Video & Transcript Research : 'constitution amendment'
Page 128 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We give thanks for the rule of law that orders our common life, for the Constitution and institutions
- Legislation can be amended. Budgets are rewritten every session.
- The oath, the United States Constitution in three places, talks about an oath of office.
- And so I'd like to Texas Constitution of 1876.
- One of his last opinions addressed state constitutional amendments, rectifying for the future the notion
Summary:
The Supreme Court of Texas held a ceremonial investiture for two new justices, James Sullivan and Kyle Hawkins. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock opened the session with welcoming remarks and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by Trooper Alena Gallardo. The event included an invocation by Father Dean Wilhelm, emphasizing the importance of justice and the rule of law. Governor Greg Abbott praised the new justices, highlighting their qualifications and the significance of their appointments to the court.
Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath of office to Justice Hawkins, while Judge Thomas Griffith administered the oath to Justice Sullivan. Both justices expressed gratitude for their appointments and acknowledged the support of their families, mentors, and colleagues. The ceremony also honored former justices Jeff Boyd and Nathan Hecht, with heartfelt tributes reflecting on their contributions to the court and the legal community in Texas. The event concluded with a benediction by Reverend Greg Davidson, encouraging the justices to work diligently and honorably in their new roles.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 24 (2-10-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 1 and House Floor Amendment 1.
- House Bill 470 as amended by House Committee Substitute 1 and House Floor Amendment 1 is passed.
- House Committee Amendment 1, the title amendment to House Bill 470.
- Constitution.
- To Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs, House Bill 551.
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Senate Message 04:29
Report of Committees 05:19
Orders of the Day/HB 470 06:54
HB 49 13:46
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 16:47
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 28:04
Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 29:37
ConC/Rules Report 33:49
Floor Amendments 35:16
Adjournment 37:07, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received favorable committee reports on several bills, including measures on background checks, proactive post-secondary admission, public post-secondary employment, tuition waivers, vehicle wheels, choking prevention in schools, state parks, veterans’ benefits, and a resolution on a VA accreditation pathway for private veterans’ benefits assistance companies.
The chamber then considered and passed House Bill 470, relating to peer support specialists and declared an emergency. Members adopted a committee substitute and a floor amendment that extended the registration deadline for alcohol and drug peer support specialists to January 1, 2028, clarified employer and work group provisions, removed the temporary peer designation, and created a work group to modernize oversight of peer support specialists. The bill passed 97-0. House Bill 49, creating a scholarship program for professional engineering and land surveying students funded by board fees and fines in exchange for post-graduation service in Kentucky, also passed 97-0.
During announcements, members recognized visiting groups, upcoming committee meetings, and events, including a Kentucky Justice Association reception, a magistrates and commissioners breakfast, Jewish Advocacy Day, and a Lewis Ridge pump storage project meeting. The House also adopted a citation honoring the Hopkins County Central High School High Voltage Dance Team for winning two national titles. New bills and resolutions were introduced, the Committee on Committees and Rules referred bills to committees and posted several measures for the next day’s calendar, and the House adjourned until 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I think we should amend the certificate and include that in the...
- It is an act relating to gaming, amending definitions in the Gaming Control Act to include allowable
- A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Article 12, Section 13 of the Constitution of New Mexico
- A joint resolution proposing to repeal and replace Article 9, Section 14 of the Constitution of New Mexico
- Same with recommendation that it do pass as amended, and then it's referred to the Judiciary Committee
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- A proposed<01:32:46.719>
constitutional <01:32:47.199>amendment proposed constitutional - amendment proposed constitutional amendment regarding<01:32:47.920>
Escambia <01:32:48.560> - <01:33:14.239>
amendment proposed constitutional amendment proposed constitutional amendment - House Bill 90 by Representative Hill, a proposed constitutional amendment regarding St.
- <03:30:48.800>
amendment proposed constitutional amendment proposed constitutional amendment
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber also recognized guests, including members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and employees of the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative. A senator then delivered a Black History Month-style presentation highlighting James Weldon Johnson, A. Philip Randolph, Jan E. Matzeliger, and Percy Lavon Julian for their contributions to civil rights, labor, industry, and science.
The Senate received House messages referring two Archives and History board appointments to the Committee on Confirmations, then took up numerous committee reports. Several bills from Finance and Taxation, Judiciary, Education Policy, Agriculture, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Healthcare, Tourism, Veterans and Military Affairs, State Government Affairs, and Local Legislation received favorable reports, some with amendments or substitutes, and were advanced to second reading and placement on the next legislative day’s calendar. The chamber also recommitted Senate Bill 266 to the Tourism Committee.
The Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Llaya McNair to the Alabama Trust Fund Board, several members to the Credit Union Administration Board, and Elizabeth Smithart, Leslie Sanders, and Wayne Sers to the Alabama State Board of Human Resources. It then adopted several resolutions, including commendations and memorials, such as resolutions honoring Mary Francis Holland, the Stanhope Elmore boys bowling team, and Alicia Cannon for more than 50 years of service to the Alabama judicial system. The Senate also adopted a resolution creating the Study Commission on Artificial Intelligence and Children’s Internet Safety, after discussion about its purpose, membership, and duties; an amendment to the commission resolution was adopted before the resolution itself was adopted.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
SPEED Task Force (STF) - Wed May 27, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- District boundary amendment.
- They’re also enshrined in our constitution.
- amendments were made and then they were never built?
- A lot of what constitutes the new amendment codes is a result of county participation.
- So, this is the land use commission boundary amendment PIG. ...commission boundary amendment PIG. >>
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate amendment to House amendment to Senate amendment.
- The Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment House amendment to the Senate amendment
- the Senate amendment House amendment to the Senate amendment to HR 6644.
- Senate amendment to House amendment to Senate amendment.
- This is an infringement on our constitutional rights, our Second Amendment rights.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- Believing inmates should never be able to vote, he campaigned for a constitutional amendment to prohibit
- amendment.
- And while we do need a constitutional amendment to change voting eligibility for state and federal elections
- amendment to disenfranchise voters with felony convictions.
- amendment to disenfranchise voters with felony convictions.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on a wide range of voting-access and election-administration bills. The largest portion of testimony focused on same-day voter registration (H. 834/S. 505), with support from Rep. Gentile, Boston and Chelsea officials, civic groups, and election administrators from Maine and Vermont. Supporters argued that same-day registration would help eligible voters who move frequently, miss deadlines, or face administrative errors, and would reduce rejected provisional ballots. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Vermont elections director Sean Sheehan testified that same-day registration has worked in their states without major administrative problems and has helped increase turnout. A Boston-based panel also described high rejection rates for provisional ballots and the burden of registration cutoffs on renters, students, immigrants, and low-income voters.
A second major topic was restoration of voting rights for incarcerated people, including S. 524 and related House bills. The committee heard extensive virtual testimony from incarcerated individuals at MCI Norfolk and MCI Shirley, who said voting should be restored as part of rehabilitation, civic engagement, and reintegration. They described disenfranchisement as dehumanizing and argued that voting would help maintain family and community ties, reduce recidivism, and give incarcerated people a voice on laws affecting prisons and reentry. Rep. Erica Uyterhoeven also testified in support, saying the bill would restore municipal voting rights for incarcerated residents and align with broader efforts to expand political participation.
The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting election administration and access, including a proposal to reduce or eliminate mandated early in-person voting in primaries and shorten the general-election early voting period, with supporters from the town clerks’ community arguing that low usage, staffing burdens, and costs justify the change. Opponents warned that reducing in-person early voting could hurt voters who do not use mail ballots and could disproportionately affect communities of color. Other bills discussed included decoupling the municipal census from voter registration, requiring periodic accessibility inspections of polling places, and a Somerville home-rule petition on non-citizen municipal voting and another on lowering the voting age in municipal elections. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there questions on the amendment? Any questions on the amendment?
- Is there debate on the amendment? Seeing no debate on the amendment.
- Are there questions on the amendment? Any questions on the amendment?
- Is there debate on the amendment? Seeing no debate on the amendment.
- The amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill as amended.
Keywords:
places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493, Class G license, Class C license, security services, faith-based institutions, public safety, military jurisdiction, delinquency, concurrent jurisdiction
Summary:
The committee considered several bills and reported each favorably. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part. Supporters said it would expand provider options and help address a shortage of certified programs; opponents raised concerns about mixing government-ordered programming with religion and about the state’s prior rule change. The bill passed 7-2.
The committee also approved CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction barring licensed insurance agents from partnering with health care sharing ministries to market or sell their programs. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores free speech, consumer choice, and access to faith-based alternatives, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, higher commissions, and weak protections because these ministries are not insurance. After extended debate, the measure passed 8-2.
Other measures advanced unanimously or near-unanimously. CS/SB 502, as amended, would give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in the state system; it passed 9-0. CS/SB 52 would exempt volunteer armed security for houses of worship from Class D or G licensing requirements, and supporters cited rising threats to churches and the need for organized volunteer security; it passed 9-0. SB 840, a cleanup bill to narrow and clarify last year’s emergency-related land-use restrictions after hurricanes, also passed 9-0, and CS/SB 758, which updates the membership of the Justice Administration Commission, passed 9-0 after an amendment restoring two public defenders to the commission.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a constitutional amendment and it obviously affects just his area since it's a local bill.
- <01:14:00.719>
it constitutional amendment and um it constitutional amendment and um it obviously - <01:16:17.360>
amendment proposed constitutional amendment proposed constitutional amendment - <01:23:03.280>
amendment presented as a constitutional amendment presented as a constitutional - Members of the Senate, we need 21 votes for this constitutional amendment.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Senators then adopted the prior day’s journal and excused absent members. A lengthy point of personal privilege followed, in which Senator Smith criticized the prior day’s handling of the special order calendar and argued that minority-party senators were denied the chance to speak, while Senator Coleman said Senate Bill 318 had been removed from the calendar and tied that to Child Abuse Prevention Month; she also noted Senate Bill 43, which would provide civil recourse for child sex assault survivors, had not advanced. The presiding officer also recognized guests in the gallery, including staff from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The Senate then received multiple committee reports, largely on a unanimous or near-unanimous basis. Finance and Taxation Education reported favorably on House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, 517, and 98, and Senate Bill 380, with some substitutes or amendments; Finance and Taxation General Fund reported Senate Bill 378 favorably; County and Municipal Government reported House Bills 568, 499, and 433; Education Policy reported House Bills 8 and 380; Banking and Insurance reported House Bill 545; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported House Bill 586 with two nays; Healthcare reported House Bills 533 and 605; Tourism and Marketing reported House Bills 513 and 626 and Senate Bill 357; and local legislation committees reported several Mobile County and Madison County bills, including Senate Bill 379 relating to Madison County and various House bills, all advancing to the next legislative day.
In motions and resolutions, the Senate agreed to allow committee reports to be received at any time during the day. Several resolutions were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee, including Senate Joint Resolution 100 honoring Presley Skelton, SJR 101 commending Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, SJR 102 establishing the Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission, SJR 103 mourning Norman Wendell Arnold, and SJR 104 designating Alabama as the river state. The chamber also suspended the rules to take up Senate Joint Resolution 105, commending Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth for his service; the resolution included a lengthy recitation of his background and accomplishments and was read for immediate consideration with all senators added as sponsors.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/28/2026 - House Transportation & Infrastructure
Transportation & Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- for amendments is each Tuesday at noon.
- So I'd be open to a COW amendment.
- can bring to the floor as a COW amendment.
- Carter for a floor amendment.
- Chair, there's one amendment I can explain. Mr.
Bills:
HB2003, HB2057, HB2109, HB2111, HB2112, HB2114, HB2256, HB2259, HB2317, HB2323, HB2398, HB2443, HB2446, HB2574
Keywords:
driver education, instruction permit, underage drivers, motorcycle licenses, traffic regulations, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, driver license, examinations, motorcycle awareness, public safety
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from New Core Steel on its Arizona operations, emphasizing its Kingman facility, recycled-scrap steel production, high-paying jobs, safety improvements, veteran hiring, community investments, and support for infrastructure projects. Members asked about safety gains, expansion plans, scrap sources, and average pay. The company said it has invested heavily in Arizona and asked legislators to consider local steel and manufacturing when funding transportation and infrastructure projects.
The committee then took up several bills. HB 2574 would delay ADOT enforcement of a traffic judgment while an appeal is pending; the sponsor and a witness said it would close a due-process gap, and it passed 7-0. HB 2057 would lower the fee for Arizona Centennial special plates for fleet vehicles to encourage more purchases supporting the Arizona Mining, Mineral, Natural Resource Education Museum; it also passed 7-0 after discussion about possibly expanding the concept to other specialty plates.
HB 2109 would raise penalties for repeat distracted-driving violations and add an enhanced penalty when a violation results in a motorcycle crash. The sponsor and motorcycle advocates argued stronger fines are needed, but several members also wanted an education component; the committee agreed to work on a COW amendment and the bill passed 7-0. HB 2317, which would bar local governments from prohibiting cruising, drew strong testimony both for and against: supporters framed cruising as cultural and historical, while opponents from neighborhoods and law enforcement described congestion, blocked streets, sanitation issues, and safety concerns. The chair held the bill for further work. The committee also heard HB 2003, which would lower the age to get an instruction permit to 15 and extend permit periods and supervised-driving requirements; the sponsor and a motorcycle advocate said more supervised time would improve teen safety, while some members expressed concern about lowering the age and wanted to discuss changes before moving it forward.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-02-03 - 10:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Vermont Supreme Court must be a place where constitutional rights are protected vigorously, where
- <00:11:47.839>
rights <00:11:48.320>are place where constitutional rights are place - enshrined in our laws and constitution. enshrined in our laws and constitution.
- amendment rights. amendment rights.
- The Vermont Constitution was amended in 1974 to reduce political influence and ensure a merit-based process
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/24/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Compare that to a constitutional amendment, which only requires first pass legislature and then go to
- By adding the school board in, it's effectively more difficult than a constitutional amendment.
- Compare that to a constitutional amendment, which only requires first pass legislature and then go to
- By adding the school board in, it's effectively more difficult than a constitutional amendment.
- By adding the school board in, it's effectively more difficult than a constitutional amendment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- or other reasons. is that I believe in Article 4 Section 10 of the Constitution that the role of the
- it's constitutional, I assume it's constitutional because that's not our job.
- I assume it's constitutional, I assume y'all want it enforced. Correct.
- Because, you know, our area of law, we've got to be very cognizant of the First Amendment rights, and
- generally speaking, people have First Amendment rights to lie.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy One - Friday, May 15 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He had added an amendment to the amendment for that bill.
- The amendment to the amendment that we were— remember we had the discussion to even the playing field
- pass the amendment.
- Discussion on the amendment. Seeing none, the gentleman is recognized to close on his amendment.
- The only thing, you know, we had an amendment in 835 that I liked. We talked about the amendment.
Summary:
The House took up a series of conference committee reports and third-read Senate bills near the end of session, with several members also recognizing House drafters and research staff. The chamber first adopted and finally passed Senate Joint Resolution 87, which drew debate over whether the measure would remove the City of St. Louis sheriff as an elected office; supporters said the change also applied to other charter governments, while opponents argued it reduced local autonomy. The report and final passage both succeeded on 95-46 votes.
Members then adopted and finally passed Senate Bill 973, a package combining a wholesaler/real estate transparency measure with a land bank provision. Senate Bill 1421, a broad public safety bill, was also advanced after a motion to exceed the conference differences; supporters highlighted provisions on clean slate, masked intimidation, prosecuting attorney salaries, fentanyl, gift card fraud, unmanned aircraft, and other public safety items. The conference report passed 116-18, the bill finally passed 110-25, and the emergency clause for the drone-related portion passed 136-5.
The House also adopted and finally passed Senate Bills 835 and 1111, a combined conference report that included insurance consumer protections, court administration updates, treatment court and judgeship provisions, a St. Louis civil case surcharge, and the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. Senate Bill 1408 was stripped back to a single issue authorizing MoDOT to consider raising rural interstate speed limits from 70 to 75 mph, and it passed 93-46. Senate Bill 913, extending several agriculture tax credits and adding a short line railroad credit, prompted extended debate over tax credits, budget pressures, and whether such incentives should be extended now or later; a proposed child tax credit amendment was withdrawn, and the bill ultimately passed 107-30. The House then began debate on Senate Bill 1553, a critical minerals and pharmaceutical manufacturing incentive bill, with supporters framing it as a jobs and supply-chain security measure and opponents raising questions about tax incentives and local impacts.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- concurrence with proposal of amendment? concurrence with proposal of amendment?
- amendment the bill ought to pass. amendment the bill ought to pass.
- supporting this amendment. supporting this amendment.
- Chile, for example, has already done a constitutional amendment to enshrine neurological rights in their
- constitution.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill is in constitutional peril.
- So if I need to amend my answer for that, I'm happy to.
- Certain political speech protected by the First Amendment.
- Speech that could not survive First Amendment scrutiny.
- I am for the Second Amendment. I voted for constitutional carry.
Keywords:
voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 27 January, 2026; 2:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Introductions of bills and constitutional amendments. Mr.
- 08:52.880>
and >> Introductions of bills and >> Introductions of bills and constitutional - <00:08:53.480>
amendments. - <00:08:54.000>
The <00:08:54.080>gentleman constitutional amendments. - The gentleman constitutional amendments.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer led by Rep. Lee Yancey of Rankin County, who asked for mercy for residents in North and West Mississippi affected by a severe ice storm and for wisdom for legislators. The chamber then recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and the clerk confirmed a quorum was present. The House dispensed with the reading of the journal, reported no selection committee reports, and noted standing committee reports on the calendar. Introductions of bills and constitutional amendments were dispensed with by unanimous consent, and there were no resolutions, petitions, memorials, or other papers.
Several guests were recognized in the galleries, including members of the Mississippi Board of Nursing, the Mississippi Nurse Practitioner Association, a Clinton alderwoman, a nurse practitioner constituent, Mississippi College nursing students, and other constituents. Members also made announcements about upcoming committee meetings, including County Affairs, Technology, Agriculture, Corrections, Marine Resources, Public Utilities, Public Health, Municipalities, Universities and Colleges, Rules, Taking Care of Business and Commerce, Education, and a newly formed subcommittee. One announcement noted that the State of the State address had been postponed to February 4 at 5:00 p.m. in the rotunda.
The House also heard multiple requests to adjourn in memory, including Ms. Irene Martin of Scott County, Mr. John White, the Speaker’s father, Mr. Corey Collins, Lydia Johnson, Mr. Byron Patton, and two people killed in the recent winter storm in North Mississippi. Members also welcomed back the House attorney, Juan, after an absence. No legislation was debated or voted on beyond procedural motions and the motion to dispense with the journal reading.
At the end of the session, Rep. Brent Powell moved that the House stand adjourned until 2:00 p.m. the next day, and the motion was adopted by voice vote.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So SB 500 amends the Family Code to establish clear deadlines to provide required records to the entities
- I think they did an amendment where it puts it at 90 days after termination.
- Uh, I think the, I think they did an amendment where it puts it at 90 days.
- If providers are concerned or confused about what constitutes a CCRC, we can be certain that consumers
- SB 1522 addresses this issue by updating what constitutes continuing care.
Keywords:
SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction
Summary:
The Committee on Human Services met with a quorum and first voted out Senate Bill 1589, relating to contract requirements between a single-source continuum contractor and DFPS. The motion to report the bill favorably to the full House with a recommendation that it do pass and be printed prevailed on a 7-0 vote.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 500, which would set deadlines for providing foster care adoption records, including health, social, educational, and genetic history reports, to speed adoptions. The bill’s author and witnesses from Addie’s Hope Social Services supported it, saying delays in redacted files can take months, slow permanency for children, and increase costs to the state. Members asked about redactions and sibling/family information, and witnesses explained the bill would mainly speed the preliminary file used to decide whether to proceed with placement. SB 500 was left pending.
Members also heard Senate Bill 1266, which would require regular reevaluation of the Medicaid provider support team and add written notice of provider disenrollment at least 30 days in advance. There were no witnesses, no questions, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1522, concerning continuing care retirement communities, was then laid out and supported by LeadingAge Texas and counsel, who said it updates outdated definitions, clarifies licensing and disclosure rules, and strengthens consumer protections for seniors. It was also left pending.
After a brief recess, the committee heard Senate Bill 1137, which would prohibit group home consultants from referring people to unlicensed or unpermitted group homes except in limited circumstances, require disclosure of complaints, and create a Class B misdemeanor for violations. Members discussed whether consultants are regulated and noted concerns about unlicensed referral practices. The bill was left pending, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (02/11/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- that they have their constitutional that they have their constitutional rights<01:26:49.360>
- Chair, just want to make sure everyone got there's an amendment by Senator Ward, amendment number 291
- sure everyone got there's an amendment sure everyone got there's an amendment by<02:01:40.119>
- there a pretty significant amendment there a pretty significant amendment that<02:01:51.040>
- My amendment, S 2025-0315? And I'll speak to it. She moves their amendment 0315-S.
- there a pretty significant amendment there a pretty significant amendment that<02:01:51.040>
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's as amended, or is that a technical amendment? I don't know. What do you think?
- It's an amendment.
- So it's as amended, or is that a technical amendment? I don't know. What do you think?
- It's an amendment.
- It's an amendment.
Summary:
The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion.
A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.