Video & Transcript : 'open primary' :

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (04/29/2025)

Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And with that, we'll open the public hearing for House Bill 270. Awesome. Morning.
  • You're going to miss two state primaries, two state general elections, and a first-in-the-nation primary
  • identical to the state primary bill you guys passed except for, uh, we bumped it back two years, um,
  • </c><01:20:00.719><c> bill</c> um to the state prim the primary bill um to the state prim the primary
  • Uh so I before the polls even open.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Public Safety Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • At this time, we'll take anybody who would like to be a principal primary witness against the measure
  • But once the container of food is opened, it can no longer be used for resale.
  • Zach Skrivenor serves as a primary example of how broken this program is.
  • Lauren Skidmore, CEO of the Open Door Network Victim Advocacy Organization.
  • And do you have any primary witnesses? At this time, we'll go to the audience.
Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills, with members repeatedly noting that votes would be taken later once a quorum was established. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 1446 on parole en banc review and SB 1278 on elderly parole eligibility for certain sex offenses. SB 1446’s author said the bill would give commissioners more discretion in en banc review, make votes public, and allow referral for sexually violent predator evaluation in certain cases; supporters included the California District Attorneys Association, while opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender groups argued it would add confusion, create constitutional and litigation concerns, and duplicate existing safeguards. SB 1278 would exclude certain rape, child sexual abuse, and habitual/serial sex offense convictions from elderly parole eligibility; district attorneys and police chiefs supported it as a victim-safety measure, while civil rights and defense organizations opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and inconsistent with evidence on aging and recidivism. Both bills were discussed but not voted on due to the lack of quorum. The committee then heard SB 1354, which would bar out-of-state military or law enforcement personnel from entering California to perform such functions without the Governor’s permission. The author and supporters framed it as protecting state sovereignty and limiting unauthorized armed incursions; the committee accepted an amendment removing a criminal penalty and leaving enforcement to the Attorney General. No opposition testimony was offered, and members expressed support, but no vote was taken because quorum was still lacking. The committee also heard SB 926, a bill to fund implementation of Proposition 36. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, probation officials, and the League of California Cities, said local agencies need funding for treatment, supervision, and administration; opponents argued the proposal was fiscally reckless, lacked accountability, and overemphasized incarceration. Amendments removed a specific appropriation and shifted funding decisions to the budget process, but the bill was also held pending quorum. Later, the committee heard SB 874, which would require background checks for unlicensed providers of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, create a stakeholder workgroup, and direct DHCS to issue guidance and report on program integrity. Support came from local health plans and behavior analysis providers, who said the bill would improve safety and consistency; there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard SB 1210, which would extend CalGang oversight and due process protections to local gang databases as well as shared ones. Supporters described privacy abuses, racial disparities, and personal harm from inaccurate gang labels; law enforcement opposition argued the bill would impose CalGang standards on informal investigative files and would significantly change the gang definition. The author said the bill closes a loophole and preserves prior reforms, but no vote was taken. The committee also began hearing SB 1019 on creating a California Cargo Thief Task Force, with strong support from BNSF, trucking, shipping, port, and supply-chain representatives who described organized, multi-jurisdictional cargo theft and rail sabotage; no opposition was heard, and members indicated support, but action was deferred pending quorum. The meeting then moved to SB 1217 on a non-consensual intimate image clearinghouse, with the chair and author describing privacy-related amendments and the bill’s focus on helping survivors remove exploitative images; the transcript cuts off as that presentation began.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Business Apr 7th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Business

Transcript Highlights:
  • Seeing no discussion or debate, staff, please open the vote for cue. If I open the cue for a vote?
  • Seeing no debate, staff, please open the queue for a vote.
  • Seeing no debate, staff, please open the vote. This is.
  • Seeing no debate, staff, please open the vote.
  • Staff, please open the cue for the vote.
Committee: House Business
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 27th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • IHFA serves as the primary conduit for billions of dollars, including federal housing and homelessness
  • And I went back to check, and they'd left every gate open.
  • Now, like I said in my opening comments, that it was established in December of 2024.
  • I am here not to speak on the Open Fields Doctrine. That's not my interest.
  • It opens up the door for all sorts of litigation.
Keywords: 989, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 25th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ma'am, are you referring to her opening statement? Yes, I am.
  • I'm struggling with your opening statement today.
  • But yet, in your opening statement, you talked about $1.2 million.
  • Maybe you missed that in my opening.
  • Maybe you missed that in my opening.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 17 and introduced a new page. It then took up Senate Bill 1261, which would add the word “appointed” to code so that an appointed officeholder is treated the same as an elected one after a resignation and appointment. There was no opposition, and the committee voted to send SB 1261 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The main item was House Bill 745, a proposal by Rep. Judy Boyle to bar school districts from using public funds or payroll systems for certain union-related activities. Boyle said the bill would stop districts from paying union dues, increasing compensation to cover dues, providing paid leave for union work, sharing extra personal information with unions, or distributing union communications, while exempting police and firefighter unions and preserving collective bargaining. Committee members pressed her on why teachers were singled out, how the bill fit with existing law, and whether the claimed $1.2 million fiscal impact was consistent with the fiscal note. Boyle said the bill was aimed at keeping taxpayer money in classrooms and that some districts already use public funds for union-related costs. Public testimony on HB 745 was split. Supporters, including representatives of the Freedom Foundation, Americans for Prosperity, the National Right to Work Committee, parents, taxpayers, and several teachers or school employees, argued that payroll deductions, paid release time, and district support for union activities improperly subsidize private political organizations and should be paid for by unions themselves. Opponents, including the Idaho Education Association, the AFL-CIO, a superintendent, and an educator, argued the bill is aimed at teachers’ unions, is not neutral because it excludes police and fire, could interfere with local community events and school partnerships, and may create legal and administrative problems. No final vote on HB 745 was taken in the portion provided; testimony continued with the bill still under consideration.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> 457 referrals to the department opened 457 referrals to the department opened up<00:42:04.520><c
  • I don't anybody know cafeteria is open I don't anybody know cafeteria is open<01:52:13.400><c> and</
  • also opened four stores in Connecticut.
  • Since 2016, when they opened their first store, they have also opened four stores in Connecticut.
  • for those conversations. and are very open to uh constructive and are very open to uh constructive criticism
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 04/23/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the first time in almost 50 years, we have the opportunity for a new taconite iron ore mine to open
  • iron ore mine to open on the Iron<00:01:54.560><c> Range.
  • </c> mine is open. mine is open.
  • ><c> this</c><00:05:04.400><c> bill</c> The primary beneficiaries of this bill The primary beneficiaries
  • And with that, I am open<00:13:18.520><c> to</c> open to open to testimony<00:13:20.200><c> and</c><00
Committee: Senate Taxes
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
VA

Virginia 2026 1st Special Session

Disability Commission Jun 18th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is in regard to open captioning for movie theaters.
  • Any movie theater that has four or fewer locations in Virginia must also have an open caption showing
  • Some of these bills open the door for more topics.
  • And by the time I even got a chance to talk to anybody on this issue, open enrollment for both my primary
  • And I know Delegate Laffer, you've made some calls as well. you, open enrollment for both my primary
Summary: The Virginia Disability Commission held its first meeting of the year on June 18, established a quorum, and introduced members. Senator Barbara Favola was elected chair and Delegate Amy Laufer was elected vice chair, both unanimously. The commission also reviewed and unanimously approved its electronic/remote participation policy, which mirrors last year’s policy and allows limited remote participation under Virginia FOIA rules. Staff then reviewed a package of 14 disability-related bills that passed last session and were signed into law. Topics included disabled veterans’ vehicle registration fee exemptions, open captioning requirements for movie theaters, guardianship/conservatorship order forwarding, service dog team definitions, education and transition planning for students with disabilities, Blue Envelope and driver communication training for law enforcement and driver education, deferred disposition and jury service protections, voting rights in guardianship cases, expansion of the Virginia Human Rights Act, continuation of a DD waiver eligibility change, and DMAS training authority for autism competency checklists. Members discussed implementation concerns, especially making the Blue Envelope/driver communication program more visible and considering a follow-up letter and DMV presentation. The commission then adopted its interim work plan unanimously, with discussion of possible presentations on DMAS and Medicaid waivers, DBHDS telehealth training implementation, SCHEV and VDOE transition planning, transition from institutions to community settings, criminal justice reform, transportation and parking accessibility, adult-sized changing tables, and school accessibility. Members also suggested adding EVV concerns, seclusion and restraint, rare disease issues, and insurance coverage problems for needed medications. Public commenters urged the commission to address burdensome EVV requirements for family caregivers, improve accessibility for local government meetings and documents, and explore a standardized credential/career pathway for direct support professionals. The chair said follow-up work would be assigned on EVV and implementation issues, and the meeting location would move to the Senate side of the Capitol going forward.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Feb 11th, 2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bar assists the court in three primary ways.
  • Of those, we get between 3,500 and 4,000 cases filed that are opened.
  • I have some questions, but first I'll open it up to the committee. Senators, questions.
  • I have some questions but first I'll open it up to the committee. Senators questions.
  • I have some questions, but first I'll open it up to the committee. Senators' questions.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and Senator Thompson excused. The committee first considered Senate Bill 48 by Senator Garcia on judicial sales and procedures. Garcia explained a delete-all amendment that would create clearer statewide procedures for alternative judicial sales, increase transparency, remove bidding credits, extend sale timelines, and add oversight for auctioneers and escrow agents to prevent fraud and collusion. After no questions or opposition, the amendment was adopted, Senator Pasadoma said the rewrite addressed many of his concerns, and the committee then voted CS for SB 48 favorably with unanimous yes votes from members present. The committee then received a presentation from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office on the effectiveness of Florida’s recent anti-squatting law, House Bill 621/SB 888. Presenters described several cases in which deputies used the new process to remove unlawful occupants, including a false landlord report, a long-term fake lease situation, and a more recent unlawful occupancy case. They said the law has helped protect property owners and potential victims, but suggested technical changes: clearer authorization for deputies to enter and use force if needed, and a fix to the affidavit penalty provision because false statements are currently being charged as false reports rather than perjury under the existing wording. The Florida Bar also presented on its role in regulating lawyers, lawyer advertising, and the unlicensed practice of law. Bar leaders explained that the Bar operates under the Florida Supreme Court’s authority, is funded by member fees, and handles complaints through a multi-step process involving intake, branch offices, grievance committees, referees, and final Supreme Court review. They described advertising review procedures, discipline statistics, consumer assistance, the Clients’ Security Fund, and enforcement against unlicensed practice. Senators asked about the Legislature’s authority over lawyer advertising, the prevalence of legal ads, the role of public members on grievance committees, and how those members are selected and used.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/09/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Any opening statement?
  • Any opening statement?
  • Sign in open session.
  • Signed in open session.
  • Signed in open session.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a memorial adoption of HCR 2064 honoring former legislator Barbara Leff, which was unanimously adopted and sent to the Senate. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Eladio Pereira, and numerous student and constituent guests in the gallery. After routine desk business and bill referrals, the House moved into Committee of the Whole to consider a long calendar of measures. Several bills were amended and advanced with do pass recommendations. HB 2170 was narrowed to restrict state purchases of certain electronic and information technology from China/Chinese-controlled entities and to address third-party resellers. HB 2375 dealt with middle housing in historic districts, with amendments limiting demolition of historic structures unless necessary for health and safety and preserving local discretion. HB 2380 focused on school district transparency and meeting location rules, requiring governing board materials online and keeping meetings within district boundaries, with debate over local control and comparisons to legislative caucus retreats. HB 2617, HB 2621, and HB 2671 also moved forward after amendments; HB 2621’s discussion centered on certificates of educational convenience and ensuring special education access for children in unorganized territory and DCS placements. The committee also advanced HB 2720 on anti-human trafficking and prostitution-related reforms, including sealed records for sex trafficking survivors and an anti-human trafficking grant fund; HB 2772, allowing a DNR designation on driver’s licenses, prompted extended questions about emergency care and liability; HB 2784, dealing with school district excess cash refunds, was amended to phase in implementation; HB 2902, affirming support for the Electoral College, drew the most ideological debate, with supporters citing constitutional structure and opponents arguing for a national popular vote; and HB 2950, concerning a tourism/hospitality district, saw a failed attempt to make participation voluntary. The House also considered HB 4025, a study bill on the feasibility of building an oil refinery in Arizona, which sparked extensive debate over fuel prices, refinery capacity, environmental impacts, and whether a study was necessary, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Feb 26th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we will suspend the public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6110, and open up the public hearing
  • Whether somebody just opens the door, they break the window, or something else...
  • Then that ends, and then beginning January 1, 2029, it's opened up, and the legislative body of a county
  • Cities always will focus on education first, but currently the primary options cities have to enforce
  • Our primary concern at this point is that legislation to address this urgent issue continues to move
Keywords: 904, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Feb 26th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we will suspend the public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6110, open up the public hearing
  • Whether somebody just opens the door, they break the window, or something else, There is language in,
  • Then that ends, and beginning January 1, 2029, it's opened up, and the legislative body of a county,
  • Cities will always focus on education first, but currently the primary options cities have to enforce
  • Our primary concern at this point is that legislation to address this urgent issue continues to move
Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation bills. ESSB 6262 would raise the maximum vehicle weight subject to transportation benefit district vehicle fees from 6,000 to 9,000 pounds for vehicles subject to gross weight license fees; the sponsor and city representatives said it would close a loophole, make fees more equitable, and help fund road maintenance, while the fiscal note was described as indeterminate. SB 5824 would clarify how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured, aligning Washington with other states and supporting RV dealers; the bill drew support from the RV industry. SB 6110 would exclude certain faster electric vehicles from the e-bike definition and create a Department of Licensing work group to recommend a framework for electric motorcycles; testimony generally supported the effort but urged clearer e-motorcycle definitions and earlier work-group action, with some concern about youth safety and local enforcement. SB 5833 would allow a person to leave a vehicle running for up to 30 minutes to heat or cool a pet inside, with locking and brake requirements; the sponsor and a sheriffs’ association witness discussed balancing pet safety with auto-theft concerns, and the committee heard no fiscal impact. The committee also heard ESSB 6066, which would establish crash prevention zones in areas with unusually high serious-injury or fatal-crash rates, initially for a specific stretch of U.S. 395 and later more broadly beginning in 2029. The bill would allow local governments and WSDOT to designate zones, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, use speed cameras in the zones, and dedicate related revenues to safety improvements; supporters from Pasco and county risk pools backed the approach, while the sponsor asked for broader geographic coverage. ESSB 6311 would require continuous, accessible pedestrian passage during construction near hospitals, parks, and school routes, with temporary routes, safety plans, inspections, and enforcement tools such as stop-work orders and penalties; the sponsor said it was modeled on local practices and aimed at protecting pedestrians during construction, and contractors and transportation advocates supported it with a requested amendment clarifying design responsibility in design-bid-build projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed each public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Transportation Jan 14th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Let's just open up right. 3rd row down to a kick it off. >> Well, it's an honor to be on this committee
  • Recommendations fall under 3 primary focus areas, optimize program, structure and resources, leverage
  • It's what they call open door. So anyone is all the trouble to receive it.
  • But generally it's considered an open door service depending on the funding source of operations.
  • I appreciate the opportunity and really open to questions. Thank you.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 101 Apr 24th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sheel, please open the passage. Mr.
  • Sheel, please open the passage. Mr.
  • </c> and the sole purpose or the primary and the sole purpose or the primary purpose<02:36:53.040><c>
  • </c><04:07:56.239><c> to</c> taking amendments and being open to taking amendments and being open to
  • </c> making sure we're keeping this an open making sure we're keeping this an open stakeholding<04:36
Keywords: 981, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

February 5, 2025 - 03:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • As discussed earlier, the FEFP is the primary funding mechanism.
  • A new one opens up in a said community and it pulls 2 to 300 kids.
  • One private school in my community opens and has 300 kids—that's a significant amount.
  • We didn't know they were open.
  • We didn't know they were opening. We didn't know the church was doing it.
Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met to review how Florida’s Education Finance Program (FEFP) works, receive an update from the Department of Education on the October 2024 FTE survey and third FEFP calculation, and hear from three county superintendents about forecasting enrollment and reconciling scholarship students. The chair explained that FEFP is funded by both state and local dollars, is recalculated multiple times during the year, and is now closely tied to school choice policy. Department staff said the third calculation was still being rerun but should be completed soon, and described the forecasting process as collaborative among districts, DOE, and the Education Estimating Conference. Superintendents from Polk, St. Lucie, and Hendry counties said enrollment shifts, especially students moving to Family Empowerment Scholarships, homeschooling, or private schools, make budgeting and staffing difficult. They said districts often must hold back funds to protect against midyear losses, which affects collective bargaining, staffing, transportation, and classroom organization. Several members raised concerns about duplicate counting, transparency, and whether students receiving scholarship funds can also remain in district classrooms. DOE said districts can access scholarship information through a secure portal and that scholarship funding organizations are paid quarterly, with a new process requiring certification and possible future payment adjustments to reduce duplication. The superintendents urged better real-time tracking of students through a statewide ID or student information system and suggested scholarship students should be funded separately from district FEFP calculations. Members also discussed whether more frequent or daily attendance-based calculations would improve accuracy, though some warned that daily attendance could create new problems for high-poverty districts. The committee also briefly discussed categoricals, including mental health and ESE funding, with DOE saying it evaluates programs through studies, reporting requirements, and legislative direction. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with a motion to rise and adjourn.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 4, 2026 - 01:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • That is one of the primary constituents of environmental contamination related to PFAS chemicals, which
  • And one of the things I didn't present in my opening was why are we doing this? Its?
  • debate, asking questions, open debate, asking questions, and allowing new evidence.
  • It opens it up to all agriculture practices and it strikes nonperishable.
  • That's when the amendment window is open.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Leg Committee Meeting - 2025-03-12

Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd like to give a few opening comments.
  • We are a grant maker; it is our primary activity, and we have been doing that for a very long time.
  • They read the applications, score them, and discuss them in an open public meeting that is televised;
  • We're seeing more and more of that sort of work happening: artist talks and lectures, open rehearsals
  • , open studios, open studio tours, outdoor concerts, arts festivals, arts exhibitions, and online programming
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 33 (2-24-26) - Reupload

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> this, and by the way, this doesn't open this, and by the way, this doesn't open the<01:13:32.400
  • </c><01:14:37.120><c> the</c> amendment immunity would not open the amendment immunity would not open
  • Roll call is open for your vote.
  • Roll call is open for your opposed, nay. Roll call is open for your vote.
  • Roll call is open for your vote.
Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee reports on several bills. Reported measures included House Bills 1 and 2 from Appropriations and Revenue, along with bills on animal control officers, emergency services revenue, postsecondary education, proactive postsecondary admission, vehicle lights, motor vehicle operation, motor vehicle dealers, and machine gun conversion devices. The chamber also took up Senate Bills 52 and 124 for concurrence, and House Bill 1 was moved from rules to the orders of the day for immediate action. The House then considered House Bill 568, which would regulate public adjusters by prohibiting new licenses, allowing renewals for current licensees, imposing conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, capping fees at 5%, and barring adjusters from negotiating claims. Supporters described it as a consumer-protection measure responding to complaints and investigations, especially after recent storm-related exploitation. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 95-1. The House next debated House Bill 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program and authorize the Secretary of State to administer the state’s participation without using state general funds. Supporters argued it would bring federal scholarship dollars into Kentucky for K-12 students, including public school students, and could generate significant private donations for scholarship-granting organizations. Opponents raised concerns about shifting resources away from public education, the speed of the process, and a proposed waiver of Eleventh Amendment immunity. A motion to table the bill failed by a wide margin, and members continued debating the bill and its implications for public schools and state sovereignty.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

FIN/WAM Joint Info Briefing - Tue Jan 21, 2025 @ 1:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also opened the Office of Recovery Resource Center in Lahaina, centralizing critical services for
  • The project is well under way with rebuilding and is slated to open this summer.
  • I've noticed all the mayors opened up differently.
  • I thought the way we won in the primary was historic.
  • I thought the way we won in the primary was historic.
Keywords: 910, house, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll open the floor for discussion.
  • </c><00:38:22.400><c> building</c> looking at the 50-foot primary building looking at the 50-foot primary
  • </c><01:19:41.679><c> is</c><01:19:42.159><c> HB13</c> to exec and I open is HB13 to exec and I open
  • on</c><01:32:47.120><c> HB</c><01:32:47.840><c> 629FN</c> Open the exec hearing on HB 629FN Open the
  • Executive session open on SB 27-FN, relative to dwelling over water.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee began with introductions and a description of the day’s process: a full committee work session on four bills, with no public testimony, followed by caucus and then executive action. The first bill discussed was HB 113, concerning OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor. Representative Nab presented an amendment that would require a public hearing and Department of Transportation approval, modeled on procedures used in Coös and Grafton counties. Members discussed whether Windsor had already held a local vote or hearing, whether minutes from a town meeting existed, and whether the amendment truly preserved local control. A Windsor resident testified informally that the town had not taken a final vote and that the matter had been left to the state. Committee members also raised concerns about noise, dust, public safety, and the fact that the road in question would connect OHRVs on a state road rather than a trail system. The chair closed the work session on HB 113 and said the committee would return after caucus to vote on the bill and amendment. The committee then took up HB 595FN, relative to coastal resilience zones. Representative Nat said the bill addressed flooding concerns in both coastal and inland New Hampshire, but that the sponsor viewed it as too complex and had recommended breaking the issue into separate parts in future legislation. On that basis, Nat said it was appropriate to ITL the bill, and noted that the sponsor supported that course. No further discussion followed, and the work session was closed. Next was HB 629FN, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams. Representative Darby explained that the original bill had proposed both a waterfront frontage tax and a $5 charge tied to boat registration, but that the amendment would replace the bill by removing the frontage tax, moving the $5 dam-maintenance fee to the boat decal section of statute, and changing the effective date to January 1, 2027. Darby said the larger fee had raised concerns about impacts on current-use property and enforcement, while the revised $5 fee would raise roughly $500,000 to $600,000 annually. Representative Dunn thanked Darby and said the Marine Trades Association supported the revised approach. A question was raised about whether the original prime sponsors supported the amendment; the chair said they were on board, and Darby added that the proposal reflected recommendations from a prior study committee. The committee then closed HB 629FN and opened SB 27FN, relative to dwellings over water. On SB 27FN, Representative Derby said he opposed the bill because it would take away public access rights and amounted to a one-off legislative solution for a private concern. Representative Donnelly asked how many similar structures might be affected and whether the Department of Environmental Services knew of other cases; DES responded that there was one other related case under settlement compliance and no other active cases with the same issue. In follow-up discussion, DES clarified that the proposal was not a shoreland 50-foot setback issue, but rather involved structures extending over public water. The discussion remained focused on the scope of the bill and its potential precedent-setting effect, with no vote taken in the portion of the transcript provided.