Transcript Highlights:

• 13 items that are planned for presentation, many more where we will only hear a presentation if requested
• Before you today, we're requesting confirmation of authority.
• We are requesting the addition of section HSC section 39611.
• No additional fee and funds or resources are being requested under this request.
• We submitted letters to the committee as well outlining these requests. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um again that has been done requested.
• So we request that the committee pass this measure and are available for questions. Thank you.
• So we request that the committee pass this measure and are available for questions. Thank you.
• So we request that the committee pass this measure and are available for questions. Thank you.
• So we request that the committee pass this measure and are available for questions. Thank you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 126, which would change civil asset forfeiture law. The Attorney General’s Office, Honolulu Police Department, and county prosecutors opposed the bill’s proposed SD1, arguing that requiring a criminal conviction and changing how forfeiture proceeds are distributed would weaken or effectively end the tool, create fiscal and law enforcement problems, and make it harder to address organized crime or cases where an owner cannot be identified. The Public Defender’s Office, Community Alliance on Prisons, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters argued the measure would improve transparency and accountability, protect property rights, and reduce abuses that disproportionately affect low-income people. The chair questioned law enforcement about fairness, storage of seized property, and access to counsel, and the discussion focused heavily on whether forfeiture should depend on a conviction. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 280, which would make the Community Outreach Court permanent and appropriate funds for it as a division of the First Circuit district court. The Department of the Attorney General and Judiciary supported the concept and described the court’s success in helping people resolve cases, clear license stoppers, recall bench warrants, and access services, but suggested amendments to remove the Attorney General from the bill’s definition and funding mechanism. The Public Defender, Department of Human Services, mental health and substance use advocates, neighborhood and community groups, and others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing its benefits for people facing housing instability, behavioral health issues, and transportation barriers. No opposition was voiced, and no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 370, which would increase partial public campaign financing for elective offices. The Campaign Spending Commission supported the original bill and asked the committee to restore the original percentage amounts, keep the proposed funding increases, and reinstate funding for two additional full-time staff positions. Supporters said the public financing system has not kept pace with inflation and needs modernization to be viable; a few testifiers opposed the measure. The committee reported 30 in support, two opposed, and one comment, and then moved on without a vote. Finally, HB 371 was heard, a campaign contribution bill that would bar state and county contractors, grantees, and certain related persons from contributing during the contract period. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is intended to address pay-to-play concerns and false-name contributions, while the State Procurement Office raised concerns about the burden of requiring agencies to provide contract information for all contracts regardless of dollar value. The testimony ended with the commission saying it was working with procurement and the Attorney General on implementation details; no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• requested of represent Edwards<00:12:42.880> uh<00:12:43.000> represent<00:12:43.399><
• <00:13:08.880> the<00:13:09.040> other Amendment at our request the other Amendment
• at our request the other question<00:13:09.720> was<00:13:09.920> about<00:13:10.120><
• Representative Edwards requested of Representative Edwards appreciate<00:13:27.920> the<00:13
• this they said it was uh was requested this they said it was uh was requested on on on six<01:08

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee first took up a nongermane amendment to House Bill 71 that would require state vendors, through contract language, to comply with the New Hampshire Patient Bill of Rights. Representative Edwards said the amendment was revised after feedback from the hospital association and DHHS, applies only to new contracts or amendments, and includes a repeal date of November 30, 2026 so it would function only for the current budget cycle. John Williams of Legislative Affairs said the changes reflected work with DHHS procurement staff and with hospital stakeholders, including the removal of the term "addenda" in favor of "amendment" and clarification on prospective application. The committee did not vote on the amendment at that time, noting it would be attached later to HB 71. The committee then moved into executive session and acted on several bills. HB 67, which converts a pilot program for accessible voting machines in local elections into a permanent program, was amended to remove a $100,000 appropriation and adjust dates; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed unanimously, 25-0, and the bill was suggested for the consent calendar. HB 111, extending the Right-to-Know Ombudsman position, was retained and slated to be incorporated into HB 2 after a unanimous 25-0 vote, with the ombudsman noting the office could expire July 1 if the budget were delayed. HB 164, creating a process for a publicly accessible website for local records retention and access, was also retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote because it carries an appropriation. HB 216 was retained for further work because the committee could not get reliable cost information from the retirement system or the Labor Department; members said the fiscal note looked alarming, though the committee believed the actual cost might be near zero. HB 282, which raises the biennium cap on critical injury benefits for first responders from $500,000 to $1 million without increasing any individual benefit, was voted ought to pass 25-0 and will require a report. HB 619, dealing with solid waste issues and a possible self-funding accounting unit, was retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote. HB 650, an annual dedicated-funds cleanup bill that also caps a robotics fund at $1 million, passed ought to pass 25-0 and was placed on consent. Finally, HB 129, defining "evidence-based" in public education, was retained 25-0 while members continued working on language, and HB 133, concerning new resident driver’s license transfer requirements and DMV notices, drew a split policy discussion: the minority raised constitutional, administrative, and fiscal concerns, while the majority moved to retain it for HB 2 consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• requesting $417 million in LRIP funds. requesting $417 million in LRIP funds. 86<00:13:02.560>
• Your committee will likely see hundreds, if not a thousand, requests before it for capital investment
• in state agency requests and $2.9 billion in requests from local units of government.
• We have one request, which is not in the governor's request. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. forward.
• governor's request which is not in the governor's requests.<01:08:10.960> Okay.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to request a roll call. to request a roll call.
• So if there could be a future request.
• <00:54:22.800> and support what the board is requesting and support what the board is requesting
• I'd like to request a roll call, please. Roll call having been requested. There are 15 hands.
• <01:22:14.239> to able to construct your your request to able to construct your your request

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• interim director and the OCM staff for their tireless work as they filled a variety of different requests
• The last amendment I would request is the A3 amendment. A3 is in our packets.
• <00:34:01.760> is uh the last amendment I would request is uh the last amendment I would request
• I haven't had any communication that's been requested by other committees.
• Senator Green, roll call requested and granted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I request the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays are requested.
• Speaker, I request the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays are requested.
• The yeas and nays are requested.
• The yeas and nays are requested.
• The yeas and nays are requested.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm respectfully requesting an increase in the hourly wages to at least $17.50 an hour so that group
• More importantly, 50% of requests for emergency shelter go unmet.
• HHS agencies' request to expedite the eligibility process for Medicaid. So thank you. Thank you.
• I urge you, as representatives of the state, to consent to this request.
• I respectfully ask for this life-changing request to be put in. Into consideration and granted.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to that is correct sir. >> So you cannot make a request in the bill.
• to that is correct sir. >> So you cannot make a request in the bill.
• to that is correct sir. >> So you cannot make a request in the bill.
• <00:48:32.720> Same<00:48:33.040> request.
• Same request. Chair votes and tourism. Same request.

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2407, SB3320

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our office supported counties and provided guidance on this process when requested.
• A losing candidate may request to have the results of their contest recounted.
• A losing candidate may request to have the results of their contest recounted.
• The losing candidate is responsible for paying the cost of a recount if requested.
• <01:24:42.119> for know there were some media requests for know there were some media requests

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you need to submit a written request for a bill hearing to the committee legislative assistant and
• um you need to submit a written request um you need to submit a written request for<00:12:25.399
• <00:12:32.440> to heard uh make sure you send a request to heard uh make sure you send a request
• Chair and members, so this was just the, I believe, the requested amount from the agency.
• I'll ask about that later. believe the requested amount from the believe the requested amount from the

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on January 21, 2025, for its first hearing of the session and began with organizational business. Members and staff introduced themselves, described their districts and backgrounds, and the chair reviewed committee procedures, including how to request bill hearings, amendment deadlines, and handout deadlines. The committee also heard introductions from nonpartisan and partisan staff, including House Research and House Fiscal Analysis personnel who will support the committee’s work this session. The main substantive item was an overview presentation on the state budget and education finance process. Staff explained how Minnesota’s general fund is forecast twice a year, how the committee should read the budget documents and aid/levy tracking sheets, and how the current biennium compares with the upcoming budget window. They described the November forecast, noted that the committee will later receive the February forecast, and outlined the committee’s role in reviewing K-12 state aid spending, school district revenue, and property tax impacts. Staff walked through the aid appropriation summary spreadsheet and explained its columns, including end-of-session spending, fiscal year 2024-25 actuals and estimates, and the 2026-27 and 2028-29 planning horizons. They emphasized that many education programs are forecast-driven and can change with enrollment and other data. The presentation also summarized the state’s overall revenue mix and spending priorities, noting that K-12 education is the largest general fund category and that state aid makes up the majority of school revenue. No bills were heard and no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• That kind of stems this question: What is the total research requests versus the requests that actually
• That kind of stems this question: What is the total research requests versus the requests that actually
• That kind of stems this question: What is the total research requests versus the requests that actually
• <00:54:03.400> versus total uh total research requests versus total uh total research requests
• <01:28:15.119> of data are available um upon request of data are available um upon request

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee met and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The chair noted that agency overviews from the Office of Higher Education and other state agencies were not available, so the committee proceeded with University of Minnesota presentations instead. The committee also reviewed posted committee rules. University of Minnesota representatives gave an overview of the university’s research enterprise, describing it as a system of five campuses with a possible expansion to St. Cloud, and highlighting research strengths across campuses in agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, and the Twin Cities flagship campus. They said the university has more than $1.3 billion in annual research expenditures, receives most of its research funding from federal sources, and is ranked highly for both overall research and interdisciplinary research. Examples discussed included the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Forever Green initiative, and research tied to sustainable crops, health, and commercialization. Members asked questions about specific research areas, including biodegradable or renewable plastics, wheat research, food dyes, health and environmental toxins, and the market for winter camelina and winter pennycress. University staff said they could follow up with more detailed information and explained that the winter crop work is intended to become market-driven over time, while also improving soil health and creating new revenue streams for farmers. They also clarified that the university’s federal research funding includes money from NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and other agencies, and that the “other” funding category includes foundations, subawards, and internal university seed funding. The committee then heard a second University of Minnesota presentation focused on partnerships, commercialization, and workforce development. Testimony highlighted collaborations with industry and government partners such as U.S. Steel, 3M, Medtronic, Cisco, and defense-related industry leaders, as well as programs supporting microelectronics, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable aviation fuels. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee ended the segment by moving on to the next testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• whether the specifically requested whether the specifically requested school<01:03:08.920> has
• Do you say, here's the lottery date; if you want to move your child, get your request in by then?
• Okay, we've got five requests and we only have two slots. How do we choose which one?
• :18:00.520> have<01:18:00.719> two uh five requests and we only have two uh five requests
• what happens if you get more requests what happens if you get more requests than<01:19:48.360>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So some agents do um request that too.
• It's a little request for this bill.
• could request that somebody different. could request that somebody different.
• board request in 60 days. Correct. board request in 60 days. Correct.
• >> you request a new tester. >> you request a new tester.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also believe this only gives two days for a parent to request or a student to request that they would
• or a student to parent to request or a student to request<00:55:50.400> that<00:55:50.640>
• <02:07:27.440> from requests we might get requests from requests we might get requests from
• So it's a relatively high number of requests.
• I wouldn't say it's the requests.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:07:25.440> um<00:07:26.120> we<00:07:26.400> respectfully<00:07:27.120> request
• structure and um we respectfully request structure and um we respectfully request that<00:07:27.759
• future and again we respectfully request future and again we respectfully request that<00:57:21.400
• <01:14:05.199> it's<01:14:05.320> something of our original requests it's something
• We will be back with what you requested.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• speaker this is an agency Bill requested speaker this is an agency Bill requested by<00:26:24.799
• a a roll call a roll call has request a a roll call a roll call has been<01:33:13.360> requested<
• a roll call Representative Nash request a roll call Representative Nash has<01:43:58.199> requested
• requested a Representative Beerman has requested a roll<01:51:31.480> call<01:51:31.719> seeing
• Again, members, I request a no vote.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I had my radio with me and requested to communicate with them on their system.
• Requesting gauges or other systems, some other function of gauge in the region.
• When I applied, I did request the grant only.
• The total of the federal grant request and the matching funds was about $950,000.
• It was redoubled in a recent... ...Water Development Board request.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation in support. requesting 4 million will support two
• requesting 4 million will support two deep<01:35:37.719> monitor<01:35:38.159> Wells<01
• So that’s what our request is.
• So that’s what our request is.
• individual assistance take priority over requests for government records in times of emergency.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This year we we made that request.
• So the request is essentially to sector.
• So I humbly request that you available.
• This is just a startup request.
• Uh, the actual cost of request.

Bills: HB1183, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1663, HB1664, HB1859, HB2116, HB2271, HB2276, HB2335, HB2360, HB2387, HB2472, HB1805, HB2469, HB1815, HB1860, HB2117, HB2118, HB2437, HB2438, HB2604, HB1590, HB2156, HB2268

Keywords: retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes, indebtedness, salary recovery, employee compensation, deductions, financial management, collective bargaining, employee relations, impasse procedures, arbitration, public employment, HB1661, cafeteria plan, Section 125, Internal Revenue Code, flexible spending account