Transcript Highlights:

• So I think this universal child care really hits, feeds a lot of birds with one policy.

Summary: The committee heard first from LFC staff on a brief about New Mexico’s universal child care expansion. Staff said child care assistance has clear benefits for parents and families, but LFC has not found evidence in New Mexico that it improves children’s educational outcomes; they argued pre-K is the better tool for that goal. The brief highlighted four concerns with universal access: an estimated annual cost of about $849.7 million, a sharp decline in registered homes, possible crowding out of lower-income families, and reduced access for children under age two. Staff also suggested possible mitigations such as prioritizing slots for low-income and at-risk families, reinstating sliding-scale co-pays, and tying quality improvements to workforce wages. Members raised questions about the cost estimate, funding sources, provider quality, and whether the data showed actual crowding out. Several lawmakers expressed support for child care generally but concern about the fiscal impact and whether universal access would divert resources from the families most in need. Others emphasized the importance of child care for workforce participation, rural communities, and family stability, and questioned how registered homes are counted and regulated. LFC staff clarified that the cost estimate was for child care assistance only, not the entire ECECD budget, and that the data showed declines in the share of lowest-income children and infants/toddlers served, though not causation. The ECECD secretary then presented the department’s response, saying universal child care is intended to complete a cradle-to-career system and that the department has already seen strong uptake, increased capacity, and rising workforce participation. She said 6,206 families were found eligible in the first month, the share of infants and toddlers served rose, and new provider applications and licensed slots increased after the November rollout. The department also emphasized wage increases, quality improvements, and a new wage scale/career lattice, while projecting a lower near-term cost than LFC’s estimate and requesting additional funding for child care, early pre-K, home visiting, workforce systems, and capacity-building. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, when New York passed, it's called the Birds and Bees Protection Act.
• Of course, um, insects are coming back as well as the birds.
• So, when New York passed, it's called the Birds and Bees Protection Act.
• Of course, insects are coming back as well as the birds.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• insurers with prior authorization requests, and so it's kind of this arms race that's gone pretty wild
• insurers with prior authorization requests, and so it's kind of this arms race that's gone pretty wild
• insurers with prior authorization requests, and so it's kind of this arms race that's gone pretty wild
• insurers with prior authorization requests, and so it's kind of this arms race that's gone pretty wild

Committee: Joint Health Insurance Affordability Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Anybody want to send these people off on this wild goose chase?
• people</c><05:24:12.718><c> off</c><05:24:12.878><c> on</c><05:24:13.040><c> this</c><05:24:13.200><c> wild
• </c> to send these people off on this wild to send these people off on this wild goose<05:24:13.840><

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This year we have the 2025 male athlete of the year, Daniel Wild. Will you please stand?
• of<01:01:20.400><c> the</c><01:01:20.559><c> year,</c><01:01:20.960><c> Daniel</c><01:01:21.440><c> Wild
• </c><01:01:21.839><c> Will</c><01:01:22.000><c> you</c> of the year, Daniel Wild.
• Will you of the year, Daniel Wild. Will you please<01:01:22.400><c> stand?</c> please stand?

Transcript Highlights:

• chair, appreciate your patience and your flexibility because, um, this committee is somewhat of a wild
• because um this committee is somewhat<06:42:49.200><c> of</c><06:42:49.440><c> a</c><06:42:49.920><c> wild
• </c><06:42:51.760><c> And</c><06:42:52.400><c> um</c><06:42:53.280><c> thank</c> somewhat of a wild ride
• And um thank somewhat of a wild ride.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Summary: The committee convened for a day of public hearings on nine bills, with plans to later execute several early bills and possibly additional measures under House Rule 44. Chair Diane Pauer outlined time limits for sponsors and testimony, announced a lunch break around noon, and noted substitute members would be arriving later. The first hearing was on House Bill 1107, which would allow municipal budget committees to have one to three alternate members. Representative Valon, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to help towns like Epping deal with quorum problems during the compressed budget season and noted that alternates are common on other local boards. The New Hampshire Municipal Association testified in support, saying the bill would increase flexibility and help fill seats. Committee members raised concerns about whether alternates should be elected, how they would be selected, whether they would be sufficiently informed to vote, and whether the bill’s one-year term language and rescission provisions were clear. The sponsor and NHMA said the process would be consistent with other local boards, that alternates would typically be appointed after elections, and that they would follow up on possible statutory clarification. The hearing closed with six remote supporters, one paper supporter, and no opposition reported. The committee then heard House Bill 1118, sponsored by Representative Colby, which would raise the daily amount municipal employees may hold before remitting funds to the treasurer from the current $1,500 limit to $3,500. Colby said the existing thresholds are outdated, have not been updated in about 20 years, and create burdens for smaller towns that must make frequent bank deposits, sometimes far from town offices. She said the bill would improve efficiency and allow staff to focus more on serving residents, while still allowing municipalities to keep lower limits if they choose. Members asked about how the remittance process works in practice, what amounts municipalities typically collect, and whether the change reflected a broader trend of updating cash-handling thresholds. The sponsor explained that the bill only changes the dollar thresholds in the relevant statutes and does not require municipalities to adopt the higher limit. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1118 is reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• chair, appreciate your patience and your flexibility because, um, this committee is somewhat of a wild
• because um this committee is somewhat<06:42:49.200><c> of</c><06:42:49.440><c> a</c><06:42:49.920><c> wild
• </c><06:42:51.760><c> And</c><06:42:52.400><c> um</c><06:42:53.280><c> thank</c> somewhat of a wild ride
• And um thank somewhat of a wild ride.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of us must ask during Passover and Easter week, who is being forsaken in this wild rush to endow
• ><04:37:14.840><c> forsaken</c><04:37:15.840><c> in</c><04:37:16.160><c> this</c><04:37:16.400><c> wild
• </c> week, who is being forsaken in this wild week, who is being forsaken in this wild rush<04:37:17.680

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's one: it grows all over the place in Northern California, either wild or as a crop.
• </c> the place in Northern California W the place in Northern California W either<03:02:34.080><c> wild
• </c><03:02:34.520><c> or</c><03:02:34.800><c> as</c><03:02:34.960><c> a</c> either wild or as a either
• wild or as a crop<03:02:36.920><c> people</c><03:02:37.160><c> use</c><03:02:37.319><c> it</c><03:02

Transcript Highlights:

• sort of characterizing these nonprofits as being completely without regulation, as being some sort of wild
• would move that amendment and I'm happy to repeat it if necessary. regulation, as being some sort of wild
• regulation, as being some sort of wild rest<02:06:25.679><c> sort</c><02:06:25.920><c> of</c><02:06:

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• 03:02:52.920><c> the</c> were audited by foundations like the were audited by foundations like the wild
• <c> Foundation</c><03:02:54.920><c> people</c><03:02:55.160><c> that</c><03:02:55.279><c> were</c> wild
• Wilder Foundation people that were wild Wilder Foundation people that were pro-choice<03:02:56.279><

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:25:26.960><c> complex</c><01:25:27.960><c> and</c><01:25:28.679><c> the</c><01:25:29.040><c> wild
• </c><01:25:30.040><c> the</c> is incredibly complex and the wild the is incredibly complex and the wild

Summary: The House Committees on Health and Labor heard testimony on HB 1244, a measure relating to labor standards at health care facilities and nursing staff ratios. Committee members opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a suggested two-minute testimony limit and Zoom rules. The bill drew extensive testimony from hospitals, nursing organizations, unions, and individual nurses, with the central debate focusing on whether staffing ratios should be set by statute or left to collective bargaining and unit-level staffing decisions. Opponents included the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Straub Benioff Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kapiolani Medical Center, and Queen’s Health Systems. They argued that fixed ratios are too rigid for the changing conditions of hospital care, could worsen workforce shortages, and should be handled through labor negotiations, staffing committees, and existing agreements. Several also pointed to investments in nursing education, loan repayment, and workforce development as better solutions. Queen’s said it had recently reached an agreement with nurses after more than 40 meetings that included a staffing framework, and Kapiolani and others emphasized the need for flexibility in emergencies and specialty care. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Pride at Work Hawaii, the Hawaii Nurses Association/American Nurses Association chapter, Hawaii Nurses Association Local 50, UNAC/UHCP, and individual nurses, said unsafe staffing levels contribute to burnout, turnover, errors, and patient harm. Testifiers described chronic short staffing, emotionally and physically exhausting workloads, and situations in which nurses were responsible for too many patients at once. Supporters argued that safe ratios are necessary to protect both patients and nurses, and that collective bargaining has not been enough to ensure safe conditions statewide, especially in facilities without unions. No vote or final committee action was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate our advocacy and feel free to crack jokes at me anytime you have a, you know, wild pass.
• I appreciate our advocacy and feel free to crack jokes at me anytime you have a, you know, wild pass.
• have</c><02:16:59.120><c> a</c><02:16:59.439><c> you</c><02:16:59.599><c> know</c><02:17:00.319><c> wild
• </c> you have a you know wild pass. you have a you know wild pass.

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• cuts critical federal research programs, engages in mass firings of crucial experts, and engages in wild
• cuts critical federal research programs, engages in mass firings of crucial experts, and engages in wild
• of cr of crucial experts and<03:21:56.000><c> engages</c><03:21:56.720><c> in</c><03:21:57.040><c> wild
• ><03:21:57.439><c> swings</c><03:21:57.840><c> in</c><03:21:58.080><c> national</c> and engages in wild
• swings in national and engages in wild swings in national trade<03:21:58.720><c> policy</c><03:21:59.200

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, due to frost, just like farmers, we were exposed to all elements of these crazy wild winters
• Last year, due to frost, just like farmers, we were exposed to all elements of these crazy wild winters
• Last year, due to frost, just like farmers, we were exposed to all elements of these crazy wild winters
• Last year, due to frost, just like farmers, we were exposed to all elements of these crazy wild winters
• Last year, due to frost, just like farmers, we were exposed to all elements of these crazy wild winters

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also hear from opponents of this bill that if we pass it, New Hampshire will turn into a Wild West
• Um, my dorm was fairly wild on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
• I was gone all the time, knowing that a fraternity and a team and it was a, I was on the wild floor of
• > I</c><02:00:11.440><c> was</c><02:00:11.520><c> on</c><02:00:11.679><c> the</c><02:00:11.840><c> wild
• floor of the it was a I was on the wild floor of the campus<02:00:13.199><c> and</c><02:00:13.760><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• would apply to "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," "Beloved," "I Know Why the Caged Bird
• Like again, "Lonesome Dove," "Beloved," "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."

Bills: SB6 , SB30 , SB13 , SB2878 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB618 , SB414 , SB1394 , SB2425 , SB898 , SB993 , SB442 , SB735 , SB784 , SB2538 , SB1919 , SB1013 , SB2215 , SB2322 , SB626 , SB570 , SB747 , SB2183 , SB673 , SB1015 , SB1447 , SB1370 , SB1784 , SB1897 , SB2873 , SB2891 , SB2933 , SB2540 , SB2681 , SB2695 , SB1965 , SB2203 , SB872 , SB875 , SB1030 , SB1277 , SB1730 , SB1681 , SB1152 , SB2969 , SB2747 , SB2705 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB2080 , SB2721 , SB1986 , SB2392 , SB2539 , SB2857 , SB2799 , SB2785 , SB2782 , SB1531 , SB1927 , SB1263 , SB1098 , SB835 , SB3070 , SB22 , SJR27 , SB25 , SB7 , SB552 , SB1612 , SJR87 , SJR1 , SB6 , SB30 , SB13 , SB2878 , SB57 , SB127 , SB293 , SB441 , SB3059 , SB512 , SB241 , SB1718 , SB140 , SB2055 , SB2075 , SB2018 , SB1534 , SB1567 , SB785 , SB1233 , SB1580 , SB1663 , SB413 , SB447 , SB519 , SB467 , SB1579 , SB1191 , SB1021 , SB1838 , SB2807 , SB2835 , SB546 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2035 , SB2024 , SB1032 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1302 , SB401 , SB1596 , SB1281 , SB1242 , SB1343 , SB310 , SB1346 , SB2753 , SB2703 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SB2177 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB961 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1610 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1362 , SB926 , SB1494 , SB251 , SB456 , SB500 , SB1307 , SB2615 , SB2995 , SB2321 , SB973 , SB974 , SB865 , SB506 , SB781 , SB1522 , SB1558 , SB510 , SB667 , SB763 , SB2073 , SB1858 , SB1660 , SB505 , SB2900 , SB1433 , SB1540 , SB1964 , SB1300 , SB1644 , SB2217 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1758 , SB2480 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3073 , SB2920 , SB2781 , SB826 , SB766 , SB2460 , SB527 , SB1946 , SB2885 , SB1243 , SB2610 , SB2595 , SB857 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB618 , SB414 , SB1394 , SB2425 , SB898 , SB993 , SB442 , SB735 , SB784 , SB2538 , SB1919 , SB1013 , SB2215 , SB2322 , SB626 , SB570 , SB747 , SB2183 , SB673 , SB1015 , SB1447 , SB1370 , SB1784 , SB1897 , SB2873 , SB2891 , SB2933 , SB2540 , SB2681 , SB2695 , SB1965 , SB2203 , SB872 , SB875 , SB1030 , SB1277 , SB1730 , SB1681 , SB1152 , SB2969 , SB2747 , SB2705 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB2080 , SB2721 , SB1986 , SB2392 , SB2539 , SB2857 , SB2799 , SB2785 , SB2782 , SB1531 , SB1927 , SB1263 , SB1098 , SCR9 , HB5560 , HB762 , HB 107 , HB 114 , HB138 , HB4386 , HB2495 , HB581 , HB3348 , HB5323 , HB1584 , HB4341 , HB6 , HB171 , HB143 , HB449 , HB3486 , HB4263 , HB5246 , HB2 , HB2011 , SB17 , SB21

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you just leave your property undeveloped and just let it go wild and don't cut any timber ever,
• If you just leave your property undeveloped and just let it go wild and don't cut any timber ever, the

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum present and approval of the April 17 minutes. The commission then heard a presentation from attorney Jacob Rhodes of Cleveland, Waters and Bass on the history and legal basis of New Hampshire’s timber tax, explaining that timber was historically treated as part of real property, that a 1913 case confirmed that view, and that a 1949 constitutional amendment created a separate timber yield tax to discourage clear-cutting and support forest conservation. He described the tax as a tax on the yield when timber is severed, not an income tax, and noted that towns are reimbursed through a system based on Department of Revenue Administration market data and local reports of cut. Members and guests asked how “yield” is defined, how the timber tax interacts with current use, and whether carbon sequestration could be treated similarly. Testimony explained that current use generally is not affected by harvesting timber, that towns can tax standing timber under RSA 79:5 but rarely do because it is labor-intensive, and that carbon credits might be valued using a similar market-data approach. Several speakers discussed a prior bill drafted with DRA input that would have treated carbon more like timber, but noted it never fully advanced in the General Court and that the version ultimately discussed by the House differed from the earlier DRA-comfortable draft. The discussion also covered whether carbon sequestration agreements are effectively long-term leases or transfers of timber rights, with Rhodes suggesting that 99-year arrangements could be taxable transfers of real property under DRA rules, though he had not reviewed specific agreements. DRA staff said they do not currently have a timber-like survey mechanism for carbon and would likely need access to proprietary market data or a subscription service to build one. No formal vote was taken beyond approving the minutes; the commission appeared to agree to revisit the carbon/timber valuation issue and the draft bill at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, Representative Schultz, Madam Chair, that's wild.
• Representative Schultz, Madam Chair, that's wild.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy