Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I think um I think opt in voters.
• So, I think, and I think we've talked about this a few times.
• So, I think and I think we've Sure.
• , but still I think we are swinging a little low there. people thinking in terms of um do we people thinking
• think some of you. think some of you.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think in your bill.
• So I think thinking about this is great.
• And I think, Mr.
• I think...
• I think shared ownership example and when I think about those I think about community land trust as you

Keywords: affordable housing, government investment, barriers, legislative solutions, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing the significant issue of affordable housing in America. Members expressed concern over the persistent barriers faced in the housing sector, despite substantial government investment aimed at alleviating these issues. It was highlighted that government interference plays a critical role in complicating the housing landscape, and discussions revolved around potential legislative approaches to mitigate these challenges. Several witnesses provided testimony, contributing to a thorough exploration of the topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• And think of the sales tax short term. I think of all the jobs.
• So I think this is fair. I think this is reasonable. I think this is reasonable.
• So I think this is fair. I think this is reasonable.
• I think Mr.
• I think, Mr.

Bills: SB1041, SB1088, SB1118, SB1128, SB1168, SB1176, SB1189, SB1207, SB1250, SB1272, SB1274, SB1286, SB1428, SB1457, SB1461, SB1503, SB1519, SB1537, SB1582, SB1618, SB1654, SB1713, SB1827, SCR1012, SCR1020

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I think my till Friday, but just I think I think my response<01:35:45.840> is<01:35:46.239
• <01:41:00.080> I<01:41:00.320> think the motion because uh I I think I think the motion
• I think I think we'd like to line nine.
• I think I'm under 82. I I All right. I think I'm under 82.
• I think it is.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in Division 3 work session on HB 2 and began by noting a delayed start to allow the Legislative Budget Assistant to finish a large packet of updated amendments and revisions. The chair said the goal for the day was to move as many items as possible, with any cleanup deferred to a Friday follow-up. Members also discussed the process for handling public and department testimony on selected items before votes. Several early amendments were taken up and voted on. The committee unanimously recommended items dealing with repealing the liquor transfer to the alcohol fund and redirecting liquor-related revenue to the general fund, and it also approved an amendment revising Granite Advantage funding so there would be no automatic transfer from the liquor fund, instead using a general fund appropriation. Members then approved repealing the foster grandparent program by a 5-4 vote, and later approved an amendment requiring DHS contractors to comply with the patients’ bill of rights by a 9-0 vote. The committee also approved incorporating House Bill 94 on Medicaid coverage of circumcision by a 5-4 vote, while deferring the Wick Farmers Market Nutrition Program repeal for more discussion. The committee spent substantial time on the youth risk behavior survey amendment. Supporters said the change was intended to clarify opt-out procedures and ensure parents, guardians, and students are clearly notified that they may opt out without negative consequences. Some members raised privacy concerns and said the language could add administrative burden, but the amendment was ultimately recommended to Finance by a recorded vote of 8-1. Another amendment on civil rights and contractor standards for DHHS was discussed but not voted on after concerns were raised about vague enforcement language and possible penalties. The committee also struck amendment 1026 as redundant, with members noting related work in existing law and Senate Bill 134, and then moved on to other items, including a revised equity/access-related amendment that was postponed for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think Farmers did it.
• Well, I don't think so. I think Amy and I agree on a lot of things.
• So I think there's a variety of reasons to be thinking about burning down fewer houses.
• And I think. And I think we can make real progress.
• Do you think it's necessary?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I might have it here. amendment? I think I might have it here.
• I think um I think the Senate DNR. Yes.
• don't think we're ready. don't think we're ready.
• It's uh 0198. 191 "I think she met it in the House. Oh, is that it? I think so. Yeah.
• I think I need to have another week. I think I'll just tell you what it is.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do I think and I think relationship.
• I think see think they're depressed.
• think the bill does. think the bill does.
• You know, I was thinking of, as a former coach, uh, I think a coach is a teacher, and I think a coach
• You know, I was thinking of, as a former coach, uh, I think a coach is a teacher, and I think a coach

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 34, which would require parental consent for each new service provided to a student through the Medicaid to Schools program and require reports to legislative policy committees. Senator Ruth Ward said the bill was intended to increase transparency, protect parental involvement, and ensure continuity of care, especially for students with disabilities. She also noted a proposed amendment she received shortly before the hearing that would change the bill’s focus from a “new service” to a “new care plan.” Representatives from the New Hampshire Primary Care Association and Amoscake Health testified that they opposed the bill as written but would support it with the amendment. They explained that tying consent to individual diagnosis codes or services could be burdensome, could delay care, and could create compliance problems if a diagnosis changes during a visit. They said the amendment would better align consent with the overall care plan and avoid interrupting treatment mid-appointment. Committee members raised questions about how the bill would interact with IEPs, individualized health plans, homebound services, telehealth, billing, and whether the amendment would still require parental involvement after a care plan changes. The deputy Medicaid director from the Department of Health and Human Services testified that the amendment was more operationally feasible because Medicaid billing involves many ICD-10 codes that can change or overlap, and consent should be tied to the care plan rather than to each code. He said the current law already requires parental consent for participation in the Medicaid to Schools program and annual consent for billing, but the bill would make explicit consent for care-plan changes. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and the committee appeared to continue discussion with DHHS after the testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's two answers.
• It's been cheap for a while, and so I think it's easy to probably think that.
• I think this exact map... I think this exact map was in Mr.
• So I think that's all that.
• thinking.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think money would help. I think money for AOC. I think money for the courts to deal with those.
• I think she really doesn't want to file unless she thinks she should win.
• I also think another...
• I think that, Mr.
• I think Dr.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a temporary absence. He's in the building. I think that's a temporary absence.
• I think I'm correct on that.
• I think I'm correct on that.
• And that's something, I think, too, that we need as a body to think about.
• I think we have two more referrals, which I think are both of your bills.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill was before you, I think uh Mr. bill was before you, I think uh Mr.
• think would be important. Thank you. think would be important. Thank you.
• Um,<00:34:06.960> I<00:34:07.279> think Um, I think Um, I think you<00:34:09.359> it
• I think think think that<01:23:08.800> putting<01:23:09.199> aside<01:23:09.760> the
• I'm thinking it might be somebody who really doesn't want people to think badly of him.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 69, which would require local school boards to publicly vote on whether to accept or reject charitable gifts or donations, prompted by a case in which a church offered to pay off school lunch debt but the offer was refused and families were sued instead. Senator Keith Murphy said the bill is intended to force transparency and public accountability in similar situations, while acknowledging that boards may still reject gifts with strings attached or for ethical reasons. Members raised questions about anonymity, privacy, and whether school boards already have authority to address meal debt before litigation. Murphy said the bill was aimed at cases where money is refused and families are sued, and he said he would accept amendments to make the vote requirement apply to both accepted and rejected gifts. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. Trisha Milo, presenting for Senator Rashardi, said the bill is meant to improve focus, reduce distraction and cyberbullying, and create more consistent policies across districts, while still allowing exceptions for medical, disability, language support, and instructional needs. Committee members questioned whether districts would retain flexibility, whether the bill should apply to charter schools and other devices, and whether the annual policy-update requirement and enforcement language were too prescriptive. Milo said districts would still have flexibility in how they write their policies and that she would seek clarification from the senator on several drafting questions. Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association testified in support of the general concept of a cell phone policy, saying many districts already have some form of policy, though not all do, and that existing sample policies are outdated. She said the annual update requirement would likely be burdensome and that the enforcement language seemed intended to ensure administrative involvement rather than teacher discipline, but she suggested the wording may need revision. Members also discussed whether very small districts or districts without schools should be covered and whether the bill should better distinguish between classroom enforcement and student discipline. The chair closed the hearing on Senate Bill 206 after no further testimony, and the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I I Yeah, I think I think >> I understand.
• > a<00:49:19.119> is think it's this is this I think is a is think it's this is this I think
• ; I think the motion I think the amendment >> I think the motion I think the amendment discussion
• I I I don't think we can I don't think I I I don't think we can I don't think we<04:14:31.120>
• think it's um I think it's something we think it's um I think it's something we have<04:26:47.439>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you touched on it. I think it's impairment and professionalism.
• I think the issue, though, is I think if that was going to work, I think I wouldn't be here today, you
• I think the issue, though, is I think if that was going to work, I think I wouldn't be here today, you
• I think it does, but I think we've got to clean up our own house.
• Now, this Congressman, I think, is Lawler of New York. I think he’s a Republican.

Bills: SR1, SM1, SM6

Keywords: alcohol consumption, Senate rules, legislative conduct, ethics, New Mexico Senate, redistricting, gerrymandering, election integrity, Congress, voter rights, political polarization, Nancy Lopez, Roswell bypass, US Highway 285, U.S. Highway 285, Highway 285 bypass, road naming, highway naming, memorial, transportation department

Transcript Highlights:

• think I know all of you. think I know all of you.
• I think four is pretty benign actually. I think four is pretty benign actually. Yes. Yes. Yes.
• think about that.
• think about that.
• <00:52:37.360> So matter what, I think. So matter what, I think.

Bills: SJ0001

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I think as much as I appreciate the creativity here, I think one of the big sort of standout
• there is a world in which uh I think there is a world in which uh I think it's<00:08:15.120>
• I think um it's important to bill.
• <00:15:09.279> there's manufactured housing, I think there's manufactured housing, I think
• So I I think that this is be done.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:14.640> sacrificing U I think it's I think we're sacrificing U I think it's I think
• <00:26:58.640> we're think it kind of I kind I think we're think it kind of I kind I think
• that have this need uh that we I think that have this need uh that we I think we<00:27:30.640>
• <00:27:39.720> it help the process in fact I think it help the process in fact I think it
• <00:27:57.039> we're<00:27:57.200> trying I I think by I think while we're trying I

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think we—I think we might have had one.
• Yes, I think...
• I think a lot of folks think that it's one and done.
• I think, Mr.
• I think the committee benefited a lot from this. I think we're going to be talking more about this.

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:18:55.280> think<00:18:55.520> that's I think that's I think that's important<00:18
• I would think so. I would think so.
• I think that's a I think Thank you.
• c> good Yeah, I think that I think that's a good Yeah, I think that I think that's a good idea.<01
• I think idea.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy for New Hampshire held its first organizational meeting. The chair read the committee’s updated mission statement, which says the bipartisan committee will fact-find on the state’s COVID-19 response and its impact on the healthcare system, with focus areas including federal guidance, federal funds, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID, the Patient Bill of Rights, and vaccination policies. The chair also announced committee staffing changes: Linda McGrath stepped down as vice chair and Representative Gerard was named vice chair; Representative DeRoy was named clerk. The chair emphasized the committee’s work is intended to be science-based and fact-finding, not anti-vaccine, and noted that the committee may issue follow-up reports and recommendations. Members discussed a broad list of topics for future hearings, including long COVID treatment, ongoing vaccination policies, reporting of COVID deaths, standards of care and provider discretion, COVID-related funding such as ESSER/CARES Act money, and communication of treatment developments during the pandemic. Representative Pollina argued the committee should examine specific treatments and outcomes, including remdesivir, oxygen/intubation practices, and ivermectin, and raised concerns about whether some treatments were harmful or suppressed. He also focused on pediatric vaccination policy, saying the committee should review New Hampshire’s recommendations for children and medical students, and questioned the state’s reliance on federal guidance versus independent review. The chair responded that shifting federal positions may justify an independent New Hampshire evaluation and asked him to gather more information and potential witnesses. In open discussion, members suggested additional witnesses and topics, including local funeral directors, nursing homes, and emergency medical services, as well as how nursing homes were affected by positive tests and admission restrictions. Another member suggested the committee consider what products it should produce, such as a final report, possible bill recommendations, and better documentation or footnotes tying findings to testimony and scientific sources. The chair said the committee’s deliverables could include reports, letters to department heads or legislative leaders, and other actions, and noted that the committee’s 2024 report and supporting documents are available on the House committee page. No votes or formal actions beyond the organizational appointments were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that's all the business.
• I think we're moving in it.
• But I think it's important.
• I think it's a good system.
• So, I think you need...

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that would be 4,000.
• So I think that would be 4,000.
• >> I think there is.
• Governor, I think I think >> Yeah. And Mr.
• I think I think it'd be nice that one?

Bills: HB0002, HB0022

Keywords: building permits, local government, residential construction, permit timelines, code compliance, municipal officers, recall election, petition requirements, local governance, voter participation, 916, all