Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so but you your final statement ago.
• to say on her statements. to say on her statements.
• So, if I rent a four last statement.
• last statement concerned me. Okay. last statement concerned me. Okay.
• ,<03:07:58.240> which I'm going to make a statement, which I'm going to make a statement,

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use. Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects. The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, under 6633A, um, the text of the statement for the voters guide, if any, needs to be included in
• Guys have it. the text of the statement for the voters the text of the statement for the voters guide
• , and uh how to uh request a statement, and uh how to uh request a hearing. hearing. hearing.
• I don't have a prepared written statement for you. I'm just coming today because— >> It that way.
• Representative, if that's written statement that you're reading, we would much rather you pass that to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a statement made in the meeting, and then it was rebutted as not being true. go<00:05:23.199><
• It was a statement made in the meeting, and then it was rebutted as not being true. >> When was it rebutted
• [laughter] >> Perhaps this is a moot point given the last statement, but just to be clear, we were not
• just<02:08:40.880> to<02:08:41.119> be<02:08:41.199> clear, last um statement
• report will be included as the statement report will be included as the statement of<02:44:45.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on reviewing and amending draft minutes and then discussing a draft report on SAU consolidation and school administration efficiency. Members first corrected a disputed statement in the minutes about who starts charter schools, and agreed to mark it as disputed. They also noted a donation figure mentioned in the meeting but not reflected in the notes, and then approved the minutes as amended. The committee then reviewed supporting materials, including a Census Bureau education spending table and a 1993 report on eliminating SAUs. The chair argued New Hampshire ranks very high in administrative spending and used that as evidence for reducing administrative costs. Other members pushed back, noting that education costs are largely borne locally and that the committee should stay focused on its charge. Several members also objected to characterizations of SAU boards and to relying heavily on an old report or on the School District Governance Association’s proposal. The draft report itself drew repeated edits. Members objected to language suggesting the testimony from associations was simply that change was not needed, and proposed more neutral wording about concerns over the impacts of changes. There was also disagreement over a proposed model in which a county-level school administrator would be elected; some members said that would be inappropriate and premature, while others argued the committee had not yet fully developed a consolidation model. The discussion ended with a call from some members for more time and for a future joint legislative committee to continue refining any proposal before legislation is introduced.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want to make that statement. And I also want to be clear.
• I don't want to make that statement.<01:20:26.400> And<01:20:26.640> I<01:20:26.800>
• statement. And I also want to be clear. statement. And I also want to be clear.
• And I'll start right on the first page and look at the statement of findings, and look at where we made
• I appreciate the accountability section in there, as well as strengthening the statement with respect

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 06.160> as<00:12:06.279> well<00:12:06.440> as<00:12:06.600> the vision statement
• as well as the vision statement as well as the organizational<00:12:07.760> structure<00:12:08.760
• Health Organization put out a statement Health Organization put out a statement that<03:29:29.960
• On page 24, this is a summarized income statement that shows the FY 24 actual and our FY 25, FY 26, and
• um that shows the FY 24 income statement um that shows the FY 24 actual<03:41:25.359> and<03:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Safety presented an overview of highway fund and unrestricted revenue collections, focusing on the Division of Administration, the Road Toll Bureau, and the Division of Motor Vehicles. Amy Newbery explained that the main unrestricted funding sources are highway funds and general funds, with highway fund revenue of about $263 million in FY 2024 and a FY 2025 projection of $261.2 million. She said revenue growth has been modest and has not kept pace with costs, creating structural deficits that required general fund transfers of $50 million in FY 2022-23 and another $10 million in FY 2024-25 to balance the fund. Jennifer Hall described Road Toll operations, including motor fuel tax collection at the distributor level, compliance enforcement, and licensing for fuel distributors, transporters, IFTA carriers, and oil discharge/pollution control. Members asked about IFTA, dyed-fuel enforcement, the possibility of using the state forensic lab for dyed-fuel testing, and whether audit positions had been filled; the department said it recently hired a part-time fuel enforcement officer, still uses IRS testing, could explore lab testing, and had no audit vacancies. Hall also discussed factors affecting fuel-tax revenue, including gas prices, crude oil forecasts, weather, tourism, GDP, and inflation, and said FY 2024 road toll revenue was $127.5 million, above plan, with FY 2025 projected at $127.71 million. The committee then turned to DMV-related revenues. Newbery said motor vehicle registration revenue was $93.1 million in FY 2024 and is projected at $90.4 million in FY 2025, with the state share going directly to the highway fund. Members asked about the state/town fee split, the five-year registration cycle dip, the distribution of registration revenue by vehicle weight category, and the impact of electric-vehicle surcharges; the department said the five-year dip is still occurring and will fade over time, and it would follow up on the weight-category breakdown. The presentation also noted that driver-license revenues have stabilized, inspection revenues remain steady, plea-by-mail revenue was added to the highway fund in FY 2024, and general fund revenues tied to the department are relatively small and have declined as some functions moved to OPLC. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I guess I'm trying to reconcile our discussion about the previous bill, HB 883, and your statement
• that you do have 883 and your statement that you do have a<00:52:34.200> list<00:52:35.200>
• We don't even have a mission statement because we have this fires council in our office, right?
• because we have this uh fires statement because we have this uh fires Council<01:55:20.760> and
• that you stated you made a statement that you stated you made a statement that<02:15:25.320>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and began with housekeeping on testimony deadlines, hybrid participation rules, time management, and expectations for civility. The chair said testimony posted at least 24 hours in advance would be available to members and the public at the same time, late testimony would still be processed, and decision-making would generally be deferred to later in the day so morning hearings could adjourn before the noon floor session. The first bill heard was HB 673 on emergency management. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator James Barros testified in opposition, saying the bill could undermine the executive’s unity of command during emergencies and objecting to provisions allowing the legislature to terminate a state of emergency by a two-thirds vote. Members asked about the difference between an emergency order and a state of emergency, whether other states use legislative checks and balances, and whether long-running emergencies such as COVID-19 or homelessness should have clearer end conditions. Barros said the agency, along with the Attorney General’s office and the governor’s office, would review the language and that the issue is setting conditions for when an emergency ends. The committee then heard HB 596, also on emergency management, which would clarify types of events that count as dangers and emergencies. Barros opposed the bill, saying the current list covers known hazards but should remain open-ended for future threats; he cited COVID-19 as an example of an unforeseen event and said the bill could limit flexibility. Members asked whether the list could be expanded, and Barros said the agency would look at that possibility. Testimony included support from the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and concerns from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii about the bill’s special fund provisions; the committee also corrected testimony that had been submitted for the wrong bill. The final measure discussed was HB 1060 on emergency preparedness and the Community Readiness Center Program. Barros explained the proposal as part of HEMA’s effort to build local readiness centers and community hubs, with an initial target of 10 communities through a federal grant and a longer-term concept of roughly 100 statewide. The Climate Advisory Team supported the bill’s intent but urged that centers be developed with strong community and nonprofit involvement through the HARRP program. The Department of Taxation offered comments on the special fund, and members raised questions about cost, size, use of existing school facilities, public messaging, and equity across communities. Barros said the centers would provide backup communications, power, water, and food for a community group, would not function as general shelters, and would be designed to help communities hunker down and recover after a disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that an accurate statement, Mr. Fuller? >> Mr.
• I statement I do have some questions.
• Uh, statement as well as his thoughts.
• , statement, statement, >> Mr.<04:01:57.840> Chairman?
• Um is that an accurate statement funded.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a correct statement, or is... Thank you for the question.
• I totally didn't ask a question; I just made a straight-up statement.
• Is that a fair statement? It's kind of all over the place.
• Is that a fair statement? It's kind of all over the place.
• Is that a fair statement? It's kind of all over the place.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if if if you've got prepared<00:48:01.359> statements<00:48:01.760> that<00:48:01.920
• > you're<00:48:02.079> just prepared statements that you're just prepared statements that
• That was a statement. I get the opportunity to do that.
• I I get the opportunity to do statement.
• And then I have a question about the hearings, or more of a statement.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just a statement or a couple statements. So, I mean, you're right.
• It's just a statement or a couple statements. So, I mean, you're right.
• :57.360> statements.
• <02:15:58.079> So,<02:15:58.400> I statement or a couple statements.
• So, I statement or a couple statements. So, I mean, mean, mean, you're<02:16:00.960> right.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House and Senate tourism briefing focused on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract oversight, destination management action plans (DMAPs), and the impact of recent legislation and audit findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson said she accepted the temporary role to help address agency challenges, emphasized rebuilding trust, and said HTA is reviewing the state auditor’s concerns and posting its response publicly. She also described HTA’s mission and organizational structure under SB 1571, including reporting lines to the governor, the director, and the board, and outlined staff additions in finance, brand marketing, destination stewardship, and planning. A major topic was the permanent CEO search. HTA board chair Tata Po said the goal is to select a CEO within about four months, with the search firm still engaged, the position description being revised to reflect the new law and compensation changes, and approvals still needed before the job can be reposted. Members expressed frustration that the recruitment had been paused and questioned whether HTA has sufficient qualified leadership and staff during the interim period. Board leadership said the current staff is limited by vacancies but that they have confidence in the team and will add resources if needed. Members also pressed HTA on the role of the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana contract, asking how staff oversight works and whether staff members were effectively wearing multiple hats. HTA explained that the stewardship team provides direction to contractors and that the work is divided among specialists overseeing projects such as tour guide certification, technical assistance, community tourism collaboratives, and a destination app. The committee also discussed whether the board can still vote on budgets under the new structure; the Attorney General’s office was cited as confirming that the board may advise, but the department director retains budget authority. HTA said it is working with CNHA and HVCB on contract and budget timing, with a goal of shifting to a calendar-year process so recipients know funding earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lang, take your word for that statement. But take your word for that statement.
• <00:43:45.640> We<00:43:45.760> also Well, that's a true statement.
• We also Well, that's a true statement.
• Is that a fair statement? Yes, definitely.
• And I heard prior some statements about our constitution. One member mentioned democracy.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and read that statement.
• Chair, I think a statement that counties are in charge of the subcontractors just as a statement.
• Chair, I think a statement that counties are in charge of the subcontractors just as a statement.
• Chair, I think a statement that counties are in charge of the subcontractors just as a statement.
• Um I can't imagine as a statement.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I will echo my colleague's statements.
• Um, so I will echo my colleague's statements.
• Um and say echo my colleague statements.
• . statement. statement.
• that this program had no statement that this program had no identifiable<04:40:16.480> outside

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• statement in their legislative session. statement in their legislative session.
• It's whether working families feel relief when they open their utility statements.
• They experience it through monthly statements.
• It's all about protecting ratepayers with enforceable policy rather than with empty statements because
• because the American empty statements because the American people<03:06:38.960> deserve<03:06

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, it's a statement.
• It's a statement of who we are, a statement of what we believe as a state, what we want, what we desire
• statement over this concept. statement over this concept.
• Would that be an accurate statement? >> Uh, Mr.
• Would that be an accurate<03:13:03.279> statement? accurate statement? accurate statement?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are two points that I want to make about your opening statement.
• So those are two points that I want to make about your opening statement.
• statement, which in no way conflicts with the first.
• remarkable just a remarkable statements remarkable just a remarkable statements and<03:02:45.520
• It doesn't really—it still has the same purpose, the same statement of intent.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, which would allow classification by biological sex in limited circumstances such as multi-use bathrooms, certain athletic events, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters argued the bill was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for women and girls, and said it was consistent with recent federal actions and prior legislation. Opponents said the bill lacked a clear definition of biological sex, could create confusion and discrimination, and was unnecessary because existing law and sports rules already address the issues raised. After debate, the committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass on HB 148. The chair asked for a majority report and noted that a minority report would likely be filed. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill related to end-of-life medical decision-making. Supporters framed it as a matter of liberty and relief from suffering for terminally ill patients, while opponents raised moral objections, concerns about suicide being normalized, and worries about deceptive wording and death-certificate reporting. HB 254 was approved on an 11-7 vote for ought to pass, with the chair indicating he would write the majority report and Representative Perez the minority report. The committee then moved to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment restoring prior law on recoupment of appointed-counsel costs from indigent criminal defendants and juveniles. The chair explained the amendment as reversing 2020 changes that had limited cost recovery, and the discussion focused on financial affidavits and the Office of Cost Containment’s ability to review indigency claims. The transcript cuts off before the committee vote on HB 611.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are two points that I want to make about your opening statement.
• So those are two points that I want to make about your opening statement.
• The first sentence is a broad statement as to the right, and the second statement is a slightly narrower
• statement, which in no way conflicts with the first.
• remarkable just a remarkable statements remarkable just a remarkable statements and<03:02:45.520

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But she said there was no data provided by those testifying to support that statement, and there were
• But she said there was no data provided by those testifying to support that statement, and there were
• But she said there was no data provided by those testifying to support that statement, and there were
• Her review statement to me is advice; it is not a ruling.
• If you make a broad statement saying it's unconstitutional, you will convince no one.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened its February 4, 2025 hearing with a business item on House Bill 553, appointing a subcommittee chaired by Representative Greg and including several named members. The committee then took up House Bill 486, which would revise New Hampshire’s grandparents’ visitation law. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to address gaps in current law, especially in situations involving divorce, separation, kinship care, and parental substance use, so that children can maintain important relationships with grandparents or other kin caregivers. He emphasized that the proposal was meant to supplement existing law rather than replace it, and said the language was modeled on statutes from other states. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 486, describing painful family separations and arguing that current law can be interpreted too narrowly. One grandmother said the existing statute had been used to dismiss her visitation case because she was restricted while the parents were separated, and she asked for language changes so courts could still order visitation in similar circumstances. Another witness, testifying online, urged passage of the bill as being in the best interest of children. A third witness described a family living arrangement in which grandparents had been a consistent presence in their grandchildren’s lives but were later cut off during a contentious separation, and said the bill would help repair those relationships. Committee members asked about the six-month timeframe in the bill, whether the proposed language would affect cases where a grandparent does not live with the child but is still a regular caregiver, and whether the sponsor had written amendment language; the sponsor said the six-month language was taken from other states’ statutes and that the new language would not change existing visitation rights but would add to them. After hearing the testimony, the chair said the committee would hold HB 486 aside for a week or two while awaiting additional information before voting. The hearing then moved to House Bill 320, an act relative to enforcement of marital property settlements. The sponsor explained that the bill would require courts to enforce final property decrees and would clarify the difference between enforcement and contempt, arguing that courts should have clear authority to fashion remedies and that litigants, especially self-represented parties, need clearer statutory guidance. Committee members questioned the legal distinctions the sponsor drew, including whether the bill was aimed at enforcement rather than contempt and how the proposed language would operate in practice. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 320.

Transcript Highlights:

• The association should not become a billboard for policy statements when it has no policy-making or policy-influencing
• The association should not become a billboard for policy statements when it has no policy-making or policy-influencing
• The Economist statement describes the policy that we are proposing to the federal government.
• The Economist statement describes the policy that we are proposing to the federal government.
• The Economist statement describes the policy that we are proposing to the federal government.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you want, again, I heard people asking people from my side to get out and make statements to...
• Getting on social media and making statements really doesn't do anything.
• <02:03:10.560> to and make statements to and make statements to Well,<02:03:12.639> guess
• Getting on social media<02:03:15.280> and<02:03:15.599> making<02:03:16.000> statements
• <02:03:16.960> really media and making statements really media and making statements really

Keywords: 1187, senate, all