Transcript Highlights:

• reflect the proper code reference, and that is what the piecemeal amendment reflects as well, the appropriate
• reflect the proper code reference, and that is what the piecemeal amendment reflects as well, the appropriate
• Chairman, I'd like to speak to the Governor's Office if the time is appropriate.
• with the recommendation that the proposed strike-and-insert amendment be considered by the full Judiciary
• The chair would like to thank the outstanding Judiciary staff for a wonderful round of work this session

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and welcome to the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee for Friday, February 26th.
• And I just want to add, for the record, some people respect the committee and dress appropriately, unlike
• Good morning, Chair Taylor and members of the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.
• caseload standards coming online and significant potential revenue discussions underway, this is an appropriate
• Washington Working model policies for health care facilities for use in training and educating staff for appropriate

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We will call the Committee on Judiciary to order. Please call the roll to get us started. Here.
• are telling you what rate you have to pay and telling attorneys that your bank is not paying the appropriate
• need more money, they will also point out we are one of 14 states that does not have a line item appropriation
• In page seven of your judiciary analysis, you...
• attention to what we do and listen to what we say, and I certainly do think that this provides appropriate

Transcript Highlights:

• state oversight and any appropriate state oversight and any regulation,<00:27:14.800><c> nor</c><00:
• Um, how did that discussion go in Judiciary, and what's your understanding of how that would operate?
• And the bill is on its way to Judiciary. I'm sorry, Senator Latz.
• </c><01:43:27.160><c> and</c><01:43:27.240><c> Public</c> Committee on Judiciary and Public Committee
• on Judiciary and Public Safety.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> property and that's the most appropriate property and that's the most appropriate way<01:26:38.920
• </c><01:29:16.880><c> and</c> This money has been appropriated and This money has been appropriated and
• </c><02:07:53.400><c> Um</c> It's judiciary in nature.
• centers around the central judiciary district.
• judiciary district. And that's what judiciary district.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> police officer does what's appropriate. police officer does what's appropriate.
• Thank you, Chairman, and members and friends on the House Judiciary Committee.
• It's the Senate Judiciary Committee. You guys get a much more beautiful road.
• Almost demoted you Judiciary Committee.
• It's the Senate Judiciary folks.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• It is appropriate for us to discuss this here.
• For the record, my name is Judiciary.
• Chairman, and members of the Judiciary Committee.
• There are cards that are appropriate to show. There are others that are not.
• There are cards that are appropriate to show. There are others that are not.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:19:58.960><c> way</c> how to do that in the appropriate way how to do that in the appropriate
• Um, so we bill in judiciary at 1:00.
• </c><03:28:15.040><c> in</c> that uh had been in judiciary in that uh had been in judiciary in criminal
• </c> This is not appropriate for this house. This is not appropriate for this house.
• That's the appropriate office.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e Call the Judiciary Committee to order.
• Good morning, Judiciary Committee members.
• </c><01:12:51.239><c> time</c> uh I wonder if at the appropriate time uh I wonder if at the appropriate
• </c><02:00:16.440><c> I</c> I've ever testified before Judiciary I I've ever testified before Judiciary
• This is my fourth term on Judiciary. I'm serving the town of Goffstown.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened its hearing with a procedural discussion about a forthcoming Monday hearing, and the chair confirmed that any amendment deemed non-germane would be made public in advance and included in the calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would replace the word “citizen” in the Right-to-Know law with “any person,” allow requesters to specify the format of records, and expressly reference preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body as disclosable material. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clarify existing law, remove uncertainty after a Rochester-related dispute over requester eligibility, and make records easier to obtain electronically unless doing so would be impossible, unusual, unduly burdensome, or harmful to recordkeeping integrity. Testimony was mixed. Cordell Johnston, speaking for himself as a municipal attorney, opposed most of the bill, especially the requirement that records be delivered electronically or by mail, arguing that out-of-state or out-of-country requests can be fishing expeditions that impose significant burdens on towns and clerks. He said local residents already can obtain records at town hall and that many municipalities voluntarily email records as a courtesy, but should not be required to mail large volumes of material. He also said the preliminary-draft language was unnecessary because such drafts are already covered when circulated to a quorum or majority. Representative Alexander raised concerns about the breadth of “any person,” potential abuse by bad actors, and the cost to municipalities, while Representative Peternell asked about whether the bill should account for nonresident property owners and business owners. The sponsor responded that limiting requesters by residency would not meaningfully stop abuse and said he did not know the bill’s fiscal impact, though he suggested it might improve efficiency. Yil Biset of the ACLU of New Hampshire testified in support of HB 6, calling it a modest and reasonable transparency measure. He said the preliminary-draft language was acceptable and consistent with existing exemption language in the public-meeting and documents statutes, and he said he was not aware of foreign-bot document requests occurring in New Hampshire. He also noted that current law already requires electronic disclosure when records exist electronically and can reasonably be provided that way. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and start Appropriations and Finance.
• There is no money directly appropriated, but there is $10 million currently in the House appropriations
• Because they're all in the appropriations. That is what we have been told.
• They are all in the appropriations. Mr.
• The amendment strikes the appropriation. The amendment strikes the appropriation.

Bills: SB241 , SB145 , HB2

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and start Appropriations and Finance.
• There is no money directly appropriated, but there is $10 million currently in the House appropriations
• They are all in the appropriations. Mr.
• It's just dealing with distributions. ...sort of appropriation for the fund.
• The amendment strikes the appropriation. The amendment strikes the appropriation.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 7, the Apprenticeship Assistance Act, which would keep apprenticeship trust fund distributions at $2.5 million rather than reducing them and remove a reference to the tobacco settlement permanent fund. Labor, construction, business, and environmental groups testified in support, emphasizing workforce development, retention of workers in New Mexico, and expansion of apprenticeship opportunities. The bill was moved and adopted without opposition. Members then considered House Bill 66, as amended, to increase funding for health professional loan repayment and related workforce supports. The amendment struck an appropriation because the funding was already included in House Bill 2. Testimony from health care providers, chambers of commerce, social workers, and physical therapy advocates supported the bill as a way to address provider shortages and improve recruitment and retention. After questions about eligibility, repayment terms, and overlap with similar Senate bills, the committee voted to do pass the bill as amended. House Bill 96, creating a working group to study a possible New Mexico Space Commission, was also amended to strike an appropriation. Support came from the chamber, Virgin Galactic, and aerospace advocates, who said a commission could help coordinate economic development and workforce efforts in the space sector. Members asked about other states’ commissions, workforce pathways, and the working group’s timeline, and the sponsor agreed to add clearer dissolution language later. The committee then passed the bill as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 80, a committee substitute to redirect more of the oil and gas conservation tax to the reclamation fund for orphan well plugging and site remediation. Supporters from industry, environmental groups, tribal advocates, and chambers said the bill would better align the tax with its original purpose and provide stable funding for cleanup, while an opponent argued the bill shifts costs from industry to the public and should instead raise the tax or bonding requirements. After discussion of backlog, phase-in timing, and procurement reforms, the committee voted do pass. The committee also heard House Bill 4, as amended, which phases in a larger share of premium surtax revenue to the Health Care Affordability Fund over three years. Supporters said it would sustain BeWell enrollment and affordability programs, while opponents questioned the burden on private payers and the size of the general fund impact. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed it on a 10-7 vote. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 65, as amended, creating a Foster Care Plus pilot project for children in CYFD custody, with testimony both supporting the need for better services and cautioning that implementation should respect tribal law, cultural practices, and family reunification. The committee also tabled House Bill 68 at the sponsor’s request. The transcript then began discussion of House Bill 88, which would make minor changes to the land grant assistance fund, including capturing reverted payments that currently go back to the general fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that case, an appropriate notice will be posted.
• case</c><00:15:26.720><c> an</c> decision- making in that case an decision- making in that case an appropriate
• 27.600><c> will</c><00:15:27.759><c> be</c><00:15:27.959><c> posted</c><00:15:29.360><c> please</c> appropriate
• notice will be posted please appropriate notice will be posted please avoid<00:15:30.040><c> using</
• I think the Judiciary Committee can take that up in the next committee.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee met on February 12 and heard several bills. HB 97, relating to travel insurance, drew only brief testimony: the Insurance Division stood on written testimony, one industry witness supported the bill and requested a minor amendment, and no one else testified or asked questions. HB 226, relating to window tinting, received support from the Department of Transportation, while the Honolulu Police Department offered comments on the proposed amendments, asking for clearer language on what it means to roll windows down, when the requirement applies, how it handles bad weather, and what sanctions would apply for noncompliance. No further testimony was offered on that measure. The committee also heard HB 1179, relating to rural emergency hospitals. The Department of Human Services stood on written testimony, and Maui Health Systems strongly supported the bill, saying it would help critical access hospitals better serve kūpuna and provide long-term care beds. There were no questions or additional testimony. HB 420, relating to remedies and the contractor repair act, generated extensive and sharply divided testimony. Opponents, including attorneys representing homeowners and AARP Hawaii, argued the bill was anti-consumer, would weaken homeowners’ ability to recover for construction defects, and would shift costs and risk to consumers. Supporters, including builders, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, and D.R. Horton Hawaii, said the bill would create a more balanced and efficient process, reduce unnecessary litigation, and help builders address legitimate defects more quickly. Testimony on HB 420 focused heavily on whether the contractor repair process and class actions help or hinder repairs. Opponents said the bill would delay or limit homeowner recovery, especially for life and safety defects, while supporters said current class-action litigation can prevent direct communication with homeowners and slow repairs. Committee members asked questions about when communication with homeowners stops and whether repairs could be made before a class is certified. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:22:38.639><c> which</c> this with one-time appropriations which this with one-time appropriations
• </c><01:37:30.000><c> measures</c> relating to appropriations measures relating to appropriations measures
• </c> act making appro making appropriations act making appro making appropriations for<01:38:16.320><
• House Bill 420 to the judiciary.
• House Bill 420 to the judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1627, withdrawn from Judiciary Criminal Policy and Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight
• Senate Bill 625, withdrawn from Judiciary, Civil Policy, and Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight and

Bills: HR1041 , SB137 , SB1255 , SB1226 , SB1238 , SB1258 , SB1325 , SB1460 , SB1543 , SB1730 , SB1921 , SB1733 , SB1216 , SB1256 , SB1061 , SB1534 , SB1873 , SB1653 , SB540 , SB1948

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine business including second-reading referrals and committee reassignments. Senate Bill 1627 and Senate Bill 625 were withdrawn from their prior committees and assigned to Rules. The chamber also recognized Dr. James David Campbell as Doctor of the Day and Courtney Copen as Nurse of the Day. Members held several floor presentations honoring the Choctaw High School drama team for winning the 2025 OSSAA 6A-1 one-act play state championship and related speech and debate honors, and the Arapaho-Butler Lady Indians for winning the 2025 Class A fast-pitch softball state championship. A proclamation was read designating March 31, 2026, as Affordable Housing Day, highlighting Oklahoma’s housing shortage and the economic impact of the state’s affordable housing tax credit program. The House adopted House Resolution 1041, which supports designation of a nuclear lifecycle innovation campus in Oklahoma, after Representative Archer explained the measure and requested unanimous consent. During announcements, members noted Transgender Day of Visibility, committee meeting changes, a rural caucus meeting, a public health meeting, and a Capitol devotion. The House then adjourned without objection until Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill actually deletes a small piece of the overall bill because it's already in the judiciary bill
• in</c><00:03:23.760><c> the</c> bill because it's already in the bill because it's already in the judiciary
• 25.599><c> it</c><00:03:25.920><c> dealt</c><00:03:26.159><c> with</c><00:03:26.800><c> public</c> judiciary
• Uh it dealt with public judiciary bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there are no corrections, without objection, the Judiciary and Elections Committee minutes of February
• valve for veterans and first responders that are needed to, it's nonviolent crimes, and allows a judiciary
• to look at the... ...violent crimes and allows a judiciary to look at the issues and see if they need
• And I want to say that I feel so nice, so nice, to be in Judiciary Committee where we are admitting,
• Another bill I'm grateful to see in the Judiciary Committee.

Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee met with a hard stop at 4:30 p.m. and approved the February 4, 2026 minutes. Members announced several bills would be held for a later supplemental meeting, then took up SB 1426, the “squatter” bill, which would expand forcible detainer law to cover certain unauthorized occupants who refuse to leave after a reasonable request and require immediate writs of restitution after judgment. Law enforcement and county representatives testified in support, and the committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1426 a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1687, a strike-everything amendment moving Arizona’s primary election date from late July to the Tuesday before Memorial Day beginning in 2027. The sponsor said the goal was to create more time between the primary and general elections and align Arizona more closely with other states. County election officials were neutral but raised implementation concerns, including filing deadlines, redistricting timelines, polling place availability, and interactions with presidential preference and local elections. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a 4-3 do-pass recommendation, with some members voting no over concerns about clean elections timing and local control. Members then heard SB 1110, creating a home confinement program for certain nonviolent inmates with GPS monitoring, work requirements, and DOC rulemaking, while excluding serious and violent offenses. Supporters said it would reduce recidivism, save money, and help families; an opponent questioned the fiscal impact and monitoring costs. The bill received a 5-1 do-pass recommendation. The committee also heard SB 1275, which would allow judges limited discretion to depart from mandatory minimum sentences for qualifying veterans and first responders with diagnosed service-related PTSD or similar conditions; supporters framed it as a narrow safety valve, while opponents warned it could undermine mandatory sentencing and victims’ rights. SB 1275 passed 7-0. Finally, the committee considered SB 1140, a misdemeanor expungement bill. The amendment adopted by the committee extended the waiting period for expungement of convictions to five years for all eligible misdemeanor convictions, while keeping a three-year period for eligible matters that did not result in conviction. Supporters said the bill would remove barriers to employment and housing and help survivors and people who have turned their lives around; the committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1140 as amended 7-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• DWI reform is an area of special legislative concern for our next guest, Chair of the Judiciary and Public
• Senator, as chair of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, you hear from law enforcement agencies
• Uh so what else would you like to see happen in the judiciary and public safety sphere?
• c><00:08:39.599><c> happen</c><00:08:39.919><c> in</c><00:08:40.159><c> the</c><00:08:40.320><c> judiciary
• </c><00:08:40.800><c> and</c> to see happen in the judiciary and to see happen in the judiciary and public

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Judiciary Committee will come to order. We do have a quorum.
• </c> to say over this than the judiciary to say over this than the judiciary committee<00:20:16.160><
• is appropriately shielded from public<00:40:35.040><c> view.
• Morning, Madam Chair, members of the Judiciary Committee, we are here with Senate File 2735.
• </c> Madame Chair, members of the judiciary Madame Chair, members of the judiciary committee,<01:47:13.600

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• A bunch of brave ones testified last week in the Senate Judiciary Committee on a joint resolution and
• A bunch of brave ones testified last week in the Senate Judiciary Committee on a joint resolution and
• a similar bill to that. last week in the Senate Judiciary Committee on a joint resolution and a similar
• I have a question on some of the governance structures, and maybe this might be more appropriate for

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• that current programs are monitored to make sure that the language that may be more faith-based is appropriate
• And that's why the Judiciary Committee is here to make sure that something is legal and safe, and there's
• And that's why the Judiciary Committee is here to make sure that something is legal and safe, and there's
• Chair, members of the Judiciary Committee, for your dedicated service to our state and for this chance

Bills: S0052 , S0502 , S0624 , S0758 , S0834 , S0840

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee considered several bills and reported each favorably. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part. Supporters said it would expand provider options and help address a shortage of certified programs; opponents raised concerns about mixing government-ordered programming with religion and about the state’s prior rule change. The bill passed 7-2. The committee also approved CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction barring licensed insurance agents from partnering with health care sharing ministries to market or sell their programs. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores free speech, consumer choice, and access to faith-based alternatives, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, higher commissions, and weak protections because these ministries are not insurance. After extended debate, the measure passed 8-2. Other measures advanced unanimously or near-unanimously. CS/SB 502, as amended, would give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in the state system; it passed 9-0. CS/SB 52 would exempt volunteer armed security for houses of worship from Class D or G licensing requirements, and supporters cited rising threats to churches and the need for organized volunteer security; it passed 9-0. SB 840, a cleanup bill to narrow and clarify last year’s emergency-related land-use restrictions after hurricanes, also passed 9-0, and CS/SB 758, which updates the membership of the Justice Administration Commission, passed 9-0 after an amendment restoring two public defenders to the commission.