Transcript Highlights:

• statistics in terms of caseload Last year's statistics in terms of caseload, these are new cases assigned
• We had about 563,000 new cases assigned and about 475,000 new clients.
• Are attorneys allowed to, if they are assigned a case, not take it because $75 an hour is a ridiculous
• Likewise, CCRC Middle has seen an increase in case assignments.
• We have counsel as guardian ad litem that's assigned, and a caseworker is also assigned.

Summary: The committee met for an interim appropriations presentation hearing focused on justice administration agencies. Members heard budget requests from the State Attorney’s Office, Public Defenders, the Justice Administrative Commission, Regional Conflict Counsel, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, and the Guardian ad Litem Office, followed by a presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice and a brief public comment from a nonprofit advocate. The chair noted that presentations from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Commission on Offender Review would be moved to a later meeting. The state attorney requested funding to true up underfunded circuits under the existing formula, staff 14 new criminal judgeships, replace declining VOCA victim-services funding with general revenue, and cover a projected due process shortfall. The public defender asked for a higher starting salary for assistant public defenders, funding to restore balance in circuits where public defenders lag behind state attorneys, and staffing for new criminal judgeships. Regional conflict counsel and capital collateral regional counsel also sought salary adjustments, additional attorneys and case costs, and competitive area differential funding to address recruitment and retention issues. The Justice Administrative Commission requested funding for Florida PALM readiness and implementation and for IT hardware and software replacement; it also relayed a clerks’ request for reimbursement related to injunctions for protection, Baker Act, Marchman Act, and sexually violent predator cases. The Guardian ad Litem Office said it now has a guardian ad litem for every child in Florida and requested salary increases for senior and managing attorneys to reduce turnover. The Department of Juvenile Justice presented a much larger budget request to expand residential and detention capacity, increase per diem rates, renovate and replace aging facilities, fund the Broward detention center rebuild, improve cybersecurity and the juvenile information system, and cover rising lease costs. Members asked questions about staffing, compensation, detention and residential treatment needs, mental health and substance-use services, and the Broward project timeline. A nonprofit advocate then asked for better data collection on protection orders and related court actions to support funding for domestic violence and recovery services. The committee adjourned without taking any formal votes on the budget requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> House Bill 103 is assigned to committee number one, Judiciary.
• House Bill 141 is assigned to committee number two, Appropriations.
• I 56, no 5, excused 1. >> House Bill 56 is assigned to committee number nine, Minerals.
• >> House Bill 103 is assigned to committee number<00:04:50.240> one.
• > to<00:05:15.120> committee House Bill 141's assigned to committee House Bill 141's assigned

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• present and please folks know that we have members going in and out because of other committees, assignments
• Our next step will be then to assign a value to those credentials.
• And we do assign some value to those as well.
• You don't assign some quantified amount to it, do you?
• These are physicians and active because people retire and are they assigned not to see patients, yes.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• education students attending schools scheduled to be closed or to undergo a significant change to be assigned
• act to amend the education law in relation to the numbers and duties of assistant principals to be assigned
• I think it's a good bill because at least you know who's assigned where and not just have to go all over

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The New York State Senate Committee on New York City Education met with quorum and considered nine bills, with Chair John Liu presiding and Senators Jackson, Sutton, Tedisco, Sepúlveda, and Chan participating. The agenda focused on New York City education issues including special education placement during school closures or major changes (S-79), assistant principal assignments in NYC schools (S-82B), school transportation contracts and after-4 p.m. transportation for students (S-1018 and S-8266A), participation in selecting members of the city Board of Education (S-1510A), charter school transitional aid for large city school districts (S-4449), a Caribbean steel pan educational music program (S-6138), qualifications for citywide council membership (S-6355A), and requests to the Committee on Special Education for services mandated by an individualized education services program (S-10007A). Members generally described the bills favorably, and most were moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote. Several bills were reported to the Senate calendar, including S-79, S-1018, S-1510A, S-6138, S-6355A, and S-10007A. S-82B and S-4449 were approved and referred to the Senate Finance Committee, while S-8266A was approved and referred to the Senate Education Committee. One member, Senator Chan, was noted as voting without recommendation on S-8266A. The meeting concluded after all nine items were acted on and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Virginia retail ratepayers unless it finds, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, that the costs assigned
• virginia retail rate payers unless it finds based upon a preponderance of the evidence that the costs assigned
• payers are proportionate to or left to Based upon a preponderance of the evidence that the costs assigned

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the March 9 and March 11 meetings. The committee then took up an engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012, which as explained by counsel would limit the Public Service Commission’s ability to approve rate increases and certain utility-related approvals unless the costs to ratepayers are shown to be proportionate to the benefits, with written justification required for approved increases. The bill also addressed PSC approval of certain electric transmission lines and related service commitments. The committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment that removed most of the House bill’s provisions and inserted the contents of engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 669, which had previously passed the Senate, while retaining only the portion related to certificates of public convenience and necessity for certain transmission lines. After the amendment was adopted, the committee voted to report House Bill 4012, as amended, to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. The committee also adopted a title amendment and then adjourned. No opposition votes were recorded on the motions described in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each project is assigned a metric, and this helps us understand and tell the story about the program
• The metric for this project was assigned as the linear feet of infrastructure that was added or improved
• And each project is assigned a metric.
• The project is a project is assigned a metric. the story about the program and where it's going and where
• mention, too, if a specific project is appropriated by the legislature, it could potentially be assigned

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee heard two informational presentations. First, the Department of Environmental Protection gave an overview of Florida’s water quality framework, explaining how numeric nutrient criteria, monitoring, TMDLs, and Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) are used to address impaired waters. DEP described recent changes intended to increase accountability, including five-year milestones in BMAPs, requirements for advanced wastewater treatment by 2033 in certain cases, limits on new conventional septic systems where sewer is available, enhanced nutrient-reducing septic requirements where sewer is not available, and a new agricultural regional water quality improvement element. The department also highlighted the Water Quality Improvement Grant Program, which has received nearly $1.4 billion over four years and funded more than 300 projects, as well as a public dashboard showing funded projects and a forthcoming trend-analysis dashboard for monitoring data. Members asked about enforcement of BMAP milestones, septic-to-sewer coordination with local governments, PFAS and microplastics monitoring, septic system performance standards, wastewater facility compliance, and how many facilities remain below advanced wastewater treatment standards. DEP said it can enforce BMAP obligations through administrative orders, consent orders, court action, fines, and permit conditions, and that it inspects and verifies wastewater facilities while relying on reporting and site inspections for sewer infrastructure. The department also said nutrient-reducing septic systems must achieve a 65 percent reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus, with verification required when projects seek BMAP credit. The committee then heard from the chief resilience officer on the Resilient Florida program, created in 2021 to address sea-level rise and coastal flooding. The presentation reviewed planning grants, vulnerability assessments, and the statewide critical-asset assessment, noting that all counties and most municipalities are expected to complete assessments by the end of 2026 and that vulnerability is now an eligibility requirement for future project funding. The program reported major statewide outcomes, including stormwater storage, miles of infrastructure and roadway protection, acres restored, and coastal protection projects, and highlighted examples such as breakwater improvements and lift-station elevation. Members asked about project delays, funding totals, overlap with other funding sources, and project prioritization; the program said delays often stem from design and permitting after award, that its reported totals reflect only grants it administers, and that projects are scored under the same criteria rather than being prioritized by asset type. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, if a county mixes up the order or assignment of these unique codes, which are, is, is vague, and
• So what they would have to do is take a range of numbers and assign those to those mail ballots.
• Will you keep track of what ranges are assigned to what groups.
• They are still assigned a ballot that has a ballot number. That ballot is sent to them, um.
• if it, if it was intended to be like a separate label, or if you could work with your printer to assign

Transcript Highlights:

• We just moved that person and assigned them to our Jacksonville office. You have a follow-up?
• Those two particular sales reps are in difficult locations, even though the one is assigned to the Miami
• So we're trying to actually find someone, even though they'll be assigned to the Miami office, they will
• We've got to make sure that that's going to work in our assignment of stores.
• to the committee members, I know you’re setting up your meetings or you’ve already met with your assigned

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies. The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit. The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• of responsibility, we don't feel like it's in line with our mission to support state agencies to assign
• Up next, we have the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi. ...mission to support state agencies to assign DEH
• one additional couple of additional amendments right below that, and C, I don't think we need the assigned
• one additional couple of additional amendments right below that, and C, I don't think we need the assigned
• don't think we need the assigned don't think we need the assigned employee<00:09:14.760> number

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 327, relating to internships, drew broad support from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Hawaiʻi, DBEDT, P20, HFIA, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, with suggested amendments to clarify the internship purpose, limit some responsibilities to the state executive branch, and address staffing and reporting details. The committee later recommended passing SB 327 with amendments, including changes to the internship language, private-sector references, work-hour limits, reporting requirements, and a deferred effective date for further discussion. Senate Bill 716, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as a step toward modernizing unemployment insurance, and the committee recommended passage with housekeeping and technical amendments. Senate Bill 717, relating to collective bargaining, would allow certain exempt employees to grieve suspensions or discharges. The City and County of Honolulu and the Department of Human Resources Development said the issue should remain a collective bargaining matter, while HGEA and United Public Workers supported the bill. DHRD opposed changing the statute and pointed to existing internal complaint procedures. The committee nevertheless recommended passing SB 717 with amendments and deferred the date for further discussion. Senate Bill 742, relating to data sharing, would create a data sharing and governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and include appropriations. OETS, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi, DOE, Hawaiʻi Kids Can, Hawaiʻi P-20, and others supported the measure, with OETS estimating a total cost of about $2.64 million, including software, consulting, and six FTE. The committee recommended passage with amendments and a deferred effective date, and noted the budget request in the committee report. The final measure, Senate Bill 855, relating to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, would shift the program from opt-in to opt-out and appropriate startup funds; former Senator Brian Taniguchi and AARP supported it, while Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi opposed it over costs and burdens on small businesses and concerns about adding mandates before the program is implemented. The committee recessed briefly on a proposed AARP amendment, then returned and indicated support for the opt-out language before taking the bill up for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• Individuals with access to Senate or House emails, phone numbers, or assigned offices without affiliation
• Member telephone numbers are actually assigned to the Senate district that the member represents.
• is for the exclusive use of the member, and, if authorized by the member, an employee who is assigned
• Senator Druszkowski. or for assigning a telephone number to a or for assigning a telephone number to
• legislative telephone number assigned legislative telephone number assigned by<00:03:27.600>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and the measures be properly assigned
• that the report of the additional Committee of the Whole be adopted and the measures be properly assigned
• that the report of the additional Committee of the Whole be adopted and the measures be properly assigned
• that the report of the additional Committee of the Whole be adopted and the measures be properly assigned

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and the bills be properly assigned.
• President, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and the bills be properly assigned
• 1252, an act amending Title 44, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Chapter 6, relating to the assignment
• Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Chapter 6, relating to the assignment for benefit of creditors.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the prior journal. Members then recognized several guests and issued proclamations, including honors for the Maryvale High School basketball program and Maryvale’s gifted and talented micro school, a Black History Month proclamation, and a remembrance for Emily Pike, with Senator Hatathlie urging continued attention to missing and murdered Indigenous people and to changes in the turquoise alert law. The chamber also marked Arizona’s statehood anniversary with cake for members and staff. The body then moved through Committee of the Whole and third-reading action on several bills. SB 1107, relating to peace officer certification pathways, was amended in committee and passed 27-2-1. SB 1032, appropriating money to the Corrections Oversight Fund, passed 29-0-1 after supportive explanations from senators. SB 1083 on condominiums and planned communities, SB 1252 on assignment for benefit of creditors, and SB 1259 on campaign-related provisions all passed 29-0-1. SB 1198, relating to the Arizona Beef Council, passed 23-6-1 after debate over whether the council used tax dollars or industry checkoff dollars. SB 1020, relating to special plates, initially passed 26-3-1 but was later reconsidered at Senator Bolick’s request and then passed again 25-4-1. The Senate also requested the House return SBs 1333 and 1368 for reconsideration. Committee meetings were announced for the following Monday, and the chamber adjourned until February 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• taking out his bill and if not then of taking out his bill and if not then I'll<00:35:35.680> assign
• c> to<00:35:36.599> somebody<00:35:37.599> after<00:35:37.960> that I'll assign
• it to somebody after that I'll assign it to somebody after that and<00:35:38.480> Senator<00:
• sunset after 10 years if it doesn't get the money necessary in order to do what it's doing, and it assigns
• it to do what it's doing and it assigns it to<00:40:56.760> whatever<00:40:57.319> department

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have troopers that are assigned to the Homeland Security Investigation Task Force that gives troopers
• Uh, we have troopers that are assigned Uh, we have troopers that are assigned to<00:19:27.360>
• served on federal task force assignments served on federal task force assignments um<00:20:50.080
• 33.360> current<00:21:33.679> state<00:21:33.919> troopers<00:21:34.320> assigned
• <00:21:34.640> to for current state troopers assigned to for current state troopers assigned

Bills: HB0130, HB0095, HB0096, HB0097, SF0101, SF0106, SF0067, SF0123

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, concealed carry, public colleges, university facilities, weapons legislation, self-defense, campus safety, weapons, age requirement, permits, HB0097, Wyoming firearms privacy, merchant category code, MCC

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, just to review, last week I handed out another copy of the subcommittee assignments.
• aware, we already have the complex case docket where the issues, when they get really murky, are assigned
• They were assigned to a special judge, and I'm not even sure if it's still functioning anymore.
• when they get really murky are assigned to<00:33:45.519> a<00:33:45.679> special<00:33
• They were assigned to a special judge, and I'm not even sure if it's still functioning anymore.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee on Family Court reviewed several previously distributed reports, including a comparison of family court structures in other states and a report on improving New Hampshire family court pre-trial and mediation practices. The main new topic was a report on the intersection of domestic violence and family courts in New Hampshire, with members discussing how domestic violence cases in superior or district court can overlap with custody matters in family court and how courts may not be aware of related proceedings in other venues. Members discussed RSA 490-D:2 and related statutes, noting that family courts have original jurisdiction over certain abuse, neglect, and domestic violence matters, with concurrent jurisdiction in some protective-order cases. The discussion focused on practical problems such as confidentiality in domestic violence cases, limited access to case information by nonparties, and the need for courts to better communicate about companion cases. Suggestions included a shared or unified database, expanded lethality assessments for law enforcement, and a requirement that criminal courts report domestic violence convictions or protective-order violations to family court so judges are aware of the full case context. The subcommittee also discussed ways to help self-represented litigants, including better education at first appearance, clearer guidance about raising protective orders or criminal charges at hearings, daily docket review by clerks, and a possible “lawyer for the day” program modeled on Massachusetts. One member raised the idea of a family safety docket, while another noted that New Hampshire already has a complex case docket for high-conflict matters and that cases generally stay with one judge when possible. No votes were taken, and the chair said the subcommittee would continue reviewing materials and could return to work next year, with possible bill amendments to follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• to a managed care plan that assigns them to a primary care provider.
• to a managed care plan who assigns Medi-Cal and 80% have Medi-Cal.
• They get assigned to a managed care plan who assigns them to a primary care provider.
• AB 371 empowers patients by allowing them to assign benefits to out-of-network providers so they don't
• To enhance consumer protections, if an out-of-network dentist accepts assignment of benefits, thereby

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill does not have an FN assigned to it.
• Um, regarding this section, my understanding again is sort of that question of the assignment of that
• Um, regarding this section, my understanding again is sort of that question of the assignment of that
• of that payment um of the assignment of that payment from<01:21:25.040> that<01:21:25.280>
• So there's no that that payment is or that that compensation is assigned to the utility.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and bills be properly assigned.
• Chairman, I move the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and bills be properly assigned.
• Properly assigned. Excellent. That was my bad. Mr. Majority Leader. Those in favor vote aye.
• The bills be properly assigned. I knew you'd get there.
• Back to the Majority Leader's motion on adopting the bills and properly assigning them.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, guest introductions, and approval of the journal before moving through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars. Early action included approval of several bills and resolutions, with amendments adopted on measures such as SB 1515, SB 1678, and SCR 1023. SCR 1023, which would change Independent Redistricting Commission membership and require a two-thirds vote for map approval, drew extended debate over nonpartisanship, geographic diversity, and population deviation; the amendment and the resolution both advanced on voice votes. The body also approved SB 1399, SB 1507, SB 1564, SB 1621, SB 1629, and SB 1811, generally after committee amendments and brief explanations from sponsors. The Senate then considered another calendar featuring SB 1365, SB 1416, and SCR 1049. SB 1365, relating to the Williams Citrus, Fruit, and Vegetable Trust Fund, was amended and advanced. SB 1416, dealing with missing and kidnapped children reporting requirements and the Seek and Find Alert system, was amended to shift training from biannual to every two years and to require documentation of media/social media disclosure decisions; the bill passed as amended. SCR 1049, a constitutional referral on capital punishment, would add a firing-squad option; supporters said it would provide another execution method amid drug shortages, while opponents objected to expanding the death penalty. It also passed as amended. On later calendars, the Senate approved SB 1134, SB 1489, SB 1725, SCR 1048, SB 1012, SB 1573, SB 1661, SB 1662, SB 1569, SB 1634, SB 1647, SCR 1005, SCR 1027, SB 1065, SB 1156, SB 1157, and SB 1213, with several amendments adopted. Topics included political signs, ballot-measure circulator disclosures, marijuana smoke as a nuisance, concealed weapons notice and appeal, paternity, probation conditions, voter registration and signature handling, foreign contributions, election dates, veterans’ hyperbaric therapy funding, border-related appropriations, and immigration enforcement notification. SB 1213 prompted notable debate over a Miranda amendment requiring law enforcement officers to visibly display identification and prohibiting facial coverings during duties, with supporters citing community safety and opponents arguing it would constrain enforcement; the transcript cuts off during that discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:33:01.840> know<00:33:01.919> they<00:33:02.159> get<00:33:02.320> assigned
• says is that you know they get assigned says is that you know they get assigned projects<00:33:03.919
• But if the SFA is going to do the job that you guys assigned them to do, then they got to move ahead.
• and getting it done they were assigned and getting it done on<00:51:24.640> time<00:51:25.359
• to do the job that you guys assigned to do the job that you guys assigned them<00:52:09.520>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education heard several advice-and-consent nominations to the School Facilities Authority. For GM779, Shelley Pa was introduced as a nominee for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported her nomination, citing her large-scale operations and stakeholder-engagement experience. In her testimony, Pa said she retired from community policing, wanted to give back to teachers and students, and believed her strengths were collaboration, listening to community input, and helping balance differing priorities. Committee members questioned her about the construction and infrastructure focus of the board, her lack of direct construction experience, and how she would handle disagreements and budget limits; she responded that she would rely on collaboration, ask questions, and keep decisions centered on students, teachers, and the community while staying within budget. The committee then heard GM777 and GM778 for Robert Davis, with terms ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2029. Davis described more than 30 years with the Department of Education, including roles as teacher, coach, counselor, vice principal, principal, and complex area superintendent, and said he had worked on major facilities projects and managed pandemic-era funding. He emphasized communication, transparency, and trust, and explained that his experience on the Early Learning Board helped him understand how to set policy, identify schools for pre-K, and use data and community factors in decision-making. Members asked how he would handle SFA’s growing pains, the need to balance DOE wishes with practical and budgetary limits, and the board’s role when the legislature controls funding; Davis said the board must keep communication open, include the right people, and make sensible decisions that move projects forward without stalling. For GM780, nominee Michael Unbasami was introduced for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported him, highlighting over five decades of public service and experience in facilities management, finance, and legislative affairs. Unbasami said he had recently retired after 31 years as associate vice president for administrative affairs for the community colleges and had extensive experience with facilities planning, construction, renovation, repairs, and working within budgets. He stated that the DOE should be treated as the SFA’s client because it knows student, teacher, and facility needs best, while SFA’s role is to implement construction work and collaborate on priorities. Committee members pressed him on how to balance DOE requests with practical project delivery, especially for teacher housing and other non-classroom needs, and he said the legislature funds the work, SFA must keep projects moving, and the workflow should involve collaboration but also realistic decisions that fit the budget and avoid delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this we'll be voting on this to um to approve this, and then this will go into this will be assigned
• LSR that you might file, you sign off on that LSR and then it goes up to the clerk and they clerk assigns
• Once this LSR goes up to the clerk, he will assign a House Resolution number to it and then um include
• Once this LSR goes up to the clerk, he will assign a House Resolution number to it and then um include
• Once this LSR goes up to the clerk, he will assign a House Resolution number to it and then um include

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in a revenue estimate work session to approve an LSR codifying the committee’s revenue estimates. Members reviewed the process for turning the LSR into a House Resolution and discussed how the adopted estimates would be used to amend House Bill 1. After a brief question-and-answer about current revenue splits and the governor’s proposed video lottery and tax-split changes, the committee voted 19-0 to approve the revenue estimates. The committee then moved into executive session on HB 669, which would require all revenue from the statewide education property tax to be deposited into the education trust fund and set an equalized statewide tax rate. Supporters argued the bill would better direct education funding, while opponents said it was unnecessary or duplicative. The committee voted 12-7 to retain the bill (ITL), and a minority report was noted. Next, the committee considered HB 290, which would raise cigarette and electronic cigarette taxes and create a study committee on tobacco and nicotine taxes. Testimony focused on revenue needs, inflation, public health, and concerns that a higher tax could reduce sales or drive purchases across state lines. The committee voted 11-8 to ITL the bill, with a minority report. The committee also ITL’d HB 402, dealing with whether Education Freedom Account payments are taxable income, after debate over unintended consequences and whether the bill’s language was misleading; that vote was 11-8 with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened HB 483, and Representative Tierney moved ITL, arguing the bill’s requirement that the scholarship organization be incorporated in New Hampshire would likely violate the Commerce Clause; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that bill.