Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we know that there's some challenges and there's some concerns, but there has to be a balance
• You know, we know that there's some challenges and there's some concerns, but there has to be a balance
• Uh, we have a lot of technical experts at CEE that look at the balance of our policy to right-size that
• </c><01:07:21.640><c> between</c> So, how do we bring a balance between So, how do we bring a balance
• of our policy to at the balance of our policy to right-size<01:08:03.560><c> that</c><01:08:03.720><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Where I think if we get into these situations where we're really out of balance, maybe if we have a minimum
• Where I think if we get into these situations where we're really out of balance, maybe if we have a minimum
• Where I think if we get into these situations where we're really out of balance, maybe if we have a minimum
• Where I think if we get into these situations where we're really out of balance, maybe if we have a minimum
• And then that leaves the balance of what that lease agreement will go towards the charter schools.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The Select Committee on School Facilities met to satisfy its quarterly statutory requirement and to discuss interim priorities. Staff from LSO reviewed the committee’s duties: monitoring K-12 school facilities statewide, prioritizing needs for the interim, and preparing a budget request due by November 1. They also noted the ongoing litigation related to the Chapter 3, Section 8 exception process and said the committee would move forward with securing a consultant to study that issue, as previously authorized by Management Council. A major topic was school funding formulas, especially how average daily membership (ADM) affects routine and major maintenance funding and how excess square footage is treated. Members revisited an earlier proposal to fund 135% of allowable square footage, which did not advance this session, and discussed whether some schools should instead be funded at a minimum percentage of their actual square footage. Staff explained that some districts have buildings larger than their formula allowance, and that the issue is complicated by older buildings, pools, and other unique facilities. They also noted that recent changes to the major maintenance multiplier increased funding and that some districts are still not fully covered by the formulas. Safety and security funding was another focus. The State Construction Department reported that $10 million was appropriated this year for safety and security upgrades, with some funds expected to go toward vestibules, bollards, and design work, and the rest through a district application process. Officials said the last comprehensive safety assessment was done more than 10 years ago and suggested a new consultant-led study to update priorities, since technology and building conditions have changed. Members also discussed the role of school resource officers and whether the committee should continue leading this work rather than handing it off to the recalibration committee. The committee also examined declining enrollment and excess capacity across the state, citing examples such as Newcastle, Shoshoni, Casper, Campbell County, and Fremont County. Officials said some districts are right-sizing by taking schools offline, while others cannot easily reduce capacity because the buildings are essential to the community. Charter school leasing was raised as a related concern, including the Mills charter school and the fact that the state pays lease costs based on ADM and allowable square footage. No formal votes were taken, but the committee agreed to continue studying these issues, likely including site visits and further data requests during the interim.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we balanced? Do our reserves look good? Do we look good?
• Are we balanced? Do our reserves look good? Do we look good?
• Are we balanced? Do our reserves look good? Do we look good?
• Are we balanced? Do our reserves look good? Do we look good?
• Are we balanced? Do our reserves look good? Do we look good?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're driving 50,000 miles or more a year, and help them also to balance their budgets because they're
• money and will help these many drivers, and so you can figure out what exactly you would like that balance
• </c><00:30:28.080><c> like</c><00:30:28.240><c> to</c><00:30:28.559><c> that</c><00:30:29.039><c> balance
• </c> exactly you would like to that balance exactly you would like to that balance to<00:30:29.600><c
• </c> scenario that really tries to balance scenario that really tries to balance emissions<01:08:08.640

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard several bills, beginning with SB 2010, which would authorize impoundment of motor vehicles for certain alleged or committed traffic violations. The Department of Transportation supported the bill, while the Department of the Attorney General asked for clarification in section 4 on who could seek remedies and what remedies would be available. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, citing unclear officer-initiated impound criteria, potential strain on judicial or administrative resources, and concerns about hardship for families and indigent owners; the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill with amendments, saying it should be limited to traffic offenses and could serve as an alternative to fines or imprisonment. The chair then recessed before moving to the next items. The committee next heard SB 2527 on commercial driver licensing, which would require state and county firefighters exempt from CDL requirements to be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy equivalent to or stronger than federal DOT standards. DOT, the Department of Human Resources Development, county officials, and the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association all indicated support. SB 2697, which would prohibit driving on roadway shoulders except in limited circumstances, also drew DOT support, with the Attorney General, judiciary, and others submitting comments. SB 2812, requiring driver license applicants to be tested on the dangers larger vehicles pose to pedestrians and bicyclists, was supported by DOT but opposed by the Public Defender, who argued the excessive-speeding portion was too broad for first offenses and that the DUI-related language was unnecessary because DUI relicensing already requires re-examination. SB 291, clarifying that drivers whose licenses were revoked for certain alcohol-related offenses must undergo re-examination before relicensing, received DOT support. The committee then took up SB 3044, which would remove references to pedestrian countdown timers and the requirement that pedestrians begin crossing before the timer starts. DOT opposed the bill, but Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported it, arguing the current rule is confusing and can lead to citations even when pedestrians can safely cross. The Department of Health submitted late comments emphasizing the importance of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and physical activity, and the chair noted the split in testimony. Finally, SB 2995 proposed a zero-emissions rideshare rebate program funded by a rideshare fee and administered by DOT. Earthjustice strongly supported the bill, describing it as a fee-and-rebate structure to help rideshare drivers transition to zero-emissions vehicles. A witness for Tom Yamachika suggested that if the state wants to tax ridesharing, it should amend existing tax law instead of creating a new chapter, but the bill’s supporters said DOT was better suited to administer the rebate program and that similar models exist in California and Washington. The committee also heard SB 3153, which would authorize DOT to designate airport special district zones at airports statewide to improve security and enforcement; DOT’s airports deputy director supported the measure, saying it would clarify jurisdiction and help address trespassing and hazards, and senators asked about boundaries, mapping, and coordination with the Attorney General. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Three, it prohibits providers from balance billing consumers or impairing a consumer's credit over those
• balance bills.
• balance bills.
• balance bills.
• . balance. balance.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:11 Discussion HB 527 00:02:29 Vote HB 527 00:08:02 Discussion HB 627 00:09:09 Vote HB 627 00:24:29 Discussion HB 355 00:25:59 Vote HB 355 00:34:28 Discussion HB 568 00:35:18 Vote HB 568 01:12:10, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the answer to either of these questions is no, we have to weigh and balance.
• If the answer to either of these questions is no, we have to weigh and balance.
• This bill strikes that balance.
• This bill strikes that balance.
• And so there is a balance there.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, at some point, there has to be a way to have a balancing test in court.
• It's a balancing act, and we want to get it right.
• They didn't ask to be part of the criminal justice system either, so we have to balance those things.
• I think there has to be a good balance there, and I appreciate the committee's time today.
• I think that would be a little more of a balance.

Bills: HB867, HB1347, HB1801, HB1820, HB2197, HB2617, HB3110, HB3166, HB3330, HB4237, HB4342, HB4629, HB4933, HJR148

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we always, we're always in a balancing act when we're talking about data.
• In some small cities, small towns, you know, there's so all of these things always have to be balanced
• I think we always, we're always in a balancing act when we're talking about data.
• In some small cities, small towns, you know, there's so all of these things always have to be balanced
• I think we always, we're always in a balancing act when we're talking about data.

Bills: HF1917, HF1083, HF367

Keywords: data practices, public official, transparency, government accountability, employment data, domestic abuse, domestic violence, battered women, victim advocate, advocacy, confidentiality, privilege, evidence law, witness privilege, court-ordered disclosure, shelter, crisis intervention, sexual assault counselor, victim services, protective services

Transcript Highlights:

• “For employees whose paid leave balance falls below 10 working days, departments and agencies should
• individually monitor and track the employees’ leave balances to ensure that a salary overpayment does
• We have extra requirements around review of records when balances are dipping.” dags it actually says
• <c> of</c><00:14:55.560><c> working</c><00:14:56.120><c> days</c> “For employees whose paid leave balance
• We have extra requirements around review of records when balances are dipping.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would run that through the balance of the year.
• And so we're trying to balance those two things.
• I heard him talk about it on fair and balanced Fox News the other day.
• Do you have an estimate as the balance between renewables, wind, solar and then the traditional thermal
• What is the balance between the state and what is the balance with the localities as well?

Transcript Highlights:

• The other body amended it to add that unassigned fund balances shall be apportioned and returned to the
• </c><01:09:34.239><c> budgets</c><01:09:34.880><c> and</c><01:09:35.199><c> funding</c> but balancing
• budgets and funding but balancing budgets and funding unrelated<01:09:36.719><c> expenditures.
• Speaker, if I know that it's important to balance medical treatment with patients' rights, and, Mr.
• </c> SNAP in a comprehensive and balanced SNAP in a comprehensive and balanced way.<02:18:28.719><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, this bill is about balance.
• Ultimately, this bill is about balance.
• AB 2190 offers a thoughtful and balanced path forward.
• We are committed to achieving these goals responsibly, balanced.
• And to me, the balance is not reasonable here.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh currently we have 1 active loan for a balance of over 139 million.
• </c><00:04:32.240><c> of</c> have 1 active loans for a balance of have 1 active loans for a balance of
• Our current balance is $11,000. Our current balance is $11,000.
• As far as the current balance, there is zero in this account.
• </c> balance, there is zero in this account. balance, there is zero in this account.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Parts one and two reverse the true meaning of DEI, which exists to balance unfair advantages, not to
• It centers around this idea of balance and imbalance.
• This is about balance. I believe it's about having true equality across the board.
• And try to balance that as best we can in this bill because we'd have a germany issue otherwise based
• That balance is going to be gone because we're going to allow the... ...of evidence, that balance is

Bills: S0092, S0110, S0192, S0212, S0260, S0350, S0394, S0422, S0434, S0442, S0484, S0546, S0556, S0684, S0696, S0706, S0748, S0786, S0820, S0824, S0838, S0840, S0848, S0856, S0962, S1000, S1014, S1036, S1050, S1054, S1080, S1118, S1134, S1338, S1480, S1500, S1506, S1622, S1724

Keywords: employee protections, whistleblower, retaliation, public trust, ethics complaint, Commission on Ethics, Public Employees Relations Commission, public employee, local government attorney, public officer, adverse personnel action, protected disclosure, whistleblower retaliation, state agency, independent contractor, public employment, civil service, reinstatement, back pay, front pay

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of bills, many of them retained from the prior week. The most debated measure was CS for SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designate Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport, subject to FAA approval and a trademark agreement. Amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to prevent private financial benefit from the naming. Several senators spoke in opposition, citing concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and the trademark/licensing arrangement; supporters argued there was no cost to the airport and that the bill simply set a state naming policy. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements, CS for CS for SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, CS for SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, SB 962 on excluding farms from certain zoning definitions, and CS for SB 820 on problem-solving court reporting requirements. The committee then approved several bills from Senator DiCeglie and Senator Arrington. SB 840, addressing land-use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, was supported by local-government and environmental advocates who said it would restore local control after SB 180’s hurricane-related restrictions; the sponsor said it was intended to correct unintended consequences of last year’s law. CS for SB 856, requiring online listing platforms to show estimated ad valorem taxes on residential listings, was amended to exclude social media platforms and broaden liability protections; the sponsor and a county property appraiser described it as a consumer-transparency measure. CS for SB 110, clarifying homestead exemption treatment for long-term leases that end at death, was also reported favorably. The committee took up a controversial strike-all amendment to SB 212, which focused on public swimming pools and added residency and related restrictions for certain sex offenders and offenders on community control or probation. The amendment drew strong opposition from advocates and affected families, who argued it would worsen homelessness, impose broad geographic restrictions, and lack evidence of improving child safety; supporters said it was a targeted public-safety measure. Despite the objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, SB 434 on property tax assessment treatment for wind-hardening improvements, CS for CS for SBs 658 and 608 on water-safety requirements for rental properties with pools or nearby water, SB 748 on adding voting-rights restoration information to sentencing score sheets, and CS for SB 824 requiring school districts to inventory unimproved real property. The meeting ended while the committee was beginning SB 848 on stormwater treatment, with an amendment being introduced as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:53:48.240><c> not</c><00:53:48.319><c> the</c><00:53:48.640><c> entire</c><00:53:49.119><c> balance
• </c><00:53:49.520><c> is</c> whether or not the entire balance is whether or not the entire balance is
• </c><01:08:01.440><c> or</c><01:08:01.760><c> balance</c><01:08:02.160><c> due</c><01:08:02.799><c> um
• </c><01:08:02.880><c> because</c> as any balance or balance due um because as any balance or balance
• going to want what the community gains: property taxes and so on, because you're going to have to balance

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 155, which drew a lengthy debate over an amendment to delay implementation until tax year 2027. Supporters said the delay would give lawmakers time to see whether projected revenues materialize and to reconsider the policy if needed; opponents argued it would reduce money available to services and local governments at a time of tightening revenues. Members also discussed broader revenue trends, including tobacco, rooms-and-meals, real estate transfer, and lottery revenues, and disagreed over whether tax cuts tend to increase revenue. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2983H on an 11-9 vote, then voted 11-9 to report HB 155 ought to pass as amended. The bill was sent to the consent calendar, with a majority and minority report to be filed. The committee then considered HB 224, with members expressing concern that the bill would redirect money collected for one purpose to another and should receive more study. A motion for interim study was made and seconded, and the committee approved interim study unanimously, 20-0, sending HB 224 to the consent calendar. Next, the committee took up SB 83, which the Lottery described as a vehicle for technical corrections to gaming law. The Lottery requested changes to remove a bond cap, reconcile inconsistent free-play/promotional-play language, redirect problem-gambling funds to the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention, and revise background-check language after the FBI declined to conduct checks under the existing wording. The committee adopted amendment 2025-2984 unanimously, 20-0, then voted 20-0 to report SB 83 ought to pass as amended and placed it on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee began work on HB 524, a bill to repeal the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Representative Yuli said members had received many emails and calls both supporting and opposing the program and that he had questions about transparency and the dollars involved. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 524.

Transcript Highlights:

• The balanced composition promotes diversity, independence, and fairness in judicial oversight.
• of judges to police themselves and allow the judiciary or the legislature to be a true check and balance
• We are begging that y'all will produce this oversight as the check and balance on the judiciary underneath
• I think this is a very important piece of legislation to put the balance of power properly where it needs
• The legislature has checks and balances. We all learn that, you know, in American government.

Bills: SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• I would assume that we would continue having a balance in projects that are awarded, and I would trust
• I would assume that we would continue having a balance in projects that are awarded, and I would trust
• I would assume that we would continue having a balance in projects that are awarded, and I would trust
• I would assume that we would continue having a balance in projects that are awarded, and I would trust
• Our next meeting will be on..." balance in projects that are awarded and balance in projects that are

Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a balanced budget.
• on we have a balanced budget we don't<00:48:53.400><c> run</c><00:48:53.680><c> in</c><00:48:53.839>
• It gave Plymouth and Keene a little bit of cushion to get their budgets balanced, and it worked.
• and it worked so Kean had been balanced and it worked so Kean had been running<00:50:05.680><c> in</
• We’re also keenly aware of competing pressures that this body will have to balance, and going back to

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an orientation from University System of New Hampshire Chancellor Katherine Preventure and Senior Director of Government Relations Lauren Banker on the system’s enrollment, finances, workforce role, and academic programs. They described the system as consisting of UNH, Keene State, and Plymouth State, with about 23,000 students, $928 million in FY24 operating expenses, a $3.7 billion economic impact, and UNH’s R1 research status. They emphasized the system’s role in graduating students into the New Hampshire workforce, its statewide Cooperative Extension and regional campus presence, and its alignment of degree offerings with top occupations identified by New Hampshire Employment Security. The presentation also highlighted partnerships with businesses, internships, and collaboration with the community college system, including 100 transfer pathways and a direct-admit program. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on tuition, state support, and student costs. The chancellor said the state invested $95 million in FY25, with about $81 million used to reduce resident tuition and about $14 million for statutory programs such as Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. She said the state subsidy is about $7,300 per New Hampshire student, and that resident net tuition averages about $7,000, while nonresident net tuition averages about $16,600. She provided published tuition figures for UNH, Plymouth State, and Keene State, and explained that resident tuition has been held flat for five years while financial aid has increased, reducing average net tuition and fees for New Hampshire students from about $10,500 in 2020 to $9,800. Members asked for clarification on how residency and workforce-retention percentages were calculated, and the chancellor said she would follow up. Members also asked about comparisons with peer institutions, housing and meal costs, research funding, and the reasons for declining enrollment and staffing reductions. The chancellor said peer comparisons were based on flagship universities for UNH and smaller regional publics for Plymouth and Keene, and noted that out-of-state tuition has risen about 2.5% annually. She said housing for a UNH double room is $8,536 and a meal plan is $5,100, and offered to provide a consolidated cost document. On research, she said the system’s direct research spending includes federal funding and that indirect costs were about $34 million last year, with a follow-up promised on the federal/state and direct/indirect split. She attributed enrollment declines largely to demographics and said the system is responding by reducing costs, selling buildings, exiting leases, moving the system office to NHTI, and implementing Workday. She also noted that Plymouth received approval for five three-year bachelor’s degree programs and that members praised the shorter, workforce-focused pathways, especially for manufacturing and other in-demand fields.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank you, Senator, because having a balanced playing field because having a balanced playing

Bills: SB165

Keywords: candidates, economic interests, disclosure, ethics, transparency, public officials, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, God, it's a failure of checks and balances. So what's missing?
• That is not how checks and balances work That is not how checks and balances work or<01:29:52.719><c>
• This balance reflected in part will.
• constitutional balance, preventing constitutional balance, preventing future<02:09:00.480><c> overreach
• </c> weakens the critical checks and balances weakens the critical checks and balances associated<02:

Keywords: 1189, house, all