Transcript Highlights:

• for single... program for single moms and just everyday people.
• Department of Labor interviews, is that any of their training programs?
• Even though we have a lot of programs out there, we need to bring those programs and incorporate them
• It didn't end with the school boards and those officials that sit on those school boards.
• How many high school diplomas do you have? How many graduate degrees?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I ran a weatherization program in Calcasieu Parish back in the '90s.
• “And, I mean, it’s not unlike other programs that happen, whether it’s—I've run some pretty large programs
• But the program—it’s a very... So this is the interesting part. It’s a performance-based program.”
• It's a $100 million program, so..."
• We have lunch in the ante room for members. That's great.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered H.C.R. 89 by Representative Charles Owen, which directs the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to study, with the Louisiana State Museum and the World War II Museum, the feasibility of a museum and trail dedicated to the Louisiana Maneuvers. Owen described the historical significance of the maneuvers and said the proposal would mainly involve markers and a modest museum. The committee moved the resolution favorably to the floor without objection. Members then debated H.R. 179 by Representative Marcel, which would create a study of neighborhood crime prevention and security districts and their effectiveness in reducing crime. Several members raised concerns about the number of study groups and the breadth of a statewide review, while others supported gathering data on crime trends, cameras, and district performance. Marcel said the study was intended to collect information, not mandate changes, and the resolution was moved favorably to the floor. The committee next took up S.B. 228 and S.B. 268 by Senator Duplessis, both related to replacing lead and copper water service lines. S.B. 228 was a constitutional amendment allowing public funds to be used on private property for replacement of lead-based and copper pipes, and S.B. 268 set out the process for municipalities or parishes to implement the program, including notice to homeowners and an inventory/testing process. Members questioned homeowner rights, the seven-day notice period, emergency entry language, contracting, and whether the work would fully address hazards inside homes; Rainwater said the program was narrowly tailored, federally funded through the EPA and LDH, and intended to replace lines from the main to the shutoff valve. Both measures were moved favorably as amended. Finally, the committee approved S.B. 283 by Senator Barrow, creating the Boulevard at Harding Area Special District in Baton Rouge to encourage development in a food desert near Southern University, and moved H.R. 225 by Representative Eccles, which urges study of parish-wide solid waste, debris removal, and disaster resilience services in Ouachita Parish. H.R. 223 by Representative Walters, urging Shreveport to partner on the Southern Soul City Initiative, was also moved favorably. The chair noted it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session, and members and staff were thanked for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I should say university and special schools that are in Section 12 of the Constitution.
• So we would then come back, create a nominating commission for each one of these schools.
• They're coming up with directions in terms of programming and vision and relevancy.
• Kennedy Charter School.
• Kennedy Charter School, said the school started in 2000 to serve some of the most high-risk students

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• room for this program?
• I was really bad at math in school. If I was really bad at math in school.
• And that's how I view this program. And that's how I view this program.
• It's a voluntary program.
• it an insurance program of some sort? it an insurance program of some sort?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amaris Ortiz from Santa Fe Public Schools. And Moses Nwikwu, Mandela School.
• The National Teacher of the Year program is the oldest and most prestigious national honors program in
• Our high schools, almost all of them have AP courses in Our high schools, almost all of them have AP
• Individual schools. Individual schools in all of our districts are seeing huge growth.
• qualified employees of school districts or charter schools, providing for reimbursements to school districts

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , schools, but at our charter schools, schools, but at our charter schools, where<00:05:37.680>
• <00:10:15.960> have Schools and other school districts have Schools and other school districts
• We brought lunches to the school for weeks so they wouldn't have to leave.
• > school<00:43:55.600> for<00:43:55.800> weeks brought lunches to the school for
• weeks brought lunches to the school for weeks so<00:43:56.240> they<00:43:56.400> wouldn't

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state school but um they could rectify state school but um they could rectify some<00:51:06.920> of
• She added that the work also includes middle school programs, community education, and emergency preparedness
• She said NHMI's work also includes middle school programs, community education, and emergency preparedness
• hour lunch break.
• lunch break instead of an hour lunch lunch break instead of an hour lunch break<02:27:18.600>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 530, a bill to increase funding for New Hampshire’s Affordable Housing Fund. Representative Jessica Lontine, the sponsor, described the state’s housing crisis, citing high rents, low vacancy, and the lack of affordable units. She said the bill would double the annual transfer-tax deposit into the fund from $5 million to $10 million, and she later presented an amendment to hold the Education Trust Fund harmless by directing the housing-fund deposit from remaining revenue after that trust fund is funded. She also explained a prospective appropriation idea tied to a possible future sale of the Laconia State School property, with the goal of supporting community housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Much of the testimony focused on the shortage of accessible and supportive housing for people with disabilities and aging family caregivers. Lontine, Ben Saul of Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, Lori McIntosh of Our Place NH, and Maddie Mandelbaum all described the difficulty families face in planning for adult children with disabilities as parents age or die. They emphasized that many people need not only affordable housing but accessible, supportive settings, and they argued that state investment would help nonprofit providers build such housing and prevent homelessness or inappropriate institutional placement. Several witnesses also noted that existing projects rely on capital funding and that operating revenues are limited because residents often depend on SSI and Medicaid. Committee members asked questions about the fiscal impact of the bill and amendment, including whether the proposal would shift money from the general fund or education trust fund and whether the Finance Committee should have final say over spending priorities. Lontine said she understood those concerns but argued that housing should be prioritized. Housing Action New Hampshire’s Tom Duroza also testified in support of the bill, saying the state’s housing shortage is driving record prices and vacancy rates below 1%, and that the Affordable Housing Fund has leveraged more than $500 million in private investment and helped build thousands of rental homes. He said his organization supported the underlying bill but had not yet reviewed the amendment. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That act now enables, in our school lunch programs, for both whole and reduced-fat flavored and unflavored
• That act now enables, in our school lunch programs, for both whole and reduced-fat flavored and unflavored
• That act now enables, in our school lunch programs, for both whole and reduced-fat flavored and unflavored
• /c><01:42:01.119> lunch school lunch in our school lunch school lunch in our school lunch program
• And so that's either going back to school or an LNA program like I spoke of.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and also to apply for grants through postsecondary and workforce readiness program.
• There will be lunch served, so all welcome. Senator Bridges: I went to space camp. Very good.
• lunch served, so all welcome. lunch served, so all welcome. Senator<00:48:54.600> Bridges.
• <00:52:11.960> So,<00:52:12.240> if and a lunch later on in the day.
• So, if and a lunch later on in the day.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the February 17, 2026 journal, and received a series of committee reports. Senate Services reported several bills and resolutions as correctly printed or engrossed. The Appropriations Committee advanced Senate Bill 5 with amendments, and reported a large slate of House bills 1150 through 1179, most with favorable recommendations and many recommended for the consent calendar. The Finance Committee advanced Senate Bill 46 with amendments and reported several appointments for confirmation, including members of the Financial Services Board and the Advisory Committee to the Property Tax Administrator. The State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee postponed Senate Bill 33 indefinitely and sent Senate Bill 48 to Appropriations. The Senate also approved an appointment filling a vacancy on the Legislative Audit Committee, naming Senator William Lindstedt. On third reading, the chamber passed Senate Bill 11, concerning search warrant requirements for operators of certain electronic platforms, by a vote of 31-2 after no votes from Senators Basley and Zamora Wilson. Senate Bill 76, concerning the practice of certified public accountants, passed 33-0. The Senate then resolved into Committee of the Whole for second reading of Senate Bill 7, concerning medical marijuana use by terminally ill patients in health facilities, and Senate Bill 54, concerning a security deposit exemption for post-closing occupancy agreements; both were adopted, amended, and advanced to third reading. Later, the Committee of the Whole considered House Bill 1027, which would allow retiree executive directors of boards of cooperative services to keep retirement benefits and clarify BOCES funding eligibility; after brief discussion, it was adopted and advanced. The committee also laid over Senate Bill 84 until February 19 and Senate Bills 37, 31, 53, and 43 until February 23. During announcements, senators noted committee meetings and caucus gatherings, including Statutory Revision, Transportation and Energy, Judiciary, Capital Development, and Democratic and Republican caucuses. Senator Jaquez marked the start of Ramadan and invited members to observe with local Muslim communities. Senator Priestly used personal privilege to criticize the state’s AI policy and the relocation of Palantir, prompting a reminder that policy debate should occur in the proper forum. The Senate adjourned until Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It exempts pre-schools from special tax assessments.
• It exempts pre-schools from special tax assessments.
• So here's an interesting nuance that's different between preschool and school school school.
• Here's an interesting nuance that's different between preschool and school school.
• It's carried with the school instead. I would love to look at it. The school instead.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met and first took up HB 47, Child Care and Early Learning Providers, sponsored by Rep. McFarland. The bill was presented as an effort to reduce child care costs and regulatory burdens by exempting preschools from special tax assessments, moving teacher training and testing online and making it free, allowing abbreviated inspections for top providers, extending license-exempt status to employer-provided child care, and addressing an insurance issue affecting family child care homes. Members asked about DCF transparency, accreditation, background screening timelines, accountability for exempt facilities, and whether violations would still be searchable; McFarland said accreditation would still be required, DCF reporting and abuse hotlines would remain available, and the bill would not eliminate existing transparency for licensed providers. An amendment was adopted to add clarifying language and exempt certain DOD and Coast Guard child care facilities operated by DOD personnel. Several witnesses and members spoke in support, emphasizing workforce needs, affordability, and safety. HB 47 was reported favorably by a vote of 18-0. The committee then heard HB 259, which designates August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day. Rep. Gerwig said the bill is intended to raise awareness of fentanyl’s dangers and overdose risks. Members spoke in strong support, citing fentanyl’s impact on families, youth, and first responders, and the need for education because fentanyl is often unknowingly ingested or mixed into other drugs. Gerwig also described a personal example involving a child exposed to fentanyl in a vacation rental. HB 259 was reported favorably by a vote of 17-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then school building aid, which there is a schedule for.
• Well. lunch which makes it pretty difficult lunch which makes it pretty difficult could<01:24:48.000>
• That program hasn't passed in law, so that's why I raised it back up.
• That program hasn't passed in law, so that's why I raised it back up.
• um reduction related to a new program um reduction related to a new program that<03:40:36.840>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received a Department of Revenue Administration update from Commissioner Lindsay Stepp focused on revenue estimates for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. She explained the department’s forecasting method, which uses five scenarios based on the first seven months of actual collections and different assumptions for the remaining months, then selects a reasonable high and low range for FY 25 and applies projected growth rates for FY 26 and FY 27. Members asked several clarifying questions about how the scenarios are chosen and how the estimates relate to economic growth and taxpayer behavior. For business taxes, Stepp reported FY 25 year-to-date collections of $110.3 million, 18.2% below plan and 17.2% below prior year. She said the shortfall reflects both economic conditions and a resetting of estimated payments after unusually strong pandemic-era profits, and noted that the department cannot fully separate changes in taxpayer liability from changes in estimated payment behavior. She said approximately just under $72 million was refunded in FY 24 due to the CCO cap, and that FY 25 year-to-date refunds are at 41.7%. For business taxes, the department’s FY 25 range was based on either continued underperformance versus plan or a return to prior-year levels, with FY 26 and FY 27 growth projected at 3% to 8%. The committee also reviewed meals and rooms tax, tobacco tax, and related trends. Meals and rooms revenue was $6.9 million, or 3.3%, ahead of plan and prior year; the FY 25 gross estimate was $475.894 million, with a net range of about $331.82 million to $335.259 million after municipal transfers and school building aid. Stepp said recent monthly results suggest some fluctuation tied to disposable income, weather, and travel patterns, but no clear sustained decline. Tobacco tax was $18.1 million, 14% below plan and 4.8% below prior year; she said cigarette stamp sales are declining while e-cigarettes and other tobacco products are growing, with FY 25 tobacco revenue projected at $182.5 million to $185.3 million and FY 26-FY 27 growth ranging from -5% to flat. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no reason to impose this unfunded mandate onto school districts. participation in CTE programs
• attend a CTE program or course due to required course conflicts at the resident school, and if I know
• to attend a CTE program or course due to required course conflicts at the resident school.
• This bill opens the law to further ambiguity and fear, especially for educators, schools, programs, and
• Your honor, I rest my case. schools, programs, and services related schools, programs, and services related

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A little rusty on the first day of school. It is your second bill today.
• Volusia County, where we found out that people volunteered to become coaches on various different school
• And I coached high school for 15 years. I coached high school for 15 years.
• I hope you get some time to grab some lunch if you didn't already.
• I hope you get some time to grab some lunch if you didn't already.

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and System Subcommittee met and heard three bills, all of which passed favorably. HB 229 by Rep. Oliver would update the Health Facilities Authority Act to reflect modern health system structures, allowing not-for-profit LLCs and not-for-profit parent corporations of health systems to use the financing authority, and clarifying that authorities may use loan agreements as well as lease financing. An amendment narrowing and clarifying the not-for-profit definition was adopted without objection. AdventHealth testified in support, and the bill passed 17-0. The committee then heard HB 527 by Rep. Trabulsi, which creates a public records exemption for current and former AHCA personnel who investigate complaints, Medicaid fraud, abuse, waste, or inspect licensed health facilities. The sponsor said the exemption is intended to protect investigators and their families from retaliation. There was no public testimony, and members discussed balancing transparency with safety. The bill passed 17-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 431 by Rep. Trabulsi, which extends by one year the requirement for athletic coaches and similar youth sports volunteers to complete Level 2 background screening through AHCA’s clearinghouse, with the sponsor saying the delay would give the system time to expand and reduce costs over time. Public testimony from youth sports organizations supported the goal of screening but raised concerns about cost, implementation details, and age thresholds for screening. Members generally supported the bill as a child-safety measure, and it also passed 17-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• School counselors are required.
• On the counselors, I have taught 17 years at the high school. ...and public school teacher.
• I'm in elementary school now.
• high school students.
• And when I was in high school, we had so many college counselors in the high school that I went to.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and first temporarily postponed SB 920 on mathematics education. The committee then took up SB 1216, which would revise public school personnel compensation rules to give districts more flexibility in using cost-of-living adjustments, recognizing advanced degrees, and adjusting performance pay limits for educators and other school personnel. Senator Rodriguez said the bill would add tools for recruitment and retention without replacing performance pay, and several members spoke in strong support, emphasizing teacher pay, retention, and the need to invest in education. The bill was reported favorably after roll call. The committee next considered SB 1036 on school counselors. Senator Claudio explained that the bill addresses counselor shortages by removing a barrier tied to classroom-teacher certification requirements, which she said limits the applicant pool and makes it harder to recruit and retain counselors. Public testimony strongly supported the bill, including students and school personnel who described high counselor-to-student ratios, limited access to counseling, and the importance of mental health and academic guidance. Members also discussed related support roles such as BRACE advisors and the need for more efficient use of district resources and state support. During debate, senators shared personal examples of how counselors can help students identify goals and access opportunities, while also noting that many counselors are overwhelmed by administrative duties and large caseloads. Senator Claudio closed by saying the bill removes barriers for direct-service professionals and could be paired with future efforts on ratios and streamlined services. CS for SB 1036 was reported favorably by roll call. At the end of the meeting, members recorded their votes on SB 1216, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, lunch break likely before 1:00 p.m.
• will be required to be on the program. will be required to be on the program.
• AG office also involved in this program AG office also involved in this program and<02:08:52.480
• grant programs that are included here. grant programs that are included here.
• break here for lunch. Reconvene at 1:00. break here for lunch. Reconvene at 1:00.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Worked out at lunch. My name is Grace Huerta.
• AB 548 would continue this critical program, as well as improve the eligibility to ensure the program
• We never know if the temporary guardianship letter I have at the school is sufficient for the school
• The temporary guardianship letter I sent to the school will be sufficient for the school to release my
• The temporary guardianship letter I sent to the school will be sufficient for the school to release my

Summary: The committee heard a series of child care, social services, immigrant support, disability services, and language access bills, with many measures drawing strong support and no opposition. Early in the hearing, AB 450 proposed a Department of Aging task force to study and recommend policies for undocumented adults age 55 and older; AB 593 would let CDSS identify data-sharing opportunities to improve CalFresh administration and participation; and AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility so families do not lose care during pregnancy leave, family leave, caregiving, or job search periods. All three were presented as ways to reduce barriers and improve access to essential services, and AB 904 was moved out on a 1-0 call after support testimony from child care advocates and a member of the public. AB 617, which would expand and standardize respite care access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by requiring licensing and registry participation, drew both support and significant opposition from respite providers and disability service organizations concerned about added regulation, cost, and possible delays; the author said she would continue working with opponents, and the bill was moved out on a 2-0 call. The committee also heard AB 1220, which would require regional centers to document denials, notices of action, and appeals in individual program plans and include that data in annual reports to improve transparency and equity in developmental services. The bill drew extensive public support from parents, advocates, and disability organizations, with no opposition, and passed 5-0. AB 752 would make child care centers by right in certain residential zones when co-located with multifamily housing or institutional uses, and supporters argued it would reduce zoning barriers and help expand child care capacity; it also passed 5-0. AB 1242 would create a CalHHS language access director, require human review of machine translation, and improve language coverage determinations for state and local agencies; supporters emphasized health equity and the need for better access for limited-English communities, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 call. Later, AB 548 would continue and expand the Asylee and Vulnerable Non-Citizen Program, which provides case management and integration services for asylees and certain visa holders; supporters said the program had been effective but had run out of funding, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would strengthen family safety planning for immigrant families, standardize acceptance of caregiver authorization affidavits, and create a joint guardianship process for temporary separations; testimony focused on fear of family separation and the need for clear school and medical procedures, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 1357 would exclude guaranteed income payments from being counted as income for state public assistance eligibility, with supporters arguing it would prevent recipients from falling off the “benefits cliff”; it passed 4-1. Finally, AB 1201, the Reunity Act, was introduced to require individualized court assessments before denying reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions after a five-year period, with the author and a witness describing the bill as a trauma-informed approach to family reunification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so House Bill 47, School Employee Insurance Programs. Mr.
• A full-time distance learning program through a district, and as always, a charter school that's gone
• They've always been virtual schools, and this in no way stops any district from operating that program
• And so these are programs that And so the availability that a school district has to offer online learning
• tough budget deficit whenever we implemented school lunches and school breakfasts because they had to

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program if we're not growing the program program if we're not growing the program from<00:09:26.959
• the program. the program.
• and others to be a part of this program. and others to be a part of this program.
• <00:51:42.160> So, program is. So, program is.
• program we're offering. program we're offering.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It shouldn't just be schools.
• It shouldn't just be schools.
• back to school to learn some new skills. back to school to learn some new skills.
• um, uh, state cannabis medical programs. um, uh, state cannabis medical programs.
• therapeutic cannabis program. therapeutic cannabis program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , senior from New Newcastle High School, senior from New Newcastle High School, as<00:07:11.800><
• House Enrolled Act Number 12. to school buildings and facilities. to school buildings and facilities.
• This is UW's matching program.
• This is UW's matching matching matching um<01:12:24.720> program. um program. um program.
• Business Ready Community Grants Program Business Ready Community Grants Program has<01:23:03.160

Keywords: 916, all