Transcript Highlights:

• Normally, it's not a matter of taking testimony or hearing from people in a subcommittee work session
• I have been on many subcommittees where it does not reopen public testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. All right, I appreciate you guys. Thanks.
• thank you for your for your testimony thank you for your for your testimony all<00:25:31.520>
• I put that in my testimony would be age I put that in my testimony would be age you<00:27:17.640>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on House Bill 637, which was described as a measure to make whole certain New Hampshire Retirement System retirees who were not included when Senate Bill 57 was incorporated into the 2023 budget. The chair and several members reviewed the bill’s legislative history and fiscal impact, citing estimates that the broader change would cost about $1.4 million to the state and $5.74 million to municipalities, with an actuarial liability increase of about $45 million. The chair argued that the omission of already-retired members was not an oversight but a policy choice made in the Senate, based on the bill’s prospective language and the budget process used in 2023. Testimony and discussion focused on whether the bill should be treated as a fairness correction or as an expensive policy expansion. Supporters, including retirees and representatives of employee groups, said the language was unclear, the fiscal note did not match the bill’s effect, and the change would unfairly leave out actual retirees who had expected the same treatment as active members. They also argued that the retirement system historically linked benefits to Social Security and that the bill would restore equity for those affected. Opponents emphasized the cost, the prospective nature of the original language, and the view that the Senate knowingly chose not to extend the change retroactively. After discussion, the chair moved to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, and the motion was seconded. Members then heard brief public comments after the motion was withdrawn and reintroduced because of the weather and the public’s travel. At the final vote, the subcommittee recommended inexpedient to legislate on a 3-2 vote, with the chair noting that the full committee would take up other bills at a later subcommittee hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony that the victims are giving. testimony that the victims are giving.
• > has<01:16:52.960> been closed circuit testimony has been closed circuit testimony has been
• have it in child testimony. have it in child testimony.
• many how many years now of testimony many how many years now of testimony have<01:56:44.400>
• , they should be able to give testimony, they should be able to give testimony, an<03:11:34.640><

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from April 16, 2026, and then moved to announcements and introductions. Representative Woodro welcomed fifth grade students from Denver Academy and recognized his son Ari on his 12th birthday, leading the chamber in singing happy birthday. The House then agreed to take up a memorial out of order. Senate Joint Memorial 1, honoring the late Senator Faith Winter, was read at length and supported with remarks describing her legislative work on transportation, climate, paid family and medical leave, environmental justice, women’s leadership, and bipartisan efforts. Representative Wilford and others spoke emotionally about her public service and personal impact. The memorial was adopted on a 50-10 vote, with 15 excused, and Representatives Rutinel and Lindsay were listed as co-sponsors. The chamber then considered committee reports and special orders. The Appropriations Committee reported several bills favorably, and the majority leader moved a slate of bills to special order. House Bill 1317, creating a unified system of post-secondary talent development and a transition plan for workforce development programs, was amended in committee to remove travel reimbursements, clarify adult learners’ inclusion, adjust advisory committee membership, and preserve type one status for affected departments; it passed the House. Senate Bill 85, concerning military protection orders in domestic violence cases, also passed after Judiciary Committee amendments clarifying law enforcement database checks. Senate Bill 95, supporting victim survivors of certain crimes, passed Judiciary but drew floor opposition from several members who argued the bill’s jury-related provisions conflicted with confrontation rights and due process; despite those concerns, the bill advanced after further debate continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you very much for your testimony.
• <00:50:44.000> last And as I indicated in testimony last And as I indicated in testimony last
• you for your testimony. you for your testimony. >> Likewise. >> Likewise.
• . testimony. testimony.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Fire Marshal, for your testimony today. Let's go on to the next testifier.
• So, if we could hear that testimony, that would be helpful. Sure.
• /c><00:49:36.400> would<00:49:36.559> be hear that testimony, that would be hear that testimony
• Appreciate your time and testimony.
• Appreciate your time and testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the questions short and the testimony the questions short and the testimony short<00:31:48.080><
• <00:49:48.880> But about this during the testimony. But about this during the testimony.
• There's more information in my testimony There's more information in my testimony that<00:54:16.640
• Hi, thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. >> Thank you. Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your testimony somewhat conflicts with the testimony of the previous panelist.
• Bonner, thank you for your patience and your testimony.
• Thank you both for your patience and your testimony.
• Thank you both for your patience, your testimony.
• Appreciate your work, appreciate your testimony and being available.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance held an informational hearing on how climate change, wildfire risk, and related catastrophes are affecting California’s insurance market, affordability, and availability. Chair and members framed the issue as a statewide challenge tied to resiliency, land use, utilities, legal liability, and the FAIR Plan. Senator Becker noted the hearing was connected to SB 254 and its recent report, while the Vice Chair emphasized that the state’s current regulatory framework limits flexibility and that industry testimony would also have been useful. Amy Bach of United Policyholders described worsening availability and affordability, driven by climate impacts, insurtech/risk scoring, inflation, and the growth of surplus lines coverage. She said the Sustainable Insurance Strategy is beginning to show progress, but the FAIR Plan remains too large and non-admitted carriers create concerns because they are less regulated and do not share FAIR Plan or guaranty fund obligations. She stressed that mitigation incentives, grants, and voluntary insurer rewards for wildfire-hardening are important, but that many households cannot afford the needed improvements. In response to questions, she said underinsurance remains a major problem, especially after recent fires, and suggested stronger insurer responsibility for replacement-cost estimates or broader replacement-cost endorsements. Actuary Nancy Watkins and Stanford’s Michael Wara argued that California must both reduce wildfire risk and allow actuarially sound pricing if it wants a healthier market. Watkins compared the market to a household with rising expenses and said the state needs a mitigation framework focused on the highest-risk communities, especially older neighborhoods and homes near the wildland-urban interface. Wara said premiums must roughly equal expected claims plus expenses, and that California is “burning down too many houses,” which drives both availability problems and higher rates. He highlighted the role of structure-to-structure spread, older housing stock, utility ignitions, and the need to focus on community hardening, not just vegetation management. Both speakers said mitigation should be targeted, science-based, and sustained rather than one-time or scattered. Frank Freebalt of Cal Poly and Michael Gullner of UC Berkeley continued the discussion on fire modeling and risk reduction. Freebalt said the problem is best understood as a structure ignition and urban conflagration problem, requiring integrated land-use, utility, and community mitigation, with evidence-based priorities and better analytics. He emphasized that the state should focus on the highest-risk intersections first and that targeted mitigation can multiply the effectiveness of suppression and evacuation resources. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational and focused on testimony, questions, and policy discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• That concludes my testimony. That concludes my testimony. >> Thank<00:21:00.960> you.
• Thank you for your testimony. >> Thank you. Thank you for your testimony.
• Seeing no further questions, thank you for your testimony.
• thank you for your testimony. thank you for your testimony.
• So I heard the testimony on that.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [Witness testimony continues] Thank you so much for your testimony today. Mr.
• Kren, very much for your testimony. Next up is Jared Johnson.
• <00:09:26.160> If testimony. Next up is Jared Johnson. If testimony.
• >> Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you close on public testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Representative Mecklin moved House File 3545 to the general register and offered a DE amendment that removed the commissioner’s authority to choose a more efficient standard and removed the requirement that the 2038 residential energy code achieve a 70% reduction in annual net energy consumption compared with the 2006 energy use index. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was then discussed as amended. Mecklin said the bill was intended to address home affordability, arguing that energy code requirements add to housing costs and make it harder for younger Minnesotans to buy homes. Several testifiers opposed the bill, including representatives from the Center for Energy and the Environment, AIA Minnesota, Sierra Club, Fresh Energy, Housing First Minnesota, and ARXUS. They argued that energy codes are not a primary driver of housing costs, that stronger codes do not slow housing production, and that more efficient homes lower utility bills and improve comfort, safety, resilience, and climate outcomes. Testifiers cited studies and examples showing payback over time, including estimates that efficiency upgrades could pay for themselves in five to nine years and save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars over 30 years. The Department of Labor and Industry said it had concerns about the bill because it would move away from a more energy-efficient standard and could create unintended consequences in the code adoption process, though it said the current technical advisory group process already considers cost concerns. Members questioned the cost and savings estimates, especially the comparison between higher upfront mortgage costs and lower utility bills. Fresh Energy explained that its figures were based on Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Slipstream analyses using a typical Minnesota home and that the savings were modeled over time. Representative Johnson expressed skepticism about the assumptions behind the savings numbers and argued that utility costs are not the main barrier to homeownership. The chair said the committee intended to take a vote on the bill that day, but the transcript ends before any final vote or disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• your testimony. your testimony.
• <00:27:06.559> and and you go ahead with your testimony and and you go ahead with your testimony
• Thank you for your testimony. >> Hi. >> Hi.
• Have a thank you for your testimony.
• you for your testimony. you for your testimony. >> Thank<00:58:37.680> you.

Keywords: 0:00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:30 Approval of Minutes 0:00:49 Information Items 0:01:54 Louisville Arena Authority 0:24:50 Project Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions - MSU 0:26:35 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet 0:37:52 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet 0:40:13 Rpt from OFM – KIA 0:56:00 Rpt from OFM – EDF Grants 0:58:45 Rpt from OFM – OFM 1:01:46 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a roll call, approval of the prior meeting minutes, and a set of informational reports. Those reports covered University of Louisville research equipment purchases, a Kent County school district debt issue for elementary school renovations, the University of Kentucky’s planned use of construction management risk for a new engineering building, APA certification reports for underwriter and bond counsel selection committees, and a KCNA status report on infrastructure upgrades and purchases. The main presentation was an informational update from the Louisville Arena Authority. Board representatives said the arena was created to drive economic development and reported about $1.4 billion in economic impact from 2010 to 2013. They explained the authority’s financial structure, including arena operating revenues, TIF revenues, debt service, and a long-term capital plan for major repairs and replacements. Members questioned the low net revenue figures, the long timeline before TIF revenues are projected to exceed debt service, the size of capital expenditure spikes, and the University of Louisville revenue-sharing arrangement. The authority said the $2.42 million annual UL payment is fixed under a 2017 refinancing agreement, while other amounts vary with ticket sales and related revenues. They also said the COVID-era state and Metro funds, combined with authority cash, were used to prepay debt and reduce interest, lowering the debt service schedule. The committee then considered and approved a new capital project for a new HVAC system for the student wellness center pool area. The project, presented by university staff, was approved by the board and required committee action. The committee took a roll call vote, and the project passed unanimously. Finally, Janice Thomas of the state budget office presented two tourism, arts, and heritage cabinet grid resilience projects at Kincaid Lake State Resort Park and Kentucky Down Village State Resort Park. Each project costs $7,834,600 and is funded mostly by a federal grid resilience grant, with the remainder from state utility infrastructure replacement funds and energy policy funds. Staff explained that the projects will move park electrical service ownership and maintenance to regional utilities, allowing the state to exit the infrastructure-management role while continuing to pay utility bills through normal metering. The committee approved the action item by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• read off the list of um testimonies read off the list of um testimonies that's<00:08:53.640>
• After hearing the glowing testimony, both personal and otherwise, on Mr.
• After hearing the glowing testimony, both personal and otherwise, on Mr.
• After hearing the glowing testimony, both personal and otherwise, on Mr.
• <00:37:57.040> both after hearing the glowing testimony both after hearing the glowing testimony

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and discussed three nominations to the 911 Board: Matthew Kurara (Governor’s Message 505), Re Mahuna (Governor’s Message 614), and Rebecca Liberman/Weberman (Governor’s Message 661). Kurara, a Honolulu Police Department communications captain, said he would bring PSAP and dispatch experience to the board, with a focus on Next Generation 911, better coordination among PSAPs, and recruiting and retaining telecommunicators. Mahuna, a longtime Hawaiʻi Police Department officer and current board member, emphasized his emergency-response experience during disasters on the Big Island and his support for improving communication through Next Generation 911, including the new joint call center on Hawaiʻi Island. Liberman, the board’s VoIP representative and a Charter/Spectrum government affairs director, said she was continuing her second term and would keep working on legislative and government issues, including the statutory change removing “enhanced” from the board’s name to better support Next Gen efforts. Members asked each nominee about rural coverage, redundancy, training, broadband, radio-system limitations, and how Next Generation 911 would affect service in places like Puna and other rural areas. The nominees generally said the system is designed with redundancy so service would revert to backup systems if new technology fails, and that the main challenges in rural areas are often broader communications or radio issues rather than 911 itself. Kurara and Mahuna both said each PSAP currently handles much of its own training, though there is interest in more standardization and national best practices. Liberman explained that VoIP calls generally work over the internet and may benefit from Next Gen, but that location/address issues for some internet-based calling services may still need further review. The committee also discussed public education about text-to-911, the use of technologies such as FirstNet, and whether the E911 special fund ceiling needed to be raised again. Mahuna said he did not see a current need to raise the ceiling further. Written testimony was received in support of all three nominees, including support from public officials, law enforcement, county agencies, and private individuals. No opposition testimony was noted, and the chair said decisions would be made later with the other nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:22.640> Sam testimony when you're ready. Sam testimony when you're ready.
• Uh good afternoon, chairman testimony.
• <01:24:30.560> Uh Thank you for your testimony. Uh Thank you for your testimony.
• Do you have opportunities for testimony.
• Any amendments, any comment testimony Any amendments, any comment testimony would<01:58:47.599><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• I respectfully offer testimony in support of SF 97. Thank you very much for your testimony.
• listening thank you for the testimony listening thank you for the testimony any<00:41:51.720>
• <00:52:57.680> from for your test test uh testimony from for your test test uh testimony from
• Any testimony from the audience? Any testimony from the audience?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's my testimony. Now I have two things that we need to do a little housecleaning on this.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• We recorded differently. difference I gave testimony in another difference I gave testimony in another
• Chair, thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If somebody in-person public testimony.
• For the record, testimony this morning.
• /c><02:44:10.640> two<02:44:10.880> members testimony today, there were two members testimony
• And to reply to an earlier testimony, we don't finish in November.
• And today's remote testimony, we had one in support and 13 opposed.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Thank you very much.
• Thank you for your testimony. Next up in support, please state your name and begin when ready.
• Seeing none, thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Next up in support... Thank you very much.
• Seeing no other questions or comments, thank you for your testimony. Thank you.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any public testimony? There is public testimony, William B.
• Any other public testimony Seeing none.
• Okay, I think we do have public testimony.
• And the question: Any further public testimony? No further public testimony and to debate.
• You're relying on a similar level of testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to proceed to public testimony and we do recognize your right to close.
• Thank you for that testimony. I just have one question. Yes, sir. Right now.
• Thank you so much for your testimony. It's a pleasure. Thank you. The Chair calls Steven Price. Mr.
• Seeing then we're going to proceed to public testimony, sir. We recognize your right to close.
• Public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to proceed to public testimony, and we do recognize your right to close.
• Thank you for that testimony. I just have one question. Yes, sir.
• Okay, seeing none, we're going to proceed to public testimony.
• Price, I'm not sure if you've done testimony.
• We have no... public testimony.

Bills: HB4458, SB651, SB1227, SB1931

Keywords: veterans, service members, military transition, Texas Veterans Commission, pilot program, self-reliance, employment assistance, housing assistance, mental health services, career training, veterans service organizations, spouses and dependents, military families, Texas military forces, post-separation support, reentry services, workforce development, benefits navigation, transition assistance, SB 651

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony members any questions for mr. Rody All right here now. Thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Chair calls John Riddle. Thank you.
• All right, thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Chair calls Roger Esparza. Thank you.
• All right, thank you for your testimony. All right, is there anyone?

Bills: HB467, HB318, HB503, HB198, HB318, HB198

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

Transcript Highlights:

• Please identify yourself for the record and go ahead with your testimony. Hello.
• Bandelin, please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• Bandelin, please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony. Thanks.
• Can you please introduce yourself for the committee and then go ahead with your testimony?
• Cohen, if you can identify yourself for the record and go ahead with your testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all