Transcript Highlights:

• It's always a good time to cut taxes, and I'm excited to propose this to you guys today.
• So, nobody is proposing raising business taxes.
• So, nobody is proposing raising business taxes.
• So, nobody is proposing raising business taxes.
• So, nobody is proposing >> Thank you.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• If you can prove that you were currently registered in another ward, and again, if those records, which
• And, you know, I can think of other instances in my lifetime where a town has adopted a proposal, and
• </c> after any warrant articles proposing after any warrant articles proposing bonds<01:31:19.120><c>
• If somebody proposes it, you can vote it up or down. That's the way it should go.
• If somebody proposes it, you can vote it up or down. That's the way it should go.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It is already self-defeated if enacted as proposed.
• I oppose this bill as proposed.
• It is already self-defeating if enacted as proposed.
• I oppose this bill as proposed.
• </c> death is long term so how do you propose death is long term so how do you propose then<05:16:31.040

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee met on January 28, 2025, and first heard House Bill 322, which would give a parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on taxes. Representative Barton, the sponsor, argued that because child support is no longer tax-deductible, the paying parent should at least receive the child tax credit. Committee members and later testimony from New Hampshire Legal Assistance raised concerns that the bill would override court discretion, could disadvantage low-income custodial parents, and would not account for cases where child support payments are small or where parents share support unevenly. Several members noted that judges already allocate dependency claims in divorce orders and can modify those orders when circumstances change. After testimony, the committee moved to ITL (inexpedient to legislate) HB 322. The motion was seconded, discussion continued, and the roll call was unanimous in favor of ITL. The committee then placed the bill on consent and ended the executive session on HB 322. The committee next took up House Bill 325, which would eliminate term and reimbursement alimony in no-fault divorces. Representative Barton testified that alimony in those cases was akin to involuntary servitude and should not survive dissolution of the marriage contract. The hearing then moved into questions about whether alimony is meant to compensate a spouse for sacrifices made during the marriage, such as supporting a partner through school or staying home with children, and the sponsor maintained that post-divorce support should not continue as a marital obligation. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 325 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matthew Ward, advocating for more mastectomies for minors, in support. Thank you. Okay.
• We are still opposed as it's proposed to be amended. Mr.
• Well, thanks again for allowing me my final proposal.
• I have an aye recommendation, but I do want to propose that you consider several things.
• AB 2434 codifies and strengthens CDCR's own proposed search regulations for prison visitation.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and heard several bills in subcommittee format. AB 1546, which would increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders by allowing a third DUI within 10 years to be charged as a wobbler, requiring a fifth DUI to be a felony, and lengthening ignition interlock and license revocation periods, drew strong support from law enforcement and district attorney groups and opposition from public defenders and reform advocates who argued the bill would further criminalize substance use and mental health issues. No vote was taken because there was no quorum at the time. AB 1595, aimed at standardizing post-conviction procedures for wrongful conviction claims and clarifying courts’ authority to consider new evidence, was supported by innocence and public defender organizations and opposed by district attorneys, who said existing habeas law is already clear and that the bill would add complexity and burden courts. AB 292, which would impose mandatory jail time for repeat felony domestic violence offenders within seven years, was supported by sheriffs, prosecutors, probation officers, and local governments, but opposed by domestic violence survivor advocates and public defender groups who warned it would not deter abuse and could criminalize survivors and divert resources from services. AB 1816, allowing courts to extend probation up to one additional year for sex offenders who have not completed required treatment, drew support from probation and law enforcement groups and opposition from public defenders and civil liberties advocates concerned about longer supervision, technical violations, and barriers such as poverty and treatment access; the committee later took a roll call and passed the bill 3-1, with one member not voting, sending it to Appropriations. After quorum was established, the committee also passed AB 1627, which would bar people with misconduct in immigration enforcement from becoming California peace officers, and AB 1927, which would create a misdemeanor for falsely impersonating a bail agent to solicit bail, both on due pass motions to Judiciary/Appropriations as amended. AB 1854, a shield-law measure expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care providers, patients, and related businesses from out-of-state legal process, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and reproductive rights groups and opposed by anti-abortion and family policy organizations; it was moved on a due pass motion to Judiciary. The committee then heard AB 1872, which would make repeat adult swatting offenses a felony/wobbler and require restitution for property damage, with support from law enforcement, prosecutors, and civil liberties advocates and opposition from public defenders and justice reform groups who argued the bill would not deter conduct and could disproportionately affect people with mental illness or undocumented status. A motion to advance AB 1872 was made, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a tinfoil hat proposal, certainly a knee-jerk reaction, flipping between Fox News and CNN.
• Madam President, if I get the drift of your proposed legislation, what you're trying to do is you believe
• Ward, who is the tax policy director and chief legal counsel for our tax and web department, as well
• I believe that actually was a proposed bill as part of Senator Tobiassen brought that that would help
• And shame on me for not even proposing an amendment in committee.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and agreed by unanimous consent to allow cameras on the floor and gallery, excuse several senators, and move to announcements and miscellaneous business. The chamber then adopted a ceremonial resolution honoring Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales for his years of service as Senate president and lieutenant governor, followed by extensive remarks from senators and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham praising his leadership, fairness, education advocacy, and personal kindness. Morales briefly responded, thanking members, the governor, and his family, and noting he would offer fuller remarks on his final day. After messages from the House were read, the Senate adopted several committee reports. These included favorable action on Senate Memorial 31; House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70; House Bill 124, referred to Finance; Senate Joint Resolution 6, referred to Judiciary; Senate Joint Resolution 7; House Bills 103, 154, 165, and 285 as amended; and the Finance Committee’s amended report on House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for House Bills 2 and 3. The Judiciary Committee also reported Senate Bill 104 as duly enrolled and engrossed, and the body noted that SB 104 had been signed in open session. During personal privilege, Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth discussed a State Ethics Commission advisory opinion on whether legislators who are attorneys may vote on medical malpractice cap legislation, arguing the issue is governed by Senate rules rather than the Governmental Conduct Act. He said he would continue to disclose his interests and vote under Rule 7-5, and also rejected a newspaper suggestion that he had a conflict in sponsoring a judgeship bill for the First Judicial District Court. The Senate then moved into third reading, beginning with Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 264, which Senator Duhigg explained as an election-security measure responding to concerns about federal interference, intimidation, and emergency election disruptions; Senator Nava then spoke in support as a co-sponsor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jennifer Brickie, sister of Representative Brickie, Riley Ward, guest of Representative Gilman.
• </c><01:37:06.639><c> to</c><01:37:06.880><c> reduce</c> know that this bill proposes to reduce know
• </c><01:48:16.239><c> now</c><01:48:17.040><c> uh</c> that that is proposed now uh that that is proposed
• Those systems must still be proven capable of handling the proposed load.
• </c> proven capable of handling the proposed proven capable of handling the proposed load.<03:57:28.800

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Kelly Penzer Straford, District 19, Rochester Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.
• :42.600><c> think</c><00:22:42.720><c> she's</c> So if we are all generally in consensus, I would propose
• to exact the bill and take would propose to exact the bill and take a<00:23:09.400><c> vote</c><00:23
• All right, so I guess I would propose to go ahead with the executive action on this bill, and so first
• </c><04:56:10.920><c> we</c> the problem docket so I would propose we the problem docket so I would propose

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with a hearing on CACR 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to explicitly state that defendants are innocent until proven guilty in all cases and suits brought by the state. The prime sponsor argued the amendment would strengthen due process, prevent government overreach, and extend the presumption of innocence beyond criminal cases into civil and administrative matters such as forfeiture and family court proceedings. In testimony and questioning, the sponsor cited New Hampshire constitutional provisions, historical examples, and concerns about courts shifting burdens onto individuals. Committee members raised questions about the amendment’s wording, its relationship to existing law, and whether it would have practical effect if current statutes already place the burden on the state. The hearing was then closed without further witnesses. The committee next moved to executive session on House Bill 480, which establishes a procedure for restoring competency and creates a pilot forensic liaison position in Merrimack or Strafford County to assist with that process. After discussion about prior concerns, including an email from the Disabilities Rights Center and whether enough members were present, the committee voted to adopt Amendment 2025-61H and then voted ought to pass as amended. The amendment passed unanimously, and the bill passed on a 10-1 roll call, with Representative Andrew voting no. The chair noted the bill would not go on consent and that no minority report was planned. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 666-FN, which would add restitution for violations of library-use confidentiality and expressly include library cards and membership status among confidential records. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen privacy protections after a local dispute and to provide a remedy and deterrent for improper disclosure. Committee questions focused on whether the restitution penalty would apply to accidental disclosures, how the bill interacts with existing exceptions such as court orders or investigations, and whether the language was consistent with current confidentiality law. The hearing remained open at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this proposed law will do is shorten that to 30 days and put them in the same classification as
• What this proposed law will do is shorten that to 30 days and put them in the same classification as
• I represent the fight and 15th Grafton 15, which is ward three of the micropolitan city of Lebanon.
• For the record, I'm Gary Woods, representing Merrimack 30, which includes Concord wards 5, 6, 7, and
• I've seen hundreds of proposed flag designs come my way during this process.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• My district is in Marmat Valley, Bosquin, Lden, Salisbury, Webster, and two wards in Pennington.
• My district is in Marmat Valley, Bosquin, Lden, Salisbury, Webster, and two wards in Pennington.
• My district is in Marmat Valley, Bosquin, Lden, Salisbury, Webster, and two wards in Pennington.
• So with this proposed bill, is it also silent on the use of ADUs, implying that it's possible?
• </c><03:34:22.239><c> single</c> that it should be um a proposed single that it should be um a proposed

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Nash Ward 3 and My name is Carrie Spear.
• As he said, the language they did use was from another state to model this proposal.
• Individual states can adopt or reject proposals to suit local needs.
• Thirteen have already proposed legislation. Three more are working on drafts.
• </c><01:16:43.120><c> legislation</c> 13 have already proposed legislation 13 have already proposed legislation

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure to add ski, snowboard, and boat wax to the state’s list of banned consumer products containing PFAS. The sponsor said the product is already banned in many other places, alternatives exist, and the concern is that these products go directly into water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and argued the bill would help stop further contamination. A member of the public also described personal experience with ski wax products disappearing from the market, suggesting PFAS may have been the reason. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167. The committee next opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett explained the bill was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s NCAA v. Alston decision and was modeled on New Jersey law. He said the bill would prevent colleges from restricting NIL compensation, require athletes to use licensed attorneys or registered sports agents, and limit certain endorsements involving addictive drugs, adult entertainment, firearms, and weapons. He framed the measure as a proactive response to a changing college sports landscape and noted possible future conflicts involving schools, agents, and endorsements. Committee members raised several concerns and suggested changes. One member questioned the bill’s exclusion of two-year institutions, another objected to the weapons restriction, and others asked how the bill would affect scholarships. The sponsor said the intent was to protect scholarships, especially athletic scholarships, and clarified that need-based scholarships were not meant to be affected. He also acknowledged discomfort with the endorsement restrictions and said the committee might want to broaden or revise the language. The hearing remained open for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe the proposal raises significant privacy issues that merit careful review, including by the
• It's a policy-only proposal that does a few things that I will just touch on briefly.
• This proposal legislation would formally This proposal legislation would formally recognize,<01:52:49.720
• I aged out of foster care as a ward of the state in 2020.
• This proposal allows youth to access extended foster care for which the county levy pays for room and

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Representative Mark Proulx from Hillsborough 15, which is Manchester Ward 8.
• </c><01:02:31.920><c> legislation</c> assist um so the proposed legislation assist um so the proposed
• He said he used to live right by the proposed rail, and the train track sees a train maybe once every
• He said he used to live right by the proposed rail.
• </c><01:43:20.239><c> this</c> wouldn't so when they proposed this wouldn't so when they proposed this

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you become a ward of the state, so when you are under the care and control of the Department

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on best practices for medical or compassionate release programs used by correctional systems nationwide and how Hawaii’s current approach compares. Kristen Johnson of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission introduced Molly Crane of Families for Justice Reform, noting that the commission, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Hawaii Paroling Authority have all been involved in developing proposed legislation, though the bill itself was written by community advocate Bob Merse. Crane described FAM’s work on justice reform and said the group has studied compassionate release programs across the country, including federal reforms, to help Hawaii align with best practices. Crane argued that compassionate release is intended for people who are too ill or cognitively impaired to pose a public-safety risk and who are often the most expensive and resource-intensive people to incarcerate. She said Hawaii is the only state without a compassionate release statute and currently relies on an agency policy, which she described as complex and slow. She cited examples of severe medical cases in custody, including people with advanced dementia, multiple sclerosis, kidney failure, and hospice needs, and said the burden on correctional medical staff, overtime, off-site transport, and specialized care can consume a disproportionate share of staff time and state resources. She also said the recidivism rate for this population is under 1 percent, citing Vera Institute research. Members asked about the source of the recidivism figure, how a statute would streamline the process, and why the issue had not advanced in the past. Crane said the proposed bill would reduce layers in the process by moving cases from the medical director to the director and then to the Hawaii Paroling Authority, with a target timeline of about 30 business days from petition to hearing. Johnson said prior efforts failed in part because the agencies most affected were not included early in drafting and revision, and she said one attempt was vetoed, another was removed in conference committee, and another passed one chamber but did not advance. Johnson also explained that incarcerated people’s medical care is paid entirely by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with no private insurance or Medicaid/Medicare coverage while incarcerated, making severe cases a direct burden on state funds. No votes or formal actions were taken because the briefing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the department and detailed proposal to the department and include<01:01:22.480><c> the</c><01:01
• We did amend it um in the Senate because there was a piece that I had 18, which is Manchester Wards 5
• Additionally, it's just unclear to us how the proposed legislation may impede access to the services
• Additionally, it's just unclear to us how the proposed legislation may impede access to the services
• So in the statute it, in the proposed bill, it indicates um that the bill... >> I should—that's what

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to share a little bit of my story and why I wholeheartedly support the proposed bill to impose
• I want to share a little bit of my story and why I wholeheartedly support the proposed bill to impose
• I want to share a little bit of my story and why I wholeheartedly support the proposed bill to impose
• I represent Senate District 18, which is Manchester Wards 5–9 and the town of Litchfield.
• </c><00:56:36.480><c> um</c> components that have been proposed um components that have been proposed

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• This aggregated by age, but not by any other factors outlined in proposed section 9.3715, isn't that
• Texans have been fighting about vouchers for 70 years. bill was proposed in this capitol in 1957, and
• And so those issues were put to the voters. were not, and all I'm doing is proposing that the issue of
• I thank you for the proposal and I'm not sure if this is the correct place, so that was the purpose of
• Ward Johnson. 9503 Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Bills: SB2 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117 , SB503 , SB2 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB 124 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• budget, the original proposed budget.
• </c> contracts and then we have a proposed contracts and then we have a proposed budget<00:52:48.359>
• </c> you could say say you have that proposed you could say say you have that proposed budget<00:53:58.480
• 00:53:59.720><c> now</c> budget the original proposed budget now budget the original proposed budget
• </c><01:04:21.119><c> at</c><01:04:21.200><c> the</c> them that are proposed at the them that are proposed

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• These limitations must be addressed in conjunction with proposed statutory changes, or there could be
• So you're saying that what happened in this particular case that Representative Ward brought to our attention
• My concern is that parents may use this proposed expedited process not because of personal beliefs, but
• Malik's Law proposes a similar approach for community-based midwifery, requiring the reporting of outcomes
• Section 203.351(f) proposes that it requires a midwife to disclose when a complaint is filed against

Bills: HB3772 , HB1656 , HB4504 , HB1896 , HB4420 , HB4421 , HB4076 , HB3708 , HB2806 , HB3540 , HB1586 , HB5459 , HB4553 , HB4535 , HB3811 , HB3749 , HB4255 , HB4051 , HB5098 , HB3554 , HB4539 , HB5274

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, under the proposal, the schools might display only a very narrow list of approved flags or banners
• <00:26:40.000><c> uh</c><00:26:41.200><c> against</c><00:26:41.840><c> this</c><00:26:42.240><c> proposed
• </c> here to speak uh against this proposed here to speak uh against this proposed legislation.<00:26
• That's Manchester's Ward 12. So, to open this hearing, uh, HB 1426 is simply one idea.
• All of the positions identified in the audit and outlined in the proposed amendment meet this definition

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• UT has a ward in that hospital, so it's not just us.
• Finally, there is a special item that we have in our budget proposal for mining engineering.
• You're proposing the Cell and Gene Therapy Center up there at UT Southwestern.
• So, we're delighted to see that those commitments would be matched in your proposal. Thank you.
• The center proposal would do just that by building a one-stop shop.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance