Transcript Highlights:

• :26.640><c> feec><01:05:26.960><c> schedule,c><01:05:27.599><c> youc><01:05:27.760><c> know,c
• 06:22.720><c> using,c><01:06:23.359><c> isc> schedule that we're currently using, is schedule that
• ><c> schedule?
• c> fee schedule? fee schedule?
• ><c> scheduling?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to begin work on HB 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and more broadly to study special education aid/differentiated aid and related costing issues. The chair said the group was starting early because the issue has been debated for years without resolution, local districts are being forced to absorb prorated costs, and the committee wants to send the Department of Education and HHS Medicaid a clear request for data and recommendations before retained bills return in the fall. A committee clerk was also selected, with Representative Reverend volunteering to take notes for the meeting. Members reviewed background materials on special education enrollment, high-cost students, and possible funding formulas, including data on students in high-cost brackets and prior ideas such as category-based funding and caseload-based approaches. The chair also referenced research on other states, including Arkansas, which uses a different special education funding structure and audits IEPs. The committee emphasized that it was focused on the funding mechanics and costs, not on questioning whether services should be provided. Henry Lipman of HHS explained how Medicaid-to-schools currently works in New Hampshire. He said 172 school districts participate, but utilization dropped during the pandemic and remains below historical levels, in part because districts need the capacity to bill Medicaid. Under the current system, schools receive reimbursement based on half of the Medicaid fee schedule, with the school district effectively providing the state share. He said the federal government is requiring a shift by July 1, 2026, to a true certified public expenditure model based on actual costs, which should allow schools to recover 50% of their true costs and some administrative overhead. The department has received a roughly $2.5 million grant to hire a vendor and support districts through the transition, and an RFP and stakeholder meetings are underway. Committee members asked about how costs would be determined, whether the new system would use actual district-specific costs rather than averages, and how the department would support districts that do not currently participate. Lipman said the cost model would be based on each district’s own reasonable costs, subject to audit standards, and that the department expects to provide templates and technical assistance through the vendor because its staff is limited. He also said about one in four New Hampshire children are enrolled in Medicaid, that child enrollment has been relatively stable, and that continuous coverage rules should reduce churn. No votes or formal actions on HB 742 were taken during the meeting beyond organizing the subcommittee and beginning testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> goc><00:39:55.359><c> andc><00:39:55.599><c> schedulec><00:39:56.000><c> yourc><00:39:56.200
• ><c> classc><00:39:57.079><c> soc> you can go and schedule your class so you can go and schedule
• ><c> onc><01:09:41.159><c> thesec> schedule a work session on these schedule a work session on these
• 01:10:33.520><c> maybec><01:10:33.719><c> it'sc> schedule it for okay and so maybe it's schedule
• ><c> toc><01:13:03.400><c> schedulec><01:13:03.679><c> themc> got scheduled I'm going to schedule

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division II work session focused on organizing the committee’s remaining budget work and reviewing a set of recommended changes to House Bills 1 and 2. Mr. Landrian explained the committee’s tracking sheets and draft amendment package, noted that the division was being asked to find roughly $200 million in reductions, and said the governor’s lottery proposal in House Bill 2 could help offset part of that target. Members also discussed how revenue estimates tied to fee changes would be handled, with the chair saying the committee could seek Ways and Means input but would ultimately decide the estimates itself. The committee then considered four mostly technical amendments to House Bill 2. It voted unanimously to delete Section 81, which duplicated CCSNH dual and concurrent enrollment language already moving in House Bill 192; to delete Sections 143 and 144, which duplicated police standards and training extra-duty language already in House Bill 778; to adopt a correction to Section 151 that removed an inadvertently repeated sentence; and to delete Section 178 because the same Lottery Commission language already appears in House Bill 1. The committee also agreed to approve Section 4 of House Bill 1, the Lottery Commission boilerplate language, while deferring action on Section 2 of House Bill 1 until the university and community college budget is settled. A substantial portion of the meeting was spent planning upcoming work sessions and discussing possible revenue measures. The committee planned to invite Fish and Game on Monday to review a large set of follow-up materials and to discuss a possible amendment requiring hunters and trappers to pay the license fee before taking free training classes, with a second chance to retake the class if needed. Members also discussed possible fee adjustments for Safety and Fish and Game, including using dedicated-fund fees to reduce reliance on general funds and help stabilize the Highway Fund and Fish and Game Fund. The chair emphasized that all actions were recommendations until the committee’s final deadline and encouraged members to review draft language carefully before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• management<00:58:21.560><c> shapesc><00:58:21.920><c> theirc><00:58:22.080><c> schedules,c><00
• :58:22.680><c> theirc> management shapes their schedules, their management shapes their schedules,
• ><c> schedules,c><00:58:39.880><c> assignments,c> you know, schedules, assignments, you know, schedules
• ><c> benefits,c> should provide wages, benefits, should provide wages, benefits, schedules<01:28:00.120
• c> schedules responsive to the workplace. schedules responsive to the workplace.

Bills: HF3878, HF4131, HF3796, HF4097

Keywords: airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, consumer rights, automated decision systems, Minnesota Statutes, suitable seating, employee seating, workplace seating, occupational safety, workplace safety, labor standards, employer requirements, chair, stool

Transcript Highlights:

• :35.720><c> toc><00:12:35.800><c> adjustc><00:12:36.240><c> ourc><00:12:36.360><c> schedule,c
• ><00:12:36.880><c> soc> that's going to adjust our schedule, so that's going to adjust our schedule
• c> the schedule too.
• Tuesday when we'll be kind of adjusting<00:12:52.640><c> ourc><00:12:52.720><c> schedulec><00:12
• ><c> ofc> adjusting our schedule as a result of of adjusting our schedule as a result of of things<

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 26, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with 39 members present and a quorum. The session opened with an invocation by Bishop Antonio Palmer of Kingdom Celebration Center, whose remarks were journalized. The President and members also welcomed several guests to the chamber, including former Delegate Sean Terrence, students from Charles H. Flowers High School and Garrison Forest School, Dr. Lee Snyder as doctor of the day, and Dr. Barbara Ann Palmer in recognition of Women’s History Month. The President also noted that the next day would be pro forma and that some scheduled items would be moved to the following week. The Senate considered Executive Nominations Report No. 6, covering gubernatorial nominees for boards and commissions including the State Board of Education, MEDCO, and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On motion of the committee chair, the report was special ordered to Tuesday, with members asked to review the list for recusals or related issues. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 890, which concerns an insurance premium receipts tax exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems. On SB 890, the Senate adopted the committee amendments and then adopted a floor amendment offered by the bill sponsor. The amendment was described as replacing the bill’s earlier approach with a two-year moratorium on collection of any related liabilities, followed by a Maryland Insurance Administration report back on ongoing investigations. One senator raised concern that the amendment’s language could require the state to refund taxes already paid by hospitals and others, potentially costing millions, and asked for more time to review it; the motion to special order the bill was defeated. After discussion, the amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. At the close of the floor session, committee and delegation announcements were made, including Finance, Triple E, Judicial Proceedings, Budget and Tax, Executive Nominations, and several county delegations. A senator from District 6 also spoke about the anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse and thanked colleagues for bipartisan work on related legislation and recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:06:06.000><c> Andc><00:06:06.240><c> forc><00:06:06.479><c> thec><00:06:06.639><c> record
• ><c> SB412c><00:06:18.000><c> beingc><00:06:18.240><c> madec><00:06:18.479><c> atc> Attorney
• > isc><00:06:43.520><c> herec><00:06:43.680><c> toc><00:06:43.759><c> speakc><00:06:43.919><c
• 30.480><c> schedule,c><00:32:31.360><c> itc><00:32:31.679><c> hadc><00:32:32.000><c> thec> the
• phased in schedule, it had the the phased in schedule, it had the language<00:32:32.720><c> thatc>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > schedulec><00:41:11.280><c> isc><00:41:11.560><c> assignedc><00:41:12.079><c> toc> on which
• /c><00:41:12.920><c> meterc><00:41:13.880><c> Schedulec><00:41:14.400><c> Dc><00:41:14.880><c>
• domesticc><00:41:15.880><c> orc> an electric meter Schedule D domestic or an electric meter Schedule
• c><00:41:29.839><c> servicec><00:41:30.560><c> isc> Schedule D domestic delivery service is Schedule
• c><00:42:18.440><c> usec> correct tariff schedule for domestic use correct tariff schedule for domestic

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> fewc><00:02:01.360><c> ofc><00:02:01.439><c> thec><00:02:01.600><c> documentsc> looking
• :02.479><c> inc><00:02:02.719><c> regardsc><00:02:03.040><c> toc><00:02:03.119><c> thec><00:02
• <c> forc><00:02:07.280><c> allc><00:02:07.600><c> presentationc><00:02:08.399><c> bothc><00:02
• ><c> toc><00:02:39.599><c> callc><00:02:39.920><c> byc><00:02:40.160><c> thatc><00:02:40.400>
• ><c> wec><00:03:09.280><c> havec><00:03:09.440><c> ac><00:03:09.840><c> housec><00:03:10.159>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:04:52.240><c> onc><00:04:52.400><c> onec><00:04:52.639><c> schedulec> depreciating property
• on one schedule depreciating property on one schedule over<00:04:53.520><c> manyc><00:04:53.759><c
• ><00:58:25.599><c> ofc><00:58:25.760><c> thatc><00:58:26.000><c> five-yearc><00:58:26.480><c> schedule
• c><00:58:26.880><c> toc> the middle of that five-year schedule to the middle of that five-year schedule
• > schedulesc><01:05:11.520><c> andc><01:05:11.920><c> REITsc><01:05:12.400><c> andc> amortization

Bills: HR1, HF387

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• schedulingc><00:35:45.800><c> officec><00:35:46.280><c> available.
• c><00:35:46.960><c> Andc><00:35:47.120><c> inc> um scheduling office available.
• ><c> andc><00:35:55.440><c> toc><00:35:55.520><c> schedulec> your area and to schedule your area
• c><00:36:52.560><c> subscriptionc> if someone's scheduling a subscription if someone's scheduling
• Um<00:41:57.600><c> unreliablec><00:41:58.320><c> scheduling.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board first approved the September 24 minutes and then heard a presentation from four certified community behavioral health clinic providers: Pathways, NorthKey, Seven Counties Services, and NewVista. The presenters explained the difference between traditional community mental health centers and CCBHCs, describing CCBHCs as an enhanced model that integrates behavioral health, primary care, wraparound services, and crisis response. They reviewed the federal history of the model, Kentucky’s entry into the Medicaid demonstration in 2022, and the scheduled end of the enhanced federal match on December 31, 2027. They also emphasized required services such as 24-hour mobile crisis, care coordination, and services for veterans, and described care coordination as a key feature that helps patients follow up after hospital or emergency discharge, manage medications, and connect to transportation and other supports. The presenters gave examples of improved outcomes, including a patient who was able to remain living independently because of coordinated home-based and telehealth support, and they argued that CCBHCs are helping Kentucky build a more responsive crisis system through 988, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization units. They said the model is data-driven, uses performance metrics, and has led to stronger collaboration among community partners. One speaker said more than 100 agencies participated in a Jefferson County community health needs assessment and continued meeting afterward to reduce redundancies and barriers to care. They also said crisis call hub compliance and mobile crisis outreach compliance improved significantly over the past year. Members asked about how navigators and connectors fit into the model, how CCBHCs work with managed care organizations, and how the program could expand statewide. The presenters said navigators are not built into the CCBHC model but may be used through referrals, while the CCBHCs continue to bill MCOs the same way and receive a Medicaid wrap payment for the enhanced rate. They said the goal would be for all community mental health centers to become CCBHCs, but that a state plan amendment would be needed and could not be limited only to CMHCs if submitted to CMS. They estimated about $28 million would be needed statewide to continue the program in the next biennium, combining the loss of enhanced federal match and the state share of enhanced service costs. The board also discussed transportation, with one presenter explaining that their program arranges Medicaid transportation for eligible appointments, and members raised concerns about mental inquest warrant transport and whether sheriffs should remain involved. No votes were taken on the CCBHC or transportation items during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:41.480><c> Thatc><00:01:41.680><c> isc><00:01:41.800><c> myc><00:01:41.920><c> motion
• <00:55:21.720><c> itc><00:55:21.800><c> ac><00:55:21.840><c> schedulec><00:55:22.240><c> one.
• c><00:55:22.440><c> Arec><00:55:22.480><c> youc><00:55:22.560><c> stillc> make it a schedule
• Uh it's a schedule<00:55:29.120><c> twoc><00:55:29.480><c> isc><00:55:29.640><c> myc><00:55:29.800
• c><00:55:30.200><c> It'sc> schedule two is my other bill. It's schedule two is my other bill.

Bills: HF3771, HF3658, HF3453, HF3358, HF1775

Keywords: disaster assistance, contingency account, Minnesota emergency management, public safety, state disaster aid, FEMA, federal cost-share, emergency relief, natural disaster, budget report, appropriations report, management and budget, local governments, utility cooperatives, public works, infrastructure repair, chapter 12B, chapter 12A, emergency management, disaster recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• 36.920><c> schedulec><00:02:37.400><c> fivec> possession of any schedule five possession of any schedule
• c><00:03:19.200><c> thec><00:03:19.319><c> Wc><00:03:19.480><c> andc><00:03:19.599><c> Ic><
• <c> isc><00:04:16.840><c> partc><00:04:17.040><c> ofc><00:04:17.160><c> ac><00:04:17.479><c>
• c><00:05:03.479><c> schedulec><00:05:03.840><c> fivec><00:05:04.080><c> butc><00:05:04.199><c
• > whatc><00:05:04.280><c> doesc> schedule all schedule five but what does schedule all schedule five

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills covering criminal justice, elections, and wildfire-related settlement funding. HB 103 would raise the age cutoff for life-without-parole eligibility from 18 to 21; supporters included the Public Defender and others, while prosecutors and some others opposed it. HB 11 would allow civil claims against people or businesses profiting from sexual exploitation or sex trafficking; it drew mostly support but was not ready for a vote and was deferred for further questions. HB 132 would expand a state-initiated expungement pilot to include possession of any Schedule V substance; the Public Defender, ACLU, and oversight groups supported it, with one opponent, and committee questions focused on what substances and how many cases would be affected. HB 145 would require the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to transmit expungement orders to the Judiciary to implement Act 159; the Judiciary and Public Defender supported it, and members discussed technical issues involving multiple defendants and multiple charges. HB 369, a campaign finance housekeeping bill on excess cash contributions, and HB 408, which aligns voter registration-by-mail deadlines with current law, both received support and no opposition of note. The committee also heard HB 1175, which creates appropriations and a trust fund for Maui wildfire settlement claims; the Attorney General’s office, Maui County Council, and Tax Foundation supported it, while one senator said he would vote no because of concerns about House leadership. HB 386, which conforms drug possession thresholds for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine, was supported by law enforcement and prosecutors. HB 134 would require electronic filing of nomination papers; the Elections Office supported it but asked that any convenience fee be authorized in statute, while one witness opposed it over security and cost concerns. After testimony and questions, the committee took up decision-making and passed HB 103 with amendments, deferred HB 11, and passed HB 132, HB 145, HB 369, HB 408, HB 1175, HB 386, and HB 134, with HB 134 amended to clarify no additional charge for electronic filing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:05:16.880><c> theirc><00:05:17.120><c> proposedc><00:05:17.520><c> schedules,c> schedules,
• their proposed schedules, schedules, their proposed schedules, whether<00:05:18.320><c> they'rec><
• ><c> retentionc><00:21:21.440><c> schedule.
• <c> wouldc><00:43:11.440><c> bec> record retention schedule would be record retention schedule would
• scheduledc><01:15:32.320><c> hearing.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 15, 2025 minutes and then held a broader discussion on current challenges with data retention and government transparency. Judy Randall of the Office of the Legislative Auditor said historical data is essential for post-audits, which often look back three to five years, and that retention decisions must balance audit needs with the burden of separating public and nonpublic data. She described the records-retention panel process as informal and largely based on individual judgment, noting she had objected to a proposed 60-day email retention period and generally uses a three-year guideline, though she said that standard is not grounded in a formal rule. Members discussed whether auditing standards should set retention periods, with Randall saying auditing is a good starting point but other offices, including the attorney general, also have needs, and that some agency discretion is unavoidable because of the gray area between official records and non-records. Representative Elkins raised the related principle of data minimization, arguing that government should not keep data longer than needed and citing a University of Minnesota legacy data warehouse breach as an example of the risks of retaining unnecessary sensitive information. Randall agreed that data no longer needed is a liability and said her office purges workpapers after five years. Representative Scott pressed whether three years is enough for fraud investigations and financial records; Randall responded that a reasonableness standard is needed and that longer retention can produce diminishing returns, though she said she would follow up on whether financial records should be treated differently. Tanya Tacker of the Rum River Special Education Cooperative testified in support of updating Minnesota’s data-retention laws for schools. She said districts want to protect student information and maintain transparency, but the current general retention schedule dates to 1985 and 2000 and does not reflect digital records, modern systems, or the volume of special education data. She urged modernizing the schedule, clarifying what must be kept in paper versus digitized form, aligning state rules with IDEA and other federal requirements, and providing practical guidance and tools. Members praised the specificity of her recommendations. Dr. BB Newman testified that retention failures in St. Anthony Village have made it difficult to obtain routine municipal and police data, with records delayed, missing, or inconsistently produced and no clear explanation of what systems were searched or whether records were destroyed. Newman argued these gaps undermine statutory access rights and force residents into costly litigation, and recommended stronger retention auditing, documentation of destruction, mandatory disclosure of systems searched, and consequences for noncompliance. In response to questions, Senate counsel said there is generally no direct penalty, but affected parties may seek mandamus, Data Practices Act claims, or informal mediation/opinions from the Data Practices Office. The discussion closed with calls for clearer standards and possible legislative updates to improve compliance and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• change of flight schedules<00:27:17.159><c> umc><00:27:17.440><c> wec><00:27:18.240><c> needc>
• there was already Commercial Services scheduled<00:38:54.960><c> inc><00:38:55.079><c> thosec><00
• was no scheduled<00:39:04.480><c> servicec><00:39:04.880><c> therec><00:39:05.520><c> soc><00:
• 39:05.640><c> thec><00:39:05.760><c> esc><00:39:06.079><c> wasc> scheduled service there so the
• had scheduled<00:39:14.280><c> airc><00:39:14.560><c> servicec><00:39:15.000><c> forc><00:39:15.400

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 540, which would make the most recent state building codes supersede county codes beginning in 2028 and limit county changes without State Building Code Council approval. Grassroot Institute testified in support, while IBEW Local 1260 strongly opposed the bill as written, warning it could let counties weaken state minimum standards and create problems for fire code and sprinkler requirements. Members discussed the need for consistency in building codes and the impact of the State Building Code Council’s status, and the chair said the measure would be deferred indefinitely. The committee also heard SB 626 on disaster preparedness, which would prohibit planting large trees along evacuation routes and require HEMA to identify and remove obstructive trees. Testimony included comments from DLNR, HEMA, and others, with HEMA opposing the measure. The chair said more coordination was needed between DLNR and HEMA and deferred the bill. SB 692, regulating retail and wholesale spray paint sales and assigning jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement, drew opposition from the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi, which said the bill would impose costly storage and reporting burdens on small retailers and raise identity-theft concerns. The committee deferred that measure as well. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee considered SB 9 on fireworks and recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed or removed several sections, increased certain penalties from $500 to $1,000, adjusted forfeiture allocations, accepted an Attorney General amendment, added an appropriation for community safety education programs, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted by a vote of 2-1. Later, in a joint hearing, SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit drew support from DOT but opposition from the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association, which asked that the bill be held. SB 41, establishing Hawaiʻi Disaster Drill Day on August 8, received support from HEMA and a public testifier. SB 1570, addressing Molokaʻi air service disruptions and a possible runway expansion, drew strong public support from Molokaʻi residents and service providers, while the Attorney General raised separation-of-powers concerns about the emergency declaration language and DOT noted the high cost and feasibility issues of runway expansion.

Transcript Highlights:

• :20.159><c> livesc><00:01:20.479><c> andc><00:01:20.640><c> alsoc><00:01:20.960><c> proceedsc
• c><00:03:06.400><c> Thankc><00:03:06.560><c> youc><00:03:06.720><c> forc><00:03:06.879><c> your
• c><00:03:12.560><c> Uhc><00:03:12.800><c> thec><00:03:13.040><c> nextc><00:03:13.280><c> scheduled
• Uh the next scheduled meeting<00:03:13.920><c> ofc><00:03:14.080><c> thec><00:03:14.159><c> House
• ><c> noonc><00:03:18.800><c> inc><00:03:19.040><c> thisc><00:03:19.200><c> room.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Health Services Committee took up House Bill 510, which concerns organ donation procedures and the timing of donation after death is in question. Testimony in support emphasized that the bill’s “pause” requirement when there is uncertainty is intended to protect public trust, ensure death is confirmed with certainty before donation proceeds, and preserve confidence in the organ, tissue, and eye donation system. Witnesses also said the bill largely reflects practices already used by Network for Hope and would help honor donors’ choices while saving lives. Committee members expressed support for the clarification in the bill and noted its importance. After a motion and second, the committee proceeded to a roll call vote. The bill received favorable votes from the members present, with House Bill 510 passing the committee with favorable expression. The chair announced that the committee’s next meeting would be Thursday, February 26 at noon in the same room, and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• thec><00:02:37.879><c> samec><00:02:38.160><c> schedulec><00:02:38.599><c> withc><00:02:38.720
• ><c> ac> agreed to the same schedule with a agreed to the same schedule with a school<00:02:39.120>
• thatc><00:12:21.399><c> beginc><00:12:21.800><c> beforec> internship schedules that begin before
• internship schedules that begin before Labor<00:12:22.440><c> Dayc><00:12:22.959><c> ensuringc><
• without scheduled<00:12:26.959><c> conflictsc><00:12:27.959><c> whilec><00:12:28.120><c> wec><

Bills: HF1124, HF1457, HF1803

Keywords: school calendar, education, school year, Labor Day, state law, school construction, landfill, dump site, closed landfill, contaminated site, pollution control agency, school siting, public school, charter school, environmental health, student safety, brownfield, solid waste, waste disposal site, site contamination

Transcript Highlights:

• 06:21.520><c> lifec><00:06:21.759><c> cyclec><00:06:22.160><c> schedule.
• c><00:06:22.960><c> soc><00:06:23.120><c> thatc> on a life cycle schedule. Okay?
• c><00:08:44.240><c> Uhc><00:08:44.720><c> whatc><00:08:45.040><c> criticalc> schedule. Yes.
• schedule<00:10:43.040><c> inc><00:10:43.279><c> place?
• /c> schedule in place?

Keywords: Call to Order: 00;15 Approval of Minutes: 01:22 Update on Generator replacement: 01:52 Update on Sheriff Fees: 13:28 Adjournment: 25:22, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its fourth budget subreview session focused on personnel, public retirements, and finance. Members approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard from Finance Cabinet staff on two main items: a $7.5 million request related to generator systems and a sheriff’s fees budget request. The generator request was described as a preventive, life-cycle replacement and capacity-enhancement effort for 26 generators serving Frankfort-area state buildings, intended to protect continuity of government and expand beyond basic emergency power to support continuity of services. Members asked detailed questions about how many generators would be replaced, the cost per unit, the scope of the study, and whether the work could be phased. Staff said the $7.5 million would cover a full evaluation and any resulting engineering/replacement work, but the exact number of replacements was not yet known. They estimated the initial study would cost about $500,000 to $750,000, would take six to nine months once funded, and would produce building-by-building recommendations. Staff also said typical generator life cycles vary widely, often around 15 to 20 years but sometimes longer depending on run hours and usage. The committee then reviewed sheriff’s fees, with the Division of Local Government explaining that the state reimburses counties for several statutory sheriff-related costs, especially court security, which accounts for more than 90% of the claims. Staff said the current budget base is about $20 million, while actual spending has been running above $23 million, leading to a $3.5 million growth request to align the base with projected spending and reduce the need for non-general fund expenditure (NGE) adjustments. Members asked about claim volume, county participation, reimbursement controls, and whether the request reflected growth or underfunding; staff said all 120 counties submit claims, volumes have been fairly steady, and reimbursements are governed by statute and signed monthly certifications. No votes were taken on the requests, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:25:06.960><c> schedulec> go here that they can meet your schedule go here that they can meet your
• schedule to<00:25:07.600><c> getc><00:25:07.679><c> usc><00:25:07.919><c> backc><00:25:08.480>
• c> ac><00:25:57.600><c> schedulec><00:25:57.919><c> toc> there, um, and you have a a schedule to
• there, um, and you have a a schedule to put<00:25:58.320><c> thisc><00:25:58.559><c> backc><00:25
• /c> them to assess in their uh project them to assess in their uh project schedule. schedule. schedule

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee met at 9:00 a.m. and first approved the September 29 minutes. The committee then considered University System of New Hampshire Capital Project 260001, a $70 million request involving two residence hall renovation projects at UNH. UNH officials said the work is needed to address aging 1970-era buildings, including heating, plumbing, and other deferred maintenance, and to improve student recruitment, retention, and living conditions. Members asked about the construction timeline, which was estimated at about four years, and about enrollment decline, which was estimated at roughly 15% over 10 years. The committee approved the project after discussion, with members noting the buildings’ age and need for repair. The committee next heard Capital Project 26003 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for Cannon Mountain. Commissioner Sarah Stewart and staff described an $893,000 tranche, part of a larger effort to address deferred maintenance at the mountain, including guest facilities, lift infrastructure, a passenger ramp for scenic chairlift use, snowmaking improvements, a line replacement, a pump rebuild, and operations equipment. Members asked about the $6 million bonding limit established in 1999, and the department said it appears insufficient and may need updating in the future. The committee approved the Cannon Mountain request. The department also provided an informational update on the Cannon Mountain aerial tramway. Officials said a structural engineering firm is analyzing towers, terminals, and footings, with the goal of confirming the existing infrastructure can support a new tram system and refining bid specifications. They said the work is on track, with an updated cost estimate expected in January and a bid targeted for May. Members asked about the limited number of manufacturers capable of doing the work and whether the project could be delayed; the department said it is in active discussions with the likely bidders and pre-qualifying them. The meeting ended with brief discussion of informational reports, including a question about apparent delays in some New Hampshire Veterans Home projects, which staff said they would follow up on, and the committee adjourned with the next meeting set for March 16 at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02.640><c> schedulec> Secretary of State and a fee schedule Secretary of State and a fee schedule shall
• on our schedule.<00:12:06.320><c> That'sc><00:12:06.480><c> whatc><00:12:06.639><c> I'mc><00:12
• c> schedule. That's what I'm talking about. schedule. That's what I'm talking about.
• then we can then set<00:12:17.760><c> upc><00:12:17.920><c> ac><00:12:18.079><c> schedule.
• whatc> set up a schedule.

Bills: HB67, HB89, HB67, HB89

Keywords: parental rights, drag performances, public schools, public libraries, overnight programs, gender identity, minor safety, HB89, Medicaid, pregnant women, pregnancy, prenatal care, ambulatory prenatal care, presumptive eligibility, temporary Medicaid coverage, Alabama Medicaid Agency, maternal health, low-income women, health coverage, eligibility determination

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:06:27.520><c> ofc><00:06:27.640><c> thec><00:06:27.760><c> waysc><00:06:28.200><c> these
• bill Uh, members, the deadline for every bill that<00:27:25.800><c> wasc><00:27:25.960><c> scheduled
• ,c> that was scheduled for Friday was today, that was scheduled for Friday was today, uh,<00:27:28.640
• snowstorms as well as with other schedules,<00:27:59.200><c> uh,c><00:27:59.320><c> wec><00:27:59.480
• ><c> welcomec><00:28:00.280><c> uh,c><00:28:00.360><c> anyc> ...schedules, uh, we welcome any testimony

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They will likely issue a scheduling<00:08:48.360><c> order.
• c> scheduling order.
• And that is typical in the House schedule<00:09:42.400><c> atc><00:09:42.520><c> thisc><00:09:42.640
• ><c> timec><00:09:42.880><c> ofc><00:09:42.960><c> thec><00:09:43.080><c> yearc> schedule at
• this time of the year schedule at this time of the year but<00:09:44.280><c> wec><00:09:44.440><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republicans held a press availability focused on the ongoing Minnesota House stalemate and their decision to file a lawsuit in the Minnesota Supreme Court against Secretary of State Steve Simon. Representative Niska said Simon, acting as presiding officer, had refused for four straight days to recognize him to make motions that a lesser number than a quorum is constitutionally allowed to consider. Republicans argued Simon exceeded his authority by preventing even discussion of those motions and by unilaterally controlling adjournment, while saying the House members present have the power to adjourn day to day and compel absent members. The proposed motion at issue would impose penalties on absent lawmakers, including fines equal to lost salary for days not present and ineligibility for per diem for the session. Niska cited precedent from other states, including Indiana and Texas, to support the idea that a minority can enforce quorum-related penalties, and said Minnesota case law does not address a prolonged quorum break like the current one. He said the lawsuit seeks only to require Simon to stay within constitutional bounds as presiding officer, not to remove him from the role entirely. Niska said the filing was being made that day, with courtesy copies delivered to Simon, and that the legal team is from his own law firm and would be paid privately, likely with campaign funds. He said there had been no talks with Democratic leaders that day, but he remained open to a serious offer. Republicans said they would be in the chamber every day next week at 3:30 p.m. unless Democrats returned sooner, and that there would be no gavel-in the next day.