Transcript Highlights:

• I learned things, but I think this is a relatively simple bill that I think ... life um he had his first
• Senator Hill then said he was having trouble searching the rule and asked whether the addition targets
• or narrows the paragraph to medically accurate sexuality education, including instruction relative to
• Senator Hill said he was trying to search the rule and asked whether the addition targets or narrows
• the paragraph to medically accurate sexuality education, including instruction relative to abstinence

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I hope I can read your name. us I’m going to open up the hearing on House Bill 520, relative to
• </c><02:09:14.159><c> to</c> hearing on House Bill 195 relative to hearing on House Bill 195 relative
• In 195, it was said they didn't get and need to get a search warrant.
• </c> cops would have to get a a search cops would have to get a a search warrant<03:21:48.880><c> in<
• </c> they didn't get and need to get a search they didn't get and need to get a search warrant<03:21:

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to hear House Bill 520, which would authorize the Department of Education to issue subpoenas in investigations and hearings involving the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators. Representative Lynn, the bill sponsor, said the measure was intended to give the department standard subpoena power during investigations and in later adjudicatory proceedings, with a process for challenging overbroad subpoenas. He argued that agencies with investigative and hearing authority should also have the power to compel witnesses and documents, and said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader draft to focus on teacher credentialing and address concerns about scope. Members raised several concerns about whether the department already has enough authority, whether the Attorney General could handle subpoenas instead, and whether the bill creates an imbalance by giving subpoena power mainly to the investigating side. Representative Burroughs said she did not feel she had enough information and was uncomfortable with the bill, especially regarding who bears subpoena costs. Representative Biron questioned the trial analogy and whether both sides truly have equal subpoena rights. Lynn responded that the investigative stage is like a grand jury process, where only the investigating body subpoenas witnesses, while the adjudicatory stage allows both sides to seek subpoenas through the hearing officer. Other questions focused on the bill’s scope. Representative Andreos asked what investigative authority the Department of Education already has, and Representative Organ questioned why the bill is limited to educators rather than also covering vendors, charter school boards, or the EFA scholarship organization. Lynn said the limitation to educators was deliberate, because earlier broader versions drew objections for being too expansive. Representative Tur asked whether the Attorney General could already handle such matters, and Lynn said that while the AG might be able to pursue some investigations or court subpoenas, agencies should be able to conduct their own internal investigations. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our huge win for us is with Tribal Council passing that search and rescue resolution for the one-time
• But, you know, at the same time, it's just not search and rescue like that.
• I was afraid for our relatives, especially our elders, because this, this cold.
• I can tell you specifically that many times that is because we bring our relatives in.
• We have an MMU intake form that we submit, and our officers begin searching.

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock with tribal council members, state legislators, and agency representatives to discuss state-tribal coordination and local priorities. Early discussion focused on process concerns, including the short agenda time and the need for better communication, more advance notice, and more relevant state department staff at future meetings. Tribal leaders asked for lists of state tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes, and state members said they would follow up, share grant and deadline information, and plan another meeting in Bismarck with program experts and agency staff. A major portion of the meeting centered on health, child welfare, law enforcement, housing, infrastructure, and sovereignty issues. Tribal speakers said rural health transformation funding and other state programs often do not fit direct-service tribes or IHS-funded systems, and they raised concerns about Medicaid, ICWA, foster care delays, human service zones, housing shortages, and the placement of Native children off-reservation. They also discussed missing and murdered Indigenous people, search-and-rescue cooperation, cross-deputization, extradition and banishment ordinances, and the need for stronger law enforcement partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty. Other concerns included poor roads, water and sewer needs in Sioux County communities, census accuracy, and the impact of data centers and other development on water and health. Economic development and regulatory issues were also discussed. Standing Rock representatives raised concerns about charitable gaming and e-pull tabs, saying the machines function like Class III gaming and have harmed tribal revenue while spreading into local businesses. They also described problems with county-issued fireworks permits and state/county liquor licensing rules that they said undermine tribal authority within reservation boundaries. In response, legislators said the committee would continue to look at these issues, and one member suggested possible legislation such as limiting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also heard from Joseph McNeil of Sage Development Authority about a 235-megawatt wind project on tribal, allotted, and fee land; he said federal permitting delays have stalled the project and asked for state support to help move it forward. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Dave Archambo of Wojou, a nonprofit focused on land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, cultural programming, and youth wellness. He described the organization’s work on buffalo processing, gardening, fishing, hunting, language, and arts programs, and framed it as a response to historical trauma and community healing. The committee then broke for lunch and planned to resume with the Wojou presentation after the recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• :24.080><c> of</c> Moreover, the relative timelines of Moreover, the relative timelines of federal<00
• </c><00:14:50.399><c> and</c> government from unreasonable search and government from unreasonable search
• ><c> increasingly</c> These searches are becoming increasingly These searches are becoming increasingly
• Thank you very much. interest into Google's search engine. interest into Google's search engine.
• So, just one search the whim, right?

Bills: HF3477 , HF3414 , HF103 , HF3661 , HF3146

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• This allows a state to be able to. placed outside the home and foster care of the home of a relative.
• His relatives all rejected his request.
• The training will ensure providers understand their rights regarding searches, seizures, arrests, and
• , seizures, and unlawful entries into our homes. ...searches, seizures, and unlawful entries in order
• The state recognizes that kinship care includes both relatives and non-relative extended family members

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for us to administer to our local search for us to administer to our local search and<00:09:24.640
• </c> our 29 local search and rescue teams. our 29 local search and rescue teams.
• </c><00:36:01.119><c> Uh</c> Search and Rescue uh with us today.
• Uh Search and Rescue uh with us today.
• Uh, we do wilderness searches. Um, this Uh, we do wilderness searches.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort. The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises. Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires DCS to presume that placement of a child with a relative, extended family member, or
• HB 2035 strengthens the expectation that the department must actively search for, identify, notify, and
• HB. 2035 strengthens in expectation that the department must actively search for identify, notify, and
• And there's a 30-day timeline on searching for kin. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Follow-up?
• Chair, Representative Stahl Hamilton, sometimes they don't search.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The special committee on government convened to discuss child welfare reform, with members framing the meeting as a response to Arizona Auditor General findings and broader concerns about the Department of Child Safety (DCS). The chair emphasized that the committee’s goal was to improve accountability, oversight, and child-centered practices rather than assign blame, and said bills advanced from the committee would move to the floor. Roll was taken, and the committee then heard testimony on several bills focused on foster care and DCS operations. HB 2611 was heard first. The bill would require termination of a group foster home employee who tests positive on a drug screen, establish screening and safety requirements for group homes, expand foster youth rights, and include designated advocates on family/service teams. An amendment was adopted that changed the drug-testing language to require removal from child contact pending confirmatory review rather than automatic termination, and to require testing after certain incidents. Supporters, including foster youth and former foster youth, described unsafe conditions in group homes, bullying, drug use by staff, inadequate training, and the need for posted rights, mental health services, and stronger accountability. Some members raised questions about the amendment, drug-testing procedures, backup staffing, and contracting authority, but the amendment passed and HB 2611 was given a do pass recommendation by a 5-1-1 vote. The committee next considered HB 2035, which would add extended family members to the search, notification, and placement process when a child enters custody and create a presumption that placement with relatives or significant adults is in the child’s best interest. Testimony strongly favored kinship placement, with speakers arguing that children do better with familiar caregivers and that current practice often fails to locate or prioritize relatives. Several witnesses described tragic cases, including the death of Zariah Finley Dodd, to argue that repeated placements and congregate care increase risk. Some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing law and asked for clarification on differences from prior legislation; the sponsor said the bill strengthens existing policy and adds written documentation requirements. HB 2035 was ultimately given a do pass recommendation by a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 4049, which would authorize DCS to employ legal counsel and incur legal expenses, along with an amendment that would require independent representation or review in certain cases involving credible allegations against DCS or its agents. The sponsor and several witnesses argued that the Attorney General’s office has a structural conflict when representing DCS, and that independent counsel would better ensure honesty and accountability in court proceedings. Others cautioned that keeping representation within the Attorney General’s office preserves consistency, oversight, and existing checks and balances. Discussion continued on the structure of legal representation for DCS, but the transcript ends before a final vote on HB 4049 is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires DCS to presume that placement of a child with a relative, extended family member, or
• HB 2035 strengthens the expectation that the department must actively search for, identify, notify, and
• HB. 2035 strengthens in expectation that the department must actively search for identify, notify, and
• And there's a 30-day timeline on searching for kin. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Follow-up?
• Chair, Representative Stahl Hamilton, sometimes they don't search.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:13:42.320><c> save</c><00:13:42.639><c> lives</c><00:13:42.880><c> through</c><00:13:43.079><c> search
• </c><00:13:43.320><c> and</c> games save lives through search and games save lives through search and
• This proposed disposal consists of two easements, both relatively small.
• This proposed disposal consists of two easements, both relatively small.
• This proposed disposal consists of two easements, both relatively small.

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met in organizational session and first elected Representative John Cluder as clerk. A nomination of Senator Mark Makoni as vice chair was made but not voted on because he was absent; it was carried over to the next meeting. The committee also reviewed its guidelines and procedures, including how it handles property-disposal requests, late items, and informational materials, and then approved the November 12, 2024 minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. The committee then considered several state property and lease requests. It approved a 50-year, $1-per-year ground lease for about 5.66 acres at Berlin Regional Airport in Milan for a New Hampshire Army National Guard hangar/support facility, after hearing that the project is federally funded, intended for training and search-and-rescue support, and would have no permanent full-time staffing. The committee also approved a 30-year lease for the Department of Justice to move the chief medical examiner’s offices, morgue, and autopsy suite to 279 Pleasant Street in Concord, with testimony that the current Concord Hospital space is inadequate and that the new site would double body-storage capacity. Several Department of Safety and Department of Transportation property items were approved as well. Safety received approval for a 10-year lease, with renewal options, for the State Police aircraft hangar at 91 Airport Road in Concord. Transportation was authorized to continue disposal efforts for remnant parcels in Concord, Conway, Lisbon, Effingham, and Mount Vernon, with testimony explaining market conditions, appraisals, access limits, and easements; members asked questions about access and buildability, but each item was approved. During the Berlin lease item, the committee was told the FAA objects to any lease longer than 50 years at that airport, so the request was revised from 55 years to 50 years on the record before approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• De Niva is searching for the bighorn sheep, continuing to search for the voices of California's first
• House Resolution 92 by Assembly Member Carrillo relative to Cinco de Mayo Week.
• House Resolution 92 by Assembly Member Carrillo relative to Cinco de Mayo Week.
• House Resolution 101 by Assembly Member Alanis, relative to Star Wars Day.
• Member Pacheco relative to California Law Revision Commission.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved a procedural motion by a 41-17 roll call to re-refer AB 2690 and AB 1863 to Appropriations and to allow guests for the Latino Spirit Awards ceremony. House Resolution 92, recognizing Cinco de Mayo Week, was adopted after supportive remarks from members of several caucuses, and the chamber then held the 2026 Latino Spirit Awards ceremony honoring 11 individuals and organizations in higher education, human rights, philanthropy, health and science, advocacy, business, environmental justice, journalism and media, culinary arts, and a legacy award for Los Tigres del Norte. After the ceremony, the Assembly resumed business with guest introductions and moved through the daily file, passing or retaining a number of bills and resolutions. Among the measures taken up, the Assembly passed AB 1657 on domestic violence restraining order procedures (64-0), AB 2042 on civil procedure and service of process (66-0), AB 1660 on probate and public guardians (45-10), AB 1917 on criminal procedure and reinstatement of dismissed charges (43-15), AB 2148 clarifying that public school employees are human beings in the context of AI (69-0), AB 1647 protecting juvenile statements at transfer hearings (63-0), AB 1555 expanding community college access in Siskiyou County (66-0), AB 1608 on High-Speed Rail Inspector General oversight and reporting (45-18), AB 1803 requiring anti-hate speech training in workplace harassment prevention (50-9), AB 2128 protecting tenants in subsidized housing from certain federal work requirements and time limits (44-16), AB 2576 as a land-use cleanup bill protecting historic resources (61-0), AB 2601 allowing concurrent review for certain housing projects, and AB 2764 on extended foster care eligibility (60-0). Several items were passed and retained on file, and AB 2601 was interrupted by a call of the house before later business continued. The chamber also adopted ACR 159 on indigent defense after adding 59 coauthors, then heard guest introductions from chief public defenders from multiple counties. ACR 179, designating Wildland Urban Interface Preparedness and Resilience Day, was adopted with 65 coauthors after remarks on wildfire risk and forest management. Later, ACR 183 establishing Black Health Equity Advocacy Week was presented with extensive testimony from members of multiple caucuses emphasizing racial health disparities, maternal mortality, life expectancy gaps, and the need for systemic change; the debate continued beyond the excerpt provided. Throughout the session, members repeatedly used guest introductions to recognize visiting groups and individuals, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members, UAW President Shawn Fain, California Women in Agriculture, and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's still been relatively new.
• So it's still been relatively new.
• We have people in this room that want to be foster a family to a relative.
• No family should have to fight the system to get the system to search for.
• No family should have to fight the system to get the system to search for. Steps are taken.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's hearing is relative to the one late-filed bill, House 5188, an act to establish a special commission
• Today's hearing is relative to the one late-filed bill, House 5188, an act to establish a special commission
• whether this disqualifies them from getting unemployment or whether they are available, capable, or searching
• up the door for this worker to then transition over to unemployment once she was ready to start searching

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hearing on House 5188, a late-filed bill to establish a special commission to study access to unemployment insurance in Massachusetts. Chairs and members noted the hearing was in hybrid format and limited to this one bill. Representatives Hadley Luddy and Joshua Tarski testified in support, saying they filed the bill after seeing many constituent cases involving delayed or difficult unemployment claims, especially for seasonal workers and others facing housing and financial instability. They argued a commission could review claim data, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to make the system more efficient, equitable, and transparent. Greater Boston Legal Services also testified in favor. Attorneys described representing many low-income workers whose claims were delayed for months after the launch of the new online DUA system, often leaving them in limbo while trying to pay bills. They cited examples where claimants were denied or delayed due to issues that could have been resolved more quickly, and said the new system has contributed to major backlogs. They reported that DUA’s non-monetary issue backlog more than doubled, separation issues tripled, and hearings appeals grew to more than 12,500 pending cases, with average appeal times far above required timelines. They said the commission could help identify root causes and systemic fixes, and suggested the bill might be improved by giving the commission more time to report. Committee members generally praised the bill’s intent and the filers’ collaboration. Several members shared their own experiences with constituent unemployment cases and emphasized that people should not have to contact legislators to get claims processed. Some asked whether the commission should include broader stakeholder representation, such as business groups, MassHire, staff, and people with direct claims experience, and whether its scope should be widened. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair concluded the meeting after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's hearing is relative to the one late-filed bill, House 5188, an act to establish a special commission
• Today's hearing is relative to the one late-filed bill, House 5188, an act to establish a special commission
• whether this disqualifies them from getting unemployment, or whether they are available, capable, or searching
• up the door for this worker to then transition over to unemployment once she was ready to start searching

Bills: H5188

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: unemployment insurance, labor, access, special commission, equity in claims

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it's 80 acres attached to tampered with before search warrants can tampered with before search warrants
• </c><00:04:09.680><c> in</c> incredibly effective way to search in incredibly effective way to search
• </c><00:05:07.840><c> They'd</c> searching an agricultural field.
• They'd searching an agricultural field.
• So, we need to change the for relatives.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• NHBA objects to the provisions relative to superintendent contracts.
• NHBA objects to the provisions relative to superintendent contracts.
• </c><00:50:51.760><c> for</c> uh that search for uh that search for efficiency<00:50:53.640><c> and</
• </c><04:21:38.359><c> to</c> session on house bills 625 relative to session on house bills 625 relative
• </c><04:58:31.000><c> to</c> session on House Bill 421 FN relative to session on House Bill 421 FN relative

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• It undermines a longstanding constitutional protection against unreasonable searches.
• So they now, with this bill, would have to go get a search warrant to put it on private property.
• So they now, with this bill, would have to go get a search warrant to put it on private property.
• In those instances, could you not have gone and got a search warrant to put them where you needed to
• Same thing with the commercial fishing case, as they can come up and move those nets relatively quick

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Transcript Highlights:

• And she was also a Star Search Hall of Fame grand champion.
• Senate Bill 132 by Senator Kleinpeter provides relative to public school safety.
• Members, HB 42 is a teacher retirement bill relative to phased retirement.
• It provides relative to unauthorized entry and theft of critical infrastructure.
• Berger, relative to health insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic device services.

Bills: HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HCR112 , HR307 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR3 , HCR49 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HB1 , HB2 , HB42 , HB45 , HB66 , HB71 , HB79 , HB126 , HB133 , HB145 , HB159 , HB167 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB289 , HB291 , HB312 , HB313 , HB316 , HB324 , HB352 , HB383 , HB398 , HB403 , HB429 , HB457 , HB459 , HB511 , HB549 , HB571 , HB579 , HB591 , HB608 , HB616 , HB624 , HB766 , HB769 , HB783 , HB799 , HB804 , HB864 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB971 , HB983 , HB1005 , HB1017 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1095 , HB1126 , HB1129 , HB1186 , HB1193 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1230 , HB1235 , HB1249 , HB723 , HB36 , HB140 , HB181 , HB198 , HB205 , HB211 , HB226 , HB259 , HB271 , HB302 , HB335 , HB342 , HB487 , HB513 , HB623 , HB682 , HB730 , HB740 , HB761 , HB775 , HB797 , HB812 , HB816 , HB940 , HB968 , HB979 , HB1028 , HB1029 , HB1038 , HB1049 , HB1084 , HB1161 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1203 , HB1247 , HB1256 , SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB228 , SB237 , SB250 , SB405 , SB406 , SB414 , SB433 , SB480 , SB513 , SB149 , HB359 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB134 , HB1117 , SB42 , SB274 , SB382 , SB449 , SB300 , HR74 , HB463 , HB715 , HB998 , SB80 , SB268 , SB444 , SB479 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , HB74 , HB119 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1236 , SB208 , SB217 , SB283 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Also during this time, utilities maintain a relatively small reserve fund or additional resources that
• So after those proceedings in the Mid 90's, we went through a period of relative low impact firms from
• And then we went through another period of relative less impacts from hurricanes.
• So they're taking the amount of accounts that they have and then search charging the 1000 kilowatt hour
• So that's was relatively a great accomplishment by the team.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two creates what is going to be called the Urban Search and Rescue Team.
• This was, for what it is worth, relative to some relatively quick searching on what a 70 decibel level
• ><c> relatively</c><01:19:50.239><c> quick</c><01:19:50.880><c> uh</c> relative to some um relatively
• quick uh relative to some um relatively quick uh searching<01:19:51.440><c> on</c><01:19:51.600><c>
• The committee of conference made a relatively small change to the language in H740.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is labeled B1, and it applies to searches of transgender and intersex individuals to private
• attorney present during the search.
• B5 specifies that, for purposes of certain requirements related to conducting searches of individuals
• B8 specifies that certain requirements related to conducting searches of individuals confined at a jail
• This one gives the individual the opportunity to have a defense attorney available during the search.

Bills: HB2510 , SGA9305

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor