Transcript Highlights:

• I have been on Appropriations when there was a Republican government.
• So this is not a Republican or Democrat bill; this is a bill that strengthens and preserves the power

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite the Biden administration's lack of interest in border security, Republicans were able to make
• In contrast to Democrat ambivalence about the border crisis, President Trump and Congressional Republicans

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: Coast Guard, maritime drug enforcement, illegal drugs, fentanyl crisis, legislative reforms, public testimony

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation addressed critical issues surrounding maritime drug enforcement and the Coast Guard's role in stopping the influx of illegal drugs. The chairman highlighted the alarming consequences of current policies allowing drugs to cross borders, emphasizing the need for legislative reforms, such as the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2025. There was an intense discussion regarding the operational challenges faced by the Coast Guard, which has recently made significant drug seizures, indicating progress but also revealing gaps that need addressing. Several witnesses, including victims of the drug crisis, shared their compelling testimonies, which underscored the urgency for stricter controls and comprehensive support for law enforcement agencies involved in drug interdiction efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are a number of members, and I know Senator Pratt and Senator Drazkowski in the Republican
• Senator Rest and Senator Pratt and Senator Drazkowski in the Republican caucus have been working alongside

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just thinking that's a dangerous. thing to say, I don't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican
• because Republican area schools will be affected by this just the same.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• them in that order, though, and at this time I'd like to take a brief 5-minute recess so that the Republicans
• 7113 in that order, though, and at this time I'd like to take a brief 5-minute recess so that the Republicans

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on several House bills and first took up HB 181, which would have made the state responsible for maintaining Opticon systems for fire and emergency on state roads. Members noted that a system already exists and that towns are generally responsible for maintenance once they choose a system, so the committee voted ITL/OTL-style recommendation by a unanimous 18-0 roll call and discussed placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then considered HB 7113, concerning mile markers along Route 112/Kancamagus Highway. Supporters argued the markers would improve safety and help locate stranded motorists in a rural area with poor cell service, while another member noted the bill’s language should be clarified to refer specifically to the Kancamagus and to DOT’s usual 0.2-mile spacing. The committee voted 18-0 to recommend OTP with a fiscal note, and because it was a money bill it would not go on the consent calendar. HB 300, directing DOT to seek proposals on the Conway Branch rail line and creating a rail study committee, was recommended ITL after members said the issue had already been studied and the corridor had already been designated for rail trail; that vote was unanimous and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. HB 375, allowing municipalities to designate sections of state and local highways for all-terrain vehicles, was also recommended ITL. Members said there is already a process for towns to authorize such use and expressed concern about a blanket approach and possible local conflicts; the motion passed unanimously and was sent to the consent calendar. HB 578, relating to a sound barrier along the F.E. Everett Turnpike, drew more discussion: some members said the project should go through the 10-year plan and environmental review process, while others cited local impacts and the need for some barrier or privacy protection. The committee ultimately voted 16-2 to recommend ITL, and it was not placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee took up HB 561, concerning transfer of state-owned real property to municipalities. Members voted to retain the bill, with supporters saying they wanted more information, including a site visit to Merrimack’s Continental Boulevard and further discussion of how state roads are handled in other towns. The retain motion passed unanimously 18-0, and members noted that retained bills do not go on a calendar. The chair then announced the committee’s next full meeting would be on February 24 at 10:30 a.m., with a briefing on the capital budget process and a meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had them, believe it or not, just as much as you do today out there as Republicans and Democrats.
• Uh, there weren't very many of us Republicans back then, but we had those debates.
• </c><02:08:53.760><c> Uh</c><02:08:54.000><c> there</c> as Republicans and Democrats.
• Uh there as Republicans and Democrats.
• back then, but we had those Republicans back then, but we had those debates.<02:08:58.880><c> But</c

Keywords: During the committee meeting live stream, portion of the video was lost due to network issues. There were also some technical difficulties with content and the incorrect background image being used. The lost footage was recovered from backup, and the other issues corrected in post production editing. 1. 00:00:41 Call to Order 2. 00:01:02 Roll Call 3. 00:02:54 Approval of Minutes 4. 00:05:06 Statutory Reports and Data Requests 5. 00:35:14 2025 and 2026 Session Update 6. 01:03:10 Board Structure Updates and Subcommittees 7. 01:05:20 Public Comment 8. 02:23:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board meeting opened with quorum, approval of the March 9 and March 16, 2026 minutes, and a welcome to new member Representative Willner. The board then heard a presentation from the Department of Medicaid Services on several statutory reports: the quarterly budget analysis (LRC) report, the quarterly MCO report, the provider tax and assessment report, the enrollee demographic report, the annual behavioral health/substance use disorder utilization report, and the Medicaid pharmaceutical rebate fund. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Bechal explained the reports and answered questions. On spending, DMS said the quarterly budget analysis report should be read using the summary tabs because the first tab reflects only traditional Medicaid and does not include all populations. Lee said the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026 showed about $191 million more in waiver spending than the same period last year, about $250 million more in other categories such as nursing facilities, CCBHCs, and FQHCs, and roughly $450 million more in total fee-for-service spending. She also noted that Medicare Part D premiums are 100% state funds and estimated the state-fund increase at about $140 million. For managed care, DMS said pharmacy, inpatient hospital, and outpatient hospital spending made up about 66% of MCO payments so far this fiscal year. Members asked about administrative costs, provider tax impacts, citizenship-status categories, medical loss ratio, and whether the reports could be expanded to show recoupments and citizenship-based spending. DMS clarified that the spending figures discussed were benefit costs only, not administrative costs, and said administrative match rates vary. On the provider tax and directed payments report, Lee said the new CMS proposed rule would allow separate payment terms to continue through the grandfathering period, but that the impact would be substantial for providers even if the administrative effect was minimal. She also said DMS was still reviewing unusual citizenship categories such as “other” and “unspecified,” and would provide more information on medical loss ratio and recoupments if available. Auditor Ball raised concerns about alleged waste, duplicate Social Security numbers, ineligible enrollees, and high error rates in other programs. Lee responded that Medicaid focuses on fraud, waste, and abuse, but said the cited $800 million figure was not factual because it did not account for people enrolled in more than one Medicaid program at the same time. She said DMS is reviewing eligibility systems, including changes tied to community engagement requirements, and is working with the cabinet’s eligibility staff and ombudsman division on error rates. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congressional Republicans have opened multiple investigations into these organizations, starting with
• Of course, as a Republican and a Republican county, Of course, as a Republican in a Republican county
• , when I wear the Republican hat, voters there, I am curious about their sentiment.
• And our local Victoria County Republican Party has passed a resolution as well, clearly stating, we support
• I mean, I hear from my Republican friends, my Democratic friends, that on this issue, it seems like most

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• subject introduced last year, one by a member of the Democratic Caucus and one by a member of the Republican
• ><00:45:17.720><c> member</c><00:45:18.040><c> of</c><00:45:18.120><c> the</c><00:45:18.240><c> Republican
• </c> and one by member of the Republican and one by member of the Republican Caucus.<00:45:19.760><c>
• </c><01:02:40.760><c> on</c><01:02:40.880><c> the</c> Democrats and the Republicans on the Democrats
• and the Republicans on the committee.<01:02:41.880><c> And,</c><01:02:42.440><c> you</c><01:02:42.520

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to employ you because you're a Republican or you're a Democrat." I get that.
• </c><04:20:25.120><c> I</c><04:20:25.359><c> get</c> Republican or you're a Democrat."
• I get Republican or you're a Democrat."
• have better language that draws the line between the white supremacist and the Democrat or the Republican
• And I don't Democrat or the Republican.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the things that I strive to do in my tenure on here is to bring together both Democrats and Republicans
• of the things that I strive to do in my tenure on here is to bring together both Democrats and Republicans
• these teachers in the short term is by working together as members of this pension commission, Republicans
• these teachers in the short term is by working together as members of this pension commission, Republicans
• these teachers in the short term is by working together as members of this pension commission, Republicans

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just would like to point out that last week we heard from a Republican who had a similar task force
• who had a similar task force republican who had a similar task force proposal<00:21:34.279><c> and</
• But I'm happy to tell the Senate Republican colleagues on the Iron Range delegation that this move is
• /c><00:52:58.880><c> Senate</c> I'm happy to tell uh the Senate I'm happy to tell uh the Senate Republican
• colleagues on the Iron Range Republican colleagues on the Iron Range delegation<00:53:01.760><c> that

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A building named after a Republican statesman is a wonderful tribute to history, but it's not a substitute
• A building named after a Republican<02:04:20.400><c> statesman</c><02:04:20.960><c> is</c><02:04:21.199
• ><c> a</c><02:04:21.360><c> wonderful</c> Republican statesman is a wonderful Republican statesman is
• If I know that this almost exact legislation has been vetoed three times by two different Republican
• This is not a Republican issue. It's not just an independent issue.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He then asked about the statement that this is a compromise between Democrats and Republicans and asked
• He said this proposal satisfies the Republican side of the argument because, while it's helping students
• and the Republicans could you help<00:51:43.480><c> me</c><00:51:43.920><c> understand</c><00:51:44.040
• side of the argument Republican side of the argument because<00:52:10.760><c> while</c><00:52:11.000
• It had three senators, three representatives, four of those Republicans and two Democrats.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 659, which would establish the New Hampshire College Graduate Retention Incentive Program. A Department of Revenue Administration analyst explained technical issues in the bill, focusing on whether the incentive is intended to operate as a rebate or a tax credit, how it would be administered, and how it would interact with the business enterprise tax and business profits tax. She said the bill’s language was unclear on the administering agency, effective tax years, caps, and carry-forward treatment, and noted that reducing BET can also reduce the BET credit against BPT, though not on a one-for-one basis. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the BET/BPT interaction, administrative costs, and whether the Department of Business and Economic Affairs would need additional staffing. Andrew Horn then testified in support, saying the bill is meant to address the large number of New Hampshire college graduates who leave the state after graduation by encouraging them to stay and by incentivizing businesses to hire them. The chair closed the hearing on HB 659 after no further public testimony. The committee then took up HB 770, a bill to establish a program allowing New Hampshire high school students to earn tuition credits at state higher education institutions through community service. Representative Schultz described the bill as a “triple play” intended to increase volunteerism, expand service and internship opportunities for students, and make college more affordable. Ryan Casey, a junior at Bishop Brady High School, testified that the proposal would help students reduce future loan debt while benefiting communities and encouraging young people to attend college in New Hampshire. Committee members asked about eligibility, including why private and preparatory school students were excluded, whether public school students would qualify, whether mandatory service hours would count, and how the bill’s references to education and business eligibility should be read. Schultz said the exclusion of private and prep schools was intended because public school students are more clearly New Hampshire residents, and she noted that mandatory school service hours had been excluded in revisions. The Department of Education then testified that the program would require significant administration, estimating at least three full-time staff, software or tracking systems, and rulemaking to oversee volunteer sites, schools, student eligibility, and tuition credit distribution. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the hearing remained in testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• It isn't a Republican or a Democrat newsletter.

Summary: The board opened its public meeting with a quorum, approved the prior minutes by motion and voice vote, and noted there were no employment disclosure forms. The main substantive item was an advisory opinion request from the chief clerk about whether legislators may include information about other governmental agencies or events in constituent newsletters, especially when the same material can be posted on official legislative websites or social media under a statutory safe harbor. Board members discussed the scope of the statute and whether the safe harbor for official websites and social media should be read to extend to printed newsletters. Some members argued the newsletter context is different because it is distributed directly to constituents and has limited space, while others said the same principle should apply and that the statute is not an exclusive list of permissible content. The discussion also touched on examples such as public health notices, bike safety events, and other government-published information, with concern expressed that a broader reading could allow too much unrelated content. No final advisory opinion was adopted during the meeting. Instead, the board directed staff to rewrite the draft opinion to reflect the discussion and bring it back later. The meeting then moved toward public testimony, but no testimony was taken before the public portion was adjourned and the board proceeded into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we Republicans will caucus in our caucus room at recess, and I move a recess to call the Speaker.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Republican caucus is on its way.

Summary: The meeting reviewed a long list of Senate and House bills, mostly from Appropriations and Education, with staff describing strike-everything amendments and whether the amended language matched other bills. Topics included electronic monitoring in care facilities (SB 1041), dental board complaint forwarding and licensure exemptions (SB 1168), revitalization district contracts (SB 1189), timeshare salesperson licensing (SB 1274), veterinary telemedicine prescriptions (SB 1286), insurer zero-estimated-exposure policies (SB 1428), advanced air mobility funding for border security (SB 1457), death benefits for law enforcement pilots (SB 1503), ATV definitions (SB 1519), pet and fowl restrictions in planned communities (SB 1582), pharmacist independent testing and treatment (SB 1713), school district self-insurance quotes (SB 1497), and a housing/historic district measure tied to SB 1118. Most of these were presented as technical or policy changes, often noting that the strike-everything language was identical to a House bill already passed. The caucus then moved through several blue-sheet concurrence items. HB 2120 received a technical Senate amendment to align property-tax disability language with updated statute, and the sponsor concurred. HB 2174 was amended to require a modeling and data organization to file models used by insurers, with concurrence noted. HB 2203, aimed at reducing duplicative ADE and school reporting, was amended so ADE must review each statutory reporting requirement and report back to the legislature; the sponsor concurred. HB 2383 was amended only to name a trampoline court law as “TIE’s law,” with no substantive policy change, and the sponsor concurred. On the remaining House bills, HB 2877 was changed from timeshare licensing to create an alternative education pathway for certified veterinary technicians, and the sponsor concurred. HB 2875, dealing with unmanned aircraft and drone delivery, was amended to adjust airport-related local authority limits from one mile to 2.5 miles and to reference consultation with airports; members raised questions about FAA preemption and local authority. HB 2428 on emission reduction credits was amended to emphasize voluntary participation and limit new credits if participation later becomes mandatory, and the sponsor concurred. HB 2176 on health care institution licensing and complaint investigations was amended to allow older abuse-related complaints, and the sponsor concurred. HB 2050 on radiologic technology standards and radiologist assistant supervision drew the most discussion; the Senate narrowed the supervision change to rural counties under 500,000 population and critical access hospitals, and the sponsor concurred while members questioned the geographic scope. Finally, HB 2010 on refunds for digital goods was amended to shorten the refund window from 10 years to five, but the sponsor refused concurrence due to a drafting error, indicating a conference committee would be needed. The caucus then concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And who better to make these decisions, whatever party it is...” “...whether it’s the Republican Party

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not only Democrats, Republicans, minority, majority, who know this is an important part of what

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Education Budget Conference Joint Committee met on March 18 to begin negotiations on the state education budget. Co-chairs Senator Shelley Mayer and Assembly Member Benedetto outlined their chambers’ priorities, with the Senate emphasizing Foundation Aid changes to better support students experiencing homelessness or foster care, English language learners, a minimum 2% increase for all districts, expanded universal pre-K, and continued support for special education programs and nonpublic schools. The Assembly highlighted its one-house proposal, including a $1.4 billion increase in Foundation Aid, a higher ELL and pupil needs weighting, a new weight for students in foster care or housing instability, removal of the pupil needs cap, $600 million for New York City class size reduction, additional community schools funding, and restorations or increases for libraries, teacher resource centers, 4201 schools, My Brother’s Keeper, and educational television and radio. Members from both chambers offered opening remarks stressing education as a top budget priority and expressing confidence that a compromise could be reached. Senator Tedisco focused on school safety and bullying, arguing that parents should be notified when their children are bullied and citing the need to protect students’ ability to learn. Assembly Member Vanel emphasized education as a tool for economic mobility and called for stronger financial literacy instruction. Assembly Member Carroll supported funding for libraries and evidence-based reading programs, while Assembly Member Smith said the Foundation Aid formula remains outdated and urged more support for English language learners, special education, and community schools. Assembly Member Chludzinski stressed local control, criticized the electric school bus mandate, and called for greater support for libraries and fiscal restraint. No votes were taken. The meeting was an opening conference session, with both sides stating their intent to continue negotiations and work toward an on-time budget that reflects shared priorities for students, schools, and libraries across New York State.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to welcome Liz Ania, our new Republican consultant.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans will caucus immediately and ask them to bring their green books.

Keywords: 904, all