Transcript Highlights:

• So it would be a round-trip drive of an hour.
• So it would be a round-trip drive of an hour.
• So it would be a round-trip drive of an hour.

Bills: HB2158 , HB2178

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: electronic signatures, notary, digital transactions, authentication, legal documents, court rules, court procedure, civil infractions, notice of civil infraction, malicious mischief, physical damage, computer crime, digital property damage, electronic records, data destruction, computer programs, cyber damage, default judgment, payment plan, restitution

Transcript Highlights:

• the morning, because he's posted pictures to Facebook, and I've seen, and it's dark out when he's driving
• to work, and it's dark out when he's driving home.
• You know how we're trying to drive towards bringing about real change.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why are we driving the cost of food up?
• But what's helping drive the general.
• Why we drive the cost of food up? this? Why we drive the cost of food up?
• Why are we driving the cost of food up?
• Thank you, and I yield back. out of the White House are driving up out of the White House are driving

Bills: HCR66 , HB2550 , HR432 , HB3898 , HB3383 , HB3638 , HB3628 , HR939

Keywords: military funding, defense, appropriations, fiscal year, government, labor relations, collective bargaining, federal employees, workforce protection, executive order, federal labor relations, labor management, federal oversight, government reform, Clean Water Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, PERMIT Act, waters of the United States, WOTUS, EPA

Transcript Highlights:

• That information should be only for driving.
• I still think there's drunk driving going on here.
• Last I looked, New Hampshire's middle of the pack for drunk driving.
• I still think there's drunk driving going on here.
• Last I looked, New Hampshire's middle of the pack for drunk driving.

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:12.600><c> commercial</c> for here I also used to drive commercial for here I also used to
• drive commercial have<00:14:13.240><c> a</c><00:14:13.320><c> motorcycle</c><00:14:14.000><c> license
• I see Dan Bennett; Bob Scully was here; Joe... potentially driving out to Milford to potentially driving
• The corner DMV, if you drive by, um, you'll see it's all brand new out in front.
• But it shows a guy with a head coming out of the toilet driving the car.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:24:40.480><c> And</c><01:24:40.719><c> this</c><01:24:40.880><c> drives</c><01:24:41.120><c>
• And this drives up costs the railway.
• And this drives up costs for<01:24:41.840><c> families,</c><01:24:42.800><c> uh,</c><01:24:42.880><c>
• </c><01:47:44.960><c> This</c> enterprise driving this activity.
• This enterprise driving this activity.

Bills: HF962 , HF3541 , HF2936 , HF3762 , HF2879

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: Capitol security, public safety, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, corrections, legislative approval, rule-making, financial impact, jail regulations, expungement, firearm eligibility, criminal records, organized retail crime, retail theft, supply chain theft, theft enterprise, organized theft, cargo theft, shoplifting

Transcript Highlights:

• me crazy about think what's been driving me crazy about the<00:24:45.840><c> uh</c><00:24:46.279><c>
• wouldn't have to drive into um into<00:36:13.599><c> town</c><00:36:14.560><c> to</c><00:36:14.800><
• Otherwise, they have to drive in, so it's the transportation.
• </c><00:47:03.040><c> in</c><00:47:03.640><c> so</c> otherwise they have to to drive in so otherwise
• they have to to drive in so it's<00:47:04.040><c> the</c><00:47:04.240><c> transport</c><00:47:04.920

Transcript Highlights:

• new capital sales, new capital investment, and jobs created and retained that we're doing to help drive
• House File 43 will continue Minnesota’s leadership and drive additional E15 sales to lower emissions,
• House File 43 will continue Minnesota’s leadership and drive additional E15 sales to lower emissions,
• </c> offer E15 during the summer driving offer E15 during the summer driving season<01:15:47.280><c>
• additional E15 sales to lower and drive additional E15 sales to lower emissions<01:16:16.440><c> save

Bills: HF770 , HF857 , HF38 , HF1500 , HF43

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• okay, and these are real people, and unfortunately this state has taken a direction to continue to drive
• okay, and these are real people, and unfortunately this state has taken a direction to continue to drive
• okay, and these are real people, and unfortunately this state has taken a direction to continue to drive
• Senator Gruenhagen: This state has taken a direction to continue to drive up energy cost faster than
• </c><01:02:13.880><c> up</c> that so we don't artificially drive up that so we don't artificially drive

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I think that here in New Hampshire, as we know, we primarily are a driving state.
• </c><01:20:00.520><c> cdlb</c><01:20:01.280><c> to</c> changing jobs to a CDL to drive cdlb to changing
• jobs to a CDL to drive cdlb to drive<01:20:01.719><c> the</c><01:20:01.840><c> smaller</c><01:20:02.400
• the smaller trucks um and so that drive the smaller trucks um and so that is<01:20:05.400><c> an</c>
• I know some 68-year-olds who shouldn't be driving at all, never mind driving a truck.

Summary: The committee received an orientation from University System of New Hampshire Chancellor Katherine Preventure and Senior Director of Government Relations Lauren Banker on the system’s enrollment, finances, workforce role, and academic programs. They described the system as consisting of UNH, Keene State, and Plymouth State, with about 23,000 students, $928 million in FY24 operating expenses, a $3.7 billion economic impact, and UNH’s R1 research status. They emphasized the system’s role in graduating students into the New Hampshire workforce, its statewide Cooperative Extension and regional campus presence, and its alignment of degree offerings with top occupations identified by New Hampshire Employment Security. The presentation also highlighted partnerships with businesses, internships, and collaboration with the community college system, including 100 transfer pathways and a direct-admit program. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on tuition, state support, and student costs. The chancellor said the state invested $95 million in FY25, with about $81 million used to reduce resident tuition and about $14 million for statutory programs such as Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. She said the state subsidy is about $7,300 per New Hampshire student, and that resident net tuition averages about $7,000, while nonresident net tuition averages about $16,600. She provided published tuition figures for UNH, Plymouth State, and Keene State, and explained that resident tuition has been held flat for five years while financial aid has increased, reducing average net tuition and fees for New Hampshire students from about $10,500 in 2020 to $9,800. Members asked for clarification on how residency and workforce-retention percentages were calculated, and the chancellor said she would follow up. Members also asked about comparisons with peer institutions, housing and meal costs, research funding, and the reasons for declining enrollment and staffing reductions. The chancellor said peer comparisons were based on flagship universities for UNH and smaller regional publics for Plymouth and Keene, and noted that out-of-state tuition has risen about 2.5% annually. She said housing for a UNH double room is $8,536 and a meal plan is $5,100, and offered to provide a consolidated cost document. On research, she said the system’s direct research spending includes federal funding and that indirect costs were about $34 million last year, with a follow-up promised on the federal/state and direct/indirect split. She attributed enrollment declines largely to demographics and said the system is responding by reducing costs, selling buildings, exiting leases, moving the system office to NHTI, and implementing Workday. She also noted that Plymouth received approval for five three-year bachelor’s degree programs and that members praised the shorter, workforce-focused pathways, especially for manufacturing and other in-demand fields.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I mentioned the DRIVE Act earlier.
• Um, I mentioned the DRIVE Act earlier.
• Um, I mentioned the DRIVE Act earlier.
• Um, I mentioned the DRIVE Act earlier.
• would drive down would drive down bill<02:50:16.520><c> rates</c><02:50:16.880><c> for</c><02:50:17.120

Transcript Highlights:

• So one is don't drive the...
• So one is don't drive the...
• </c> One is, um, don't drive the PWC after dark.
• The machine would die, and the child would not continue to drive down the lake alone.
• These nonprofits are part of the vibrant cultural community that drives tourism in our region.

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But at the end of the day, this fund is the engine that drives the success of our two schools.
• My personal association is I had a cousin who has passed away, unfortunately, but I had to drive her
• My personal association is I had a cousin who has passed away, unfortunately, but I had to drive her
• My personal association is I had a cousin who has passed away, unfortunately, but I had to drive her
• My personal association is I had a cousin who has passed away, unfortunately, but I had to drive her

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met to review interim charges on the Permanent University Fund (PUF), the Available University Fund (AUF), the Higher Education Fund (HEAF), and the Texas University Fund (TUF). Legislative Budget Board staff outlined how each fund works, including PUF’s constitutional role for UT and Texas A&M, HEAF’s capital support for institutions outside those systems, and TUF’s research funding for eligible universities. They also described TUF’s growing corpus and distribution changes, and noted which institutions are nearing eligibility. Committee members asked about distribution formulas, comparisons to other states, and how funds are allocated among system institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have changed my driving habits since spending an afternoon with him.
• It essentially says that if you're going to drive a motorcycle, you ought to know how to drive a motorcycle
• ASU drives our economy in Arizona.
• We, as I said, the universities are driving, driving our economy. They're driving our culture.
• The universities are driving our economy. They're driving our culture.

Summary: The meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a guest introduction for Deputy Frank Sloop. The Senate then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations after brief explanations and, in several cases, floor amendments. Topics included public records, capital outlay review, local government, taxation, state budget implementation, higher education appropriations, utility regulation, towing regulation, homeowners association disclosures, nursing board regulation, veteran services, criminal justice, human services, K-12 education, state property management, and the continuation of the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Several bills were amended on the floor before receiving favorable recommendations. House Bill 2114 on motorcycle-related provisions was amended to require that at least one registered owner be legally licensed to operate a motorcycle in Arizona. House Bill 2397 on HOA/condominium disclosures was amended to change disclosure timing and fee rules and make other conforming changes. House Bill 2408 on nursing board regulatory action was amended to remove a clear-and-convincing-evidence burden in disciplinary matters and clarify complaint-sharing procedures. House Bill 2957 on driver’s license/handheld provisions, House Bill 2305 on towing regulation, and House Bill 2321 on DCS-related reporting also received amendments before do-pass recommendations. The largest item was Senate Bill 1847, the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act. Senators offered extensive floor amendments affecting agriculture, corrections, criminal justice, school safety, law enforcement equipment, vehicle theft task force funding, liquor licensing, and other budget items. During third reading and debate on the budget, Democratic senators praised negotiated gains such as funding for aging services, food assistance, civil legal aid, school meals, heat relief, and a three-year moratorium on new data center tax incentives, while criticizing border-related funding, ESA/voucher policy, and cuts to higher education and adult education. One member’s remarks were ruled dilatory after repeated off-topic comments, and the ruling of the chair was sustained by a 16-12 vote. The transcript ends with additional budget-related explanation of votes continuing after the budget’s third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• While these small businesses are driving significant economic impact in Minnesota, many are struggling
• Um, while these small businesses<00:18:27.280><c> are</c><00:18:27.520><c> driving</c><00:18:27.919><
• c> significant</c> businesses are driving significant businesses are driving significant economic<00:
• </c><00:25:56.480><c> fans</c><00:25:56.720><c> into</c><00:25:56.960><c> unsafe</c> opposite, driving
• fans into unsafe opposite, driving fans into unsafe channels,<00:25:58.159><c> increasing</c><00:25:

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we found that their decision to operate this highly efficient service drives additional
• </c><00:05:14.000><c> additional</c><00:05:14.600><c> cost</c> efficient service drives additional cost
• efficient service drives additional cost to<00:05:15.400><c> the</c><00:05:15.520><c> state</c><00:05
• </c> Hi, my name is Carol Saefke, and due to a disability, I do not drive.
• </c> do a lot of driving do a lot of driving in<00:59:19.360><c> the</c><00:59:19.440><c> Savage,</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund drives to pay rent for neighbors.
• Fund drives to pay rent for others.
• Fund drives to pay rent for neighbors.<00:05:14.960><c> small</c><00:05:15.360><c> businesses</c><00:
• Paul and, uh, those who don't have to drive that distance.
• </c> have to drive that distance. have to drive that distance.

Transcript Highlights:

• But actually, facility fees are driving up premiums.
• So if they did a drive-by shooting and they... That does not. Oh, okay.
• So if they did a drive-by shooting and they harmed somebody that's serious, if they did a drive-by shooting
• So if they did a drive-by shooting and they harmed somebody that's serious, if they did a drive-by shooting
• So that would mean a child's driving a car and they run somebody over, but not intentionally.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Creativity is an engine that drives not just our culture, but also drives our economy here in California
• This topic is so incredibly important, and as I was driving here this morning from my parents' house,
• Our innovation economy is part of what is driving our economy right now.
• And so we need to make sure that we are protecting humans that drive both of these economies, that work
• Protecting humans that drive both of these economies, that work in both of these places.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee and Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing at Stanford on the intersection of artificial intelligence, copyright, transparency, and California’s creative economy. Chairs and members emphasized that the hearing was not on a specific bill and would not include a vote, but was intended to gather information ahead of the next legislative session. Opening remarks stressed the tension between protecting artists’ intellectual property and allowing AI innovation to continue in California, with several members noting the state’s outsized role in both the tech and entertainment sectors. The first panel featured Professor Pamela Samuelson and Stanford researcher Rishi Bommasani. Samuelson reviewed the current copyright litigation landscape, including dozens of lawsuits against generative AI companies, and explained that fair use will likely be central, especially the market-effects factor. She said state action is constrained by federal copyright preemption, but transparency, privacy, and deepfake-related regulation may still be possible. Bommasani described widespread opacity around training data among major California AI companies, discussed AB 2013 and the EU AI Act as transparency models, and warned that disclosure rules face enforcement and design challenges. Members asked about market dilution theories, open-source models, user data, machine unlearning, and what California can do without conflicting with federal law. The second panel included SAG-AFTRA board member Jason George, Animation Guild president Danny Lynn, and OpenAI copyright counsel Mark Gray. George and Lynn argued that AI training on performers’ and artists’ work without consent or compensation is already harming careers, devaluing creative labor, and enabling digital replicas and style imitation; both supported stronger transparency so rights holders can identify when their work is used and negotiate licenses. Gray said AI is increasingly being used as a productivity tool and pointed to growing partnerships between AI companies and publishers, studios, and record labels, while acknowledging concerns about deepfakes and specific harmful uses. Committee members pressed him on labeling AI-generated content, training-data disclosure, and how to protect creators while still encouraging innovation. No formal action or vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not fair to target people based on who they are, the car they drive, their demographics, and increase
• You know, someone of Ortega, I think, did an incredible job in that hearing of really driving home the
• I'm not looking to drive a restaurant out of business. It's just done very simply.
• I hear the concern, and the last thing I want to do is drive a truck through my own bill, so I got you
• not necessarily going to exempt all master-meter communities because I think that would, my guess, drive

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 psychiatric holds, with supporters saying it would reduce delays in emergency departments and speed access to psychiatric care; counties and behavioral health directors opposed the bill, and members raised concerns about juvenile use and whether the measure was a band-aid for a larger system problem. The bill was later approved on a unanimous roll call after amendments. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, would prohibit businesses from using personal data to set individualized prices; supporters framed it as a consumer fairness and anti-discrimination measure, while business and industry groups argued the bill was too broad, could chill discounts, and should be enforced by a public agency rather than a private right of action. After extensive discussion of exemptions, discounts, and enforcement, the bill passed on a divided vote. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect unpaid administrative fines for serious code violations, including illegal cannabis activity, unsafe housing conditions, and fire hazards, by allowing money judgments and clarifying ordinary property lien authority. County, city, and code enforcement representatives supported the bill as a tool to improve compliance and reduce costly litigation; there was no recorded opposition, and the bill passed unanimously as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment from Assembly Member Jackson, was presented as a clarification of Section 31A of the California Constitution to curb misuse and align it with voter intent; it received support from Education Trust-West and was placed on consent after committee approval. AB 649 would create a longer, six-year incentive period for businesses that proactively obtain a CASp accessibility inspection and correct identified barriers, giving them a 120-day right to cure later claims during that window. The author and small business witness argued the bill would encourage voluntary compliance and reduce predatory ADA litigation, while disability rights groups ultimately moved to neutral after amendments and committee members debated whether the bill might weaken enforcement or create confusion between state and federal claims. The committee also discussed the need for better public awareness of CASp inspections and the broader problem of repeat litigation against small businesses. The bill was approved as amended.