Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and mechanism, you did mention donations and mechanism, you did mention donations to<00:15:51.680
• </c> you believe that accepting donations you believe that accepting donations should<00:25:50.240><c
• </c> guess it uh obviously if you're donating guess it uh obviously if you're donating to<00:25:58.159
• </c><00:27:07.840><c> or</c> where school boards accept donations or where school boards accept donations
• </c> uh contributions, gifts, and donations uh contributions, gifts, and donations by<05:25:38.400><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened hearings on SB 69, including a germane amendment on school board votes to accept or reject gifts and donations, and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Prime sponsor Rep. Glenn Cordelli said the literacy program was modeled on earlier HB 671, would be funded through gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements to the governor and legislature. Members questioned changes from the earlier bill, including the move away from center-based language, the lack of a dollar threshold for school board action on donations, anonymous gifts, and whether the amendment preserved enough evaluation data. Testimony on the donation provisions raised concerns about broad language, timing, and public-meeting requirements. Rep. Timothy Han and Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association both noted that school districts already have policies and asked how the bill would work for routine donations, anonymous gifts, and situations that might require non-public discussion under right-to-know law. Wilson cited examples such as field-trip scholarships, backpack drives, and sports uniforms, and said the association was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails. Rep. Han said school boards may need to discuss some gifts in non-public session and that the bill should better address those circumstances. On the early literacy amendment, Wilson and others questioned whether the program was sufficiently developed, whether it was appropriate to rely on a primarily online model for very young children, and how it would interact with special education services and IEPs. A representative from Waterford.org, Rob Riley, testified in support, saying the program would be supplementary, adaptive, and family-engagement based, and that Waterford could provide devices and internet access for families who need them. He said the program would work alongside school districts and IEP teams rather than replace existing services. No vote was taken during the hearing; the chair said the committee would later exec the bills and try to get reports in for the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blood donations: they do blood drives and collect blood, almost four and a half million blood donations
• , and over one million platelet donations annually.
• Blood donations: they do blood drives and collect blood, almost four and a half million blood donations
• , and over one million platelet donations annually.
• Blood donations: they do blood drives and collect blood, almost four and a half million blood donations

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the prior journal and took up motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris moved to reconsider and restore Senate Print 3179A, an Environmental Conservation Law bill, to the third reading calendar, and amendments were also received on Senate Print 8491. The chamber then considered and adopted Resolution 1716, designating March 2026 as Greek History Month in New York, with remarks from several senators about Greek heritage, Greek independence, immigration, and the contributions of Greek Americans. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1607, proclaiming March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, with extensive testimony praising Red Cross disaster relief, blood donation, preparedness work, and volunteers; several senators highlighted local volunteers and urged greater support for the organization, including budget resources. The Senate welcomed guests, including Red Cross representatives and students from Brooklyn, and later opened the resolutions for co-sponsorship. The chamber then moved through the calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures affecting mental hygiene, elder law, penal law, public authorities, labor, public service, correction, education, election law, alcoholic beverage control, and state administrative procedure. Most bills passed by wide margins, though some drew recorded opposition, including the public authorities bill and several election, public service, and correction measures. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as a workplace dignity and anti-bullying measure, and Senator Ryan explained his support for the small-business regulatory website bill as a way to simplify access to agency rules and guidance. Senator Skoufis’s Public Health Law bill was also recalled from the Assembly, restored to the third reading calendar, and amended. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the way it was worded was, you know, you can donate $20.
• But I think we need to make the distinction between an ask to opt in to a recurring donation and what
• You have to opt in to a recurring donation.
• You have to be reminded every time you make a donation; you have to have information on how to do it
• You have to, you have to opt-in to a recurring donation.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as people that just rely on donated money.
• To stock the shelves, we have to run a truck to pick up the donations.
• Supplies from us. 57% of our inventory is donated.
• Last year, we distributed 369,000 diapers; 60% of those were donated.
• Last year, 60% of the diapers were donated.

Summary: The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions. Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation. Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• She donates toiletries and personal hygiene items to local community shelters that provide services to
• She donates toiletries and personal hygiene items to local community shelters that provide services to
• man she donates toiletries and personal<00:05:10.720><c> hygiene</c><00:05:11.199><c> items</c><00:05
• :05:31.319><c> who</c><00:05:31.479><c> has</c><00:05:31.680><c> continually</c><00:05:32.160><c> donated
• </c><00:05:32.639><c> her</c> Spouse who has continually donated her Spouse who has continually donated

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee began with procedural reminders that the meeting would be short, that bill changes should generally be provided with 24-hour notice, that testimony would be limited at the chair’s discretion, and that no signs were permitted in the room. After roll call established a quorum, members led the pledge and prayer. The chair also recognized Marsha Robinson of Fort Knox for her service to veterans and military families and for receiving the Association of Defense Communities’ National Military Spouse Leadership Award. The sole bill considered was Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools. The sponsor, Senator Craig Richardson, said the bill was intended to protect private property rights by clarifying that homeowners who rent out their private swimming pools through platforms such as Swimly.com would still be treated as operating private pools rather than public recreation pools subject to additional regulation. Senators asked about parking impacts in residential neighborhoods and about liability and insurance coverage. The sponsor said the bill did not address parking or homeowners association issues, and a representative from Swimly.com testified that homeowners insurance and platform-backed insurance products can provide coverage for rentals. The committee voted to advance SB 61. The roll call showed unanimous support from members present, with Senator Wilson briefly explaining his yes vote and joking that the sponsor should ask for it in the future. The chair congratulated the sponsor on getting his first bill through committee and said it would be heard again on the floor. The meeting ended with an announcement about Military Kids Day on Tuesday, February 25, and an invitation for families to contact the Senate clerk for details.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the benefit Don voluntarily donated for the benefit of<00:37:46.160><c> these</c><00:37:46.359><
• </c> for example the private donations for example the private donations equaled<00:43:37.599><c> you
• It’s not like a donation. I know how it works.
• It’s not like a donation. I know how it works.
• It’s not like a donation. I know how it works.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a quick question on your donated funds.
• So this donated fund is authority that we use if we receive a donated fund or a donation during the fiscal
• Just a quick question on your donated funds.
• So this donated fund is authority that we use if we receive a donated fund or donate a donation during
• Those relate to the donated fund.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee heard the Department of Health and Senior Services’ FY 2027 budget presentation from Director Sarah Wilson and budget director Maddie Starns, followed by testimony from division directors. Wilson framed the budget as one shaped by fiscal pressure, federal funding dependence, and the need to preserve core public health and senior services while reducing spending. She emphasized the department’s role in outbreak response, newborn screening, cannabis regulation, senior services, licensure, and administration, and said priorities include workforce capacity, data modernization, and protecting essential functions. Members repeatedly praised the department for being responsive and for working to identify savings and reallocate funds carefully. A major focus was the shift in substance use disorder funding. The department explained that the governor’s budget reduces DHSS’s direct SUD grant authority from the Health Reinvestment Fund while proposing transfer authority to the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Corrections for related initiatives. Several members pressed for clarity on whether this represented real cuts or a transfer of the same adult-use marijuana revenue, and staff said some line items were reductions while others would be picked up in other departments’ budgets. The committee also discussed tobacco prevention and cessation reductions, local public health agency support, and the department’s use of federal versus general revenue, with members urging the department to spend federal and other funds before GR whenever possible. Members asked detailed questions about lapses, vacant FTEs, donated funds, loan repayment defaults, rural health programs, CHIP vaccine costs, nutrition services, and the J-1 visa waiver program. DHSS said many lapses were due to federal timing, pandemic-related funds, or program realignment, and that some excess authority was being reduced to better match actual spending. The department reported low default rates in its loan repayment programs and noted that Missouri’s J-1 waiver recommendations are capped federally at 30. There were also questions about local health department incentive payments, minority health activities, and the extended women’s health program, which the governor proposed transferring out of DHSS. The committee also reviewed community and public health programs including communicable disease control, environmental health, maternal and infant mortality review, vital records, and COVID/ARPA cleanup reductions. DHSS said the fetal and infant mortality review program is now operating statewide, though some members raised concerns about a pause during the transition from local NGOs to the new statewide model. The hearing concluded with the state public health laboratory budget, where staff explained funding needs for newborn screening, cannabis reference testing, safe drinking water testing, and courier services, and said some authority increases were needed to match growing program activity.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really based on gifts and donations.
• Um so uh no state funds would donations.
• </c> and mechanism, you did mention donations and mechanism, you did mention donations to<00:15:51.680
• </c> guess it uh obviously if you're donating guess it uh obviously if you're donating to<00:25:58.159
• </c><00:27:07.840><c> or</c> where school boards accept donations or where school boards accept donations

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that was funded through all non-game donations.
• It will just pop up and say, 'Do you want to donate a dollar or whatever the amount is?'
• You know, 'Do you want to round up your purchase to make sure you donate?'
• </c><01:02:25.040><c> or</c> question is, is it voluntary donation or question is, is it voluntary donation
• </c><01:02:38.400><c> You've</c> the to make sure you donate?" You've the to make sure you donate?"

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there are three different vendor donation levels. The lowest level is $6,000.
• If you donate $6,000, you are given the opportunity to be a dinner or lunch speaker.
• Representative if Funding does come available as you mentioned, 100,200, 1000 donation.
• This is a frustrating process because we're all dependent on donations.
• I cannot ask for a donation or receive a donation, but we can.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE AGENCY IS REQUESTING $153,711,287 IN THE GRANTS DONATION TRUST FUND AND $205,175,676 IN THE MEDICAL
• THE AGENCY REQUESTS BUDGET AUTHORITY AND THE AMOUNT OF $922,464,608 IN GRANTS DONATIONS TRUST FUND.
• AND $1,231,307,005 IN THE MEDICAL IN GRANTS DONATIONS TRUST FUND.
• THE AGENCY IS REQUESTING 231,780,000 $700,041 IN GRANT AND DONATION TRUST FUND AND 309,209,144 IN THE
• THE AGENCY IS ASKING FOR BUDGET AUTHORITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,550,101 IN GRANTS DONATION TRUST FUND

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My ties to Donate Life California and organ donation reach far beyond my professional life.
• Organ donation doesn't just save lives; it transforms them.
• Adrian was a strong advocate of organ, eye, and tissue donation.
• Adrian was a strong advocate of organ, eye, and tissue donation.
• Organ donation is rare, and the need is great.

Summary: The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee. The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are matched by other donations.
• But to your point, Assembly Member Macito, that person who donated $12.50 to your campaign, who you're
• That person who donated $12.50 to your campaign, who you remember, this empowers them.
• That person who donated $12.50 to your campaign, who you remember, this empowers them.
• San Francisco, in the way that we had to prove every single donation, there are guardrails in place.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up eight agenda items, including four consent bills. The committee first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 280, SB 621, SB 851, and SB 852, all moving forward without objection. The committee then heard several bills from Senator Umberg focused on election administration and campaign finance, along with SB 408 on voter-roll maintenance. SB 249 would require county board of education elections to be consolidated with the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, argued this would increase turnout and make those elections more representative; opponents, including Orange County education officials, argued it would override local control, increase costs, and add ballot fatigue. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to the Committee on Education. SB 398 would make it a crime to pay or offer contingent payments or other valuable consideration to induce voting or voter registration, closing what supporters described as a loophole involving lotteries and incentives. It passed 5-0 as amended and was re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 42 would remove the state ban on public financing for campaigns in general law cities and counties, allowing local voters to decide whether to adopt such systems. Supporters from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and many local advocates said it would broaden participation and reduce the influence of big money; opponents raised concerns about taxpayer funding, guardrails, and local oversight. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 408 would require election officials to use U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data to help maintain voter rolls; supporters said it would improve accuracy and trust in elections, while one commenter questioned reliance on postal data. The bill passed unanimously 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then completed the remaining roll calls and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seventeen people die each day waiting for the gift of organ donation.
• forward to donate part of their liver.
• In my case, I donated roughly 65% of the liver.
• When donation became an option, there was no debate, no second thought.
• I'm looking at an NOLA.com article where there were 99 living donations...

Summary: The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee met on May 7, 2026, and first deferred several measures, including House Bill 460, Senate Bill 322, Senate Bill 32, Senate Bill 22, and House Bill 561. The committee then took up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz, which would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) by MCG as the primary guideline, while keeping the existing variance and appeal process. Cruz and MCG representative Troy Prevo argued that ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and used in many states, and said it could reduce delays, disability duration, and costs. Dr. Jason Picard, the state medical director, testified that Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference in many cases because the state schedule lacks coverage for some body parts and treatments, and said the bill would not otherwise change the appeals process or care delivery. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would delay care or improve it. Several members questioned the private-company nature of ODG, the $400 annual subscription cost, and whether Louisiana doctors would be forced to rely on an out-of-state guideline. Rep. Glorioso and others raised concerns about preauthorization delays and proposed amendments to create tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and make the carrier prove by clear and convincing evidence that care was not medically necessary to challenge it. Chairman Cruz said he was willing to work with those ideas, and the committee also discussed adding an on-ramp or legacy language so current patients would not be disrupted. Opposition testimony came from injured-worker advocates and representatives of medical and labor groups, including Joseph Jola St. and Robin Krumholt. They argued that Louisiana’s current guidelines are already working, that rates have fallen over time, and that the real problem is delay in approval rather than the content of the schedule. They said ODG is overly rigid, cost-driven, and can lead to denials that shift costs to workers, Medicaid, or private health insurance. They urged the committee to keep Louisiana’s existing system and instead adopt tacit approval under current law. The bill was still under discussion at the close of the transcript, with amendments being read and no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• He donates to my campaign. Is that allowed? Thank you.
• </c> spending in Minnesota's uh or donations spending in Minnesota's uh or donations from<00:38:14.079
• So when we look at public donations and we see that, you know, Target Corporation donates a certain amount
• 01:10:30.560><c> donates</c><01:10:30.960><c> a</c><01:10:31.199><c> certain</c> Target corporation donates
• They still have the ability to donate.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I could donate that $1,700 for kids in Michigan.
• I would get the same tax credit, $1,700, dollar for dollar; either I pay federal taxes or I donate to
• And I could donate that $1,700 for kids in Michigan.
• I would get the same tax credit, $1,700, dollar for dollar, either I pay federal taxes or I donate to
• Arizona who pay income taxes to donate $1,700 to $1,700 to kids in Arizona. That's all this does.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and several proclamations and recognitions, including Arizona’s hosting of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, Autism Awareness Day, Farm Worker Day, and Passover observances. Members also welcomed guests from the Arizona Psychiatric Society, Tucson International Airport, Autism Bringing Change, and others. No substantive debate occurred during these ceremonial items, and the House later noted the Doctor of the Day and approved the prior journal. The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole consideration of several Senate bills. SB 1024, SB 1078, SB 1123, SB 1164, SB 1232, SB 1293, SB 1493 as amended, SB 1520, SB 1572, and SB 1160 as amended all received do-pass recommendations, while SB 1665 was retained on the calendar. Debate centered most heavily on SB 1142, a federal scholarship tax credit conformity bill, with supporters arguing it would allow Arizona students to benefit from an existing federal tax credit and opponents warning it would divert public resources to private schools and expand voucher-like programs without accountability. SB 1293 drew debate over GPLET property tax abatements and whether the bill would protect school district revenues or hinder housing and economic development. SB 1572 also prompted discussion over civics instruction and whether it imposed an unfunded mandate on schools. On third reading, the House passed SB 1097, SB 1166, SB 1216, and SB 1787. SB 1787 passed on a 31-24 vote after debate over municipal and county development and due process. The House also adopted a floor amendment to SB 1160 before passing it as amended, with supporters framing it as a public safety measure for drone restrictions near venues and opponents raising constitutional and drafting concerns. The House then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, properly engrossed the measures, and adjourned until Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the living donation period for up to 45 days.
• There is a huge shortage of kidney and liver donations, which are the donations that are done, a live
• donation that you can do.
• There is a huge shortage of kidney and liver donations, which are the donations that are done, a live
• donation, that you can do live donations.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened after a quorum call and welcomed several guests and advocacy groups, including disability rights advocates, American Heart Association volunteers, and special guests connected to public safety, transportation, and Miss Missouri. After quorum was established, the chamber moved into House bills on perfection and formal passage. Members first debated House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2587, which would update Missouri law on unmanned aircraft and give trained law enforcement clearer authority to detect, track, and respond to dangerous drone activity around critical infrastructure and major events such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches. Supporters said it was needed for public safety and to align with federal law; some members raised concerns about FAA jurisdiction, commercial drone use, privacy, and possible future expansion. The substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then took up House Bill 1977, which removes notarization requirements for detention and evaluation applications and related documents when completed by certain qualified professionals; members said it would help rural hospitals and streamline 96-hour commitment paperwork. That bill was also adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber next considered House Bill 2593, a Missouri National Guard and military affairs bill modernizing Guard authority to respond to cyber threats, updating awards and emergency relief provisions, and adding veterans’ recognition language. Three amendments were adopted: one creating a living organ donor leave/status provision for Guard members, one providing a monthly allowance to cover TRICARE or similar premiums for certain service members on state active duty, and one extending legal protections to Guard personnel activated for state emergency duty, similar to federal servicemember protections. The amended bill was then ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House debated House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1948, the fatherhood bill creating a state fatherhood program to support community organizations and nonprofits that help fathers overcome barriers to involvement with their children. Supporters cited child welfare, poverty, incarceration, and reintegration benefits; opponents questioned whether it was an appropriate government role. An amendment was adopted to preserve certain driving, hunting/fishing, and occupational license relief for participating fathers who comply with child support or custody obligations. The amended bill was then ordered perfected and printed. The House also adopted House Bill 2473, which clarifies rules for real estate brokers’ trust accounts by allowing limited personal funds for service charges and permitting interest to be withdrawn within 30 days, and then adjourned after announcements and notice of bills to be considered on the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done through a lot of private donations. To get your bearing.
• We've done through a lot of private donations.
• We had somebody donate one last year.
• That's something that we just recently got donated was a couple kayaks.
• So grants and donations have been the main way that we're getting our money in.

Summary: The Veterans and Armed Forces Committee heard presentations from three organizations focused on veteran support. Dogs for Our Brave described its service-dog program for veterans with mobility limitations and PTSD, emphasizing a 24-month training process, individualized pairing, lifetime support for veteran-dog teams, and the dogs’ tasks such as retrieval, bracing, opening doors, and getting help. Testimony highlighted the program’s impact on veterans and families, the high cost of training and lifetime care, and the organization’s plans to expand with a new facility in St. Louis. Committee members asked about fundraising, statewide expansion, and what happens to service dogs if a veteran dies; the witness said placement decisions would be case-by-case and family would be considered first. The committee also discussed possible field trips and ways to support the organization. Dalton Schmidt of Warriors’ Hoof Haven presented a newer veteran support effort based in Huntsville that combines horses, farming, outdoor recreation, and community outreach. He said the group offers free activities and resources for combat veterans and their families, including horse handling and riding, meat chickens and eggs, firewood, food bundles, hunting support, kayaks, jet skis, boats, and farm equipment rentals. He explained that the organization relies mainly on grants, donations, and sponsors, and that it has begun providing eggs, firewood, and limited food assistance while building out its farm and outdoor programs. Committee members asked about location, acreage, fundraising, and the reach of the venison-for-vets effort. Brian Nooner, who works with Special Olympics Missouri and the Department of Mental Health Commission, spoke about his Mental Health Huddle LLC and his own experience with depression, PTSD, anxiety, injury, and isolation during COVID. He said his goal is to reduce barriers to mental health care by encouraging people to admit they need help, protect confidentiality, and use free or confidential resources. He urged listeners to identify triggers, avoid one-way relationships, and find hope through faith, family, coworkers, or other supports. Committee members thanked him for sharing his personal story and noted the value of firsthand testimony. After the presentations and questions, the committee adjourned without taking any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page four, line six, or 'other donation,' we're striking that in its entirety.
• We don't want other donations mysteriously hanging out there, so we struck 'other donation.'
• On page 23, line 17, here again we're striking the 'tip' or 'other donation.'
• We don't want some unstated other donations out in the realm of this regulation.
• The rest of that is striking the 'other' and 'donation' line.

Transcript Highlights:

• This credit allows donors to make donations to career and technical education centers and to receive
• a credit for up to 100% of that donation against only their business profits tax.
• In the event it received more eligible donations than that amount, it would prorate the credit across
• a credit for up to 100% of that donation against only their business profits tax.
• Um, it is donations to the DNCR, Division of the Arts or the Arts Council. 50% of those donations can

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review tax expenditures, elect a chair and clerk, and hear updates on two credits due for periodic review: the career and technical education (CTE) center tax credit and the research and development (R&D) tax credit. Members first organized the meeting, then heard from Jennifer Ramsey of DRA, who explained the purpose of the tax expenditure review process and summarized the CTE and R&D credits. She said the CTE credit allows donations to CTE centers for a credit against business profits tax, is capped at 25% of a taxpayer’s liability, has a $500,000 aggregate limit, and was extended in SB 98 to fiscal year 2031. She also noted DRA could not provide detailed financial data because of statistical disclosure limits when too few taxpayers claim the credit. Committee members pressed for more historical and aggregate information, arguing they needed numbers to judge whether the credit is effective and worth continuing. The committee then heard from Chrissy Vanderhook of the Department of Education on the CTE credit. She described New Hampshire’s CTE system as serving 26 secondary centers and seven post-secondary centers, with industry partners providing internships, work-based learning, equipment, employee time, and other in-kind support that can qualify for the credit. She said the department reports annually to legislative leaders and that fiscal year 2025 credit activity was down about 48% from FY24, partly due to staffing changes and outreach issues. Members asked whether the program extends to community college-level programs, and she said it can, though she was not sure how broadly it is used that way. The committee also discussed a new Granite Patron of the Arts credit, which DRA said went into effect July 1 and is included in the tax expenditure report even though it is not yet listed in the statute. For the R&D credit, Ramsey explained that it offsets business profits tax and can carry forward to business enterprise tax, is based on incremental research spending, and currently has a $7 million annual aggregate cap. She said the cap has not yet been reached but could require proration as early as fiscal year 2026 if not increased. She noted there were 271 taxpayers claiming the credit in fiscal 2024 and that a proposal last session to raise the cap to $10 million and increase the per-company limit did not advance. Mark Liberty of BEA said the credit is an important recruitment and retention tool, especially for life sciences, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, but acknowledged BEA does not track direct revenue return. Andrea Hchvaria of New Hampshire Life Sciences argued the R&D credit is critical for startups and cited growth in applicants from 71 in 2008 to 248 in 2024, with qualified wages rising substantially over that period. Committee members repeatedly asked for more objective economic-impact data, but DRA said it only tracks who claimed the credit and the amount claimed, not broader business outcomes.