Video & Transcript Research : 'electronic voting machine'
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jun 22nd, 2026 at 12:00 pm
State Government & Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- The federal court said that the Voting Rights Act, the federal Voting Rights Act, required a second majority-Black
- It ensures that voting equipment used to cast and tabulate votes meets federal standards.
- Those voting systems are certified.
- Those voting systems are certified pursuant to the voluntary voting systems guidelines.
- voting systems that meet the president's new requirements.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So I think the merit pay raise helps me vote for your bill. So I appreciate it.
- The legislature has sought to correct that on four prior occasions and has voted to expand the definition
- to also file their taxes electronically.
- Taxpayers now filing these reports electronically may use software either provided by the Comptroller
- or a electronically may use software either provided by the Comptroller or commercially available software
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1574 by Senator Zaffirini, which would codify the Texas Judicial Council’s Centers of Excellence Program for courts and judges. Testimony from judges and the Office of Court Administration emphasized that the program promotes transparency, procedural fairness, mentoring, and public trust. A committee substitute expanded eligibility to justices of the peace and municipal judges and removed a merit-pay reference to eliminate fiscal impact. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the substitute and later voted it out favorably, though it was not certified for the local and uncontested calendar.
The committee also heard SB 2774 by Senator Hinojosa, which would amend the Tax Code’s retail trade definition to include industrial uniform and linen rental businesses so they qualify for the lower franchise tax rate. Supporters said the change would put rental textile businesses on equal footing with other rental industries and help Texas employers and customers. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate.
Members then considered SB 1211 by Senator Perry, which would broaden the existing fracking-related sales tax exemption for equipment used with non-fresh water sources, including recycled, produced, and brine water. The bill’s supporters argued it would conserve freshwater and reduce litigation over water definitions, while the Comptroller’s office discussed the fiscal note and production-related revenue effects. The committee also heard SB 2873 and SB 2900, both by Senator Kolkhorst and presented by Senator Nichols; SB 2873 would require electronic filers to file electronically, and SB 2900 would eliminate certain Comptroller-related advisory committees and boards. Both were later adopted in committee substitute form and reported favorably.
Finally, the committee heard HJR 4, sponsored by Senator Parker, proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit new taxes on securities transfers or financial transaction processing. Supporters said it would protect investors, especially retirees, and help position Texas as a financial center. The committee voted to report HJR 4 favorably to the full Senate. In each recorded vote after quorum was present, the measures passed with nine ayes and no nays.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/29/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Um yes, I will voting against will be >> Um yes, I will voting against will be voting<
- Vice Chair Peternel voted yes. Representative Gison voted yes. Representative Belcher voted yes.
- Representative Dry voted yes. Representative Belcher voted yes. Representative Freeman voted yes.
- Representative Cornell voted no. Representative Murray voted no. Representative German voted no.
- Representative Hall voted no. Representative Falone voted no. Representative Sy voted no.
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards.
Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully.
Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE TO MOVE YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO SILENT FOR THE DURATION OF OUR MEETING TODAY
- IT WAS CAUSED BY A POLITICAL PARTY TO GET MORE VOTES TO CHANGE THE SENTENCES AND WHEN IT COMES TO BIG
- THERE'S NO WAY TO ELECTRONICALLY RECORD THE INFORMATION. SO WE NEED E-VERIFY.
- >> NO. >> Chair Buchanan: BY YOUR VOTE SHOWED THE BILL REPORTED FAVORABLY.
- MEMBERS, BY YOUR VOTE SHOW THE BILL REPORTED FAVORABLY. CONGRATULATIONS REPRESENTATIVE ABBOTT.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Info Briefing - Thu Jan 29, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- capacity to provide electronic capacity to provide electronic monitoring,<00:27:50.080>
this< - <00:46:34.319>
and has been certified electronically and has been certified electronically - them more hands-on like electronic them more hands-on like electronic monitoring<00:58:49.680>
- 01:15:55.360>
drug be electronic monitoring, um drug be electronic monitoring, um drug testing- Even um several states them to vote.
- 01:15:55.360>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- So I urge all members to vote favorably on S-134, H-231, and an act to establish the acquired brain injury
- And that machine that we took a lot of time to try to create and provide to that person is often in a
- Let's get it to where it needs to be so that it can be voted on, so the governor can sign it.
- Let's get it to where it needs to be so that it can be voted on, so the governor can sign it.
- Let's get it to where it needs to be so that it can be voted on, so the governor can sign it.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on a broad slate of disability-related bills. Topics included creating a permanent Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Board (H. 231/S. 134), establishing a system for compensating guardians who serve incapacitated, unbefriended individuals through MassHealth (H. 253/S. 154), expanding Nikki’s Law to require MassHealth day habilitation programs to use the abuse registry (S. 165 and related bills), modernizing and streamlining the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s statute and procedures (H. 243/S. 139), updating the definition of developmental disability to align more closely with federal law and include people such as those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (H. 276/S. 150), removing outdated and offensive terminology from the General Laws (H. 232/S. 137), and an autism education reform bill (H. 286). Several bills had no sign-ups, and the committee also noted related measures on cueing and prompting in PCA programs (H. 277/S. 157).
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'll be voting no on committee. Vice Chair Wilmeth. Thank you. Madam Chair, please.
- I vote aye. Madam Chair Pingerelli? Aye.
- By your vote of five ayes, one nay, zero present, and three absent, you have given Senate Bill 1046 a
- By your vote of five ayes, one nay, zero present, and three absent, you have given Senate Bill 1046 a
- Mining is utilizing AI, but in terms of things that can be just automated by machine only, thinking-wise
Bills:
SB1046
Keywords:
telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- And Senator Scott, this was a very complex machine, this model.
- , Scott, this was a very complex machine, Scott, this was a very complex machine, this<00:23:52.559
- Let's go ahead and vote on that amendment.
- Let's go ahead and vote on discussion. Let's go ahead and vote on that<01:43:52.560>
amendment. - We'll go ahead and move for a roll call vote. This is a roll call vote for Senate File 53.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- President, if you're testifying, please make sure you've filled out the electronic witness affirmation
- This bill simply, uh, requires tax assessors to make electronic payment options available for citizens
- This bill simply requires that they make that motion in a separate item with a separate vote of the tax
- by requiring taxpayers to pay $10,000 or more during the preceding fiscal year to file reports electronically
- is if you had a minimum of $10,000 in, in, in expenses the previous year, you'd have to use it electronically
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Working Group on Omnibus Taxes Bill - 05/21/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- political contribution refund electronic political contribution refund electronic filing<00:15:03.440
- for the political refund electronic for the political refund electronic filing<00:15:09.440>
- electronic contribution refund electron electronic filing<00:34:58.599>
system <00:34:59.599>< - We will finish this bill on like one vote. I will like one vote.
- , we have done something with that vote, we have done something with that vote, we<01:11:38.400><
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
From AI to autonomous vehicles: New technologies are changing Minnesota; how Senators are responding Apr 10th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But instead, they have an AI machine that can say, "Ooh, you put the address on the address two line
- And so, that is what surveillance pricing is, and that's what my bill seeks to ban. machine that can
- say, "Ooh, you put the machine that can say, "Ooh, you put the address<00:06:45.840>
on <00:06:
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 24, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote.
- Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a 15-minute vote.
- Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a five-minute vote.
- Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a five-minute vote.
- Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a five-minute vote.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 11/19/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:50:24.480>
health integration with electronic health integration with electronic health - >
and <01:52:56.239>that electronic health records and that electronic health records and - you would have access to the electronic you would have access to the electronic health<01:53:16.800
- <01:54:37.920>
electronic ID de sorry EDI electronic electronic ID de sorry EDI electronic - speed and low cost is via um electronic speed and low cost is via um electronic data<01:55:27.119
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Feb 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill will allow bad actors to insert or add voters electronically to the voting rolls and to the
- We need to get people to vote, vote, vote, but to vote as a citizen is our privilege.
- We need to get people to vote, vote, vote, but to vote as a citizen is our privilege.
- We need to get people to vote, vote, vote, but to vote as a citizen is our privilege.
- for the vote. for the vote.
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use.
Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date.
Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Then we'll take a vote on that A1. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Any opposed, saying no.
- Then we'll take a vote on that A1. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Any opposed, saying no.
- Then we'll take a vote on that A1. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Any opposed, saying no.
- proceed on uh uh then we'll take a vote proceed on uh uh then we'll take a vote on<00:09:16.519>
- So I can’t wait to vote yes for this bill today and can’t wait to see it pass. Thank you.”
Summary:
The House Energy Finance and Policy Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard House File 9, which was referred to the Committee on Taxes after the committee’s action. The bill was presented as an energy policy measure aimed at reliability and affordability. It would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility under the state’s energy standard, delay certain carbon-free compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, prohibit local permits to demolish fossil fuel plants under certain conditions, state support for carbon capture and sequestration without creating a state funding obligation, end the nuclear moratorium, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round starting after June 30, 2026. The committee also took up and adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture language does not obligate state spending.
The bill’s sponsor argued that Minnesota’s current energy policy is driving up costs and threatening reliability, especially during extreme cold, and said the bill would create “off-ramps” from existing mandates to protect ratepayers and businesses. He cited reliability concerns, MISO/NERC risk assessments, rising utility rates, and the need for an all-of-the-above energy approach, including hydro and nuclear. He also said the bill would reduce taxes by broadening the sales tax exemption for residential heating.
Testimony was mixed but generally focused on reliability, affordability, and the role of nuclear power. The Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on keeping power reliable and affordable, with both saying Minnesota needs dispatchable, carbon-free resources and noting concerns about high electricity costs and future demand from data centers and AI. The Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable waste solution, describing the long-term burden of spent nuclear fuel on its community and asking for more consultation. Xcel Energy said its nuclear plants have operated safely and reliably for decades, support low-cost and low-carbon power, and could be part of the state’s energy transition, but it emphasized the need for tribal participation and said decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 6, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Electronic transmittal to court orders. Rep. Gentry. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- The changes under this bill will mandate electronic transmittal of such documents where electronic transmittal
- Members, I hope this is the easiest bill you vote on this session.
- I urge all my colleagues to vote up on this very important bill.
- So please vote up. Thank you. Thank you, ma’am.
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of bills on inmate medical billing, court-order transmission, animal abandonment during disasters, first responder peer support, firearm purchase waiting periods, capital felony aggravators, domestic violence protections, boating safety, restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, xylazine trafficking, and offenses against law enforcement officers. Testimony was generally supportive across the agenda, with some opposition or caution raised on the xylazine bill, the boating safety bill, and parts of the law-enforcement-officer bill. Several measures were presented as responses to specific tragedies, including the Martin County jail medical billing bill, the Baker Act transmission bill, Trooper’s Law for restrained dogs, the Jason Rayner Act, and Lucy’s Law.
HB 407 would cap certain emergency medical charges for Martin County jail inmates at 110% of Medicare rates, mirroring Department of Corrections practice; it passed 15-0. HB 513 would require faster electronic transmission of certain court orders, including Baker Act orders, to law enforcement within six hours; it passed 15-0. HB 205, Trooper’s Law, creates a third-degree felony for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster; it passed 15-0. HB 421, as amended, expands peer support for first responders to certain support personnel involved in crime scene work or evidence handling; it passed 16-0. PCS for HB 383 would let law enforcement, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and active military service members bypass the three-day handgun waiting period without a concealed carry permit; it passed 18-0.
HB 693 adds an aggravating factor in capital cases when the victim was gathered with others for a school, religious, or public government meeting; it passed 17-1 after opposition testimony from Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. PCS for HB 19 and HB 41, the Haven Act, would expand domestic and dating violence protections, including a feasibility study for a web-based 911 alert system and confidentiality/public-records protections for victims; both passed 18-0. PCS for HB 289, Lucy’s Law, would align boating penalties with driving offenses and expand boating safety card requirements; it passed 18-0 despite concerns from one witness that the bill should go further. HB 479 would allow courts to order restitution in leaving-the-scene property-damage cases; an amendment changing mandatory to discretionary restitution was adopted, and the bill passed 18-0. PCS for HB 57 would regulate xylazine, add trafficking penalties, and include veterinary-use exceptions; it passed 17-0 after one witness opposed mandatory minimums. HB 175, the Jason Rayner Act, clarifies that officers are protected when acting within the scope of their duties and adds manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses requiring life imprisonment; it passed 17-0 after debate over self-defense and unlawful police conduct.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 96 members present. Members granted several leaves of absence and recognized guests, including Arkansas State Troopers and the nurse of the day. The clerk then read the governor’s proclamation calling the General Assembly into extraordinary session.
The governor’s call said the special session was convened to consider tax relief measures, specifically lowering the top individual income tax rate to 3.7% effective January 1, 2026, and reducing the top corporate income tax rate to 4.1% effective January 1, 2027. The call also included payment of House and Senate expenses and per diem for the special session. The Speaker reminded members that only matters within the governor’s call could be considered.
The House adopted motions to suspend House Rules 41A and 41B, which normally require bills to be on the desk for 24 hours before final passage and limit how soon bills can be placed on committee agendas, as well as Rule 60A on committee meeting notice requirements, for the duration of the special session. House Bill 1001, titled “Revenue and tax,” was read twice. The House then notified the Senate and governor that it was ready for business and adjourned until 9:30 the next morning, with the Revenue and Tax Committee scheduled to meet later that day.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We vote, everyone votes in support of this.
- I hope, and this is over, we vote, everyone votes in support of this.
- Crighton votes yes. Senator Collins. Nick Collins votes yes. Senator Driscoll. William J.
- Fernandes votes yes. Senator Gómez. Senator Gómez. Adam Gómez votes yes. Senator Payano.
- Adam Gómez votes yes. Senator Payano. Pavel M. Payano votes yes.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized several guests in the chamber, and adopted a resolution congratulating Coleman-Nee on election as National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. It also took up several local and personnel matters, including a sick leave bank for Emily Cullick and later Paul Stavarski, and local bills affecting the town of Weston and a Dorchester housing/library procurement exemption; those measures were advanced to third reading or engrossment as appropriate. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees.
The main business was Senate No. 2516, the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, which came before the Senate on a Ways and Means substitute (Senate Document 2608). Senators Creem, Moore, Charles, Feingold, Keenan, and others spoke in support, describing the bill as a comprehensive consumer privacy measure with data minimization rules, limits on sensitive data, protections for minors, and strong Attorney General enforcement. Several amendments were debated, with many rejected or withdrawn, while some were adopted, including provisions on geolocation data protections, opting out of targeted advertising, affiliate and merger/acquisition protections, internal operations exemptions, parental access to child data, and a Ways and Means amendment. A number of other amendments on employee data, union data, loyalty programs, AI training, reporting, and related issues were either not adopted or held/withdrawn.
After the amendment process, the Senate adopted the amended Ways and Means substitute and ordered the bill to a third reading. The bill was then passed to be engrossed on a roll call vote of 40-0. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn to the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar. The session adjourned in memory of Darrow Logan Alexander of South Boston.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- electronic or digital signatures, checking a confirmation box, or other electronic acknowledgments.
- I voted last year with Representative Eccles' bill.
- I voted last year with Representative Eccles bill.
- So I don't have a problem voting against PBMs or what they're. bill.
- A vote yes is a vote to report Senate Bill 387 favorably, and a vote no would be to leave it in committee
Summary:
The House Insurance Committee met on April 29 with a quorum present and considered several insurance- and health care-related bills. SB 192, concerning dental reimbursement and payment methods, was amended to clarify opt-in for electronic acceptance and then reported as amended. SB 84, which expands prostate cancer screening coverage for men over 40 and bars cost-sharing, was also amended and reported as amended after testimony from the American Cancer Society supporting earlier detection and reduced out-of-pocket barriers. SB 275, dealing with reimbursement and network access for certified registered nurse anesthetists, was reported favorably with broad support from nurse anesthetists, hospitals, and related groups. SB 169, a biomarker testing cleanup bill, was amended to clarify legislative intent and reported as amended.
The committee spent substantial time on two major drug-pricing bills. SB 401 would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to study selected prescription drug prices, collect manufacturer and related pricing data, and report findings to the legislature; amendments narrowed the scope, addressed confidentiality, and delayed implementation. Supporters said it would provide transparency similar to Texas and help lawmakers understand drug pricing, while opponents warned about government overreach and confidentiality concerns. SB 387, the companion PBM reform bill, would restrict PBM compensation to flat fees and performance bonuses, require rebate pass-throughs, limit formulary practices, expand audit and reporting requirements, and create enforcement mechanisms; it was amended to delay implementation, refine definitions, and address ERISA-related concerns. Supporters argued it would curb PBM abuses and lower drug costs, while opponents from the Pelican Institute and PCMA said it would interfere with private contracts, reduce flexibility, and could raise premiums. After a roll call vote, SB 387 was reported with amendments.
The committee also took up SB 241, which requires certain insurance adjusters and appraisers to include license numbers in written communications. After amendments narrowing the requirement to individual claims and public adjusters, the bill was reported as amended. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about unintended consequences, especially for cities, school boards, and other non-ERISA plans, and sponsors said they would continue working on the drug-pricing bills before floor consideration.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (03/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:11:37.880>
to request and receive electronically to request and receive electronically - be provided electronically?
- <00:45:42.079>
on <00:45:42.200>his is he can't vote on he can't vote on his is he - I voted against this on the floor.
- Then those would all vote for it.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 187, which would allow parents or guardians to seek restraining orders on behalf of a minor child even when the alleged perpetrator is not a family or household member. Tracy Sirles testified that the bill was prompted by her family’s experience after being told by state police to seek a restraining order, only to learn the current law did not allow it because the offender was the child’s best friend’s father. Members agreed the change was straightforward, noted the fiscal note reflected only a small indeterminate cost to the judicial branch, and moved House Bill 187 ought to pass; the motion was approved unanimously.
The committee then discussed House Bill 66, a Right-to-Know bill that removes “citizen” language in favor of “person” in some provisions and allows certain New Hampshire-connected requesters to seek records electronically if the records already exist in that format. Members reviewed concerns about defining “member of the media,” the scope of electronic requests, and a sentence stating appeals would have no filing fee or search charge. After debate, the committee voted to amend the bill by removing that fee-waiver sentence, then recommended House Bill 66 ought to pass as amended. The vote was 6-3.
Next, the committee heard from the Environment and Agriculture chair about several solid-waste-related bills being folded into trailer bill language, including House Bill 215 and House Bill 171, with discussion of a possible three-year landfill moratorium and the need to address DEES staffing and funding concerns. DEES later clarified that the revised approach would not require new positions or create a fiscal impact because the new solid waste commission would be self-funded through filing fees. The committee voted unanimously to retain House Bill 215.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 566, which requires landfill permit applications to include a detailed leachate management plan and more information about disposal contracts. The sponsor said the bill was developed with DEES to address leachate problems and improve safety oversight. DEES testified that the bill largely reflects current practice and would have no specific fiscal impact, with existing staff able to absorb any review workload. The committee moved House Bill 566 ought to pass, and the motion was approved unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 624, a grant program for local river management advisory committees, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.