Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid Services. Medicaid Services.
• So, today we're services to our members.
• So those are exempt from services.
• And for disorder treatment services.
• So, the Medicaid we have the Medicaid Oversight Advisory we have the Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Health and Family Services met for its first meeting, established quorum, and heard a presentation from Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Becktold. The department reviewed its compliance with House Bill 695, which requires legislative approval before certain Medicaid eligibility, service, benefit, or waiver changes, along with fiscal impact reporting to the Legislative Research Commission. They described current waivers, including home and community-based waivers, managed care and transportation waivers, and the 1115 re-entry waiver, and said the community engagement waiver is in public comment and on track for submission to CMS. They also said required reports and other HB 695 tasks, including a pharmacy rebate fund, budget analyses, expenditure reports, and a behavioral health scorecard, are underway or completed as required. The CFO outlined Medicaid’s budget, saying the department has two appropriation units and projecting near-full use of state funds while leaving some federal funds unspent because of matching-rate differences. They reported roughly 211 filled positions and 11 vacancies. Members asked about the vacancy makeup, the behavioral health scorecard, and whether a provider involved in quality metrics could have a conflict if used in the scorecard process; the department said it would follow up. Members also asked about the community engagement waiver and its interaction with federal policy, and the department said CMS guidance is still pending and that it will proceed under HB 695. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on federal Medicaid policy changes under a reconciliation bill, including possible limits on provider taxes, directed payments, cost-sharing, and community engagement requirements. Department officials said the final federal impact is still uncertain because the Senate bill is not finalized, but they have modeled several scenarios and warned that any reduction in federal support or benefits would be harmful, especially for hospitals and rural hospitals. They estimated Medicaid benefits are funded about 80% federal and 20% state overall, with expansion populations closer to 90% federal funding, and said administrative costs would also rise if federal requirements change. Members also asked about work requirements and eligibility. The department said the community engagement waiver would mainly affect the expansion population, which they estimated at about 450,000 people out of roughly 1.5 million total Medicaid enrollees, and that many groups are exempt, including children, the aged, blind, disabled, and people in substance use disorder treatment. Officials said they can provide data on how many enrollees are working or work-ready and explained that their eligibility system is designed to prevent duplication by automatically placing people in the correct category and correcting errors quickly. They also noted a federal proposal to require expansion eligibility reviews every six months, compared with current annual renewals.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does this by creating an advisory council on offshore wind, wildlife habitat man... jobs in the state
• an advisory council on offshore wind wildlife habitat management, made up of stakeholders including
• Crucially, the bill establishes and codifies an advisory council to protect wildlife by requiring input
• express our support for H. 3456, which would allow power options to aggregate a broader range of services
• The proposal to enable a competitive bidding process for clean energy requirements and services, subject

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it requires the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to allow applicants for the Kentucky Employee
• video and materials that is being created at no cost and will be provided to the Animal Control Advisory
• 00:01:34.680> Health<00:01:34.920> and<00:01:35.119> Family<00:01:35.439> Services
• Cabinet for Health and Family Services Cabinet for Health and Family Services to<00:01:36.079>
• panel who is the Control advisory panel who is the governing<00:03:09.599> body<00:03:10.400>

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 1:00PM est. Roll Call - 00:03 Discussion on HB 508 – 00:34 Vote on HB 508 – 03:52 Discussion on 805 – 05:00 Vote on HB 805 -09:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first adopted a Senate committee substitute covering House Bills 718 and 194, then heard testimony on House Bill 508, House Bill 805, and the committee substitute for Senate Bill 111. HB 508 would let applicants for the Kentucky Employee Child Care Assistance Program view and download the required agreement and submit it by mail, email, or online, codifying a change the Cabinet for Health and Family Services had already agreed to make. The child-protection portion of the committee substitute would require animal control officers to receive training to identify child abuse and neglect, with the sponsor saying the training materials would be provided at no cost to local governments. For HB 805, the sponsor said the committee substitute mainly cleans up last year’s juvenile justice legislation, including changing “plaintiff” to “victim,” narrowing language on confidentiality of juvenile records when information is disclosed in a civil suit, and changing a status offender provision from mandatory to discretionary charging for escape when absent without leave from a DJJ facility. The bill also incorporates “Baby Maya’s Bill,” requiring the Cabinet to physically locate a child within a set time and, in certain cases involving prior removals, contact law enforcement if the child cannot be found. A committee member asked whether the changes would affect public access to records for juveniles transferred to circuit court on felony charges, and the sponsor said they would not. The committee then voted on HB 805 as amended by the committee substitute and passed it 7-0 with favorable expression. A title amendment was also adopted. After brief thanks and comments from members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> people<00:14:37.079> without Uh requires service for people without Uh requires service
• maintenance, and technical services. maintenance, and technical services.
• Senator Dziedzic. advisory group. All right. advisory group. All right.
• service, please. service, please.
• . service. service.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of seven parts per health advisory of seven parts per trillion<00:42:28.480> for<00:42:28.800
• , and right now those align very much with the statewide mercury consumption advisory.
• generally that mercury advisory generally that mercury advisory uh<00:52:30.800> follows<
• uh follows along with our PAS advisory uh follows along with our PAS advisory and<00:52:36.160><
• <01:15:42.960> Commission's Kentucky Public Service Commission's Kentucky Public Service Commission's

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:40 Chair Comments 00:02:51 Rep. Nima Kulkarni PFAS Presentation 00:04:35 EEC PFAS Presentation 00:39:36 Rusty Cress PFAS Presentation 01:01:10 Chair Comments on Admin Regs and Reports Received 01:14:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's something called a district advisory committee.
• That may not be enough to cover the cost of that. special education services and if those services change
• has about eight years of service with the state.
• We just pay them administrative fee to do those services for us.
• In many instances they may be... private service stations.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gary Keel from Tulsa for the Air Quality Advisory Board, a seven-year term ending June 1st, 2033.
• Members, today it's my honor to carry the executive nomination of Gary Keel to the Air Quality Advisory
• dedicated rural water leader, agriculture producer, and community advocate with a strong record of service
• Megan spent 7 years working in banking, gaining valuable experience in finance, customer service, and
• you are recognized to present Jacob Bull from Ponca City for the partial term of the Air Quality Advisory

Bills: HB2992, HB3183, HB3464, HB4170, HB4338

Keywords: HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers, cryptocurrency mining, large load customer, electric rates, utility tariffs, cost causation, rate design, public power utility, municipal utility, electric cooperative, investor-owned utility, load growth, interconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• Board and the Speech Language pathologist advisory Board.
• them to consult with only a relevant advisory board.
• In 2017, podiatrist licensing was removed from the state Department of Health Services, uh, to TDLR.
• services, and requires biannual, uh, reporting to evaluate outcomes and effectiveness.
• So we have basically all of Texas covered and we each have our little service areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• to appoint a public utility agency as a receiver for utilities or for entities that have abandoned service
• Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to the people of Texas.”
• Under current TCEQ... ...which are their PUC-approved rates and service conditions.
• The Chapter 13 statutory duty to provide continuous and adequate service places on the utility of the
• The PUC is going to come after them if they don't provide continuous and adequate service.

Bills: HB4530, HB4931, HB5559, HB5560

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources met with a quorum present and first took up several pending bills for reconsideration and committee substitute adoption. House Bill 2692, relating to codification and clarification of local laws concerning the San Antonio River Authority, was reported favorably to the full House and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars by an 11-0 vote. House Bills 1407, 1520, 1535, 2970, 4153, 291, 3663, and 3915 were also reconsidered or laid out as pending business, with committee substitutes adopted where needed and each bill reported favorably, generally by unanimous vote, to the full House and then to Calendars or Calendars/Calendars-related referral as applicable. The committee then heard House Bill 4530, which would expand the Texas Water Trust framework to include groundwater rights, require Texas Water Development Board review and approval of groundwater dedications, and notify local groundwater districts when groundwater rights are placed in the trust. The bill’s author and witnesses from the Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Chispa Texas supported the measure as a conservation tool and a way to create a clear process for voluntary donations; a Texas Water Development Board witness testified neutrally. The bill was left pending. House Bill 4931, relating to an aquifer storage and recovery project in Medina County, drew support from the author, the Medina County judge, and a regional water alliance witness, who described severe stress on the Edwards Aquifer, low levels at Medina Lake, and the need for a local water-supply tool. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5559, which would clarify enforcement of drought contingency plans for investor-owned water utilities and involve the PUC in model plan development, received support from groundwater district representatives but also concerns from water company and utility witnesses about enforcement authority, approval procedures, and potential conflicts with existing obligations to provide continuous service; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5560, which would raise the maximum civil penalty for certain groundwater conservation district enforcement actions from $10,000 to $25,000 per violation, prompted debate over whether current law is already sufficient; supporters said the higher cap would better deter overpumping, while opponents argued existing penalties are already severe. That bill was also left pending, and the committee adjourned subject to call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• But on page two, rural healthcare facilities are closing and losing important specialty services due
• services due to declining<00:17:46.240> populations,<00:17:47.600> diminishing declining
• Uh, we have not—the rural health transformation advisory group has not met since the initial meeting
• Okay, and the advisory group will be working with ADCA, and you know there's a certain time period that
• Okay. and uh the advisory through ADCA.

Bills: SB367, SB368, SB350, SB351

Keywords: rural health, healthcare access, state funding, health transformation, appropriations, fiscal policy, healthcare funding, economic development, mental health, maternal health, antitrust, competition, market regulation, business practices, consumer protection, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, auto-injector, public health, school safety

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:56.080> Council said um we do have an advisory Council said um we do have an advisory
• <00:19:58.200> Council advisory Council advisory Council and<00:19:59.720> I<00:20:00.240
• So those are people accessing services.
• So those are people accessing services.
• <00:35:35.880> together of kind of how we put Services together of kind of how we put Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While drafting the report, Ecology will consult with an advisory committee to develop recommended next
• With that fantastic constituent services, I thank you.
• The meetings for both advisory groups were open to the public and had opportunities for public comment
• How much am I going to see in my service area? Yeah. I had another question, too.
• services over the years.

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• panel that was established with AGER, and the three deans here work very closely with that advisory
• So these are areas that we have agreed with the advisory panel and where we are putting AGER funding.
• There was an advisory panel that was established with a Greek and the 3 fact that 3 Dean's here work
• very closely with that advisory panel determine what the priorities are for the finding.
• So the advisory committee is key in us identifying, during this time, the areas of work.

Bills: HF3692

Keywords: Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We coordinate with different services, and we coordinate with service staff.
• We coordinate with different services, and we coordinate with field service staff.
• Field services, we deliver our reentry services to parolees to support...
• Every population we’re servicing.
• All of it is advisory.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Criminal Justice Reform 3.0 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Parole Board focused on consolidation, cooperation, and evidence-based supervision across the correctional system. Parole Board Chair Angela Gomez-June described the board’s mission, its coordination with the Department of Correction, houses of correction, courts, probation, law enforcement, victim services, and UMass partners, and outlined 2024 activity including 2,810 institutional release hearings, 18,238 victim notifications, 53 pardon petitions, 70 commutation petitions, 41 early termination applications, and supervision of 2,993 parolees. She emphasized the board’s shift toward individualized, data-driven decision-making, including revised GPS use, graduated sanctions, and more service-oriented community supervision. Members and sheriffs pressed for clearer breakdowns of the board’s data, including the difference between releases, hearings, and active supervision; average length of supervision; the share of lifers in the caseload; and how many people are placed in housing, employment, and treatment. The board said its active supervised population fluctuates around 1,600 to 1,800, with more than 400 lifers, and that about 30 to 36 percent of its population is housed through programs such as MASH, community justice resource centers, and sheriff-run residential programs like Rocky Hill and HOPE. Members also discussed parole refusals, noting that some individuals decline parole to avoid supervision or to serve time inside instead, and asked for a more detailed breakdown of those cases. The board and commission also discussed collaboration with DOC and UMass on risk assessment, reentry planning, and community pathways, including a tablet video explaining the parole process and pharmacist support for medication-related drug test issues. The board reported that after the SJC’s Matus decision, 210 individuals were identified as affected, 144 were immediately eligible for hearings, 100 hearings had been completed, and 10 more were scheduled; it also said clemency and commutation work had been slowed by staffing and Matus-related demands. The meeting ended with a request for follow-up data on outcomes, supervision lengths, housing and employment placements, and other consolidated statistics, and the commission announced its next public hearing for March 9 at 10 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:56.480> council over the bianium for um advisory council over the bianium for um advisory
• safety advisory council. safety advisory council.
• Council's transportation advisory Council's transportation advisory advisory<01:16:16.800> board
• our transit service. our transit service.
• with the transportation advisory board. with the transportation advisory board.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bob Giddens, former Secretary of Health and Human Services.
• So in 2017, the Massachusetts Probation Service...
• The advisory board helps us do that.
• And so they want access to these services.
• People can access more than one of the services.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met to approve the May 5 minutes and hear a presentation from the Massachusetts Probation Service. The minutes were approved unanimously, with a request that a member’s closing remarks be added to the record. The commission also noted online participants and confirmed quorum before moving to the presentation. Probation leaders described the agency’s role as the state’s largest post-release supervision system and emphasized its focus on reentry, accountability, and reducing technical violations. They outlined the from-and-after sentencing structure, dual supervision with parole, and efforts to reduce revocations and non-criminal violations. Members asked about racial and ethnic disparity work, and probation said that effort is funded through the trial court and state budget, not federal grants. The presentation highlighted community engagement, simplified and translated probation conditions, workforce diversification, and training aimed at improving trust and access for court users. A major portion of the discussion focused on Community Justice Support Centers, evidence-based programming, and shared services such as housing, MassHealth enrollment, transportation, and behavioral health referrals. Probation said the centers are underutilized but have shown improved outcomes in non-randomized studies, with lower recidivism among participants compared with similar probationers. Members discussed mental health access, veterans identification, medication-assisted treatment, and the importance of state IDs and driver’s licenses for successful reentry. The commission also heard about housing supports, including transitional and sober housing, and a statewide behavioral health initiative for justice-involved individuals. The meeting ended with plans for the next session on July 11 and a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill establishes a PAS advisory bill establishes a PAS advisory commission.<00:03:07.200> The
• terms of the PAS advisory commission. terms of the PAS advisory commission.
• These cuts will hit our services.
• <01:07:53.520> that myriad of other critical services that myriad of other critical services
• higher prices for goods and services. higher prices for goods and services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also to the bill sponsor, Senator Steve Roberts, not only for this bill, but also for his military service
• to strengthen Missouri's geospatial data infrastructure by establishing this Missouri Geospatial Advisory
• to strengthen Missouri's geospatial data infrastructure by establishing this Missouri Geospatial Advisory
• The creation of this advisory council is not about adding bureaucracy.
• We're representing the State 911 Service Board, a governor-appointed board that works to improve 911

Summary: The committee first went into executive session on Senate Bill 905 and voted it do pass by a 6-4 roll call vote. It then opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 959, presented by Senator Doug Beck on behalf of Senator Roberts, which would create the Missouri GIS Council within the Office of Administration to improve statewide geospatial data coordination, planning, training, and related infrastructure. Beck said the measure had passed previously and was intended to support uses such as Next Generation 911, broadband mapping, transportation, and environmental management. Supporters included Greater St. Louis, Inc., the State 911 Service Board, and bioSTL/Next Missouri. They argued the council would reduce duplication, improve data standards and coordination, help emergency response and routing, support business site selection and economic development, and save public money by avoiding redundant mapping work. Witnesses emphasized that the bill explicitly prohibits collecting personally identifiable information and said the data involved is base-map and address/location information rather than tracking individuals. An opponent, Lisa Panette of Armour Vine, argued the bill was “anti-freedom” and “Big Brother,” saying statewide access to geospatial data could be misused and should be opt-in. Committee members questioned both sides about privacy, rural addressing, and whether the bill would actually track people; supporters responded that it does not collect personal data and is meant to improve emergency and public-service mapping. No vote was taken on SB 959, and the hearing was closed after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Between accounts and the forward fund with legislative advisory committee notifications, so that presents
• I will look to find a map if I can, but I would expect most of them to be in the Xcel service area, and
• I will look to find a map if I can, but I would expect most of them to be in the Xcel service area, and
• I will look to find a map if I can, but I would expect most of them to be in the Xcel service area, and
• <00:25:56.520> area<00:25:57.480> and in the Excel service area and in the Excel service

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Committee on Energy Finance and Policy met for an informational session and quorum was present, but the chair stated no action would be taken. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Chris Swedzinski outlined the committee’s broad goals of improving Minnesota’s energy system for families and businesses, with an emphasis on affordability, reliability, and development. Several members echoed those priorities, especially concerns about electric reliability, base-load generation, and the needs of rural communities, co-ops, munis, farms, and small businesses. House fiscal analyst Ashley presented a budget overview for the committee’s jurisdiction. She reviewed spending and base amounts for the Energy Resources Division, the Renewable Development Fund, the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund, and the Public Utilities Commission, and explained that the committee also oversees special revenue and other accounts. She noted that the Renewable Development Fund is supported by utility payments for spent nuclear fuel storage, the cleanup fund by a petroleum distribution fee, and that the Commerce Department receives significant federal LIHEAP and weatherization funds. Members asked about the large increase in the Climate and Economic Development Fund and the status of recent appropriations; staff explained that the 2023 session set a larger target, that about $79 million had been spent from the relevant budget, and that some funds may carry forward. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on community solar gardens. Representative Dave Baker asked for an update on the program, and staff explained that Minnesota has about 1,600 megawatts of solar, with more than 900 megawatts in community solar. Staff said 2023 legislative changes capped annual additions and created new incentives for low- and middle-income participation. Members also discussed concerns about program cost, local siting opposition, and a large interconnection queue; staff said there is a backlog of projects, including a reported 56 gigawatts in the MISO queue, and that utilities need distribution upgrades to handle new capacity. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• support services that are available. support services that are available.
• the law is that he act is an advisory the law is that he act is an advisory committee<02:16:26.800
• council provides a valuable uh service council provides a valuable uh service to<02:48:43.200>
• <02:59:59.520> council would require the EFA advisory council would require the EFA advisory
• 37.200> to<03:01:37.359> the is an advisory council to the is an advisory council to the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened hearings on SB 69, including a germane amendment on school board votes to accept or reject gifts and donations, and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Prime sponsor Rep. Glenn Cordelli said the literacy program was modeled on earlier HB 671, would be funded through gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements to the governor and legislature. Members questioned changes from the earlier bill, including the move away from center-based language, the lack of a dollar threshold for school board action on donations, anonymous gifts, and whether the amendment preserved enough evaluation data. Testimony on the donation provisions raised concerns about broad language, timing, and public-meeting requirements. Rep. Timothy Han and Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association both noted that school districts already have policies and asked how the bill would work for routine donations, anonymous gifts, and situations that might require non-public discussion under right-to-know law. Wilson cited examples such as field-trip scholarships, backpack drives, and sports uniforms, and said the association was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails. Rep. Han said school boards may need to discuss some gifts in non-public session and that the bill should better address those circumstances. On the early literacy amendment, Wilson and others questioned whether the program was sufficiently developed, whether it was appropriate to rely on a primarily online model for very young children, and how it would interact with special education services and IEPs. A representative from Waterford.org, Rob Riley, testified in support, saying the program would be supplementary, adaptive, and family-engagement based, and that Waterford could provide devices and internet access for families who need them. He said the program would work alongside school districts and IEP teams rather than replace existing services. No vote was taken during the hearing; the chair said the committee would later exec the bills and try to get reports in for the calendar.