Video & Transcript : 'firearm restrictions' :
Page 159 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Of those 20,000 units, about 12,000 are income and rent restricted, and of those income and rent restricted
- Current laws don't adequately restrict where they can operate.
- Our tools to produce income-restricted housing must actually produce the income Ben Martin: restricted
- We should increase these programs rather than restricting them.
- This bill in no way limits or restricts local philanthropists.
Committee:
House Intergovernmental Affairs
Keywords:
housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 01/29/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- One statute restricts the sales of farm registrations; another statute says no new registrations for
- One statute restricts the sales of farm registrations; another statute says no new registrations for
- One statute restricts the sales of farm registrations; another statute says no new registrations for
- One statute restricts the sales of farm registrations; another statute says no new registrations for
- </c><01:21:13.440><c> the</c> occupation one statute restricts the occupation one statute restricts the
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Nine - Tuesday, April 28
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They don't interpret them with a least restrictive means test.
- Yes, the compelling government interest standard and the least restrictive means necessary.
- And this only imposes restrictions on the school district.
- This only imposes restrictions on the school district.
- We are dealing with the least restrictive means necessary if we're making it towards that in order to
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Nine - Tuesday, April 28
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Should need a compelling government interest and provide the least restrictive means necessary before
- Should need a compelling government interest and provide the least restrictive means necessary before
- They don't interpret them with a least restrictive means test.
- Yes, the compelling government interest standard and the least restrictive means necessary.
- And this only imposes restrictions on the school district.
Summary:
The House began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 123-1 roll call vote. Members then spent time introducing guests, including physicians, sheriffs, students, interns, and school groups from several districts. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement recognizing a member’s son’s birthday.
On third reading, House Bill 1758, dealing with permanent daylight saving time in Missouri, drew debate over whether ending clock changes would improve convenience or create safety and health problems by leaving more commutes in darkness. Supporters argued it would align with public preference and reduce disruption, while opponents warned of circadian and safety concerns. The bill passed 107-31 with two present. The House then moved to perfection of House Bill 3329, which repeals expired or unused tax credits, and House Bill 3405, which reclassifies SALT/pass-through entity items as deductions rather than tax credits for reporting purposes; both were described as cleanup and efficiency measures and were perfected without opposition.
The chamber then took up House Bill 2426, a broad parental rights bill covering medical, educational, privacy, and related decision-making for children, and a major amendment focused on individualized education plans (IEPs). Supporters said the bill and amendment strengthen parental involvement and require stricter judicial review, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, school district administration burdens, transparency requirements, and possible conflicts with existing law on truancy, medical care, and records. House Amendment 1 was adopted 98-25 with six present, and debate continued on the underlying bill with no final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 29 Mar 26th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Provincetown Year-Round Market Rate Rental Housing Trust to acquire year-round housing occupancy restrictions
- authorizing the Provincetown Market Rate Rental Housing Trust to acquire year-round housing occupancy restrictions
- Require year-round housing opportunity restrictions, House No. 3909.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Feb 25th, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Business, Trade & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- It also specifies requirements for and restrictions on pet insurance.
- It also specifies requirements for and restrictions on pet insurers when moving policyholders from one
- This is the bill that prohibits negative use restrictions on real property transactions regarding grocery
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It also specifies requirements for and restrictions on pet insurance.
- It also specifies requirements for and restrictions on pet insurers when moving policyholders from one
- This is the bill that prohibits negative use restrictions on real property transactions regarding grocery
Summary:
The Washington State Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Committee received a staff briefing on four bills before moving into executive action. Substitute House Bill 1078 on pet insurance would bar insurers from canceling or non-renewing policies based on a pet’s age or certain health conditions and set other policy rules; it had passed the House 95-0, but the committee took no action on it. House Bill 1269 on pawnbroker fees, interest rates, and loan terms also received no action; staff described two competing striking amendments, one from Senator Stanford that would restore a 90-day loan period, set a uniform 5% interest rate per three-day period, adjust fees, and require a statewide DFI database, and another from Senator Coffin with the same changes except for the database.
The committee then acted on Engrossed House Bill 2294, which prohibits negative use restrictions in real property transactions involving grocery stores and pharmacies. It was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously for a do-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The committee also considered House Bill 2624, which expands exemptions for public entities, tribes, and conservation organizations acquiring property for public benefit; Senator Kaufman’s striking amendment C clarified that an appraisal must be conducted before acquisition, reflecting stakeholder testimony and language agreed to by the Washington Forest Forestry Association and The Trust for Public Land. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended was then approved unanimously and sent to Rules. The meeting then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- David, are you part of the restrictive housing committee? Have you taken part in some of that?
- David, are you part of the restrictive housing committee? Have you taken part in some of that?
- Then I could report it back to the Undersecretary, who chairs our restrictive housing, because I see
- restrictive housing a lot.
- Secretary, who chairs our restrictive housing.
Summary:
The commission opened an informal discussion focused on developing recommendations for its September report on correctional consolidation and cooperation. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasized that the group is still in an information-gathering phase, but should begin putting ideas on the table, including possible written recommendations, further hearings, and additional facility tours. Members discussed whether the commission should seek more input from frontline stakeholders such as sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, unions, and the judiciary, and whether recommendations should be organized around specific issue areas like medical costs, programming, reentry, and facility operations.
A major theme was the need for a more integrated and consistent correctional system. Participants raised concerns about fragmentation across DOC, county sheriffs, probation, and parole, and suggested exploring step-down pathways, minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and regional reentry hubs to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. Several speakers stressed the importance of uniform standards, evidence-based programming, better data on outcomes and spending, and clearer alignment between custody conditions and rehabilitation goals. There was also discussion of looking to other states and international models, as well as revisiting older reports and plans, including the 2009 commission report and the 2010 corrections master plan.
Facility-specific issues were also raised, including the need to examine women’s facilities such as Framingham, Bridgewater, and restrictive housing practices in light of suicide concerns and mental health needs. Members discussed the relationship between correctional custody and behavioral health, the role of the judiciary in sentencing and reentry planning, and whether judges should be better informed about available programming and step-down options. There was broad agreement that collaboration, transparency, and accountability should be strengthened, with some members urging that recommendations be based on firsthand facts and data rather than opinion alone.
The meeting also included presentation of a written set of eight high-level recommendations compiled by advocacy and legal organizations, which focused on clearer and more consistent programming, equitable application of rules, and reducing punitive conditions that function like solitary confinement. The chairs said the document would be shared with members and posted online. No formal votes were taken during the discussion, and the meeting ended with plans to continue the conversation at a future session, including possible follow-up on reentry centers, restrictive housing, and other systemwide reforms.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Excluding far more and eliminating income restrictions provides tax benefits that other public servants
- Well, if this bill moves forward at $40,000, and that would be appreciated, the real restriction in the
- That's what's really becoming the neck or the restriction for this community of people, particularly
- Well, if this bill moves forward at $40,000, and that would be appreciated, the real restriction in the
- That's what's really becoming the neck or the restriction for this community of people, particularly
Committee:
House Military and Veterans Affairs
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- authorities with timely information, useful in assuring persons convicted of DUI honor the terms of their restricted
- authorities with timely information, useful in assuring persons convicted of DUI honor the terms of their restricted
- But it should be easy for them to comply with the restrictions that are imposed upon them under the bill
- Some people were just never getting it installed, and so that restriction that was in place was falling
- off. ...getting it installed, and so that restriction that was in place was falling off at the year
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- The restricted amount of funds that were in the bed, the governor released for Maui, uh the wildfires
- The restricted amount of funds that were in the bed, the governor released for Maui, uh the wildfires
- The restricted amount of funds that were in the bed, the governor released for Maui, uh the wildfires
- ><c> that</c><00:18:06.240><c> were</c><00:18:07.120><c> in</c> restricted amount of funds that were
- in restricted amount of funds that were in the<00:18:07.600><c> bed,</c><00:18:07.840><c> the</c><00:
Committee:
House Tourism
Summary:
The House Committees on Tourism and Economic Development and Technology heard several measures on February 12, 2026. HB 1950 would dedicate 15% of transit accommodations tax revenue to a new state-led marketing and branding special fund and require an annual tourism management plan. HTA and DBEDT supported the bill as providing predictable funding for marketing and tourism management, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special fund structure as limiting legislative flexibility. Members discussed the size of the allocation and whether a tourism emergency fund would still be needed; the bill later advanced with amendments that removed some provisions and blanked out the 15% figure for further discussion, and it passed with amendments.
HB 2268 would add film production marketing and promotion to HTA’s powers. The governor’s office, HTA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, and several industry groups supported the measure, arguing that film and TV exposure drives tourism and generates significant spending and tax revenue, while one individual testified in opposition. In questions, HTA said it would use existing staff and did not have a separate cost estimate. The committee amended the bill to specify that film productions are primarily filmed in Hawaii and deferred the date to continue discussion; it then passed with amendments.
The committee also heard HB 2156, which would raise filing thresholds for general excise tax and transit accommodations tax filers. The Department of Taxation said the change could increase administrative burden if more filers shift from mandatory electronic filing to paper filing, while the Tax Foundation noted the filing threshold issue is separate from e-filing requirements. The bill was moved forward with a deferred date. HB 1946, concerning time-share registration renewals and amendments, drew support from ARDA and other industry testimony, with no opposition noted; DCCA was said to be in talks with the industry. It was also advanced with technical amendments and a deferred date.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House committee considers bill to ban sale of flavored nitrous oxide, HF325 3/5/25
Transcript Highlights:
- But why kind of an outright ban rather than adding restrictions?
- But why kind of an outright ban rather than adding restrictions?
- I know that we already have some restrictions on cigarettes, but we know that in those, flavors are targeted
- I know that we already have some restrictions on cigarettes, but we know that in those, flavors are targeted
- I know that we already have some restrictions on cigarettes, but we know that in those, flavors are targeted
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The second concern that I have is that the adaptive reuse language may be a little bit too restrictive
- </c><00:43:56.000><c> when</c> may be a little bit too restrictive when may be a little bit too restrictive
- </c> this bill has multiple restrictive this bill has multiple restrictive modifications<01:20:35.360
- All funds are segregated, audited, and restricted by statute. They cannot go into the general fund.
- </c> zone um to restrict three unrelated zone um to restrict three unrelated people<03:53:17.439><c>
Committee:
House Housing
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use.
Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects.
The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- where we're approaching drought conditions, which put us in a situation where we have to heavily restrict
- are more restrictive than neighboring communities.
- Shand on removing some of the wetland restriction barriers to doing this healing and restoration work
- Shand on removing some of the wetland restriction barriers to doing this healing and restoration work
- The MWRA is not bound to the state's water use restrictions during a drought.
Summary:
The hearing covered a broad set of environmental and water-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on blue economy and circular economy proposals, drought management, drinking water safety, flood resilience, and water infrastructure funding. Supporters of bills such as H. 987 and H. 988 described grant programs for blue economy workforce development, research, small businesses, and public education about a circular economy. Other speakers backed measures on coastal erosion research, recreational boating dredging, cranberry water-right transfers, sand mining oversight, and a voucher program for home water filtration in PFAS-impacted communities. Several elected officials and advocates also urged passage of bills to require private well testing, improve school drinking water safety, and address sand mining pollution and PFAS contamination.
Water supply and drought issues drew extensive testimony. Senator Eldridge and others supported legislation to let the state, through DEP and the drought management task force, impose regional water-use restrictions during droughts and make the task force permanent in statute. Advocates from watershed groups, farms, and environmental organizations said the current town-by-town approach is inconsistent and ineffective, and they described drought impacts on rivers, farms, private wells, and wildfire risk. A related bill on private wells was supported as a way to help homeowners test and remediate contaminated wells, especially in rural areas without public water.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to allow the Lynnfield Water District to join the MWRA, with local officials saying the move would help address PFAS and other contamination and improve supply reliability. Another major panel supported a water infrastructure funding bill, arguing that aging drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems need major new investment, including support for PFAS treatment, sewer rate relief, biosolids research, and regional interconnections. Members asked about costs, funding sources, and the relationship to existing revolving loan funds; witnesses said the bill would need to be paired with future bond funding and new revenue ideas. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly invited written testimony and noted the large number of speakers.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HHS, HHS DEFER, HHS-WTL Public Hearings 03-17-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- If the legislature elects to have a restriction at the state level and intends to prohibit landfills
- And another option for a state-level restriction is use of the state's underground injection control,
- So, that site meets all of the legal restrictions. Uh, so it's not in a tsunami inundation zone.
- Um, and it meets all other restrictions, including half-mile buffer distance to residents and schools
- Uh so it's it's not in a restrictions.
Summary:
The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments.
The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity.
HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (01/30/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> to place a child in a more restrictive to place a child in a more restrictive environment<00:25:
- </c> them to be in that less restrictive them to be in that less restrictive setting<00:35:41.800><c>
- </c> place them in the least restrictive place them in the least restrictive their<00:40:36.480><c> General
- <00:45:36.599><c> environment</c><00:45:37.160><c> placement</c> restrictive environment placement restrictive
- Sometimes we actually do have parents who are looking for less restrictive environments, not more restrictive
Summary:
The hearing focused on HB 563, which would revise the education funding formula for pupils receiving special education services by replacing the current single special education amount with three differentiated categories. Representative Rick Ladd, the prime sponsor, said the bill largely tracks a House-passed version from the prior session with minor figure adjustments, and explained that the proposal uses projected FY26 amounts for three categories based on time in general education versus more intensive placements. He also noted that the bill does not address catastrophic aid directly, but that special education aid, CAT aid, and proration all remain issues for later work sessions.
Ladd and supporters argued that weighted categories better reflect actual costs and are more sustainable than treating all IEPs the same. Representative Margaret Drye said the approach was one of the best ideas from the education funding subcommittee and urged the committee to support differentiated aid. Representative Ames asked how the category amounts were derived, and Ladd said Category A follows the FY26 base, Category B is a higher weight, and Category C is a still higher weight for more intensive services, though he acknowledged the exact multipliers were developed earlier and could be revisited. He also said the committee would continue discussing whether the weights are appropriate and how they interact with CAT aid.
Testimony from Bonnie Dunham strongly opposed the bill. She argued that funding based on placement rather than actual service need would create incentives to move students into more restrictive settings, could stigmatize children with labels such as "Category C," and would undermine the least restrictive environment requirements under federal special education law. She described her son’s experience in inclusive settings as beneficial and said the bill would have penalized the district for serving him there. In response to questions, she said schools and parents should base funding on the child’s actual needs and costs, not on placement, and urged the committee to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (05/05/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- One, you said that you don't want restrictions on data centers.
- There currently are no restrictions on data centers.
- So, this bill doesn't actually introduce restrictions where there are none now.
- on data centers. restrictions on data centers.
- where there are introduces restrictions where there are none<01:53:40.680><c> now.
Committee:
House Municipal and County Government
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:21:54.239><c> not</c> specifically to a restricted fund so not specifically to a restricted fund
- </c> fund and you also have this restricted fund and you also have this restricted fund<01:22:02.960>
- And the being the restricted fund.
- </c> expenses associated with the restricted expenses associated with the restricted fund<02:17:26.160
- </c><03:12:49.680><c> on</c> there might be legal restrictions on there might be legal restrictions on
Committee:
Senate Finance
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU-EDU, HOU Public Hearings 03-17-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, they're concerned about the affordability restrictions being too steep.
- So under this bill, there basically would be no affordability restrictions.
- Um, they're concerned about the affordability restrictions being too steep.
- Under this bill, there basically would be no affordability restrictions.
- We'll authorize HHFTC to restrictions.
Summary:
The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness.
A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along.
The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- by native vegetation or a permanent typeboard or other screen fence at a height that reasonably restricts
- by native vegetation or a permanent typeboard or other screen fence at a height that reasonably restricts
- So I've got concerns about that where they may find that this is too restrictive and a certain county
- So I've got concerns about that where they may find that this is too restrictive and a certain county
- The entirety of the United States had bills and laws restricting the sale of catalytic converters.
Committee:
House Utilities
Summary:
The Committee on Utilities first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402, a solar-energy measure. The committee substitute combined the bills’ titles and focused on three main areas: a taxation framework for solar projects, setback requirements from occupied dwellings and property lines, and a decommissioning/bonding framework for project cleanup. Supporters said the bill would create baseline rules for a growing industry, protect neighboring landowners, and ensure land is restored after projects end. Members asked about Chapter 100 agreements, the setback distances, county rulemaking authority, and how reclamation and bonding would work. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and then voted the substitute do pass by 18 ayes and 2 noes.
The committee then heard House Bill 2248, which would change Missouri’s economic development electric rate structure and close a loophole that could allow data centers under 75 megawatts to receive reduced rates. The sponsor and utility witnesses said the bill would make incentives more predictable by replacing a variable formula with a fixed discount for qualifying new industrial projects, while still requiring customers to pay full cost to serve and meet load-factor and other requirements. Witnesses from Evergy, Ameren Missouri, the Missouri Chamber, and Ford discussed the value of incentives for manufacturing, the difference between new load and retention of existing large users, and whether the bill should also address retention discounts. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 903, which would expand critical infrastructure protections. The bill adds wireline and broadband facilities to the definition of critical infrastructure, increases penalties for damaging or tampering with such facilities, and creates an offense for unauthorized possession of certain stolen materials such as copper and related telecom materials. The sponsor and witnesses from AT&T, Verizon, cable, railroad, electric cooperative, recycling, municipal utility, and chamber groups said the measure responds to rising theft and vandalism, including copper theft and fiber cuts that disrupt 911 and other services. Members asked about scrap dealers, fiber versus copper, trespassing concerns, and whether harsher penalties would deter theft. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after testimony.