Transcript Highlights:

• In HFIA's testimony, you spoke about warfage fees earlier.
• Why is the warfage fee a good index? Okay.
• <01:02:34.079> In<01:02:34.319> their Warfage fees earlier.
• In their Warfage fees earlier.
• Why is the Warfage fee a good index? Why is the Warfage fee a good index?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 2694 SD2, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to create automatic adjustment mechanisms for water carriers, including a water carrier inflationary cost index, and to waive certain requirements under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Testimony was sharply divided. The Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and several shipping, harbor, labor, and business-related supporters argued the bill would modernize regulation, reduce the need for large catch-up rate cases, and help keep rates aligned with rising costs. Young Brothers said its current rate-setting process is expensive and delayed, and that annual adjustments with guardrails such as a 5% cap and periodic full reviews would support sustainable operations and the state’s supply chain. Some supporters also said the company’s less-than-container-load service and required inter-island routes create costs that are not fully covered by current rates. Opponents, including the Consumer Advocate, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Food Industry Association, restaurant and chamber groups, and other businesses, argued the bill would lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses and should not move forward. Several testified that shipping costs already significantly affect pricing and that automatic increases would worsen the cost of living. The Consumer Advocate said Young Brothers should focus on cost control and implementing its business plan rather than automatic rate increases. The Maui Chamber and others pointed to a recent PUC decision that imposed a two-year stay on rate increases and said the bill would undermine that protection. Some opponents urged the committee to defer to the PUC’s regulatory authority. The PUC explained that it regulates water carriers as public utilities under existing statute and said it had recently approved a temporary rate increase while imposing a two-year stayout period on further increases, with emergency relief still possible. PUC members said they were still examining whether they have authority to adopt the proposed WICI mechanism by rule and wanted legislative clarity. In response to questions, the PUC said it prefers the current two-year stayout as reflected in its order. Young Brothers also clarified that it serves less-than-container-load cargo, that some routes and services are cross-subsidized because they are not profitable, and that an independent observer is being put in place to monitor implementation of its updated business plan. The transcript ended with the committee still taking questions; no final vote or disposition on the bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the DFPI, licensing fees are directly tied to our work.
• We commissioned an independent fee study to... in detail appropriate fee recommendations for each program
• There's a list on page 17 of many increased fees.
• The fee increase increases for escrow and CRMLA are based on the recommendations from the fee study conducted
• But the point is. definitely see that on the on those paying the fee the fees this might be quite nerve-wracking

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other piece that also relates to this is we have a bill, it's HB 70, that proposes to take the fees
• The bill proposes to create a fund to fund the PRC out of those utility fees.
• Associated with getting that power from the solar panel to the end user, Madam Chair, Senator.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maybe patients might switch to one of the stores that they own, and then they recapture all of those fees
• And the result is that the trust asset gets unnecessarily consumed by legal and accounting fees.
• directs the Agency for Health Care Administration to seek federal approval and update managed care and fee-for-service
• There is not one device that replaces full function, so even with me as a chair user, this is my everyday-use

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee took up several bills, beginning with CS/SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and the oversight required. The bill was reported favorably without opposition. The committee then heard SB 1256 on pharmacy audits, which would require PBM audits of pharmacies to follow uniform standards and provide due process protections; pharmacists testified in support, describing current audits as burdensome and conflicted. That bill was also reported favorably. Members next considered CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services. An amendment was adopted removing provisions on civil damage caps and phasing out direct disposers, and the bill was then reported favorably. SB 632, dealing with transportation network company insurance, would set coverage requirements for the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup; an opponent argued the existing insurance framework should not be reduced, but the bill passed on a divided vote and was reported favorably. CS/SB 786 on trusts, creating a nonjudicial process to close uncontested trusts and discharge trustees, was supported by banking and legal groups and reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid, health insurance, and HMO coverage for orthotics and prosthetics. A delete-all amendment clarified eligible recipients, and the bill drew extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the high cost of activity limbs and the benefits for children’s health and participation. Several senators praised the testimony and the policy, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1588 on legal tender refined last session’s gold-and-silver law, and SPB 7044 created related public-records exemptions for custodians of gold and silver; both were reported favorably, with SPB 7044 adopted as a committee bill. The meeting ended with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• important part of this process, and I just want you to expand on what goes into permitting and the fees
• Those would be permit fees and financial assurance requirements, so we would want to generate enough
• through permit fees to support not just the permitting aspects and the work to get those permits out
• So in my conversations with water users down at home, this kind of pretend sod farm would have been a
• ... ...with water users down at home, this kind of pretend sod farm would have been a great right to

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I, I'm thinking about the larger users, data centers. So there.
• You know, if we can charge a fee to have those trucks come over and those private vehicles come over
• The argument was that we would raise the registration fees and that we were imposing additional taxes
• We're going to be paying the increased fee for the registration fee.
• And there are funding sources, fee sources, for retiring the debt on the bonds.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee heard a District 5 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation from Rhonda Lopez, who reviewed the district’s FY26 budget, staffing vacancies, and the status of special appropriations from 2020 through 2025. She described numerous completed and ongoing projects across the district, including roadway overlays, bridge work, intersection improvements, ADA upgrades, and maintenance projects, and also summarized STIP, TPF, LGRF, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64 in Hogback, the 5% local match for TPF projects, and the status of the New Mexico 371/U.S. 36 intersection funding agreement with the Navajo Nation; DOT said the match is secured or waived where applicable and that the Navajo agreement is nearly finalized. The committee then heard House Bill 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs for certain public works contracts, including highway-related work, while creating an exception where no approved apprenticeship program exists for a trade classification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen workforce development and support apprenticeship training. Contractors and asphalt industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training contributions. A motion to table failed on a tie, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie, leaving the bill in committee. Next, the committee heard House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, dedicate additional revenue sources including a portion of electricity GRT and motor vehicle excise tax, and begin annual distributions for federal matching funds in 2029. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help address a multi-billion-dollar road funding gap, improve maintenance, and provide a stable source for matching federal dollars. Some members raised concerns about the electricity tax component, its effect on utility bills, and overlap with recently enacted transportation financing measures; others supported the concept but questioned timing and funding priorities. A motion on the bill resulted in a tie and failed, leaving the bill in committee. The meeting concluded with a District 4 NMDOT legislative presentation. The district outlined its geography, budget, staffing vacancy rate, completed special appropriations, active construction and maintenance projects, wildfire-related recovery work, local government funding allocations, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of local funding and the impact of aging equipment and weather on maintenance costs. The presentation ended without any formal action on District 4 items, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Costs are going to fall on taxpayers through increased administrative fees and reserve requirements.
• It's a possibility. of the of the uh users uh transports of of the of the uh users uh transports of Medicare
• Uh, I guess since we're creating a new fee, we'll leave this on the regular...
• Uh, I guess since we're creating a new fee, we'll leave this on the regular... amended.
• , uh we'll leave this on the new fee, uh we'll leave this on the regular Okay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 297 and a new amendment, 2462, which combined the original Senate bill with the Carson amendment and added a proposed alternative regulatory system, RSA 420R. The chair and members discussed that the amendment was intended to give the Senate what it had asked for while also creating a dual system for public entity risk pools. Members asked whether the new structure would affect ownership or governance of health trusts, and the chair explained that 420R would be a separate regulatory statute while existing 420J-style arrangements could remain in place. The committee also noted that a paragraph had been accidentally deleted from the amendment and that another amendment would be prepared to correct it, with the subcommittee recessed while that was done. Public testimony focused on School Care, represented by Executive Director Lisa Ducette, who opposed the shift to Department of Insurance oversight under 420R. She argued that public entity risk pools are not insurance companies, that they are accountable to member entities and taxpayers, and that the proposed dual regulation would add unnecessary costs through examinations, higher reserves, and additional accounting requirements. She said the change could threaten tax-exempt status and create an uneven playing field, and she urged the committee to support SB 297 with the Carson amendment instead of moving to 420R. Committee members questioned whether the amendment would actually affect pools that stayed under the Secretary of State model, and one member cited support from the New Hampshire Municipal Association for the dual system. The discussion then shifted to amendment 245 on ambulance reimbursement and contracting timelines. Members reviewed a provision giving insurers 45 days and ambulance providers 60 days in the contracting process, and one member suggested making both periods 60 days. The chair and others said the current language was intentional and part of a broader compromise aimed at ending balance billing and forcing insurers to establish reimbursement rates. Members noted that the measure was unusual and that its effects would be reviewed over the next two years, with one member saying the bill would likely be difficult to roll back later. No final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:37:56.560> and know end user and know end user and >> I<01:37:58.400> I'm
• to the counties and increase the fee to the counties and increase the fee and<01:55:44.719> and
• And their fees are going up to their users.
• <02:39:35.920> And<02:39:36.160> so fees are going up to their users.
• And so fees are going up to their users.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the current reliance on fees and fines often does the opposite.
• Fees and fines often do the opposite.
• First, juvenile fines and fees don't make fiscal sense.
• Third, fines and fees increase recidivism.
• The Commonwealth has ended probation fees and eliminated the administrative bail fee for youth through

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing began with opening remarks from the House and Senate chairs outlining procedures for a large public hearing with more than 100 witnesses on 64 legislative proposals. They explained time limits, rules for in-person and virtual testimony, written testimony procedures, and the committee’s reporting deadline. Testimony then moved through a series of juvenile justice, child protection, and civil liberties bills, with witnesses generally urging favorable reports or, in one case, opposing expanded juvenile court transparency and child advocate access to records. Several witnesses supported bills aimed at juvenile justice reform. Representative Hendricks backed H. 1744 to prevent child labor exploitation and trafficking, citing federal findings of child labor in seafood processing and calling for stronger penalties and a ban on minors working in such facilities. Senator Gomez supported S. 1131 and S. 1121 to reduce juvenile fees, fines, restitution burdens, and bail-related costs, arguing they worsen racial and economic disparities. Senator Crean and other advocates supported S. 1051/H. 1695 to expand juvenile diversion eligibility, while multiple witnesses from juvenile justice and immigrant advocacy groups supported H. 1657/S. 1058 to expand juvenile expungement and to limit sharing juvenile fingerprints with federal authorities, describing recent ICE detentions of Chelsea students and the resulting fear in immigrant communities. Witnesses also supported H. 1918/S. 1240 to narrow the youthful offender statute, raising the minimum age and reducing mandatory adult-style penalties for youth. The committee also heard testimony on child safety and bodily autonomy bills. Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan supported H. 1752 to protect children left in extreme temperatures, explaining it would create civil penalties, allow emergency responders to remove children from cars without liability, and add criminal penalties when serious injury results. Representative Thurber and Senator O’Connor testified for H. 2011/S. 1227, a bill prohibiting coercion or mandates for health-related interventions, including vaccinations, and allowing legal remedies for violations. Senator Jalen supported S. 1136/H. 1847 to prevent false confessions by requiring recording of interrogations and banning deceptive tactics, and several innocence-project and legal-services witnesses described wrongful convictions tied to false confessions and coercive interrogations. Another major topic was H. 1626, which would require age verification for pornographic content and launch an education campaign about online sexual exploitation; Representative Cruz and survivor Udoz Wallace testified in support, describing nonconsensual image sharing and deepfake harms. Not all testimony was supportive. The Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed S. 1035, which would increase transparency in juvenile court proceedings, and H. 1689, which would expand the child advocate’s access to confidential juvenile records, arguing both would undermine privacy and trauma-informed protections for children and families. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the session consisted of opening remarks and public testimony on the listed bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're here to discuss the trailer bill language for the $1 BPA fee.
• date, we have not collected any fees under that particular regulation.
• fee for service.
• The other one is the complaint fee and so the developers are very you know confident in the fee for service
• , timber harvest fees, etc.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The office does also collect various fees during our audit period.
• They collected about $78 million in fees, and a large chunk of these fees do get deposited into the general
• <00:03:50.400> during does also collect various fees during does also collect various fees
• <00:03:59.239> do fees and a large chunk of these fees do fees and a large chunk of these
• <00:04:13.079> um of State to retain some of those fees um of State to retain some of those

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• implemented an executive branch endpoint detection process, where we now have our executive branch user
• So as a user, if you click on a phishing email, you will get a follow-up email that says, hey, you clicked
• The authority received several types of revenue, including sales tax, site collections and use fees,
• recycling fees, dumpster rental, and interest.
• facilities free of charge, while residents of the cities of Malvern, Rockport, and Perla must pay a dump fee

Summary: The committee met to adopt prior minutes and reports from its executive and standing committees, including counties and municipalities, educational institutions, and state agencies. Those reports covered routine audit activity, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, and several state agency audit items. The committee also reviewed and adopted the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025 and the related single audit report, both presented by Legislative Audit staff. The state financial report showed unmodified opinions on the state’s financial statements and described total assets of about $41.9 billion and liabilities of about $11.1 billion, along with retirement system assets of $39.9 billion and a net pension liability of $9 billion. Two material weaknesses were identified: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and a Division of Workforce Services methodology change for unemployment-related estimates that was not properly documented or approved. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed; it resulted in 33 findings, 14 with questioned costs totaling $16.6 million, and qualified opinions for the Summer EBT program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Members questioned agency officials in detail about the Summer EBT questioned costs, DHS unresolved findings, broadband grant documentation, cyber security controls, workers’ compensation liabilities, and child care funding and reporting. DHS explained that the Summer EBT issue involved drawing federal funds in advance rather than as benefits were redeemed, and said the process has been corrected. Broadband officials said the questioned $6.6 million reflected documentation-detail disagreements across many invoices rather than missing payments. OST officials described new logging, endpoint detection, and phishing-training efforts, and DFA and Education officials addressed specific audit findings and corrective actions. The committee ultimately moved to hold the two large statewide reports over until the August meeting for further review, with discussion continuing on whether to release some agency staff in the meantime.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so people will sign up, pay a very small fee.
• Um, so people will sign up, pay a very small fee.
• Um, so people will sign up, pay a very small fee.
• The witness said people will sign up, pay a very small fee, and have all equipment provided.
• Um and then support private well users.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• shifting legal responsibility for compliance with the regulatory standards from the purchaser and user
• Trenton Train Depot, directs the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund to convey in fee

Transcript Highlights:

• We collect that through premium taxes, licensing fees, and administrative fines.
• penalties and fees we've got a<00:47:51.720> a<00:47:52.079> a<00:47:52.240> tax
• that are collected um in certain fees that are collected um in association<01:03:08.039> with
• <01:03:23.720> reduced<01:03:24.720> um help see some of those fees reduced um help
• see some of those fees reduced um in<01:03:25.039> in<01:03:25.200> recognition<01:03:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorneys are assessed a fee for being members of the New Hampshire Bar, and that fee is approved by
• We do review the budget of the bar association and make a determination about the fee.
• discretion exists to waive the fees in certain cases if a person cannot afford them.
• going to come after them for those fees going to come after them for those fees because<04:51:12.760
• The user-friendliness of the forms is very important. The courts are busy.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting of the new session with opening remarks, member introductions, and a discussion of committee logistics. Members described their backgrounds and priorities, including criminal justice, right-to-know and privacy issues, domestic violence, death-with-dignity legislation, abortion, firearms, landlord-tenant policy, housing, and technology/privacy concerns. The chair noted there were already 34 bills assigned to the committee and expected more, and said the committee would likely continue to have a heavy workload this session. The chair also outlined how the committee would operate: meetings would generally be on Wednesdays, with possible Mondays as needed; hearings would not require a quorum, but executive sessions would; and members were asked to provide updated phone numbers and email addresses, especially cell numbers. He explained that the committee would continue its practice of seating members in a mixed partisan arrangement to encourage communication, and that the new clerk had joined the committee. A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedures for executive sessions and meeting times. The chair said the committee would follow the traditional rule allowing executive sessions on bills heard that day if proper notice was given, but he would avoid taking up controversial matters without full attendance. Members then discussed whether meetings should start at 9, 9:30, or 10 a.m., with concerns raised about long commutes, evening obligations, and winter driving after dark. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated he would try to accommodate the committee’s preference while balancing the workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um there is uh we have wheelchair users.
• Um there is uh we have wheelchair users.
• Um there is uh we have wheelchair users.
• Um, there is uh we have wheelchair users.
• <01:08:59.440> fund<01:08:59.679> the The users of the airport fund the The users of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also attracted nearly 6,000 new social media users, which is also great.
• <01:18:30.480> which<01:18:30.960> is 6,000 new social media users which is 6,000 new
• social media users which is also<01:18:31.679> great<01:18:32.000> this<01:18:32.400><
• to as many users as possible um<01:19:26.120> continuing<01:19:26.560> on<01:19:26.760
• <01:42:02.480> for arbitrators to allow the the fees for arbitrators to allow the the fees

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She had to pay fees, fines.
• Um so, people are the transaction fee.
• We have a voluntary fee refund for the fees for people say that the crypto is gone once people say that
• 16:57.320> the<01:16:57.480> fees<01:16:57.960> for Voluntary fee refund for the
• fees for any scam victims.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:20:24.239> of facilities are the biggest users of facilities are the biggest users of
• The large energy users selfgeneration.
• manufacturers, large industrial users manufacturers, large industrial users around<04:24:32.640>
• businesses and employers and end users businesses and employers and end users today<04:29:33.279
• interconnection fees with the utility.<06:01:31.440> Okay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met on April 14 and began by welcoming a new member, Representative Samban Denier, who briefly described his background as a Clarkson University environmental engineering graduate and Air Force veteran. The committee then moved into a work session on five energy-related bills, starting with Senate Bill 65 on stormwater management for solar arrays. Representative McGee presented amendment 1594H, which would exclude projects in shoreland areas from the bill’s permit-by-notification process and require the standard alteration-of-terrain permit review instead. Members asked for clarification, and McGee explained the amendment was requested by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and others to preserve the fuller review process for shoreland projects. The committee appeared satisfied with the explanation and moved on. The committee next discussed Senate Bill 230 on electric utility restructuring and investment in distributed energy resources. Members concluded that section one was unnecessary because a better definition of advanced nuclear resources had already been added to House Bill 710, and that section two would allow investment in advanced nuclear resources in a way they had already rejected in another bill due to ratepayer risk. Several members agreed the bill was redundant and supported an ITL motion. They also discussed Senate Bill 232 on net metering terms and conditions, focusing first on whether hydroelectric generators could be listed in ISO New England while also taking net metering credits. Granite State Hydropower Association representative Heidi Kroll testified that generators are subject to checks and balances, that double-dipping is not occurring, and that rules and tariffs already require participation in one market arrangement or the other. Discussion on Senate Bill 232 then shifted to section two, which would bar retroactive changes to net metering tariffs in place as of January 1, 2025. Representative McGee proposed alternative language to protect existing customer generators, group hosts, and municipal hosts from retroactive changes, while others said the language was needed to provide stability for current participants operating on thin margins. Some members supported the clearer wording; others argued the committee should not tie the hands of the PUC and DOE, noting future circumstances could require regulatory flexibility and that conflicts could be resolved in court if necessary. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.