeated disputes over whether comments were on topic; Weiss was ultimately confirmed as well. Throughout these confirmations, senators on both sides referenced elder parole, the unreasonable-risk standard, victim input, and the need for either reform or deference to existing law. After the appointments, the Senate took up SCR 179 by Senator Niello, designating May as Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Niello described celiac disease as a serious autoimmune disorder, emphasized the challenges of gluten exposure and cross-contamination, and called for greater awareness, labeling, and education. The resolution passed unanimously, 31-0. The session concluded with committee announcements and adjournment-in-memory tributes for Marty Arnold, Jim McAulian, and Pat Gagoscos, followed by remarks from the pro tem noting bipartisan legislation on parole transparency and announcing the next session for June 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, thinking it's not a big deal, statute of limitations don't play an important role in our judicial
• This behavior undermines how work zones are designed.
• penalties for speeding in work zones gives them a meaningful tool to slow drivers down and change behaviors

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• If you adopt my amendment, it helps prevent that type of behavior.
• If you adopt my amendment, it helps prevent that type of behavior.
• House Bill 5366 would exempt records, files, and other documents relating to the West Virginia Judicial