Transcript Highlights:

• State Insurance Department, if you'll make your way to the table. Thank you for being here today.
• My name is Crystal Phelps, and I'm an attorney with the Arkansas Insurance Department.
• Jimmy Harris, Insurance Commissioner, State Insurance Department. Thank you for being here today.
• Insurance Commissioner, State Insurance Department. Thank you for being here today.
• Act 426 of 2025 provided the Insurance Department with the authority to promulgate rules for a registration

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many insurance plans cover acupuncture and And with hospice.
• Many insurance plans cover acupuncture, and licensing is necessary to participate in the insurance marketplace
• and to allow those insured who have acupuncture coverage to use their benefits.
• Many of our public employees have acupuncture insurance benefits.
• states do have licensing, so they're able to participate in the free market, meaning we can bill insurance

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 10 minutes and then heard a presentation from DOPL Administrator Russ Barron explaining the agency’s fee-setting process for professional boards. Barron said DOPL operates without general fund support, relies on license fees to cover costs, and is using a legislatively approved plan to raise or lower fees based on board cash balances. He described past consolidation and efficiency efforts, including moving to the Chinden campus, implementing a single licensing system, merging boards, and using fee holidays for boards with excess cash. Members generally supported the approach and asked about board financial reporting, carryover balances, and DOPL’s efficiency measures. The committee then considered several DOPL rule dockets. It approved a unified rule chapter for the newly merged Board of Long-Term Care Administrators and approved repeals of the prior separate nursing home and residential care administrator rule chapters, effective July 1, 2026. These actions were tied to the merger of the two boards under 2025 legislation and were described as non-substantive reformatting to consolidate the rules. Finally, the committee heard and approved rules for the Board of Acupuncture. The docket removed duplicative statutory language and increased fees substantially, raising initial licensure from $150 to $300 and renewals from $75 to $200. Price said the board had a negative cash balance and needed the increase to move toward the statutory cash-balance target. Heather Bergstrom of the Idaho Acupuncture Association testified in support, saying the profession is self-funded, the increase was manageable, and licensing is important for insurance participation and market access. Members asked about board consolidation and comparisons with other states before unanimously approving the docket. The committee adjourned after noting more DOPL rules would be heard the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• establishment of the Health Impact Cost and Coverage Analysis Program, authorizing a fee for the insurance
• Referred to the Committee on Insurance.
• Referred to the Committee on Insurance.
• Referred to the Committee on Insurance.
• to the Committee on Insurance.

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, is our permit issued acceptable to insurance companies?
• You know, is our permit issued acceptable to insurance companies?
• You know, is our permit issued acceptable to insurance companies?
• Is our beneficiary going to be able to get insurance?
• Insurance costs and premiums have gone through the roof.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> lose their health insurance by 2034. lose their health insurance by 2034. 106,000<00:15:40.480><
• , which will drive insurance premiums even higher.
• . insurance. insurance.
• Um, insurance costs going up.
• Insurance on farmland produce to market. Insurance on farmland vehicles<01:41:37.840><c> liability.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of insurance—every one of these buildings needs to have some kind of insurance.
• The cost of insurance, every moratorum.
• </c> some kind of insurance. some kind of insurance.
• So, who's going the insurance payment.
• </c><00:07:56.639><c> the</c> expect them to continue to insure the expect them to continue to insure

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, um insurance u through the state.
• </c> have their spouse u purchase insurance have their spouse u purchase insurance um<00:11:29.600><c
• </c><00:11:32.320><c> um</c> um and also continue their insurance um um and also continue their insurance
• It's good insurance.
• </c><01:11:23.199><c> program</c> state employee group insurance program state employee group insurance

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1301 Allen, property insurance non-renewals, due pass with author's amendments to narrow the bill
• SB 87, Perez, insurance loss estimates, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• SB 878, Perez, insurance claims payments, due pass. That's out with Republicans not voting.
• SB 1037, Weber-Pearson, health insurance rate review, do pass. That's out on a B roll call.
• SB 1037, Weber-Person, health insurance, rate review, do pass out on a B roll call.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its August 13, 2026 suspense-file hearing on Senate bills, with the chair opening by thanking staff and recognizing consultant Jennifer Swenson’s retirement after 30 years in the Legislature. The committee explained that it was weighing the fiscal impact of 293 bills and that some would move forward while others would be held because of cost, duplication, or competing budget priorities. The committee then took up the suspense file in alphabetical order and acted on a large number of measures, sending many to the Assembly floor as due pass or due pass with amendments. Examples included bills on battery recycling, wildfire resilience loans, mobile home park disaster assistance, price gouging, veterans’ property tax exemptions, housing and insurance issues, energy and utility regulation, election procedures, criminal justice, health care, education, housing, environmental protection, and artificial intelligence. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, delay implementation, add reporting requirements, clarify definitions, or reduce costs; others were held in committee. Among the notable actions, several bills were advanced on roll calls while others were held, including measures related to water quality, utility rate information, juvenile detention, CARE Court, and various housing and energy proposals. The committee also moved a number of sunset and technical cleanup bills, and several members requested to be added as principal or joint authors on amended measures. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted that the committee had moved a large number of bills to the Assembly floor, usually with amended language, and that the amended versions would be posted online. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , when they return to employment, that their health insurance premiums do not change with the Office
• , when they return to employment, that their health insurance premiums do not change with the Office
• We don't have insurance in our retirement system.
• If a retiree does return to work, the office would cover their health insurance.
• They're just switching insurance retirement systems. So it kind of puts the same thing in place.

Committee: House Retirement

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Office of the Insurance Commissioner related to the insurance mandate states there's no fiscal impact
• to the office of... ...the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and PEIA indicated no fiscal impact
• related to the insurance mandate.
• subsequently been changed, so the bill before you is educational in nature and not related to the insurance
• of this bill is to allow a patient who has received prior notification from the Public Employees Insurance

Committee: Senate Health and Human Resources

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this just requires health insurers to cover screenings of postpartum depression.
• Um, and when we did a survey of the insurance companies last year, we only found one company that wasn't
• </c><00:04:54.320><c> to</c> this just requires um health insurers to this just requires um health insurers
• </c><00:05:01.440><c> companies</c><00:05:01.840><c> last</c> survey of the insurance companies last
• survey of the insurance companies last year,<00:05:02.320><c> we</c><00:05:02.560><c> only</c><00:05:

Committee: Joint Medicaid

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Floridians are feeling the squeeze from insurance premiums to the grocery aisle, the economic pains our
• We had an insurance crisis in this state. That doesn't just impact homeowners.
• Think about a municipality and all the buildings they have to insure.
• You want to talk about the liability insurance crisis? Same thing.
• You want to talk about the auto insurance crisis in this state? They insure their own vehicles.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is after FEMA and insurance funding is exhausted.
• to keep in mind is that CDBG-DR funds act as a supplement and are not intended to replace FEMA or insurance
• premiums, and increased insurability, mitigation of risk of repetitive losses, and comprehensive support
• And should result in a lower National Flood Insurance premium for the property owner and potentially
• However, a lot of these properties are already in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard several housing and disaster-recovery items. The committee heard SB 48 by Senator Gates, which would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead treatment for the owner-occupied portion of the property, limit undue parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum rentals, extend certain density bonuses for military families, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 34 by Senator Sharif, creating a historic cemeteries program to help preserve historic African-American cemeteries and allow sale of excess vacant land if proceeds are used for long-term maintenance; it was also reported favorably. The committee then considered and recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Members also received a presentation from the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida. Deputy Secretary Justin Domer described the state’s administration of HUD disaster recovery funds, including more than $4.3 billion received since 2017, housing repair and replacement programs that have completed 5,271 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects such as sewer conversion in Alford, the new Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, and the Florida Keys desalination plant. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and audit procedures; Domer said the department uses inspections, vendor oversight, and financial penalties, and noted stricter contract consequences in newer programs. The Division of Emergency Management also presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition/demolition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is designed to reduce repetitive flood losses and keep homeowners in place, and that it has received more than 12,000 applications, with about 1,500 prioritized, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about the 25% match for seniors, the wait list, contractor procurement, and how projects are classified; Guthrie said the program uses insurance proceeds where available, has competitively procured 27 contractors, and may shift projects from elevation to reconstruction depending on damage and flood rules. The committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is after FEMA and insurance funding is exhausted.
• premiums, and increased insurability, mitigation of risk of repetitive losses... ...mitigation of risk
• premium for the property owner. ...and should result in a lower National Flood Insurance premium for
• However, a lot of these properties are already in the National Flood Insurance Program.
• So the thought process is they could take those insurance proceeds and then use that toward their 25%

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum and heard two bills, a confirmation, and two agency presentations. SB 48 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead exemption for the owner-occupied portion, limit parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum leases, extend density bonuses for military-family housing, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. SB 34 by Senator Sharief would expand the Historic Cemetery Program, particularly to help historic African-American cemeteries preserve and maintain themselves by allowing sale of excess vacant land only if proceeds are used for long-term upkeep; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors by unanimous vote. In addition, the Department of Commerce presented on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida, describing more than $4.3 billion in HUD disaster recovery funds since 2017, housing repair and replacement efforts that have completed more than 5,200 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects across the state. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and clawbacks from a prior vendor; Commerce said it had ended the earlier vendor relationship, imposed about $3.6 million in financial consequences, and now uses stronger oversight and competitive procurement for contractors. The Division of Emergency Management then presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds used. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is intended to reduce repetitive flood losses, keep homeowners in their communities, and serve as a national model; he reported more than 12,000 applications, about 1,500 prioritized for review, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about assistance for seniors who cannot meet the 25% match, the wait-list process, contractor selection, and the mix of project types, and Guthrie said contractors were selected through competitive procurement and that most projects are elevations, though some may become reconstructions or acquisitions depending on inspection results. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• professionals, and qualified autism service paraprofessionals from the Health and Safety Code and Insurance
• When SB 946, the autism insurance mandate, was passed in 2011, it required insurance coverage for behavioral
• However, after conversations... ...and the Health and Safety Code and Insurance Code along with the mandate
• does it meaningfully improve transferring code provisions from the Health and Safety Code and the Insurance
• does it meaningfully improve transferring code provisions from the health and safety code and the insurance

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several measures, including SB 402 by Senator Valadares, which would move existing qualification requirements for qualified autism service providers and related professionals from the Health and Safety Code and Insurance Code into the Business and Professions Code without changing the standards. Supporters said it was a technical cleanup that would improve consistency and legislative oversight, while an opponent argued the bill was unnecessary and could create access issues; another witness urged inclusion of the QABA credentialing board. The committee approved SB 402 on a due pass motion to the Committee on Health. The committee also heard SB 378 by Senator Wiener, aimed at online platforms that facilitate sales of illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp products. Supporters, including labor, local government, and cannabis industry representatives, said the bill would help protect consumers, minors, legal businesses, and tax revenue by creating accountability for online marketplaces. Opponents from the hemp industry and TechNet argued the bill was overly broad, could sweep in legitimate platforms and payment services, and should better distinguish bad actors from compliant hemp businesses; members discussed implementation, enforcement through a private right of action, and coordination with AB 8. The committee passed SB 378 to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. Senator Arreguín presented SB 779, which would establish minimum enforcement fines for Contractors State License Board citations where minimums are currently very low or absent, and would raise the board’s reserve cap from six months to 12 months. The sponsor said the changes would better match penalties to violations and help support consumer protection and board operations during economic downturns. There was no opposition, and the committee approved SB 779 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included SB 344 and AB 652, both sent to Appropriations. SB 508 was not heard because it had been pulled by the author.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THIS CASE THAT HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE BUT THIS MONEY WILL BE HAVE TO BE USED ON FLOOD
• INSURANCE PROPERTIES AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS IT.
• THIS TRANCHE OF MONEY WILL HAVE TO BE USED ON FLOOD INSURANCE PROPERTIES BUT THIS IS THE FIRST OF IT'S
• >> I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE OFFICE OF INSURANCE OR DFS BUT I WILL TELL YOU AS PART OF THE PROGRAM THAT
• AND DFS TO HAVE THEM COME IN AND DO AN ASSESSMENT TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE GETTING ANY NECESSARY INSURANCE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Provide health insurance and it's really expensive. And so, Mr.
• And the idea of doing the um insurance plus the pension doesn't get us to our deficit.
• If we did the insurance plus the retirement, it would be 163.
• And I would suggest that a family insurance plan is almost as much as we pay them per year.
• So our health insurance cost increased for everyone in the district.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was so worth it, but it's not covered by insurance.
• The hospitals charge insurance companies $91 for each of those.
• Total impact is $213,000, of which 50% is covered by private insurers.
• If you are a capped insurer, the way to make more money is to go to uncapped services.
• If you are a capped insurer, the way The other 15% are what's left.

Bills: S0688 , S1414 , S0186 , S0902 , S0196 , S1574 , S0878 , S1092 , S1032 , S1684 , S1686 , S1760

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: cytomegalovirus, education, maternal health, newborn care, infectious diseases, student health, epilepsy, seizure disorders, school safety, training requirements, medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis, neurofibromatosis, healthcare, state regulations, child care facilities, public safety, grant program, uterine fibroids, health database

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills and confirmations. It first heard SB 1414 on congenital cytomegalovirus education, which would require the Department of Health to develop and distribute educational materials to expectant and new parents through maternity, prenatal, newborn, and OB-GYN settings; an amendment removed a section on required instruction for medical professionals, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then approved a block of appointees on tabs 2 through 7 and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after her testimony on Medicaid accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, rural health, behavioral health, and the state’s technology modernization efforts. Senators asked Harris about Hope Florida, Medicaid redeterminations, the CORE project, an anti-marijuana ad campaign at DCF, and compliance with a federal Medicaid-related court order; she said she would follow up on some issues. The confirmation was recommended favorably, with Senator Berman voting no. The committee next passed SB 186 on student health and safety, which expands epilepsy and seizure-disorder training requirements to more school personnel, including bus drivers and charter school staff, and requires seizure-first-aid posters and updated Department of Health education efforts. It also approved SB 902 on Department of Health issues after amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and added provisions on medical marijuana regulation, early childhood intervention, practitioner accountability, and autism workforce development; one speaker raised concerns about marijuana dispensary location restrictions and low-THC ratios. SB 196 creating a uterine fibroid research database was also reported favorably after an amendment protecting patient privacy; the bill drew emotional testimony from a patient describing severe symptoms and the need for more research. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine was approved after committee discussion about scope of practice, referral obligations, and whether naturopathic care should be adjunctive to conventional medicine; supporters described complementary care and access issues, while opponents worried about delayed treatment for serious disease. Later, the committee passed SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” to add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening using the same blood specimen already collected at birth and to launch an education campaign; parents of a child affected by the disease testified that earlier screening could have prevented severe harm. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel was reported favorably to address staffing shortages by allowing Florida to rely more directly on federal CLIA standards for qualified lab workers. SB 1092 on podiatric medicine was approved after an amendment narrowed it to cellular/tissue-based products and podiatrists’ use of certain therapies; the bill also addresses continuing education, informed consent, and advertising disclosures. SB 1032 on medical marijuana was amended and passed, aligning physician certification and card renewal timelines, setting 70-day and 35-day supply limits, and reducing the fee for honorably discharged veterans while preserving funding for FAMU; Senator Harrell opposed it, saying the longer timeframes were too much of an expansion. The committee also heard SB 1760 on Medicaid coverage transparency from Senator Brodeur, who said the bill focuses on accountability and fiscal responsibility, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• the insurance company does not obtain a certificate of title due to a denial of insurance claim, a lack
• When it's determined to be a total loss, the insurance company, with the owner's consent, follows the
• The salvage auction business partners for the insurance industry give them about 90...
• It does not mention any costs to the driver and auto insurance and points.
• Now, you know, we have a... ...auto insurance and points.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2669, which would limit railroad train length in Arizona to 8,500 feet. The sponsor and several witnesses argued that very long trains create public safety risks, block rural crossings, delay EMS and fire response, and can worsen hazardous materials incidents, citing derailments and blocked crossings in places such as El Mirage, Holbrook, Sanders, and Santa Cruz County. Railroad representatives opposed the bill, saying train length does not cause derailments, that railroads already use tracking and crossing-management systems, and that shorter trains would increase congestion and delays. After debate, the committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2669 a do-pass recommendation, though some members said they supported the safety concerns but had constitutional concerns about interstate commerce. The committee then considered HB 2369, as amended, which requires photo-enforcement citations to be signed by the presiding judge, with the amendment limiting the requirement to photo-enforcement citations and allowing an electronic signature. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by a Mesa issue involving thousands of citations signed by the wrong judge after that judge had left the bench. A Paradise Valley court representative said their photo citations already include a judge/clerk signature and that the form had long been approved. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 7-0. HB 2256, a technical cleanup bill for salvage auction dealers, was also passed unanimously. It allows a salvage auction dealer to receive title to an abandoned vehicle tied to a denied or unpaid insurance claim and sets out notice and title-release procedures; the amendment clarified that insurers may request actions rather than taking possession of a vehicle and that storage fees must be paid. HCM 2007, which urges renaming sections of State Route 69 in honor of veterans from five former wars, also received a 7-0 do-pass recommendation, with members discussing whether World War I should be included and how the memorial highway designation would work alongside the existing route number. HB 2772, which would place a pre-hospital medical care directive indicator on driver licenses and state IDs, generated extended discussion and was ultimately held over after a recess. Supporters said it could help first responders and families quickly identify a DNR/advance directive, while opponents and committee members raised concerns about liability, whether first responders or bystanders would be protected, whether the bill should instead reference advance directives, and whether ADOT and EMS stakeholders had been fully consulted. The committee then heard HCR 2004, a proposed voter-approved prohibition on photo enforcement systems. The sponsor argued photo radar is unconstitutional and cited Mesa and Paradise Valley problems with erroneous or dismissed citations. Scottsdale and Phoenix police opposed the resolution, saying photo enforcement reduces serious injury and fatal crashes, supports local traffic safety efforts, and is especially useful amid officer shortages. The Phoenix commander noted the department has more than 600 sworn vacancies and said automated enforcement helps augment roadway safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:49.440><c> for</c> required to have liability insurance for required to have liability insurance
• </c><00:32:03.679><c> to</c> lease is there liability insurance to lease is there liability insurance
• Representative Bulgar, is there liability insurance in this lease? >> Absolutely.
• There will be a liability insurance provision. Uh, any other questions? Any questions?
• Uh any liability insurance uh provision. Uh any other<00:37:54.320><c> questions?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its September 29 meeting and then took up a series of Department of Transportation and Department of Administrative Services property actions. Several DOT items involved disposal of land originally acquired for the now-dissolved Conway bypass or other highway projects, including a 445.6-acre Conway parcel proposed for sale to the town of Conway for conservation use, a 1.78-acre Chesterfield parcel for sale to an abutter, a 6.13-acre Madison parcel tied to the Conway bypass, and a bulk disposal package of 22 improved parcels in Merrimack, Litchfield, and Hudson. Members asked about appraisals, conservation easements, federal funding restrictions, tenant occupancy, and whether the state would recover its original investment; DOT said values were based on appraisal or market analysis, federal reimbursements may be required where federal funds were used, and proceeds from turnpike-related property would return to the turnpike fund. All of these disposal motions were approved. The committee also approved several DOT lease/easement items. These included a Greenfield railroad-corridor lease for equestrian use, a Lake Winnipesaukee dock lease to CE Realty Trust, a similar dock lease to Needle Eye Association, and an easement in Carroll for Industrial Wireless to build a private road and cross Mount Deception Brook for a cell tower project. Members focused on maintenance responsibilities, liability insurance, access limitations, fencing, and the relationship between the railroad corridor and adjacent uses. DOT said lessees would be responsible for maintenance, access to the railroad would be restricted, and liability insurance would be included where appropriate. The committee also approved a separate easement for Eversource in Rochester to install utility lines serving the new courthouse, with the department explaining that the easement is a narrow strip needed to complete construction. The Department of Administrative Services received approval for a use-of-premises agreement allowing Rockingham County to lease 300 square feet in the Brentwood courthouse for office space, and for a perpetual utility easement in Rochester for Eversource, with a waiver of the administrative fee. The committee also heard that the Rochester courthouse project needs the utility work to finish construction. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly asked about insurance, public access, valuation, and whether tenants or abutters would have first opportunity to buy or lease the affected properties. All motions before the committee were adopted.