Transcript Highlights:

• high school, and it was homecoming week, and we were in charge, along with the junior class, of building
• There were 13 of us that one night, guarding and building the bonfire, and we looked over and it was
• The owners of...
• The owners of the outhouses graciously dropped nearly all the charges because they wanted to get rid
• After graduation, they went their separate ways, he to UT and she to A&M, each building their own lives

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a small business owner, and the community, including the counties and property taxes, being a county
• I'm excited to be here, and as Wayne has stated, I'm a small business owner myself, so I definitely have
• I am a small business owner.
• small business owner and the community including<00:02:26.120><c> the</c><00:02:26.280><c> counties<
• myself so I I'm a small business owner myself so I definitely<00:02:49.200><c> have</c><00:02:49.319

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• property, you don't have the right to protest on private property unless you get permission of the owner
• You cannot protest unless a private property owner gives you permission.
• Again, I'll go back: Did that incident block or even limit anyone's ability to access the church building
• President, it seemed like they didn't block or limit anyone's ability to access the church building.
• got an agreement with a private property... ...or if they got an agreement with a private property owner

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized a doctor of the day, interns, and student groups in the galleries. The main item of business was House amendments to Senate Bill 743, a measure described by the author as a worship protection bill updating an old Oklahoma law. The bill was presented as protecting religious worship services from disruption and obstruction, especially in light of incidents the author said occurred in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Creek County, Oklahoma. Much of the floor discussion focused on whether the bill would affect protest and speech rights on public property, with the author repeatedly saying it would not restrict speech generally, but would create an eight-foot buffer around unwilling listeners and a 100-foot zone near entrances to prevent obstruction of people entering worship services. Several senators questioned the bill’s constitutional basis and practical effect, especially its reliance on Hill v. Colorado and whether the U.S. Supreme Court might overturn that precedent. Opponents argued the measure could chill peaceful protest, sidewalk counseling, and other First Amendment activity near churches or other religious gatherings, while supporters said it was narrowly aimed at preventing trespass, harassment, and disruption of worship. The author emphasized that the bill was intended to protect congregants, including elderly worshippers, and to preserve access to services without interference. Debate also touched on the distinction between public and private property and whether the bill could apply to religious gatherings at the Capitol or other public places. After questions concluded, the Senate adopted the House amendments to Senate Bill 743 and then passed the bill on final passage by a vote of 31-15. The emergency clause also passed, 36-9. The chamber then moved to announcements, including a notice that the Energy Committee would meet the next morning, and adjourned until Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The building you have in front of you was generated because of a constituent issue.
• </c><01:38:21.239><c> of</c> Major Improvement is that the owner of Major Improvement is that the owner
• Turcotte also talked about the owner being liable.
• The owner has not paid yet, so we have been out this money to pay for an emergency situation.
• This bill harms gun owners, harms the citizens in New Hampshire.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 146, which would require longer retention and quicker disclosure of certain video recordings from traffic stops and similar motor vehicle violations when a citation is disputed. The prime sponsor described the bill as a response to a constituent who challenged a speeding ticket but could not obtain a cruiser video before it was deleted under the current 30-day retention practice. Supporters argued the bill is about fairness and access to potentially exculpatory evidence, and one member suggested a simple 60-day retention period might avoid confusion over different timelines. The sponsor also noted that the bill would not affect criminal cases and that victims and complainants should have access to the same evidence as law enforcement when a recording is relevant to a defense. Major Brendan Davey of the New Hampshire State Police testified in opposition. He said the proposal would create a different discovery standard for one type of evidence, could discourage agencies from adopting body-worn or cruiser cameras, and would add cost and administrative burden. He explained that the State Police already retain routine traffic-stop videos for at least 30 days, but keep videos much longer when complaints or possible litigation are involved, and said the current system balances efficiency with accountability. He also argued the underlying speeding case did not make the trooper video directly material to the citation, though he acknowledged the legislature could choose a longer blanket retention period if it wished. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 638, which would allow people serving life without parole sentences to become eligible for a parole hearing at age 60 after serving at least 18 years, provided they have had no major conduct violations in the prior 10 years. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give a narrow second look to a small number of elderly prisoners, citing the high cost of incarceration and the health challenges of aging in prison. He emphasized that the bill would not automatically release anyone, would not apply to capital murder convictions under RSA 630:1, and would still allow victims to participate in the parole process. Testimony on HB 638 was mixed. Alexander Bailey, a survivor of violent crime and domestic violence advocate, supported the bill, saying many survivors favor rehabilitation, second chances, and restorative justice, and that people in prison often age faster and face serious health and safety problems. Another supporter, Russell Roy, began offering a personal story about crime, addiction, and violence in Concord, but the transcript cuts off before his full remarks. Committee members asked about why age 60 was chosen, how released individuals would support themselves, and whether victims or families would be consulted; the sponsor said 60 was meant to limit eligibility and reflect the health realities of prison, and that parole boards already consider support networks and victim input. No action or vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, we are building capability and capacity.
• We build bridges at night. We build roads at night.
• We build bridges at night. We build roads at night.
• Property owners were building houses right in the middle of the floodway.
• They were building them in the middle of rivers.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the non-renewal piece, if a project proponent ends up not building a project, we would like
• Restrictive zoning has made it illegal to build homes in over 70% of the state, driving displacement
• We can retain and appreciate historic structures while also building.
• Our members build not only in California, but in other states.
• This is not just how long it takes to build housing.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda focused largely on housing, permitting reform, transportation governance, and local fiscal issues. Early in the hearing, AB 24 by Assembly Member DiMaio proposed changing one SANDAG county board seat to be selected by the Association of Planning Groups to give rural and unincorporated San Diego communities more voice. Members raised concerns about local input and the effect on county representation, and the bill initially lacked a second; later the chair clarified it had been held rather than defeated, but no final action was taken during the main discussion. Several housing and permitting bills drew broad support. AB 671 by Assembly Member Wix would streamline restaurant permitting through front-end plan self-certification; AB 920 by Assembly Member Calosa would require large jurisdictions to create centralized online housing application portals; AB 1061 by Assembly Member Kirk Silva would allow SB 9 housing development in historic districts with limits to preserve character-defining features; AB 818 by Assembly Member Nabila Farias would speed temporary manufactured housing and utility hookups after disasters; AB 660 by Assembly Member Wilson would tighten timelines and remedies for post-entitlement housing permits; AB 1308 by Assembly Member Hoover would allow third-party inspections for small residential projects if local inspections are delayed; and AB 1445 by Assembly Member Haney would expand downtown recovery financing tools for mixed-use housing. Testimony from builders, housing advocates, restaurant groups, and local business organizations generally supported faster approvals and more predictable processes, while some local government and utility groups sought amendments to protect local authority, school funding, or fee structures. AB 1156 by Assembly Member Wicks sought to modernize the solar use easement program so land with water constraints could transition from Williamson Act contracts to solar development. Supporters said the current program is underused and could help farmers and clean energy goals, while rural counties and the Farm Bureau opposed or remained opposed pending further changes, especially on mitigation authority and nonrenewal provisions. AB 964 by Assembly Member Hadwick would let local governments offset state mandate reimbursements against amounts they owe back after audits; county auditors and local government groups supported it, citing large unpaid mandate balances. The committee also took up consent items AB 36 and AB 1131. Most bills were reported out on bipartisan votes, with amendments accepted on several measures; AB 24 remained unresolved in the main hearing discussion, while the rest of the agenda advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:31.080><c> to</c> building building that you according to building building that you according
• of the building.
• They can be a tenant of the building, or they can be another person. They cannot be the owner.
• know</c> in an apartment building I don't know in an apartment building I don't know all<00:10:06.640
• Thank you. uh multif family building representative uh multif family building representative Nash<00:

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It is inverting this building.
• It is inverting this building. gallery. It is inverting this building.
• </c> protect tenants, incentivize building protect tenants, incentivize building and<01:54:28.000><c>
• </c><01:56:32.239><c> deeply</c> housing authority building deeply housing authority building deeply
• </c> I was trying to limit building heights. I was trying to limit building heights.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:19:48.360><c> giving</c><00:19:48.680><c> mis-</c> building, giving mis- building, giving mis- um
• We understand the need to do the people's work in this building.
• So, um bottom line, it rightful owners.
• </c><02:51:31.840><c> structure</c> It builds a broader regulatory structure It builds a broader regulatory
• </c><02:53:30.080><c> will</c> that law-abiding gun owners will that law-abiding gun owners will continue

Transcript Highlights:

• DLNR’s proposal is more than just warehouses; it is planning to build affordable housing there.
• in Haka that were supposed to, the landlords of the buildings already had said, we want this building
• My concern was that when the building was dedicated by the families, you know, I was worried because
• Nominator or the property owner might be confused because their property was listed by the board.
• Our nominee has been quietly served and has been a member of this building for years. M.

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard confirmation nominations for several DLNR-related boards and commissions, including GM 530 for Karen Ono to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, GM 582 for Jay Kenan to the Natural Area Reserves System Commission, and GM 584 for Adrien Trulock to the Hawaii Historic Places Review Board. The chair repeatedly noted the volunteer nature of these positions and said the committee would take up decision-making after hearing all nominees. Testimony and comments for each nominee were generally supportive, with agency representatives praising their preparation, experience, and willingness to serve. For Karen Ono, DLNR and several supporters from Kauai testified in favor, describing her as highly prepared and effective on the board. Senators questioned her about DLNR land use, especially state lands near rail stations and whether they should be used for affordable housing rather than commercial development. Ono said she had not taken a board position on those specific proposals because they had not yet come before the board, but she acknowledged the importance of housing and infrastructure. She also responded to questions about DLNR’s management of transferred agricultural lands, saying concerns about the department’s ability to manage such lands had been raised before and remain relevant. One senator expressed strong reservations about the nomination based on the land-use answers. For Jay Kenan, the NARS Commission testimony focused on the commission’s role in advising on land management and conservation policy. Kenan said he hoped to continue helping evaluate properties and policies, and he identified funding and staffing as the main challenge. DLNR staff explained that the position supporting NARS had been abolished and that the department had limited capacity to restore it because other priorities, such as fire-related positions, were taking precedence. The committee also discussed a separate bill affecting Legacy Lands funding through conveyance tax revenues, with members and agency staff expressing concern that the measure could reduce support for land संरक्षण efforts. For Adrien Trulock, SHPD and DLNR staff strongly supported the nomination, citing her preservation background and experience with historic properties. Members discussed the importance of her expertise for reviewing nominations and appeals and for helping with preservation planning. The committee also raised broader concerns about delays in historic-place designations and the difference between state and federal review processes; SHPD explained that board approval places a property on the state register, while federal National Register review can still require revisions and cause delays. No final votes or confirmations were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those build off of many past efforts of the Legislature.
• So the request looks small in the budget year, but it's really building off of a healthy investment and
• Again, building off of past efforts, there's funding for the dam safety efforts: $480 million to continue
• that effort to assist dam owners to do repairs and rehabilitation and the like.
• blocks, the foundational building blocks for a lot of projects.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Identifying who's the owner of the data.
• Four different owners of data.
• That's the data owner. make changes." That's the data owner.
• </c> Four different owners of data. Four different owners of data.
• </c><00:53:19.800><c> presentations,</c> kind of work, building presentations, kind of work, building

Summary: The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published. Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2. Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam land owners rely on.
• We hear a lot of talk about equity in this building. A lot of people talk about equity.
• </c><01:17:32.480><c> A</c> of talk about equity in this building.
• A of talk about equity in this building.
• </c> them a chance to escape and to um build them a chance to escape and to um build their<01:24:26.560

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this first slice here is the building home ownership and wealth.
• It's a very long definition, but I focus you on the fact that it is for non-owner-occupied projects,
• To occupy more than 30% of the building. And that has taken most of the applications off our plate.
• We're working with the Albuquerque Sunport right now on some of their build-out.
• But she's doing an incredible job moving this forward and building this.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or you'll have assisted living and CCRCs in the same building.
• So there are buildings that do all of those things, right?
• property owner won't have the capacity, the knowledge, the wherewithal to do that.
• But is there some incentive to build 55-plus housing? ...accused people of.
• Incentives to build 55-plus and responsibilities for the developer. That would be very helpful.

Bills: HB2299 , HB2118 , HB2236

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: seniors, independent living, ombudsman, elderly support, continuing care retirement communities, common interest communities, restrictions, property rights, homeowners association, community governance, housing finance, affordable housing, housing commission, state agency, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> property, or any other property owners. property, or any other property owners.
• Um, but you know these folks who intentionally build these really complex structures are not.
• Um, but you know these folks who intentionally build these really complex structures are not.
• Um, but you know these folks who intentionally build these really complex structures are not.
• </c> tool and so they can sometimes build tool and so they can sometimes build analytical<00:55:17.680

Bills: HF4119 , HF3959 , HF3792 , HF3913 , HF3752

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:43.440><c> hold</c> estate development where owners hold estate development where owners hold
• This second section also provides that a unit owner is responsible for the vegetable garden, including
• </c> for correction to the unit owners. for correction to the unit owners.
• With the long-term vision of H. 410, Vermont will have a solid foundation to build on these efforts.
• </c> foundation to build on these efforts. foundation to build on these efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in room 1100 of the Minnesota Senate building. A quorum is present.
• And today I'm going to actually read a really quick letter from one of the business owners, Syang Seyong
• My name is Syang Seyong, and I'm a proud owner of SunMoon Boba, located at 1440 Arcade Street in St.
• It relies on reporting of the miles that were driven by the owner and a confirmation through the car's
• We've talked about the state patrol building being funded through trunk highway funds.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Ecology-supervised sites are sites where Ecology supervises the work being conducted by the site's owner
• Independent sites are sites where a property owner or developer conducts site cleanup without technical
• Under this program, owners of contaminated sites who, 24, only 493 sites were conducted or supervised
• Under this program, owners of contaminated sites who, Cleanup program.
• Under this program, owners of contaminated sites who conduct independent cleanups can receive technical

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The I-900 Subcommittee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s performance audit, “Community Engagement During Contaminated Site Cleanups.” Audit staff said Ecology oversees only about 8% of Washington’s active contaminated sites, while most sites are handled by third parties or have no cleanup plan yet. The audit found that community engagement requirements apply mainly to Ecology-conducted or Ecology-supervised sites, leaving many independent cleanups without required public involvement or Ecology oversight. The auditors also reported inconsistent coordination between Ecology and the Department of Health, and noted that Ecology’s community engagement practices were generally compliant at the sampled sites but lacked systematic lessons-learned evaluations, earlier outreach in some cases, and more tailored language/accessibility efforts. Tribal feedback was mixed, with some tribes saying engagement was adequate and others asking for earlier, more tailored consultation. Committee members questioned how Ecology could be absent from many cleanups, whether SEPA or other laws still require public involvement, and whether Ecology has authority to require public participation at third-party sites. Audit staff responded that their work focused narrowly on community engagement requirements under MTCA and did not evaluate the full cleanup or permitting process, but they recommended Ecology increase transparency and consider engagement expectations for higher-risk third-party sites. Members also raised concerns about tribal identification, exposure scenarios, and whether Ecology is using the best available information early enough in site prioritization. Ecology said it appreciated the audit, agreed that community engagement should be the norm for higher-risk sites, and said it is already taking steps such as improving staff guidance, developing a tribal engagement plan, and launching a public notification subscription system. The Department of Health also said it values its partnership with Ecology and that clearer written procedures would help preserve institutional knowledge. During public testimony, Washington Conservation Action supported the audit’s findings and urged stronger community engagement, especially in communities of color and low-income areas disproportionately affected by toxic sites. The organization said fully funding MTCA is necessary for Ecology to implement the needed improvements and noted that more modern outreach approaches and additional staff resources will likely be required. The hearing ended with the chair inviting written comments and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• into the building code so that we're not having issues that come up if we just follow the building code
• ...and building new units. How do we balance that? Thank you for that question.
• What this bill does, this is the recommendation from the Uniform Building Codes Commission.
• Are there portions of this that are going to make building more unaffordable?
• on single-family dwellings or any building for that matter in the wildland-urban interface.

Committee: Joint Business and Labor Interim Committee