Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, in fact, in order to accommodate price-sensitive low-income purchasers, DOE adopted a tiered
• Finally, in fact, in order to accommodate price-sensitive low-income purchasers, DOE adopted a tiered
• Finally, in fact, in order to accommodate price-sensitive low-income purchasers, DOE adopted a tiered
• Finally, in fact, in order to accommodate price-sensitive low-income purchasers, DOE adopted a tiered

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Islands is able to generate revenue around this is they've also adapted their legal system to accommodating
• also adapted their legal system<01:40:56.080> to<01:40:56.719> um<01:40:56.960> accommodating
• <01:40:57.920> disputes system to um accommodating disputes system to um accommodating disputes

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met on November 12 and first approved the September 17 and October 15 draft minutes unanimously after brief discussion. Members also identified themselves for the record, including a new member from Bumpsk Bank, a staff attorney from the Secretary of State’s Bureau of Securities Regulation, a prior crypto commission participant, and a uniform law commissioner involved in tokenization projects. The main presentation was by UNH law professor Seth Orinberg, who discussed the federal GENIUS Act and the pending Clarity Act and how they affect New Hampshire’s options in the digital asset space. He described the GENIUS Act as governing payment stablecoins/stable tokens, defining them as blockchain-based assets used primarily for payments, redeemable for a fixed amount of national currency, and required to maintain stable value. He said the law creates three possible state roles: hosting federally qualified issuers, becoming a state qualifier for issuers up to a $10 billion threshold, or exploring state-backed issuance as a sovereign. He noted that the state-qualification path would require conforming legislation, examination capacity, and coordination with Treasury, while the sovereign-issuer theory is legally uncertain and may become a test case. Orinberg also outlined the core compliance framework he said applies to covered issuers: 100% reserve backing in high-quality liquid assets, monthly public reserve reporting, no yield or interest-like rewards, segregation of reserve assets, immediate redemption at face value, and anti-money-laundering/know-your-customer obligations. He then turned to the Clarity Act, describing it as a broader market-structure bill that would create categories such as digital asset, digital commodity, digital security, and ancillary asset, with self-certification procedures for issuers. He said the two federal laws together would separate payments from investments, preempt inconsistent state standards for covered payment stablecoins, and likely reshape the boundaries of state authority over digital assets.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and of course we usually try to accommodate people as much as we can.
• 00:21:23.120> to Um, and of course we usually try to Um, and of course we usually try to accommodate
• accommodate people as much as we can. accommodate people as much as we can.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:12 Approval of Minutes 00:02:25 Co-Chair & Member Comments 00:02:48 Discussion of 2025 SB 137 00:06:58 Outdoor Adventure Tourism Opportunities 00:41:56 Public Service Commission Update 01:21:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members. The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky. Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's our debate as to how much we want to change that number to accommodate preferences by the
• number<04:23:44.159> to want to change that number to want to change that number to accommodate
• preferences<04:23:45.600> by<04:23:45.760> the<04:23:46.279> operators accommodate
• preferences by the operators accommodate preferences by the operators or or or not.<04:23:49.199>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 63, which concerns funding for the division of travel and tourism and its relationship to the meals-and-rooms tax calculation. Members asked for confirmation that the bill would not affect municipal distributions under RSA 78-A:26. Jennifer Ramsey of the Department of Revenue Administration explained that the amendment does not change meals-and-rooms distributions, but instead corrects the calculation for the travel and tourism appropriation by adding back the municipal fund transfer before applying the 3.15% floor. Chris Shay of the Office of the Attorney General agreed with that explanation. The committee also discussed the complexity of the meals-and-rooms statutes and the possibility of a future cleanup effort. The committee then voted 19-0 to recommend SB 63 ought to pass; it will not go on consent because it has a fiscal note. The committee next considered SB 60, relative to advanced deposit account wagering. Rep. Murphy moved ought to pass, explaining that the bill would regulate advanced deposit wagering on horse racing and impose a 1.25% revenue share on wagers from New Hampshire residents, generating roughly a quarter-million dollars in new lottery revenue in the first year. The motion passed 19-0, and the bill will not go on consent because of its fiscal note. The committee then voted 19-0 to recommend SB 147 ITL, with members noting that live racing facilities are in decline and the market is shrinking. SB 160, which updates raffle ticket pricing and prize limits for bingo-related gaming, also passed ought to pass 19-0 and will not go on consent. The committee then took up SB 73, which revises coverall bingo rules and increases prize limits. An amendment, 2025-1470H, was offered to raise the total prize amount to $5,000; members supported it as a reasonable compromise, and the amendment was adopted unanimously. The bill as amended then passed ought to pass 19-0, again with a fiscal note preventing consent placement. After those votes, the committee moved into a work session on SB 83, where members began discussing the bill’s video lottery terminal provisions, including the meaning of “maximum wager,” the absence of a cumulative betting cap, and concerns that the bill combines several distinct policy changes—tax treatment, VLT rules, renaming, and a self-exclusion database—into one measure. No vote was taken on SB 83 during the work session, and members indicated they would continue discussion later after reviewing side-by-side materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• They’re all different, and maybe the balance of the fees needs to accommodate the actual cost of that
• fees<01:20:38.000> needs<01:20:38.239> to<01:20:38.400> be<01:20:38.640> accommodate
• <01:20:39.199> the<01:20:39.440> actual fees needs to be accommodate the actual fees
• needs to be accommodate the actual cost<01:20:40.080> of<01:20:40.400> that<01:20:40.719

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• understanding of what that would be, and that puts me in mind of Representative Ladd's bill about how to accommodate
• about<00:15:38.759> how<00:15:38.959> to<00:15:39.759> um<00:15:39.920> accommodate
• lad's Bill about how to um accommodate lad's Bill about how to um accommodate funds<00:15:41.279

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. The Department of Education testified that the bill’s definition would conflict with federal definitions and be very restrictive, potentially affecting a wide range of instructional methods, curriculum materials, teacher training, civics requirements, suicide prevention training, and other programs. The department said the bill could force a broad overhaul of school practices, create local implementation burdens, and require at least one new state position, with a fiscal note estimating roughly $118,000 in FY 2026 rising in later years. Members also raised concerns about possible impacts on federal pass-through funding and whether the bill was workable. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. The committee then heard HB 133, a Department of Safety/DMV bill involving follow-up when a person votes using an out-of-state license or non-driver ID and then does not obtain a New Hampshire credential within the statutory timeframe. DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology upgrade plus a new full-time position, and that the fiscal note did not include postage or fully account for the manual work needed to match records, send notices, and review responses. They said the proposal also raised broader tracking issues because it would apply not only to voters but to anyone who had not obtained a New Hampshire license within 60 days, and they questioned whether DMV was the proper agency to make those inquiries. Committee members pressed the department on how the 60-day clock would be determined, whether the bill could amount to a kind of poll tax or raise privacy concerns, and whether voter ID cards or other exceptions would avoid that problem. The department explained that New Hampshire offers a free voter identification card through town clerks for people without a license or state ID, but said the bill did not exempt those cards and that the DMV would still be asked to investigate status after voting. Officials also said the bill would be difficult to enforce, that some cases would be ambiguous, and that any response from the DMV would likely amount to a request for information rather than an enforceable consequence. No vote on HB 133 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to know today in this 24 hours and for the people that are worried about this that's an accommodation
• about this people that are worried about this that's<01:26:05.360> an<01:26:05.600> accommodation
• that's an accommodation to practicality. that's an accommodation to practicality.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• building very carefully to make the best possible films for our students, and it was designed to accommodate
• 01:26:21.639> was<01:26:21.920> designed<01:26:22.320> to<01:26:22.560> accommodate
• <01:26:23.360> many it was designed to accommodate many it was designed to accommodate many

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I spoke with the chairman actually in the hall and indicated that insurers have been basically accommodating
• the halling indicated that insurers have been<01:18:36.040> basically<01:18:37.040> accommodating
• <01:18:37.920> this been basically accommodating this been basically accommodating this provision

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One employee is authorized for telework for reasonable accommodation purposes.
• authorized for Tela workk<01:17:07.120> for<01:17:07.400> reasonable<01:17:07.960> accommodation
• workk for reasonable accommodation workk for reasonable accommodation purposes<01:17:10.880>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism. The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed. Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, it emphasizes accountability, school improvement, valid year-to-year performance tracking, accommodations
• year-to-year performance<00:20:24.880> tracking,<00:20:25.960> uh<00:20:26.360> accommodations
• performance tracking, uh accommodations performance tracking, uh accommodations for<00:20:27.800
• a watch, and if you change one gear, sort of the next gears are going to have to be tweaked to accommodate

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• violations, where people are being held packed in like sardines, lack of food, lack of sleep, lack of accommodation
• violations, where people are being held packed in like sardines, lack of food, lack of sleep, lack of accommodation
• lack<02:01:34.560> of of food, lack of sleep, lack of of food, lack of sleep, lack of accommodation
• That's<02:01:36.320> what<02:01:36.560> due<02:01:36.880> process accommodation
• That's what due process accommodation.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, January 29, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened after a snow delay, heard an invocation from Reverend Scott Shelton, and conducted several floor introductions and recognitions, including birthday wishes for staff, a welcome for a temporary office staffer, recognition of the Center for Urban Families, and introduction of the week’s pages. The chamber then approved the prior journal and moved through bill and bond initiative readings, referring the listed measures to their standing committees or the capital budget subcommittee. The first substantive action was adoption of a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill authorizing the Baltimore City Board of Licensed Commissioners to issue a related event promoters permit for the CIAA tournament. The floor leader said the bill had no amendments, no fiscal impact, and no opposition in committee. The Senate adopted the report without objection and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 1 from the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which would require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to adopt a statewide policy on law enforcement face coverings, apply it to state, local, and federal officers in Maryland, and enforce violations through a civil citation and discipline. The committee report included two amendments: one technical and one making the policy statewide and preempting local policies. During extended debate, the bill’s sponsor argued that masks undermine transparency and trust and that the measure would create a uniform standard. A senator from Frederick County questioned whether the bill would effectively create a policy for federal agents without Maryland-specific training and raised concerns about enforcement, temporary detention, complaints, and possible conflicts with federal authority. The sponsor responded that officers would retain discretion, that the bill would be enforced through civil citations, and that similar civil enforcement mechanisms have been upheld in Maryland. No final vote on the amended report is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• add that for individuals that maybe feel uncomfortable, Title VII also has reasonable religious accommodations
• Title VII also has reasonable religious accommodations for somebody who might protest using a facility
• that it was a compelling state interest for women's privacy, would you, and then they gave an accommodation
• that it was a compelling state interest for women's privacy, would you, and then they gave an accommodation
• that it was a compelling state interest for women's privacy, would you, and then they gave an accommodation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sorry I'll wrap it up there for that um sorry I'll wrap it up modifications<01:44:16.040> accommodations
• <01:44:16.719> in<01:44:16.880> a modifications accommodations in a modifications accommodations
• backs of the General<01:44:32.400> Ed General Ed General Ed teachers<01:44:34.199> accommodations
• <01:44:35.080> modifications teachers accommodations modifications teachers accommodations

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Policy Committee opened a hearing on HB 748, which would establish a local education freedom account (EFA) program. The prime sponsor, Rep. Kevin Verville, described the bill as enabling legislation that would let local voters decide whether to create a local EFA program by petition and ballot vote, with a 60% threshold to approve or repeal it. He argued that public education is about funding rather than a specific school building, said the proposal would expand parental choice, and cited Deerfield’s move from a single high school option to multiple tuitioned options as an example of local flexibility. Verville said the local EFA would be funded at twice the state adequacy amount, with the district matching the state portion, while other aid categories such as free and reduced meals, English language learner, and special education aid would not be doubled. He said students using a local EFA would still count in average daily membership, that unspent EFA funds would revert to the district, and that the bill would prohibit double-dipping with other scholarship or EFA programs. He also said special education services would remain under district discretion and that local EFA participants would still take statewide assessments for accountability. Committee members pressed him on several issues, especially special education, transportation, and fairness. Rep. Woodcock and Rep. Murray asked whether districts would still have to provide special education and transportation services if a student used a local EFA; Verville responded that special education would remain in the local district at district discretion, while transportation would generally become the family’s responsibility unless already required in an IEP. Rep. Cornell raised an equity concern about no income eligibility cap, asking whether higher-income families should receive the same public support; Verville replied that New Hampshire does not means-test public education and that the local EFA is a public funding mechanism, not a tuition subsidy that would cover full private-school costs. No vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regardless of the crime itself, in other words, the process needs to accommodate everyone, and everybody
• Regardless of the crime itself, in other words, the process needs to accommodate everyone, and everybody
• <01:50:20.440> gas<01:50:21.400> tolls<01:50:22.400> of<01:50:22.840> accommodations
• <01:50:23.520> we<01:50:23.679> had off gas tolls of accommodations we had off gas
• tolls of accommodations we had to<01:50:24.000> make<01:50:24.199> for<01:50:24.400>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 146, which would require longer retention and quicker disclosure of certain video recordings from traffic stops and similar motor vehicle violations when a citation is disputed. The prime sponsor described the bill as a response to a constituent who challenged a speeding ticket but could not obtain a cruiser video before it was deleted under the current 30-day retention practice. Supporters argued the bill is about fairness and access to potentially exculpatory evidence, and one member suggested a simple 60-day retention period might avoid confusion over different timelines. The sponsor also noted that the bill would not affect criminal cases and that victims and complainants should have access to the same evidence as law enforcement when a recording is relevant to a defense. Major Brendan Davey of the New Hampshire State Police testified in opposition. He said the proposal would create a different discovery standard for one type of evidence, could discourage agencies from adopting body-worn or cruiser cameras, and would add cost and administrative burden. He explained that the State Police already retain routine traffic-stop videos for at least 30 days, but keep videos much longer when complaints or possible litigation are involved, and said the current system balances efficiency with accountability. He also argued the underlying speeding case did not make the trooper video directly material to the citation, though he acknowledged the legislature could choose a longer blanket retention period if it wished. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 638, which would allow people serving life without parole sentences to become eligible for a parole hearing at age 60 after serving at least 18 years, provided they have had no major conduct violations in the prior 10 years. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give a narrow second look to a small number of elderly prisoners, citing the high cost of incarceration and the health challenges of aging in prison. He emphasized that the bill would not automatically release anyone, would not apply to capital murder convictions under RSA 630:1, and would still allow victims to participate in the parole process. Testimony on HB 638 was mixed. Alexander Bailey, a survivor of violent crime and domestic violence advocate, supported the bill, saying many survivors favor rehabilitation, second chances, and restorative justice, and that people in prison often age faster and face serious health and safety problems. Another supporter, Russell Roy, began offering a personal story about crime, addiction, and violence in Concord, but the transcript cuts off before his full remarks. Committee members asked about why age 60 was chosen, how released individuals would support themselves, and whether victims or families would be consulted; the sponsor said 60 was meant to limit eligibility and reflect the health realities of prison, and that parole boards already consider support networks and victim input. No action or vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• 54.159> ADA<00:26:54.640> help<00:26:54.880> all<00:26:55.039> of accommodations
• in the ADA help all of accommodations in the ADA help all of us,<00:26:55.360> even<00:26:55.520
• that those those students who need that those those students who need special<00:40:38.800> accommodations
• <00:40:39.599> because<00:40:39.839> of<00:40:40.000> their special accommodations
• because of their special accommodations because of their disabilities,<00:40:41.359> uh<00:40

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this could be changed to accommodate that concern. amendment that um allowed any donor to a amendment
• ><02:32:48.880> be<02:32:49.040> changed<02:32:49.439> to<02:32:49.840> accommodate

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You actually<00:53:16.079> cannot<00:53:16.480> accommodate<00:53:16.960> it.
• <00:53:17.280> You actually cannot accommodate it. You actually cannot accommodate it.
• You actually<00:53:17.760> could<00:53:17.920> not<00:53:18.079> accommodate.
• actually could not accommodate. actually could not accommodate.
• 53:21.440> possibly The only place that could possibly The only place that could possibly accommodate

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not necessarily that they can't accommodate them.
• It's not necessarily that they can't accommodate them.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission opened an informal discussion focused on developing recommendations for its September report on correctional consolidation and cooperation. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasized that the group is still in an information-gathering phase, but should begin putting ideas on the table, including possible written recommendations, further hearings, and additional facility tours. Members discussed whether the commission should seek more input from frontline stakeholders such as sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, unions, and the judiciary, and whether recommendations should be organized around specific issue areas like medical costs, programming, reentry, and facility operations. A major theme was the need for a more integrated and consistent correctional system. Participants raised concerns about fragmentation across DOC, county sheriffs, probation, and parole, and suggested exploring step-down pathways, minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and regional reentry hubs to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. Several speakers stressed the importance of uniform standards, evidence-based programming, better data on outcomes and spending, and clearer alignment between custody conditions and rehabilitation goals. There was also discussion of looking to other states and international models, as well as revisiting older reports and plans, including the 2009 commission report and the 2010 corrections master plan. Facility-specific issues were also raised, including the need to examine women’s facilities such as Framingham, Bridgewater, and restrictive housing practices in light of suicide concerns and mental health needs. Members discussed the relationship between correctional custody and behavioral health, the role of the judiciary in sentencing and reentry planning, and whether judges should be better informed about available programming and step-down options. There was broad agreement that collaboration, transparency, and accountability should be strengthened, with some members urging that recommendations be based on firsthand facts and data rather than opinion alone. The meeting also included presentation of a written set of eight high-level recommendations compiled by advocacy and legal organizations, which focused on clearer and more consistent programming, equitable application of rules, and reducing punitive conditions that function like solitary confinement. The chairs said the document would be shared with members and posted online. No formal votes were taken during the discussion, and the meeting ended with plans to continue the conversation at a future session, including possible follow-up on reentry centers, restrictive housing, and other systemwide reforms.