Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony, Representative House.
• <01:49:07.199> uh<01:49:07.320> Becky testimony uh Becky testimony uh Becky [Music] [Music
• thank you very much for your testimony thank you very much for your testimony any any any questions
• chair and thank you for your testimony chair and thank you for your testimony and<04:50:14.120><
• Now, thank you, Cameron, for your testimony today.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 362, which would grant the Department of Education rulemaking authority related to educator licensure and testing requirements, including passing scores on professional education assessments. Representative Ladd said the bill is intended to preserve New Hampshire’s standards for classroom teachers and CTE instructors, while allowing DOE flexibility through rulemaking. He emphasized maintaining high standards, including for career and technical education, and said he was open to DOE clarifying the language further. Committee members raised concerns that the bill, as written, could remove language recognizing industry-recognized credentials for CTE instructors. Department of Education Director Steven Appy said DOE had drafted an amendment to clarify that the requirement applies to an initial New Hampshire license, to exempt CTE teachers from content exams, and to preserve current administrative practice allowing basic academic skills testing and industry-recognized credentials as substitutes. The committee discussed the distinction between basic academic skills tests and content assessments, and Appy said the amendment was meant to avoid conflating those requirements. The chair said the committee would take up executive session on HB 362 and related bills later. The committee then took up House Bill 90, which narrows and defines the rules for part-time teachers, especially in concurrent enrollment settings. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is meant to allow qualified college faculty or adjuncts from the University System or Community College System to teach high school concurrent-enrollment courses when local schools lack a teacher with the needed master’s-level credentials, particularly in math and STEM subjects. He said the bill is intended to expand student access to college-level coursework, save money, and preserve standards, while still requiring background checks and adherence to ethics and conduct rules. Members began asking questions about how the bill would work in practice, including certification and endorsement issues, but the hearing was not concluded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• begin with your testimony. begin with your testimony.
• . testimony. testimony.
• So I've also submitted written testimony So I've also submitted written testimony that<00:26:10.160
• <00:28:27.440> Does uh for the testimony here. Okay. Does uh for the testimony here.
• Members, any for the testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, please move your bill and proceed with your testimony. Okay.
• testimony from the online testifier.
• We have two more testifiers testimony.
• <00:26:20.640> and I appreciate everyone's testimony and I appreciate everyone's testimony
• Uh, thank you so much for your testimony.

Bills: HF3423, HF2354, HF3634

Keywords: healthcare, provider enrollment, medical assistance, legislation, state funds, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, service verification, Medicaid, human services, electronic documentation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• my testimony. my testimony.
• Due to time, I will limit my testimony to three issues.
• . testimony. testimony.
• will limit my testimony to three issues. will limit my testimony to three issues.
• Uh, are >> Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HF3477, HF3414, HF103, HF3661, HF3146

Keywords: civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, constitutional rights, color of law, 42 U.S.C. 1983, section 1983, civil action, damages, injunctive relief, attorney fees, law enforcement task force, federal-state cooperation, intergovernmental agreement, federal agency partnership, Minnesota Constitution, U.S. Constitution, police accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it took a lot of courage to give that testimony.
• Um, as I said earlier, there testimony.
• And as I heard you do your testimony today, it's very difficult to hear that.
• So again, I just want to thank you for bringing your testimony here today.
• <00:35:32.320> here you for bringing your testimony here you for bringing your testimony here

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its sixth and final interim meeting after a brief technical delay, approved the October 14 minutes, and heard a presentation on a proposed Kentucky hands-free driving bill. The main discussion centered on distracted driving and a draft measure modeled on South Carolina law that would prohibit holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while driving on public roads, while allowing limited exceptions for parked/stopped vehicles, navigation, emergency reporting, dispatch systems, first responders, and certain hands-free call functions. The bill would make a violation a $100 fine plus court costs, with the draft allocating fine revenue to the traumatic brain injury trust fund, Kentucky trauma care system, and veteran program trust fund. The sponsor also said the bill would address prior concerns about enforcement and clarify that officers need a clear, unobstructed visual observation before stopping a driver, and that they may not search or seize devices or make custodial arrests solely for the violation. Alyssa Burns gave emotional testimony in support of the bill, describing the death of her young daughter Kimberly in a crash she attributed to a distracted driver and urging lawmakers to pass the measure to improve roadway safety. The sponsor cited Kentucky traffic fatality statistics, including 814 deaths in 2023 and an estimated 20% involving distracted driving, and argued that the bill could reduce preventable deaths. Several members voiced support and sympathy, including remarks comparing the effort to past seat belt legislation and suggesting possible future additions such as community service. One member raised concerns about enforcement and whether officers could reliably observe phone use inside vehicles, while another asked about the bill’s interaction with existing texting-while-driving penalties and whether points would still apply. The sponsor said the draft was still being refined, acknowledged gray areas, and invited further changes as the bill moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• your testimony. your testimony.
• Is there anyone testimony. All right.
• Um, we're Appreciate your testimony.
• Uh, thank you, Chair Robbins testimony.
• Thank you testimony short. Thank you.

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate you taking my testimony and consideration to this bill.
• There was a lot of testimony today.
• We heard that in the last testimony in the delay bill.
• We heard that in the last testimony in the delay bill.
• think in line with previous testimony think in line with previous testimony the<01:42:32.239>

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we did hear testimony from the bill.
• Rely on my previous testimony. >> Further comments?
• My comment involves testimony by one of the witnesses to our committee.
• the testim part a part of the testimony the testim part a part of the testimony was<06:06:03.120
• <07:13:18.080> anything testimony nor was there anything testimony nor was there anything

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026, to act on a series of bills. Early in the meeting, members agreed that they could consult the online submission summaries rather than have changing submission counts read aloud. The committee then took up House Bill 1386, which would have allowed citizens in a municipality to vote to require a financial audit of a local school district. Members opposing the bill argued that school districts already have audit authority and reporting requirements under existing law, and that the proposal was unnecessary and potentially burdensome. The committee voted 17-0 to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee next considered House Bill 1181FN on public hearing notice requirements for zoning board of adjustment appeals. Members who opposed the bill said newspaper publication provides independent third-party verification and archival value, and that removing that requirement would weaken public notice. The committee voted 17-0 ITL and sent the bill to the consent calendar. It also voted 17-0 ITL on House Bill 1327, concerning the definition of commercially zoned land, largely because the sponsor was absent and members said they could not do due diligence without hearing from the sponsor. The committee then acted on House Bill 1473FN, concerning the use of agricultural fairground property, and House Bill 1147, concerning the use of capital reserve funds. In both cases, members cited the sponsor’s absence and the need for more information as reasons to recommend inexpedient to legislate; both votes were 17-0 and both bills were placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 1220, which would have allowed municipal governing bodies to review and approve school budgets, was also recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after members raised concerns about local control, legal conflicts between separate entities, and technical drafting problems. The committee recommended ought to pass on House Bill 118, which raises the amount of money municipal treasurers may hold before depositing it in the bank, with supporters saying the higher threshold would reduce unnecessary trips to the bank and improve efficiency. It also recommended ought to pass on House Bill 1151, a housekeeping bill correcting statutory references related to conservation commission appropriations, and it approved House Bill 1309 as amended after adopting Amendment 2026-0411H to clarify town meeting warrant language. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1385, prohibiting negative property tax rates in certain municipalities, and recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after testimony indicated the practice at issue had already ended and that a blanket prohibition could create problems for municipalities with excess revenues. The committee also began work on House Bill 1369, relating to posting warrants for special town meetings, and discussed an amendment to preserve newspaper notice while also allowing website posting where available.

Transcript Highlights:

• that you had written testimony? that you had written testimony?
• This is his written testimony. Uh, I don't see no written testimony, right? No. Okay.
• written testimony for us. written testimony for us.
• Just need your written testimony. testimony. testimony.
• of<04:53:12.480> the testimony from representatives of the testimony from representatives

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This was fully vetted with excellent testimony from the Department of Education that testified. fully
• vetted with excellent testimony from the Department of Education that testified that all of these schools
• , like Senator Hickey said, we need to prepare a couple of hours and we need to be ready to hear testimony
• And we need to be ready to hear testimony from the affected parties and from the Department of Ed.
• We did not have testimony from individuals in the community, nor did we have them come to the table to

Summary: The committee first reviewed a long list of House and Senate bills that were ready to be passed out, then heard a special language subcommittee report. The report recommended do pass on six bills, including SB 63, SB 67, SB 73, HB 1089, HB 1090, and HB 1093, and amendments on 11 others. A motion to pull HB 107 out for separate consideration failed, and the special language report was adopted. The committee then took up the Revenue Stabilization Law and schedule. Staff explained the schedule’s differences from the governor’s balanced budget proposal and described several fund transfers, including $100 million for Medicaid sustainability, $70 million for the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom account, $43.7 million for the general discretionary majority vote set-aside, $5 million for the motor vehicle set-aside, and two $150 million transfers related to the Quick Action Closing Fund and public highway improvements. Members asked for clarification on allocations, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed both House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 as amended. Representative McClendon then presented a bill to support expansion of the Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor, but withdrew it, saying he would seek other funding sources. The committee then moved through the remaining captioned bills, including House Bills 105, 107, 1008, 1022, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1051, 1052, 1064, 1066, 1068, 1089, 1090, and 1093, and Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, 20, 21, 30, 31, 36, 41, 43, 58, 63, 67, and 77, generally passing them with little or no discussion, some as amended. The chair announced that all prior holds had been released and said the next Joint Budget Committee meeting would be Tuesday for peer issues only, then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT DOES IT FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY. NUMBERS, WE ARE IN DEBATE.
• WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY. TOM PARKER IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
• THAT DOES IT FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY. WE ARE IN DEBATE.
• SEEING NONE, WE WILL MOVE TO PUBLIC TESTIMONY. I APOLOGIZE AHEAD OF TIME. I DIDN'T DO THAT WELL.
• SEEING NONE WE WILL MOVE TO PUBLIC TESTIMONY. A COUPLE OF SPEAKER FORMS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be limiting testimony to 2 minutes per witness.
• Chairman: Appreciate your testimony. Representative Morgan: Thank you.
• So anyway, thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Any other questions? Thank you for being here.
• Chairman Dean: Appreciate your testimony, and you said two different things.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair calls Craig Island. Chairman Dean: Welcome back.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testimony will be limited to four minutes in support and four minutes in opposition.
• Testimony will be limited to four minutes in support and four minutes in opposition.
• Okay, we'll go ahead and open it up for testimony in support. Go ahead and approach the microphone.
• Let's move to opposition testimony. Is there a primary opposition witness? I don't think so.
• I just want to be clear: based on the opposition testimony, do you have a plan or a commitment to work

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met as a subcommittee because a quorum was not present, and the chair announced 16 measures on the agenda, nine of them on consent. The committee then took up AB 1016 by Assemblymember Gonzalez, which would create a five-year pilot program allowing certain counties with geothermal elements in their general plans to locally permit geothermal plants up to 150 net megawatts through 2030. The author and Imperial County representatives argued the bill would streamline a duplicative permitting process, support local control, and bring jobs, tax revenue, and clean baseload energy development to Imperial County, which they described as facing high unemployment and poverty and having significant geothermal potential. Supporters included Imperial County officials, Rural County Representatives of California, Independent Energy Producers, and local community representatives. They emphasized the county’s long history of geothermal permitting, its planning efforts, and the economic benefits of projects that could support schools, health care, and community colleges. Opposition came from labor organizations including the California State Pipe Trades Council, Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers, California Coalition of Utility Employees, State Association of Electrical Workers, and State Building Trades. Their main concern was that shifting permitting from the California Energy Commission to local governments could remove the skilled-and-trained workforce requirement that currently applies to CEC-permitted projects. Committee members asked about that labor issue, and the author said he intended to work with the opposition coalition to ensure local workers are prioritized and that projects use skilled, trained, California-licensed labor. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration; no vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• SEEING NONE, IS THERE ANY PUBLIC TESTIMONY? YES, THERE IS. JASON WHEN WAIVES TIME IN SUPPORT.
• IS THERE PUBLIC TESTIMONY? WE DO HAVE JASON HARRELL FROM FI CPA IN SUPPORT.
• SEEING NONE, IS THERE PUBLIC TESTIMONY? ANY DEBATE? ANY OBJECTION? SO THAT AMENDMENT ADOPTED.
• SEEING NONE, IS THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY. WE DO HAVE PUBLIC TESTIMONY. ALL RIGHT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you for your very thoughtful testimony you for your very thoughtful testimony on<04:19:32.239>
• you for your testimony. Very valuable. you for your testimony. Very valuable.
• . testimony. testimony.
• Thank you so much for your testimony. testimony. testimony. >> Thank<05:20:25.440> you.
• Thank you so much for your testimony. >> Thank you. >> Okay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held an open work session on HB 1766-FN, a bill addressing cruelty to livestock, and focused on proposed language changes from the Department of Agriculture. Assistant State Veterinarian Nathan Harvey, speaking for the commissioner, explained concerns about the term “imminent danger,” arguing that the bill should allow seizure based on probable cause when an animal is starving or has a life-threatening condition, rather than tying action too closely to whether the owner is arrested. The department also proposed language on “extreme suffering” that would require euthanasia if the cost of treatment would exceed the allowable reimbursement amount under AGR rules, though members immediately raised concerns about using a dollar limit to require euthanasia. The department further suggested clarifying who may participate in investigations by allowing the state veterinarian or a designate, and noted that the current draft could be read too narrowly. Members discussed the $5,000 emergency care cap in the rules, with Josh Marshall confirming it is an aggregate emergency veterinary care limit. Several legislators said they were uncomfortable changing the bill from “may” to “shall” euthanize, arguing that treatment costs vary widely by species and condition and that a fixed monetary threshold could be too rigid. Representative Bixby also raised a separate concern that the bill’s language may be broader than intended and could apply to all animals rather than livestock only. The department agreed the bill should be limited to livestock and suggested using existing statutory definitions or adding a new section to make that clear. The discussion also turned to humane societies and other organizations that might investigate complaints or board seized animals. A representative from a humane organization said the groups with expertise in care often also have expertise useful to investigations, and that removing them entirely could be impractical because only a few facilities in the state can provide boarding. Members and witnesses explored alternative language that would allow for-profit and nonprofit organizations to participate in either the investigation or the care of livestock, but not both, to avoid conflicts of interest while preserving needed expertise. No votes were taken; the work session ended with agreement to consult the Office of Legislative Services and the department to refine the bill before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, please introduce yourself and present your testimony.
• Please identify yourself and present your testimony. Mr.
• <00:54:27.400> tonight, hearing all of the testimony tonight, hearing all of the testimony
• If you could please introduce yourself and present your testimony.
• <01:30:40.640> Hennessey Rice-oriented testimony. Ms. Hennessey Rice-oriented testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please move the bill and proceed. testimony this morning in support of testimony this morning in support
• Thank you so much for your testimony.
• thank you so much for your testimony. thank you so much for your testimony.
• Uh Thank you so much for the testimony.
• record and continue with the testimony? record and continue with the testimony?

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, with that, uh, thank you for your testimony.
• Uh members, any questions or testimony.
• Thank you, Senator Hoffman, for that testimony.
• Thank you, chair testimony or answer.
• testimony or just answer questions? testimony or just answer questions?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much for your testimony.
• with your testimony. Thank you, Chair. with your testimony. Thank you, Chair.
• Thank you so much for your testimony.
• Uh, and for the final your testimony.
• Thank you so much for your testimony.

Bills: HF2216, HF1978, HF2354, HF1963, HF1994, HF1995, HF1894

Keywords: assisted living, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, resident rights, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services, elderly, seniors, older adults, disability rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Strom's first time facilitating virtual testimony, so we may have some glitches.
• Michael Hansen, Consumer Reports senior scientist, continued his testimony.
• We'll do questions at the end of testimony. Arlene Jones, Sprout Food Hub, via Zoom. Hi.
• <00:58:27.760> and committee and they get testimony and committee and they get testimony and
• We did hear testimony after we were back there, and that testimony could also be compelling upon each

Bills: HF44, HF2102, HF2279, HF2280, HF2281

Keywords: HF44, Casey Jones State Trail, Pipestone Trailhead, Currie Loop, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, trail rehabilitation, trail reconstruction, recreational trail, bike trail, hiking trail, infrastructure, state trail, Pipestone, Currie, bonding authorization