Transcript Highlights:

• :03.679><c> okay</c><01:49:04.080><c> seeing</c><01:49:04.480><c> none</c><01:49:05.040><c> I</c><01:
• none I will be turning<01:49:06.239><c> over</c><01:49:06.480><c> the</c><01:49:06.599><c> rest</c><
• 01:49:06.840><c> of</c><01:49:06.960><c> the</c><01:49:07.119><c> agenda</c><01:49:07.520><c> back</c
• c> chair</c><01:49:08.440><c> whats</c><01:49:08.800><c> in</c><01:49:09.800><c> okay</c><01:49:10.040
• ><c> thank</c><01:49:10.159><c> you</c><01:49:10.239><c> chair</c> Uh, members, going on to the next

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 707 on the College Savings Program. Members discussed a suggested amendment from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to include the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. The chair said the Department of the Attorney General advised there was no title problem, so the bill could be broadened to cover both the College Savings Program and the ABLE program. The committee also noted technical, non-substantive changes and a defective date of July 1, 3000 for further discussion. HB 707 HD1 was then voted on and the recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present, with two members excused. The committee then heard House Bill 424, which would provide free breakfast and lunch beginning the next school year to students who currently qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The Department of Education supported the measure, and testimony in favor came from teachers, public health and food security advocates, and several organizations. Supporters described students being denied meals because of unpaid balances, said school meals should not depend on family debt, and argued that the bill would reduce stigma and help hungry students learn. Committee questions focused on meal pricing, the impact of raising prices on families who pay full price, and whether portion sizes could be increased; DOE said breakfast costs less than lunch, full-price students would bear any increase, and portion sizes must follow USDA rules. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network said many families above the free/reduced thresholds still cannot afford meals, citing estimates that the DOE collects about $20 million a year in meal payments and that federal reimbursement totals are much larger. The committee then heard House Bill 757, the universal free school breakfast and lunch bill. DOE and the Department of Health supported it, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor from county officials, teachers, students, food banks, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Witnesses argued that universal meals would eliminate stigma, reduce paperwork and debt collection, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks because of income cutoffs, language barriers, or administrative hurdles. Several students from Castle High School described classmates asking for food and families struggling to keep meal accounts funded, while teachers said they regularly see negative meal balance notices and hungry students. Advocates also said the bill is the better equity vehicle because it avoids means testing and reaches students who are not currently receiving meals despite needing them. The hearing on HB 757 was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, and no final vote on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• :03.559><c> grunhagen</c><00:49:04.160><c> I</c><00:49:04.280><c> think</c><00:49:04.599><c> uh</c><00
• :54.640><c> um</c><00:49:54.920><c> that's</c><00:49:55.119><c> about</c><00:49:55.319><c> 3%</c><00:
• 49:55.839><c> of</c><00:49:56.000><c> our</c><00:49:56.160><c> budget</c> funds um that's about 3% of
• our budget funds um that's about 3% of our budget slide<00:49:58.880><c> 27</c><00:49:59.520><c> goes
• :00.159><c> even</c><01:49:00.560><c> captured</c><01:49:01.080><c> that</c><01:49:01.239><c> so</c>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:49:42.960><c> Draheim.</c><00:49:43.720><c> Yes.
• </c><00:49:44.520><c> Senator</c><00:49:44.880><c> Haw.</c><00:49:45.560><c> Aye.
• Senator<00:49:46.640><c> Dziedzic.</c><00:49:47.440><c> Aye.</c> Senator Dziedzic. Aye.
• &gt;&gt; Yes.<00:49:50.000><c> Senator</c><00:49:50.280><c> Mohamed.</c><00:49:51.040><c> No.
• No.<00:49:55.400><c> Senator</c><00:49:55.760><c> Wiklund.</c><00:49:56.480><c> No.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:00.240><c> This</c><00:49:00.400><c> has</c><00:49:00.559><c> been</c> the last year around
• This has been talked<00:49:00.960><c> about</c><00:49:01.119><c> for</c><00:49:01.359><c> quite</c><00
• :49:01.520><c> a</c><00:49:01.680><c> while.
• </c><00:49:02.960><c> And</c><00:49:03.200><c> I</c> Representative Baker said he wanted to kind of reset
• But we're definitely looking for progress on the current state in Minnesota as 49 other states have already

Bills: HF3830 , HF3688

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:49:55.160><c> a</c> you know, a you know, a a<00:49:56.040><c> follow-up.
• </c><00:49:56.840><c> And</c><00:49:57.120><c> if</c><00:49:57.400><c> indeed</c><00:49:57.760><c> fraud
• </c><00:49:58.000><c> was</c> a follow-up.
• And if indeed fraud was found,<00:49:58.560><c> like</c><00:49:58.640><c> I</c><00:49:58.680><c> said
• ,</c><00:49:59.000><c> a</c><00:49:59.080><c> repayment</c><00:49:59.520><c> to</c><00:49:59.640><c>

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• in consultation with the disability community, housing developers, the municipalities, and with the 49
• LB 1256 was a consent calendar bill that passed 49 to 0.
• So this was a consent calendar bill 49 to 0.
• Clerk. 49 ayes, no nays, on the adoption of the resolution, Mr. President.
• My bride of almost 49 years. And believe it or not, she still wants me to be home with her.

Bills: LR509 , LR510 , LR511

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the committee, Robert Benz, Members of the committee, Robert Benz, um<00:49:51.480><c> member
• </c><00:49:52.000><c> of</c><00:49:52.280><c> the</c><00:49:52.840><c> hemp</c><00:49:53.440><c> hemp
• </c><00:49:53.720><c> task</c><00:49:54.120><c> force.
• I I I have<00:49:56.640><c> submitted</c><00:49:57.160><c> written</c><00:49:57.520><c> testimony</c>
• <00:49:58.520><c> with</c> have submitted written testimony with have submitted written testimony with

Bills: SB2706 , SB2320

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.480><c> ryburn</c><00:49:01.480><c> yes</c><00:49:02.480><c> representative</c> representative ryburn
• ><00:49:05.960><c> Tipton</c> Representative Tipton: Yes.
• Our next up will be Representative Wilson with HJR 49.
• House Joint Resolution 49 has really become a bit of a red production study.
• HB 49 passes with expression of opinion that the same should pass. Thank you, gentlemen.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 669, sponsored by Representative Smith, which was presented as a response to a September shooting incident in his district that led to school closures and missed instructional days. Smith said the bill was intended to help school districts recover lost days caused by extraordinary emergencies and not to set a broad precedent. Members asked whether districts had adjusted calendars to make up time, and Smith said many had already extended days or moved calendars into June. The committee then voted to pass House Bill 669, with all members present voting yes. The committee next heard House Bill 621, as amended by a committee substitute that removed a homeschooling-related section and left only the school-threat provisions. The bill would allow courts to impose a fine on parents when a child is adjudicated for terroristic threatening if law enforcement incurred excessive costs, and it would require a mental health assessment for the child. Representative Duvall and Officer Steve Chappelle supported the measure, arguing that online school threats spread fear, disrupt attendance, pull law-enforcement resources from other schools, and should create more parental accountability. Representative Riley also supported the accountability goal, citing lost instructional time and a recent student suicide tied to online issues. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s scope and due process. Representative Josh Callaway questioned why this offense should be the starting point for parental fines and warned about a slippery slope in holding parents liable for children’s crimes. Representative Willner said the bill seemed more like a judiciary issue, questioned whether punishment can make parents better parents, and asked about diversion programs and the meaning of the detention language. Representative Tipton pointed to existing statutes on mental health assessments and terroristic threatening penalties, and said the committee substitute would alleviate many concerns. Scott West, speaking for Kentucky Policy and the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the mandatory detention language would remove judicial discretion and that the parental fine provision could conflict with existing due process protections requiring notice, a hearing, and a finding that lack of supervision was a substantial factor in the child’s delinquency. The transcript does not show a final vote on House Bill 621 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see there 49 hours per week.
• know, as I looked at it and talked to the department and tried to understand this better, I do think 49
• respite hours a week, up to 49, covers the vast, vast, vast majority of individuals and is, and that
• up to that is appropriate, but not more than 49 hours a week.
• Well, they would just be limited at 49 hours a week.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee heard extended discussion of the chair’s House budget substitute, especially House Bill 2 for elementary and secondary education and House Bill 3 for higher education. The chair said the operating budget leaves roughly $300 million in reserve, explained several cuts and restorations, and described proposed changes to child care, including cutting enhancement payments and keeping attendance-based rather than enrollment-based subsidy payments. Representative Fogle objected to the child care cuts and the proposed language limiting the department’s move to prospective payment and enrollment-based reimbursement; State Budget Director Dan Hogg testified that the governor’s office still intended to move to payment on enrollment in May if the budget language did not block it, while prospective payment remained under review because of federal funding concerns. The chair also explained a restriction on Parents as Teachers services for children already in public pre-K, and members debated whether that would reduce duplication or improperly limit services. The chair further proposed a new competitive Title I innovation grant program funded by a reallocation of some Title I dollars, with questions raised about what services would be reduced to offset it. The bulk of the meeting focused on a major higher education funding overhaul in House Bill 3. The chair and vice chair proposed replacing the current base-plus model with an FTE-based formula that would distribute the same overall state funding according to student credit hours, with community colleges funded on a 12-hour FTE, four-year undergraduate students on a 15-hour FTE, and graduate enrollment discussed as a separate issue. They said the goal was to make funding follow students rather than institutions and to reduce long-standing disparities between schools. Several members supported the idea as overdue and more transparent, while others warned it was being done too quickly and could harm institutions with high-cost programs, research missions, or smaller enrollments. Concerns were raised about possible closures, accreditation problems, and unintended effects on workforce programs such as nursing, engineering, and technical training. The chair and vice chair said there was no intent to force consolidation, but acknowledged that some institutions would gain and others would lose under the new model. Members also questioned how the formula would treat research and doctoral funding, especially at the University of Missouri, and whether graduate programs were properly counted. The chair said some special-purpose lines were retained, but a large portion of MU’s research and doctoral funding was folded into the broader pool and redistributed through the FTE model. Several members asked for clarification on whether graduate hours were counted at nine credits, and the chair said he was not certain and would seek follow-up from staff or the department. Community college representatives were discussed as having unanimously opposed the recommendation, and the chair noted that the institutions were briefed only shortly before the hearing. No votes were taken during the exchange, and the committee appeared to be gathering testimony and concerns ahead of markup and future action on the budget bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• > started</c> the bipartisan work has already started the bipartisan work has already started um<00:49
• :00.319><c> we're</c><00:49:00.520><c> not</c><00:49:00.839><c> waiting</c><00:49:01.520><c> for</c><
• 00:49:01.720><c> a</c><00:49:02.040><c> date</c><00:49:02.599><c> in</c><00:49:02.760><c> the</c> Um,

Transcript Highlights:

• increased expenditures, maybe put an “and” after the $20 million annually to be clear that the one-time $49
• Got it, thank you. $20 million annually and $49 million... Okay. Yeah, no objections to that.
• Thank you. $20 million annually and $49 million... Okay. Yeah, no objections to that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyway, I just, you know, out of District 52, we've got Interstate 49 coming.
• We're working hard to be good neighbors over there as we develop Interstate 49.
• They're in use on 57 now and on 49 at Fayetteville.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley, who introduced Highway Commission members and reported that the agency has completed the final five recommendations from its long-running efficiency review. He highlighted new public-facing maintenance and construction dashboards on the agency website, and noted quarterly reports on land conveyances, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, annual revenue expenditures, and major projects were provided with no major questions or objections. Members asked about ARDOT’s budget priorities, project delivery, and specific corridors. Wiley said roughly 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system, with additional maintenance and operations funding also directed to upkeep; he said Arkansas has about 16,300 centerline miles, nearly 40,000 lane miles, and about 73,700 bridges. He gave updates on Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings in northwest Arkansas, passing-lane projects on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, widening plans for Interstate 40, the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, and Highway 82 improvements in south Arkansas. The director also discussed ARDOT’s litter control efforts, saying the agency spends about $8 million annually on litter pickup and is exploring future legislation. He said work-zone safety tools such as cameras and mobile work-zone enforcement are helping reduce dangerous driving, though distracted driving remains a problem. Wiley also announced new agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for staff, a “Street Smart” traffic-safety education program for students, and a spring cleanup effort in which ARDOT crews and some office staff will collect litter statewide. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyway, I just, you know, out of District 52, we've got Interstate 49 coming.
• We're working hard to be good neighbors over there as we develop Interstate 49.
• They're in use on 57 now and on 49 at Fayetteville.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 49, introduced by Representative Borrego, is an act relating to disability accommodations,
• House Bill 49 provides penalties for non-compliance.
• House Bill 49, having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and referred to the House Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• President, there are 49 yeas, zero nays.
• President, there are 49 yeas, zero nays.
• President, there are 49 yeas, 0 nays.
• President, there are 49 yeas, zero nays.
• President, there are 49 yea, zero nay.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, colors, pledge, and a prayer by Sikh youth leader Gertit Singh Cocher, followed by recognition of guests from the Sikh Coalition and Kalsa Germath Center. The chamber approved the journal and then adopted Senate Resolution 8678 honoring the Chimicum High School Marching Band for being selected as Washington’s representative in the 2026 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.; senators praised the band’s dedication and rural-school achievement, and the band was recognized in the gallery. The Senate then confirmed two gubernatorial appointments by 49-0 votes: Ryan Moran as Director of the Health Care Authority and Dennis Worsham as Secretary of the Department of Health. Supporters highlighted Moran’s Medicaid and health system background and Worsham’s long public health career, including local health leadership and work on HIV/AIDS and community health. The chamber also advanced and passed Senate Bill 6011, expanding court bailiff authority to conduct threat assessments for the Court of Appeals, and Senate Bill 5831, creating safe harbors related to mortgage modification recording requirements. Several bills were debated and passed after amendment votes. Senate Bill 6188, concerning Labor and Industries’ asbestos training and certification rules, saw an amendment to align with federal standards rejected and then passed 38-19. Substitute Senate Bill 5917, dealing with access to abortion medications through the Department of Corrections pharmacy, had multiple proposed amendments rejected before passing 32-17 after extensive debate over access, labeling, distribution limits, and emergency status. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 6024 on developmental disability services confidentiality, then passed the bill 48-0-1 excused; passed Substitute Senate Bill 6091 on residential property marketing and fair housing by 49-0; and passed Substitute Senate Bill 5840 adjusting campaign finance expenditure reporting deadlines by 46-3. The body then recessed for caucus and lunch.

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically what we've done, not only do we create eight prisons out of our 49 now, where we have very
• Obviously, we didn't have the wherewithal to get these kind of resources in 49 prisons, but by, again
• Obviously, we didn't have the wherewithal to get these kind of resources in 49 prisons, but by, again
• , by moving these populations and separate. ...kind of resources in 49 prisons, but by, again, by moving
• did in the past is we put them through our reception process, and we shipped them out to one of the 49

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee met with Vice Chair Smith presiding in Chair Martin’s excused absence. After opening remarks from several senators, the committee heard a presentation from Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon on the state’s incentivized prisons program and related population-management efforts. Dixon said the department now operates eight incentivized prisons, which use enhanced privileges and programming for well-behaved inmates, and reported major reductions in disciplinary reports, staff assaults, inmate-on-inmate assaults, and uses of force compared with average institutions. He also described administrative management units for more disruptive inmates, short-sentence correctional institutions for those with less than a year to serve, and a reentry strategy that places inmates closer to home within 18 months of release. Dixon said Florida’s recidivism rate has fallen to about 21 percent, among the lowest in the nation, and emphasized that staffing, programming, and facility repairs remain ongoing needs. Committee members asked about access to education and workforce training, staffing levels, contraband, technology upgrades, heating and air-conditioning maintenance, and whether incentivized prisons could be expanded. Dixon said educational access is improving but remains limited by eligibility and staffing, that the incentivized facilities are at capacity, and that expansion depends on adding more administrative management unit beds. He also said the department is increasing use of technology, improving maintenance oversight, and continuing efforts to reduce contraband and improve staff recruitment and retention. Several senators praised the department’s work and urged more funding for prison infrastructure and officer pay. Public testimony largely supported the incentivized prisons model while calling for more seats, better staffing, and broader reforms. Family members of incarcerated people said the facilities were safer, more stable, and better for rehabilitation, though they asked for more programming, better treatment by staff, and clearer access to education and release-related opportunities. A Florida PBA representative emphasized that programs can only succeed with safe staffing levels and better pay and retention for correctional officers. No formal committee vote or bill action was taken, and the meeting ended after public testimony and closing remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• :18.878><c> because</c><04:49:19.160><c> of</c><04:49:19.280><c> the</c><04:49:19.480><c> fact</c><04
• of the fact that these this<04:49:20.638><c> Timber</c><04:49:21.040><c> is</c><04:49:21.240><c> being
• </c><04:49:21.920><c> locked</c><04:49:22.320><c> up</c><04:49:22.680><c> in</c><04:49:23.000><c> these
• :26.200><c> in</c><04:49:26.360><c> these</c><04:49:26.680><c> contracts</c><04:49:27.200><c> for</c>
• credits<04:49:29.400><c> that</c><04:49:29.680><c> is</c><04:49:30.280><c> um</c><04:49:30.638><c> greatly

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> for</c><01:49:00.320><c> the</c><01:49:00.639><c> programs</c><01:49:01.199><c> like</c><
• 01:49:01.440><c> would</c><01:49:01.600><c> that</c><01:49:01.840><c> be</c> mean for the programs like
• </c><01:49:04.560><c> What</c><01:49:04.800><c> kind</c><01:49:04.960><c> of</c><01:49:06.239><c> um<
• What kind of um you know<01:49:06.639><c> if</c><01:49:06.880><c> the</c><01:49:07.040><c> positions<
• /c><01:49:07.440><c> were</c><01:49:07.600><c> to</c><01:49:07.760><c> be</c><01:49:07.920><c> funded

Transcript Highlights:

• :11.000><c> experts</c><00:49:11.480><c> coming</c><00:49:11.880><c> in</c><00:49:12.880><c> and</c><
• to<00:49:13.880><c> you</c><00:49:14.079><c> some</c><00:49:14.359><c> insight</c><00:49:14.839><c>
• to you some insight and some Reflections on<00:49:16.559><c> what</c><00:49:16.760><c> they</c><00:49
• :16.960><c> are</c><00:49:17.240><c> thinking</c><00:49:17.640><c> in</c><00:49:17.760><c> terms</c><
• <00:49:18.599><c> Proposal</c><00:49:19.119><c> before</c><00:49:19.400><c> you</c><00:49:20.400><c>

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Mr.<01:49:02.159><c> Chair,</c><01:49:02.639><c> no,</c><01:49:02.960><c> we're</c><01:49:03.119
• ><c> going</c><01:49:03.280><c> to</c><01:49:03.679><c> that.
• No, what<01:49:04.719><c> would</c><01:49:04.960><c> happen</c><01:49:05.920><c> fundamentally,</c><01
• :49:06.639><c> Mr.
• Chair,<01:49:07.440><c> if</c><01:49:07.920><c> we</c><01:49:08.320><c> pass</c><01:49:08.639><c> this

Bills: HF3694 , HF3844 , HF4006 , HF3785 , HF3849 , HF4102 , HF3441 , HF3507 , HF3562

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: transportation, tow trucks, variable message signs, road safety, emergency service, optometrist, window glazing, motor vehicle regulations, medical prescriptions, transportation safety, infrastructure, construction, appropriation, state project, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, transportation regulations, safety standards, dealer license