Transcript Highlights:

• starting tomorrow in the Jefferson Room at 7 o'clock, and we are going to do a study on the Ten Commandments

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The ranking system of that is currently first come, first serve.
• Congress must deal with the immigration system.
• We have a system that is broken but that cannot be fixed overnight.
• Money that should be going to our schools, healthcare system, and infrastructure.
• It is often described as one of the most complex systems of bureaucracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was 92 hate crimes and 79 reported hate incidents.
• It's systemic, it's felt very deeply, and we're seeing an increase in hate incidents, particularly targeting
• fail to adequately address these incidents.
• Our research also documented something more systemic than individual incidents: coordinated efforts by
• These are not isolated incidents. They are a pattern.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• college system of New the community college system of New Hampshire<00:52:49.640><c> that's</c><00:52
• The university system has— the community college system has to approve what's going on.
• </c> they're not the university system they're not the university system they're<01:17:58.800><c> not
• or systems to provide context.
• and university system.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 362, which would grant the Department of Education rulemaking authority related to educator licensure and testing requirements, including passing scores on professional education assessments. Representative Ladd said the bill is intended to preserve New Hampshire’s standards for classroom teachers and CTE instructors, while allowing DOE flexibility through rulemaking. He emphasized maintaining high standards, including for career and technical education, and said he was open to DOE clarifying the language further. Committee members raised concerns that the bill, as written, could remove language recognizing industry-recognized credentials for CTE instructors. Department of Education Director Steven Appy said DOE had drafted an amendment to clarify that the requirement applies to an initial New Hampshire license, to exempt CTE teachers from content exams, and to preserve current administrative practice allowing basic academic skills testing and industry-recognized credentials as substitutes. The committee discussed the distinction between basic academic skills tests and content assessments, and Appy said the amendment was meant to avoid conflating those requirements. The chair said the committee would take up executive session on HB 362 and related bills later. The committee then took up House Bill 90, which narrows and defines the rules for part-time teachers, especially in concurrent enrollment settings. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is meant to allow qualified college faculty or adjuncts from the University System or Community College System to teach high school concurrent-enrollment courses when local schools lack a teacher with the needed master’s-level credentials, particularly in math and STEM subjects. He said the bill is intended to expand student access to college-level coursework, save money, and preserve standards, while still requiring background checks and adherence to ethics and conduct rules. Members began asking questions about how the bill would work in practice, including certification and endorsement issues, but the hearing was not concluded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hell of a spot uh waiting for the system hell of a spot uh waiting for the system to<04:57:55.040
• </c><04:58:15.798><c> we</c> wouldn't have known that the system we wouldn't have known that the system
• We have those electronic billboards all over our highway system.
• We have those electronic billboards all over our highway system.
• We have those electronic billboards all over our highway system.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 758, which would establish a study committee on airport operation hours and possible noise abatement measures, including whether New Hampshire should prohibit departures between midnight and 6 a.m. The sponsor said the committee would examine the pros and cons and consult stakeholders. The Bureau of Aeronautics testified neutrally, noting that New Hampshire has 25 public airports, 12 with federal funding and grant assurances that may require them to remain open during those hours, and that cargo operations, including at Manchester, commonly occur overnight. Members also discussed existing noise abatement programs and how mitigation is determined by noise contours and FAA funding decisions. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing after testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 489, allowing voluntary emergency workers to use rear-facing blue lights on private vehicles when responding to emergencies. The sponsor said the bill corrects an oversight in existing law, would not cost the state or towns money, and would improve visibility and safety, especially in rural areas. Supportive testimony from a volunteer responder emphasized that blue lights help cut through fog, snow, and nighttime conditions, and that the bill would only add a single rear-facing blue light to existing red, amber, and white emergency lighting. The New Hampshire State Police opposed the bill, arguing that expanding blue lights to private vehicles would confuse the public and desensitize drivers to blue lights, which are associated with law enforcement. The hearing closed without action. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 533, which the sponsor and State Police clarified is actually two separate changes: one authorizing civilian automotive equipment inspectors to assist with vehicle inspection work, and another expanding language in motor carrier enforcement to include new entrant safety audits and compliance reviews. The State Police explained that civilian inspectors are hired and trained through the department and that any findings of state-law violations would be referred to troopers; they also said the new motor carrier language was requested to satisfy federal audit concerns about right of entry. The New Hampshire Motor Transport Association said it had no position if the civilian inspectors were not doing commercial truck inspections, but would oppose the bill if they were. Members asked about the difference between audits and compliance reviews, and the State Police said audits are for newer carriers and are non-enforcement, while compliance reviews look for violations. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 533. After a brief reset, the committee opened House Bill 594, which would repeal an alternate definition of “way” for the driving-after-suspension statute. The sponsor said the change was requested by the Department of Justice. Representative Erica Leon opposed the repeal, explaining that the prior language was intended to avoid criminalizing people who mow lawns or perform similar work near property edges while suspended, but she worried the repeal could create a loophole allowing driving on places like highway medians. Members questioned whether the issue was limited to mowing or broader vehicle use on property edges, and Leon said she would work with agencies to clarify the language so it protects lawful mowing without allowing misuse. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and really had taken a toll on our trail system, which is vital to our tourism system.
• </c> taken a toll on our our our trail system taken a toll on our our our trail system which<00:06:31.520
• So which is vital to our tourism system.
• ,</c> those being shortchanged by the system, those being shortchanged by the system, saying<00:27:38.559
• </c><04:22:19.279><c> It's</c> through the court system. Period. It's through the court system.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation bills. SB 154 would add the Snow Traveler Foundation to the list of charitable organizations authorized to offer multi-use decal plates through the existing Department of Safety program. Senator David Roford said the bill would create a non-tax funding source for snowmobile trail maintenance, especially after flood damage, and Dan Gold of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association said the foundation would accept tax-deductible donations for projects such as upgraded trail signage. He explained that the association’s 96 volunteer clubs maintain about 7,000 miles of trails and that the sign program is costly. No opposition was presented, and the hearing was closed after questions from members about the foundation’s status and fundraising goals. SB 271 would expand eligibility for veteran license plates to include veterans with a general discharge under honorable conditions. The sponsor’s representative said the change would recognize service members who are already eligible for many veterans benefits but are excluded from plates under current law. Supporters included Phil Grizzo, who argued that general discharges often reflect service that was otherwise honorable, and Kevin Grady of the State Veterans Advisory Committee, which said it strongly supported the bill and was also considering broader statutory cleanup to standardize the definition of veteran across state law. Committee members asked whether the change should be limited to plates or applied more broadly, but the sponsor said broader changes would be a separate policy question. The public hearing was then closed. SB 273, titled “Cheryl’s Law,” would update New Hampshire’s move-over requirements for motorists approaching stopped or standing vehicles on the roadside, including stranded vehicles and those with warning signals. Senator Donovan Fenton said the bill was intended to save lives and honor Staff Sergeant Jesse Cheryl and Brigadier General John Pogo, both of whom died in roadside incidents. He said the measure would require drivers to slow down, change lanes if safe, and move over for roadside vehicles, with the intent of education rather than punishment. Committee members asked about enforcement, the lack of a fiscal note, whether the bill applied statewide, and whether the language could be read as weakening the move-over requirement; the sponsor said it applied to all roads, did not change fines, and was meant to clarify and broaden safety obligations. The hearing continued with additional questions, and the sponsor said state police and other safety stakeholders supported the approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's systemic, it's felt very deeply, and we're seeing an increase in hate incidents, particularly targeting
• fail to adequately address these incidents.
• to adequately address these incidents.
• They are documented incidents of discrimination or harassment and documented incidents of discrimination
• Our research also documented something more systemic than individual incidents: coordinated efforts by

Summary: The Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia met to hear from Los Angeles County officials and community advocates about rising hate, discrimination, and xenophobia, with opening remarks emphasizing the need for stronger anti-hate infrastructure, community-based reporting, and state support. Assemblymember Lowenthal noted the broader economic and social impacts of discrimination, and the committee framed the hearing around understanding local conditions and identifying legislative responses. Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission Executive Director Robin Toma presented county hate-crime data showing record-high levels in 2024, with racial/ethnic hate crimes remaining the largest category and anti-Black hate crimes the most common. He also highlighted high levels of anti-Latino, anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-transgender hate, the role of underreporting, and the county’s L.A. vs. Hate system for reporting and victim support. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it uses hate-crime and hate-incident data to guide proactive patrols, community outreach, and training, and discussed the need to build trust amid immigration enforcement fears that discourage reporting. Community organizations described how current political rhetoric and federal immigration enforcement are intensifying fear and underreporting. LULAC called for multilingual, culturally competent reporting systems, prevention education, and stronger support for grassroots organizations. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles described severe anti-Semitism, increased security costs, and the need for safe worship protections, security grants, and Holocaust education. The NAACP emphasized the continuing impact of anti-Black racism and the need for cross-community solidarity, while the Los Angeles LGBT Center highlighted rising anti-trans violence and urged funding for gender-affirming care, LGBTQ centers, and reauthorization of California vs. Hate. CHIRLA and CAIR California both described heightened fear among immigrants and Muslims, workplace discrimination, and the need for stronger civil-rights protections, data collection, and community-based reporting. No formal votes were taken. The discussion focused on policy ideas and funding priorities, including improved law-enforcement training, alternative sentencing or diversion for hate offenders, protections for houses of worship, and continued or expanded funding for California vs. Hate, Stop Hate, and related programs. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly stressed that hate is underreported, that words and leadership rhetoric matter, and that California should continue investing in prevention, response, and healing.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a watch commander, as a supervisor out on the streets and in the courthouse, it was nice... ...as
• I'm Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento County Employees Retirement System.
• Collectively, our retirement systems invest more than $300 billion in pension assets.
• Our retirement systems invest more than $300 billion in pension assets for 800,000 public employees and
• An example of the magnitude of the impact of this measure on just one system, CalPERS, the investment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Longstar College System, it is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has
• HB 152 by Raymond relating to the provision of funding under public school finance system on the basis
• Relating to the use of average enrollment for purposes of the public school finance system referred to
• HB 245 by Wilson relating to the treatment of service credit in the employee retirement system of Texas
• Relating to the small and mid-sized district. under the public school finance system referred to the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• May they be guided by the timeless and universal values of the seven Noahide commandments given to humanity

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a quote from of Minnesota, a leader is someone who shows others how to live with virtue, not by commanding

Transcript Highlights:

• on active duty status in units such as the 75th Ranger Regiment and the Joint Special Operations Command
• They had these systems in place to ensure that while you were being treated, you would be combat ready

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• greater</c><00:01:54.159><c> Minnesota</c> have uh systems in greater Minnesota have uh systems in greater
• This is not one incident; this incident is one of many.
• </c> this incident is one of many. this incident is one of many.
• Dispatchers keeps this system strong.
• So I am whole system fails without us.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And our Systems Improvement Division works with child welfare systems to develop practices and policies
• Just a reminder that DCYF reviewable critical incidents are those incidents—near fatalities and fatalities
• are the most likely group we see to experience a critical incident.
• We have a huge systemic issue in our system that I want to really highlight, Senator Wilson, and that
• We know about the critical incidents.

Bills: SB5979, SB6308, SB6319

Keywords: opioids, substance abuse, dependent children, child welfare, caregiver substance use, court orders, shelter care, judicial discretion, family law, early childhood, family services, diversion programs, court-ordered assessments, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our current policing system is not okay.
• The SAVE system also relies on automated database matching across federal records.
• Those systems are known to produce errors, particularly for naturalized citizens and people with name
• Those systems are known to produce errors, particularly for naturalized citizens and people with name
• After that, I was a police officer here in the Valley, motor officer, SWAT team commander, bounty on

Bills: HB2416, HB2663, HB2759, HB2806

Keywords: border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, public safety, immigration, military leave, national guard, employment rights, paid leave, disaster response, veterans services, education programs, funding, appropriation, Yavapai county, lawful presence, public programs, verification

Transcript Highlights:

• As a watch commander, as a supervisor out on the streets and in the courthouse, it was nice... ...As
• I'm Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento County Employees Retirement System.
• Collectively, our retirement systems invest more than $300 billion in pension assets.
• Our retirement systems invest more than $300 billion in pension assets for 800,000 public employees and
• Investment that has already been contributed to a retirement system, such as CalPERS, ceases to continue

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard two bills. AB 1054 by Assemblymember Gibson would create a Deferred Retirement Option Program for eligible CHP officers and CAL FIRE firefighters, allowing them to work up to five additional years while their retirement benefits accrue in an interest-bearing account. Supporters, including representatives of CHP and CAL FIRE, said the bill would help retain experienced public safety personnel, address staffing strain, and remain cost-neutral to the state. Members generally supported the measure, and the committee passed it 7-0 and referred it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1439 by Assemblymember Garcia, sponsored by the State Building and Construction Trades Council. The bill would require public pension and retirement systems to apply stronger labor standards when investing in California development projects, including prevailing wage, skilled-and-trained workforce, and labor neutrality provisions. Supporters argued that public pension investments should not back projects with wage theft, unsafe conditions, or poor labor practices, and that stronger standards improve project quality and returns. Opponents, including county retirement systems, builders, housing groups, and local government associations, warned the bill could interfere with fiduciary duties, increase costs, create litigation risk, and reduce housing and development activity. Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, definitions, and possible impacts on housing and pension stability, but several said they were willing to give the author a chance to continue working on amendments. The author committed to further revisions and said the bill was still in early stages. The committee approved AB 1439 5-0, with one member not voting, and sent it to Appropriations. The meeting ended with brief farewell remarks for a committee consultant who is leaving for the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had to tell them, "Our bail system."
• county or municipal jail records and case management systems.
• You have a constitutional right; it's the bedrock of our criminal judicial system.
• And now, if it's used improperly, a denial fits better into our habeas system.
• There are a number of ways that the system... can fail to detect those individuals.

Bills: SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, SCR25, SB687, SB1332, SB2185, SB552, SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SCR25, HB2525, HB142, HB140, HB29, HB451, HB3809, HB3307, HB 1130, HJR1, HB9, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the Anti-Defamation League's annual audit of anti-Semitic incidents, anti-Jewish incidents
• , anti-Jewish incidents surged incidents, anti-Jewish incidents surged to<00:40:18.480><c> historic</
• </c> were 279 reported anti-Jewish incidents were 279 reported anti-Jewish incidents in<00:40:31.320>
• Many Jews feel anti-Semitic incidents.
• </c> going to have to build a system going to have to build a system to<04:48:07.960><c> notify</c><04

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their command doesn't recognize that this is really a mental health issue.
• But the VA, if you can get them into that system, there are tremendous programs.
• They have a really robust mental health support system.
• We understand the system. So feel free, reach out, use us, ask us questions, happy to help.
• We understand the system. So feel free, reach out, use us, ask us questions, happy to help.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on May 18 and approved the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was an update on the Massachusetts Disability Employment Tax Credit from MassAbility. The speaker explained that the credit, created in 2022, offers employers up to $5,000 in the first year and $2,000 in later years for hiring certified employees with disabilities. He described a streamlined self-attestation certification process, the online application and outreach tools, and noted that the first full tax season resulted in one company successfully claiming the credit. Members asked about how employers learn to file, available data, carry-forward rules, and whether more information from the Department of Revenue could be shared. The second presentation was from the Office of the Veteran Advocate. The speaker described the office as an independent agency created after COVID and the state veterans home tragedy to improve veteran services and investigate problems. He reviewed VA disability ratings, the fact that service-connected disability does not necessarily prevent work, and the barriers faced by veterans with less-than-honorable discharges. He also highlighted vocational rehabilitation, GI Bill and housing supports, and the office’s work on professional licensure barriers, especially for nurses and other skilled trades. Members discussed whether Massachusetts is behind other states on licensure reciprocity and the need for more openness from licensing boards; the office said it is starting with a narrow nursing-focused review and will report back on findings. In the final portion of the meeting, members discussed a lengthy policy brief from Seed and agreed it should be taken up at the August 31 meeting rather than rushed through by email. The group focused on two emerging areas of work: the benefit cliff and youth/young adult pathways into employment, including apprenticeships. Members suggested creating a clearer tool or spreadsheet to map existing resources and possibly a white paper for appointing authorities, while noting the commission’s limits on direct advocacy. The meeting ended with an invitation for members interested in the benefit cliff work or youth employment pipeline to join follow-up discussions, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are critical and make sure the integrity of that system works.
• Today I rise to honor the Chancellor's Student Advisory Council for the Texas A&M University System.
• A&M University System. Mr.
• please join me in welcoming the Chancellor's Student Advisory Council of the Texas A&M University System
• Somehow the system has failed. We have failed. Somehow the system has failed.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard the daily invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of H.C.R. 54, which authorizes the legislature to adjourn for more than three days during a specified period. The chamber then took up several recognitions, including Senate Resolution 8 honoring Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants Advocacy Day, a recognition of the Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council, a delegation from Dimmit County, and the doctor of the day, Dr. Hosey Hinojosa. The main floor business centered on Senate Resolution 15, commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the start of Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week. Senators King, Menendez, Bettencourt, Perry, Hughes, Hinojosa, Campbell, Hall, Cook, Paxton, West, Parker, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Holocaust history, the rise of anti-Semitism, the importance of education, and solidarity with Israel. The resolution was adopted without objection, and Senator Bettencourt moved to add all senators’ names. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 17, recognizing Sexual Assault Survivors Day, with remarks focused on the prevalence of sexual violence, underreporting, support for survivors, and the need for prevention and stronger systems of response. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 14 in memory of Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesse Vargas, who was killed in the line of duty, with Senators Middleton and Huffman highlighting his service and using the occasion to call for tougher measures against violent offenders. Additional resolutions SR 3, SR 4, SR 5, SR 6, SR 7, SR 11, and SR 12 were adopted together, and SR 54 granting permission for adjournment for more than three days was approved by a 31-0 roll call vote. The chamber also recognized Leadership Frisco Class No. 28 and later honored former Senator Dr. Joe J. Bernal and, upon adjournment, Sergeant Mark Allen Butler of the Navasota Police Department. The Senate adjourned until 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in memory of Deputy Vargas and Sergeant Butler.