Transcript Highlights:

• And I would note that this is a bipartisan bill with a Democrat and a Republican co-sponsors that passed
• bipartisan<00:13:14.560><c> bill</c><00:13:15.279><c> with</c><00:13:15.519><c> a</c><00:13:15.680><c> Democrat
• </c><00:13:16.160><c> and</c><00:13:16.399><c> a</c> bipartisan bill with a Democrat and a bipartisan
• bill with a Democrat and a Republican<00:13:17.200><c> co-sponsors</c><00:13:18.079><c> that</c><00:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session on a bill concerning school meal access and reimbursement. The bill would address local school districts’ responsibility to provide meals during school hours, reimburse schools for meals served at no cost, and make an appropriation. The committee first moved to retain the bill, with supporters saying it was complex, had uncertain fiscal impacts, and should be considered alongside other related meals bills. Opponents argued the committee already had enough information, that the bill served a small number of students at relatively low cost, and that delaying action would harm children who need food to learn. The committee also heard from Tim Roar, a Keene school business administrator and co-designer of the bill, who explained that the proposal was intended to be an opt-in program for districts, with rulemaking to set participation requirements. He said the bill was meant to target aid to students between 175% and 200% of poverty, reduce bad meal debt, and avoid spending taxpayer money on families who could afford to pay. He estimated the state cost at about $250,000 in year one, with local taxpayer costs around $8,500 for Keene, and said some districts already have systems for online applications while others do not. Committee members questioned him about meal debt, online application software costs, and how districts handle students who reach debt limits. Roar said districts still feed students who are hungry, but use other resources and family outreach when meal debt is capped, and he argued that parents should be responsible for providing lunch when they can afford it. Other members pushed back, saying they had seen students go hungry and that teachers sometimes pay for lunches themselves. One member noted the bill would increase eligibility, make it easier to apply, strengthen personal responsibility, and was not a mandate. The discussion ended without a recorded final vote in the excerpt, though the retain motion remained the central action under debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said it silences community voices, that public hearings are not red tape but a vital part of democratic
• a<00:15:14.079><c> vital</c><00:15:14.399><c> part</c><00:15:14.560><c> of</c><00:15:14.800><c> democratic
• </c> a vital part of democratic planning. a vital part of democratic planning.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe about 20 people on the Democratic side did cross over.
• Maybe about 20 people<00:11:04.560><c> on</c><00:11:04.800><c> the</c><00:11:04.959><c> Democratic</c
• ><00:11:05.519><c> side</c><00:11:05.839><c> did</c><00:11:06.079><c> cross</c> people on the Democratic
• side did cross people on the Democratic side did cross over.<00:11:07.120><c> Um,</c><00:11:07.360><

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not a democratic process.
• We</c><00:40:51.280><c> are</c><00:40:51.440><c> not</c><00:40:51.599><c> a</c><00:40:52.160><c> democratic
• We are not a democratic one input.
• We are not a democratic process.<00:40:53.200><c> We</c><00:40:53.440><c> are</c><00:40:53.760><c> a<

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 767, the nomination of Kanoi AD Jackson to serve as circuit court judge for the Third Circuit. The chair announced that the committee would not vote on the governor’s message or two judge nominations until Tuesday, April 15, but planned to vote that day on two Defender Council items. Testimony on Jackson’s nomination was limited to two minutes per speaker, and the hearing was conducted partly by Zoom. Supporters emphasized Jackson’s qualifications, work ethic, judicial temperament, and community ties. Testifiers included the West Hawaii Bar Association, family members, a retired teacher, retired Judge Robert Kim, and the Hawaii State Bar Association. The West Hawaii Bar Association said Jackson received high marks from its review process and that the Third Circuit needed a permanent judge for stability. Judge Kim and others praised her preparation, intelligence, humility, and experience as a prosecutor and litigator. Jackson also spoke in her own behalf, acknowledging that her background is primarily criminal rather than civil, but saying she is committed to learning the civil docket and serving the community if confirmed. Members questioned the Hawaii State Bar Association about the basis for its support, including how many members responded and whether concerns were raised about Jackson’s lack of civil experience. HSBA said it uses a confidential review process, receives both positive and negative comments, and does not track votes or percentages, but its board voted to support her. Judge Kim responded that judges can learn new areas of law, that civil dockets can be managed with benchbooks and help from other judges, and that Jackson’s trial experience would serve her well. No vote was taken on Jackson’s nomination during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• that's done some research into this and looked into this, when you go to places like Indonesia, the Democratic
• 43:50.640><c> like</c><00:43:51.560><c> Indonesia,</c><00:43:52.560><c> the</c><00:43:52.720><c> Democratic
• </c> to places like Indonesia, the Democratic to places like Indonesia, the Democratic Republic<00:43

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that you're all aware that Republicans and Democrats age at the same rate.
• that uh I think that you're all aware that Republicans<00:36:16.200><c> and</c><00:36:16.440><c> Democrats
• </c><00:36:17.079><c> age</c><00:36:17.440><c> at</c><00:36:17.599><c> the</c> Republicans and Democrats
• age at the Republicans and Democrats age at the same rate<00:36:21.720><c> aging</c><00:36:22.160><c

Bills: HF1837 , HF361 , HF2725 , HF2566 , HF2744 , HF1685 , HF501 , HF1889 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: state policy, employment, health insurance, fossil designation, public funds, community resources, Capitol Mall, grantmaking, community vitality, livability, funding, healthy aging, aging policy, older adults, seniors, elderly, gerontology, long-term care, assisted living, nursing homes

Transcript Highlights:

• My great-grandfather, John Kinszer, spent 28 years as a Democratic legislator.
• </c><00:54:54.559><c> years</c><00:54:54.960><c> as</c><00:54:55.200><c> a</c><00:54:55.359><c> Democratic
• </c> Kinszer, spent 28 years as a Democratic Kinszer, spent 28 years as a Democratic legislator.<00:54

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But last biennium, uh, the Democrats grew state government by what I would call three bienniums' worth
• <01:23:23.920><c> bianium,</c><01:23:24.719><c> uh</c><01:23:24.800><c> the</c><01:23:25.040><c> Democrats
• But last bianium, uh the Democrats know.
• But last bianium, uh the Democrats grew<01:23:26.159><c> state</c><01:23:26.600><c> government</c><01

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the<00:31:53.919><c> Democrats</c><00:31:54.480><c> two</c><00:31:54.720><c> years</c><00:31:54.880
• ><c> ago</c><00:31:55.200><c> were</c><00:31:55.440><c> able</c><00:31:55.679><c> to</c> the Democrats
• two years ago were able to the Democrats two years ago were able to give<00:31:56.480><c> some</c><00
• The genesis of this bill is really kind of how our democratic process is supposed to work.

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

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

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:

• times in the last election, most notably with Representative Bennett, where she was listed as a Democrat
• Bennett um where she was listed<01:13:42.920><c> as</c><01:13:43.040><c> a</c><01:13:43.199><c> Democrat
• </c><01:13:43.760><c> until</c><01:13:44.040><c> she</c><01:13:44.239><c> had</c> listed as a Democrat
• until she had listed as a Democrat until she had people<01:13:45.000><c> com</c><01:13:45.480><c> compaining

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, Tara is a Democrat, Bob's a Republican, and they just kept swapping seats every other year.
• 02:09:04.840><c> a</c> work thank you so you know Tara is a work thank you so you know Tara is a Democrat
• 05.960><c> a</c><02:09:06.480><c> Republican</c><02:09:07.119><c> and</c><02:09:07.520><c> they</c> Democrat
• Bob's a Republican and they Democrat Bob's a Republican and they just<02:09:07.840><c> kept</c><02:09

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on HR 18, a resolution urging New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to seek federal changes that would let very small slaughter plants use custom-exempt inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present, so beef, pork, lamb, and goat could be sold as individual cuts directly to consumers. Representative Judy Aron said the resolution was drafted in lieu of state legislation because the issue is governed by USDA rules, and she noted she was also working on an amendment to ensure the measure covered federal “very small” plants. Representative Miner asked for clarification about custom slaughter versus retail sales, and Representative Scully supported the resolution while suggesting language to make clear it applied only to local end consumers. Joyce Brady of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the state’s four USDA slaughterhouses and the bottleneck in custom cutting made the issue important. After no further testimony, the chair closed the hearing. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. For HB 616, members discussed an amendment that had been revised after public comments and Commissioner Jasper’s feedback; Representative Guber said it balanced the competing positions, and Representative Penza and Representative Ger said the language now addressed concerns about animal suffering by allowing euthanasia if a treating veterinarian determines the animal is in extreme suffering. The committee then discussed HB 77, with Representative Penza describing changes to landfill-related standards, including replacing aquifer references with drinking water wells, removing a penalty section, changing discretionary language to mandatory language for the department, and adjusting an in situ soils standard. Members praised the compromise, though Representative Scully raised concerns about the 1,500-foot setback and suggested engineering controls such as berms; Penza responded that current rules do not include such controls and that the setback was intended to address surface spills. Several members said the bill reflected a hard-fought balance and should not be rewritten at the last minute. For HB 505, the freeze-dried food bill, Representative Aron explained that the amendment replaced a simple exemption with a requirement that homestead food operations selling freeze-dried foods from a farm stand, farmers market, or retail food store obtain a homestead food license under RSA 143-A:4. She said the amendment defines freeze-dried foods as fruits, vegetables, and commercially prepared dairy products, and delays the effective date 120 days to allow rulemaking. Members generally supported the approach as a light-touch oversight mechanism for potentially hazardous foods, though Representative Ktoa asked for clarification about how the amendment interacts with existing licensing and inspection exemptions, and Aron clarified that these products would not be exempt from licensing under the relevant law. The committee then turned to HB 250, concerning local authority over dog muzzling, where members broadly supported the amendment as a simple solution, while Representative Ktoa asked about the underlying definition of a vicious dog and whether all listed behaviors would warrant muzzling. The discussion noted that the amendment would allow towns to require muzzling for dogs meeting the statutory definition, while excluding hunting, working, herding, and similar dogs.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are seven Democratic-authored bills and five Republican-authored bills.
• 00:03:45.360><c> there</c><00:03:45.439><c> are</c><00:03:45.760><c> seven</c><00:03:46.200><c> Democratic
• </c><00:03:46.879><c> authored</c> uh there are seven Democratic authored uh there are seven Democratic

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want, since it's a Democratic bill, we can offer it to one of the... okay, Senator Rosenell will
• c><02:21:16.960><c> since</c><02:21:17.240><c> it's</c><02:21:17.399><c> a</c><02:21:17.680><c> democratic
• </c><02:21:18.200><c> bill</c><02:21:18.560><c> we</c> to since since it's a democratic bill we to since
• since it's a democratic bill we can<02:21:19.200><c> we</c><02:21:19.359><c> can</c><02:21:19.560><c

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• meeting on Tuesday, Representatives Clayborn and Norris are there at the meetings and representing the Democrat
• /c><00:03:45.040><c> the</c> the meetings and representing the the meetings and representing the Democrat
• :46.640><c> house</c><00:03:47.640><c> uh</c><00:03:47.799><c> and</c><00:03:48.000><c> then</c> Democrat
• Caucus on the house uh and then Democrat Caucus on the house uh and then uh<00:03:48.840><c> Senator

Bills: HF25 , HF1 , HF428

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to say that I've been giving members on the Democrat side a lot of liberty to ask their questions
• members</c><00:35:17.839><c> um</c><00:35:18.200><c> on</c><00:35:18.400><c> the</c><00:35:18.680><c> Democrat
• </c> been giving members um on the Democrat been giving members um on the Democrat side<00:35:19.920>

Bills: HF7

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: public safety, criminal justice, sentencing guidelines, Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, public sentencing database, felony dismissals, prosecutor reporting, bail notice, bond posting, law enforcement data, arrest data, public records, sex trafficking, human trafficking, mandatory minimum sentence, peace officer assault, police assault, fleeing police, vehicular flight, stolen motor vehicle

Transcript Highlights:

• of the original Minnesota Miracle, which was put together by Progressive Republicans working with Democrats
• 03.319><c> with</c> by Progressive Republicans working with by Progressive Republicans working with Democrats
• 04.520><c> aisle</c><00:49:05.440><c> was</c><00:49:05.680><c> the</c><00:49:05.880><c> idea</c> Democrats
• across the aisle was the idea Democrats across the aisle was the idea that<00:49:06.400><c> every</c

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it is one of the most democratic things that we can do. So thank you.
• /c><01:19:03.920><c> of</c><01:19:04.040><c> the</c><01:19:04.120><c> most</c><01:19:04.280><c> democratic
• </c> it it is one of the most democratic it it is one of the most democratic things<01:19:04.880><c>

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bronson Sila, from the Democratic Party, in support. Jaclyn Ambrose, in support.
• from</c><01:04:19.839><c> the</c><01:04:20.000><c> de</c><01:04:20.440><c> de</c><01:04:20.760><c> Democratic
• </c> Bronson Sila from the de de Democratic Bronson Sila from the de de Democratic party<01:04:21.520

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 103, relating to electric vehicle batteries, and then moved to Senate Bill 995, relating to renewable fuel. On SB 103, the Department of Health and the State Energy Office supported the measure, and Redwood Materials said it supported the bill’s intent but requested an amendment to add a battery recycler to the commission. Other testimony on SB 103 included support from several individuals and organizations, with one opponent noted. A committee member also raised a possible deadline change requested by the Alliance of Automobile Innovation for future work on the measure. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 995, which would create tax incentives for sustainable aviation fuel and related renewable fuel production. Supporters included the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, Pono Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines, the Tax Foundation, PAR Hawaii, Pacific Biodiesel, and others. Supporters said the bill would help build a local SAF industry, encourage camelina and other feedstocks, and advance decarbonization goals. Several supporters also said they had proposed amendments or technical comments and stood on their written testimony. Opposition testimony argued the bill could allow toxic waste feedstocks, such as construction and demolition waste, into fuel production, and questioned whether the incentives would truly benefit Hawaii farmers or consumers. One opponent said the bill’s benefits could flow to the producer and to imported feedstocks rather than to local agriculture, and another questioned the scale of local land and water available for camelina production. Committee members pressed witnesses on acreage, water use, expected yields, the role of PAR Hawaii’s refinery investment, and whether the state would be subsidizing a business decision that might not produce significant local fuel. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• While many will be quick to point their finger at the Republican caucus, Michelle calls out the Democratic
• ><01:07:05.720><c> calls</c><01:07:06.039><c> out</c><01:07:06.480><c> the</c><01:07:06.640><c> Democratic
• </c> caucus Michelle calls out the Democratic caucus Michelle calls out the Democratic Party<01:07:07.559

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They are part of what strengthens legitimacy in a democratic society.
• grant system could dictate local education policy more than local parents, education leaders, and democratically
• I value the democratic nature of our public school system, so I'll be a respectful no today.

Keywords: 981, all