Transcript Highlights:

• 02:16:26.040><c> I</c><02:16:26.119><c> want</c><02:16:26.239><c> to</c><02:16:26.400><c> say</c><02:
• 02:16:32.519><c> sick</c><02:16:33.519><c> but</c><02:16:33.800><c> as</c><02:16:33.920><c> a</c><02:
• ><02:30:21.560><c> a</c><02:30:21.680><c> lot</c><02:30:21.840><c> of</c><02:30:22.520><c> uh</c><02:
• ><02:37:47.479><c> yes</c><02:37:47.760><c> I</c><02:37:47.880><c> was</c><02:37:48.040><c> a</c><02:
• <02:41:46.479><c> a</c><02:41:46.640><c> better</c><02:41:46.920><c> J</c><02:41:47.200><c> of</c><02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with procedural remarks, including notice of an overflow room and a brief apology from Representative Andress about returning to his seat after introducing HB 114. The committee then took up HB 476, a proposed 15-week abortion ban. Chairman Lynn explained that a request to withdraw the bill had been filed, but because the bill was already scheduled for hearing, the committee would proceed with testimony and the withdrawal would require later House action. The chair also reminded witnesses to keep remarks to three minutes and asked the audience to remain respectful. Most testimony focused on abortion access, maternal health, and the likely effects of a 15-week limit. Opponents, including Nancy Pariser, Dr. Cynthia Rasmussen, Dr. Young, Bonnie Bruno, and others, argued that abortion restrictions increase maternal mortality, worsen miscarriage care, create “OB deserts,” and can delay emergency treatment in cases such as sepsis or ectopic pregnancy. Several speakers cited experiences from Texas and Georgia and warned that HB 476 contained no exceptions for rape, incest, or maternal health. Supporters of the bill, including Paul Galasso and Lynn Hill, framed abortion as the loss of unborn life and argued that 15 weeks still allows most abortions while saving lives; they also said New Hampshire’s current law is already adequate and that the bill should be strengthened rather than abandoned. Other witnesses emphasized practical and economic concerns, saying unwanted pregnancies can worsen poverty, childcare burdens, housing insecurity, and women’s lifetime earnings. Some speakers urged lawmakers to focus instead on affordable housing, childcare, and family support. No committee vote or final action on HB 476 occurred during the hearing; the meeting consisted of opening remarks and public testimony only.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the statutes are full of situations where we ask So the statutes are full of situations where we ask
• So isn't there, would the theft statute cover this?
• As you read that statute out to us, the actual language of that statute does not reference any physical
• What this bill is doing is it invites that politics into the statutes, and whether it was for Minnesota
• And that is what we saw in Minnesota.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard a long series of bills, mostly from Senators Hoffman, Fernandez, and Bolick. Early action included SB 1436 on school bond/override ballot language, which passed 4-3 after brief debate over ballot length and transparency. SB 1568, requiring election systems to keep clocks within 60 seconds of official time and making violations a misdemeanor, was amended and passed 4-3 despite concerns about machine failures and the breadth of the penalty. SB 1569, limiting special election board members from collecting voter registrations while assisting confined voters, also passed 4-3 after testimony from county officials and a deputy registrar describing alleged misuse of SEBs. SB 1746, requiring schools to serve as polling places and closing schools on regular primary/general election days for staff training, passed 4-3 over objections about school autonomy and safety. SB 1295, allowing certain incarcerated people needing long-term care or treatment to be transferred to contracted medical institutions, passed unanimously after an amendment narrowing the medical eligibility language. The committee then took up SB 1067, a county blight/abatement bill allowing property tax bills to include assessments for removing rubbish, debris, and dilapidated structures; county officials from Gila and Pima Counties strongly supported it, and it passed 7-0. SB 1285, which would have repealed kratom protections and added kratom and its alkaloids to the narcotic-drug list, drew strong opposition from industry and a pharmacist and failed 3-4 after debate over safety, regulation, and criminal penalties. SB 1413, removing the $100,000 restitution cap for serious injury or death caused by a moving violation, passed after a short explanation that it was intended to conform statutes to a prior Arizona Supreme Court ruling. SB 1476, making prenatal exposure to dangerous or narcotic drugs and fetal alcohol syndrome a class six felony child neglect offense with an affirmative defense for mothers who completed treatment, drew emotional testimony from a foster/adoptive parent and opposition from reproductive justice and criminal defense advocates; it passed 4-2. Later, SB 1585, creating standards and funding mechanisms for sex offender-specific evaluations, treatment, and polygraphs, passed 4-2 after supporters argued it would improve oversight and opponents questioned the added surcharge and appropriation. SB 1662, requiring probation conditions to be the least restrictive necessary and tailored to risk and needs, passed 5-0 with support from justice reform advocates and defense attorneys. SB 1664, adjusting constable nomination signature requirements in Maricopa and Pima Counties, passed unanimously after county association support. The committee then began SB 1666 on in-state custodial interference, with the sponsor and a supporter describing repeated violations of custody orders and arguing for a tiered civil-penalty-to-felony structure; the transcript ends during questioning on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><02:07:04.120><c> in</c><02:07:04.320><c> statute</c> there is a definition in statute there is a definition
• in statute otherwise.<02:07:05.400><c> I</c><02:07:05.480><c> would</c><02:07:05.640><c> have</c><02
• in the current statute from<02:15:36.760><c> my</c><02:15:36.920><c> understanding.
• ><c> statute</c><02:36:27.520><c> expires</c><02:36:28.320><c> that</c><02:36:28.560><c> July,</c> underlying
• statute expires that July, underlying statute expires that July, I<02:36:30.280><c> would</c><02:36:

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :04.760><c> bills</c><02:00:05.320><c> that</c><02:00:05.440><c> are</c><02:00:05.639><c> not</c><02:
• c> as</c><02:00:07.000><c> your</c><02:00:07.159><c> bill</c><02:00:07.360><c> looks</c><02:00:07.560
• :00:11.440><c> I'll</c><02:00:11.719><c> I'll</c><02:00:12.040><c> I'll</c><02:00:12.400><c> I</c><02
• ><c> in</c><02:03:34.920><c> the</c><02:03:35.239><c> state</c><02:03:36.239><c> um</c><02:03:36.440>
• <02:03:43.800><c> is</c><02:03:43.960><c> in</c><02:03:44.800><c> the</c><02:03:45.400><c> um</c><02:

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> that</c><00:02:04.920><c> can't</c><00:02:05.280><c> afford</c><00:02:05.799><c> them</c><00:02:
• you</c><00:02:13.000><c> could</c><00:02:13.160><c> read</c><00:02:13.360><c> about</c><00:02:13.520
• <00:02:17.239><c> numbers</c><00:02:18.040><c> and</c><00:02:18.319><c> competitive</c><00:02:18.800>
• :28.560><c> thing</c><00:02:28.680><c> is</c><00:02:28.800><c> we</c><00:02:28.879><c> have</c><00:02
• c> um</c><00:02:32.000><c> how</c><00:02:32.160><c> we</c><00:02:32.440><c> pay</c><00:02:32.640><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> you</c><00:02:32.800><c> have</c><00:02:32.959><c> toiled</c><00:02:33.440><c> on</c><00:02:33.560
• </c><00:02:36.680><c> As</c><00:02:36.800><c> a</c><00:02:36.840><c> new</c><00:02:37.080><c> member,
• ,<02:09:22.840><c> um</c><02:09:23.400><c> in</c><02:09:23.560><c> a</c><02:09:23.840><c> sum</c><02:
• <02:23:36.000><c> Uh</c><02:23:36.240><c> just</c><02:23:36.520><c> as</c><02:23:36.720><c> the</c><02
• </c><02:28:30.200><c> It</c><02:28:30.480><c> is</c><02:28:30.720><c> a</c><02:28:30.880><c> is</c><02

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :08:02.239><c> statute</c><02:08:02.639><c> of</c><02:08:02.880><c> limitations</c><02:08:03.679><c>
• for</c><02:08:04.079><c> actions</c> the statute of limitations for actions the statute of limitations
• section and to me that if we remove this section and the<02:08:16.719><c> statute</c><02:08:17.119><
• c> of</c><02:08:17.280><c> limitations</c><02:08:18.239><c> has</c><02:08:18.639><c> not</c> the statute
• ><c> the</c><02:11:32.560><c> statute</c><02:11:32.960><c> as</c> Representative Lucas asked whether

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services. Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice. DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• :16.400><c> there's</c><00:02:16.640><c> a</c><00:02:16.840><c> few</c><00:02:17.120><c> new</c><00:02
• this</c><00:02:19.120><c> committee</c><00:02:19.599><c> so</c><00:02:20.319><c> um</c><00:02:20.480>
• <00:02:24.840><c> chair</c><00:02:25.319><c> but</c><00:02:25.599><c> also</c><00:02:26.000><c> I</c>
• feel like<00:02:26.959><c> to</c><00:02:27.160><c> help</c><00:02:27.319><c> the</c><00:02:27.440><c
• :02:39.640><c> you</c><01:02:39.760><c> do</c><01:02:40.039><c> this</c><01:02:40.319><c> I</c><01:02

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c><02:11:32.560><c> statute</c><02:11:32.960><c> as</c> &gt;&gt; Are you aware that the statute
• Immunity that<02:12:56.400><c> exists</c><02:12:56.639><c> in</c><02:12:56.880><c> statute</c><02:12:
• in statute right now is uh that exists in statute right now is uh seems<02:12:58.639><c> to</c><02:12
• ><c> it's</c><02:13:01.679><c> in</c><02:13:01.920><c> statute.
• that</c><02:13:42.639><c> it</c> this statute.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> two</c><02:02:22.520><c> line</c><02:02:22.760><c> 18</c><02:02:23.119><c> of</c><02:02:23.239><
• 43.239><c> is</c><02:04:43.480><c> currently</c><02:04:43.880><c> in</c><02:04:44.079><c> statute</c>
• understanding it is currently in statute understanding it is currently in statute right<02:04:44.679
• department is following the<02:04:46.559><c> statute</c><02:04:47.320><c> in</c><02:04:47.480><c> order
• /c> the statute in order to pay out this the statute in order to pay out this incentive<02:04:48.920>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:02:05.839><c> fact</c><01:02:06.119><c> this</c> statutes is already there in fact this statutes
• :08.240><c> those</c><01:02:08.480><c> statutes</c> legislature um revised those statutes legislature
• um revised those statutes last<01:02:09.520><c> year</c><01:02:10.359><c> uh</c><01:02:10.559><c> they
• /c><01:02:17.119><c> statute</c> negligent operation of boat statute negligent operation of boat statute
• </c><02:11:55.960><c> so</c><02:11:56.280><c> I</c><02:11:56.559><c> uh</c><02:11:56.800><c> I</c><02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :50.239><c> benefit</c><00:02:50.720><c> from</c><00:02:50.959><c> that,</c><00:02:51.840><c> even</c
• ><00:02:52.319><c> quietly.
• Don't<00:02:53.920><c> let</c><00:02:54.080><c> us</c><00:02:54.400><c> pretend</c><00:02:54.879><c>
• we</c><00:02:55.200><c> don't</c><00:02:55.440><c> notice.
• Love<00:02:58.160><c> keeps</c><00:02:58.560><c> whispering</c><00:02:59.840><c> and</c><00:03:00.160

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under section 44-04-19.1, the statute allows for executive session when necessary.
• Engrossed Senate Bill 2160 is a bill for an act to amend and reenact sections 54-52.1-01, 54-52.1-02,
• To amend and reenact sections 23-35-02 and 23-35-08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the
• To amend and reenact section 23-35-02 and 23-35-08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the
• And as was said already, so far it has failed in all of our bordering states: Montana, Minnesota, and

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several procedural motions, including suspending House rules for three legislative days and replacing conference committee members on Senate Bill 2282 and SCR 4007. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups from Grafton/Pleasant Valley and Shiloh School. Later, the House agreed to several conference committee reports and moved a number of measures through final passage or final disposition. House Bill 1428, which would have created a sales tax exemption for clothing sold by thrift stores or nonprofit corporations, drew extensive debate over tax policy, revenue loss, and possible conflicts with streamlined sales tax rules. Supporters argued it would help lower-income shoppers and nonprofit thrift stores, while opponents said it created an unfair advantage and could reduce state and local revenue. The conference report was adopted, but the bill ultimately failed on final vote, 37-54. House Bill 1440, relating to cigar lounges, was amended in conference and then passed 75-17. House Bill 1460, concerning adult foster care for private-pay adults, electronic monitoring, and a legislative study, was also adopted and passed overwhelmingly, 91-1. The House then passed Senate Bill 2224, which revises gaming commission structure and gaming stamp requirements, adds Attorney General enforcement provisions, and includes a $25,000 general fund appropriation, by a vote of 88-0. Senate Bill 2327, which expands uses of the agriculture diversification and development fund and appropriates $15 million to it, passed 74-17 after a member was excused from voting due to a personal interest. Senate Bill 2267, creating a regulatory framework for on-site wastewater treatment systems and shifting licensing authority to the Department of Environmental Quality, passed 82-10, and Senate Bill 2276, addressing joint water resource boards for cross-county projects, passed 90-1. The most contentious debate centered on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the state employee health plan from grandfathered status to a non-grandfathered ACA-compliant plan and appropriate about $6.6 million for the transition. Supporters said it would give the PERS board more flexibility, expand preventive and other benefits, and potentially slow premium growth without charging employees premiums. Opponents warned it could raise out-of-pocket costs, add mandated benefits, and shift costs to employees, while also arguing the bill had not been adequately studied. After extended debate, the House passed SB 2160 by a vote of 55-37. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 1318, a pesticide labeling bill, and placed it on final passage, but the transcript ends before the final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're working on it in Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota.
• Yeah, if you put this in statute, you know, it would have to apply to them.
• So we need to home in and amend Chapter 100 of the Revised Statutes.
• So we need to home in and amend Chapter 100 of the revised seat statutes.
• That will conclude the hearing on House Bill 24-02 and Houseville 2816.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed hearing on House Bills 2402 and 2816, which address utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to keep comments to informational purposes, and testimony focused on setbacks, taxation, land conversion caps, county authority, decommissioning, and impacts on neighboring landowners and rural communities. Several witnesses said they supported solar in limited settings such as rooftops or industrial sites, but opposed or wanted changes to the bills’ treatment of agricultural land, especially the proposed 4% cap on cropland conversion and the 500-foot setback from homes. Testimony from landowners and farm groups emphasized concerns about property rights, viewshed impacts, fire risk, drainage and floodplain issues, and the loss of agricultural tax base and local economic activity. They argued the proposed $2,500 per megawatt tax was too low and suggested higher rates, with some recommending $6,000 per megawatt or more, along with decommissioning requirements and stronger county-level protections. A Renew Missouri representative supported much of the bill but preferred a smaller setback and raised constitutional concerns about changing solar land from agricultural to commercial assessment. Other witnesses, including a county commissioner, described local regulations already in place in some counties and asked for clearer statewide standards. Industry and utility representatives said the legislation was generally workable but needed further discussion on setbacks and property tax treatment. Clean Grid Alliance and related witnesses argued that tax comparisons with other states should account for total tax burden, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes would raise electricity costs for consumers. Ameren Missouri said it was acceptable with most provisions, but cautioned against overly aggressive real-property assessments and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee adjourned after taking testimony on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• :53.680><c> um</c><01:02:54.079><c> conducting</c><01:02:54.799><c> the</c><01:02:55.000><c> licensing
• ation<01:02:56.240><c> of</c><01:02:56.440><c> those</c><01:02:56.680><c> agents</c><01:02:57.680><c
• > um</c><01:02:58.200><c> as</c><01:02:58.359><c> well</c><01:02:58.640><c> as</c><01:02:58.799><c> the
• </c><01:42:53.000><c> uh</c> statute uh but that in that statute uh statute uh but that in that statute
• </c> just accidentals like Minnesota just accidentals like Minnesota Minnesota<04:43:47.760><c> South

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:02:14.120><c> only</c><00:02:14.720><c> state</c><00:02:15.720><c> that</c><00:02:15.959><c> doesn't
• 00:02:20.000><c> division</c><00:02:20.440><c> of</c><00:02:20.680><c> Vital</c><00:02:21.080><c> Records
• that<00:02:25.720><c> they</c><00:02:25.879><c> can</c><00:02:26.120><c> issue</c><00:02:26.440><c>
• 00:02:28.920><c> however</c><00:02:29.920><c> the</c><00:02:30.040><c> form</c><00:02:30.519><c> currently
• :53.559><c> uh</c><01:02:54.160><c> um</c><01:02:54.480><c> radio</c><01:02:54.880><c> box</c><01:02:

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:00.000><c> Uh</c><00:02:00.240><c> we</c><00:02:00.479><c> know</c><00:02:00.799><c> that</c>
• 02:00.320><c> it's</c><02:02:00.560><c> deferred</c><02:02:01.520><c> all</c> >> Okay, we're cornered
• ><c> suggested</c><02:02:57.840><c> by</c><02:02:58.000><c> the</c><02:02:58.560><c> ethics</c> amendment
• c> statute</c><02:08:59.840><c> is</c><02:09:00.079><c> that</c> our view of the current statute is that
• our view of the current statute is that there's<02:09:01.040><c> a</c><02:09:01.199><c> distinction<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<02:05:25.040><c> When</c><02:05:25.280><c> we</c><02:05:25.440><c> are</c><02:05:25.599><c> met</c>
• The<02:05:53.679><c> chairman</c><02:05:54.000><c> has</c><02:05:54.239><c> examined</c><02:05:54.639
• Pursuant<02:05:59.760><c> to</c><02:05:59.920><c> clause</c><02:06:00.239><c> one</c><02:06:00.480><c
• </c> Everyone<02:06:11.920><c> including</c><02:06:12.239><c> our</c><02:06:12.480><c> guests</c><02:
• The<02:06:30.639><c> chairman</c><02:06:30.960><c> will</c><02:06:31.199><c> now</c><02:06:31.560><c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• them<02:06:55.520><c> faithfully</c><02:06:56.079><c> to</c><02:06:56.320><c> those</c><02:06:56.560
• May<02:06:59.280><c> peace</c><02:06:59.599><c> and</c><02:06:59.920><c> prosperity</c><02:07:00.560>
• </c><02:07:08.400><c> May</c><02:07:08.639><c> your</c><02:07:08.800><c> name</c><02:07:09.040><c> be
• ><c> the</c><02:07:18.560><c> last</c><02:07:18.719><c> days</c><02:07:19.040><c> proceedings</c><02:
• <02:10:46.320><c> to</c><02:10:46.400><c> the</c><02:10:46.560><c> call</c><02:10:46.719><c> of</c><02

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 8, 2026, 1012, house, all

Bills: HCR6 , HCR36 , HCR175 , HCR197 , HB48 , HB54 , HB86 , HB127 , HB139 , HB177 , HB202 , HB212 , HB214 , HB244 , HB256 , HB286 , HB306 , HB309 , HB344 , HB348 , HB369 , HB370 , HB371 , HB395 , HB423 , HB428 , HB429 , HB432 , HB433 , HB437 , HB448 , HB454 , HB455 , HB472 , HB480 , HB510 , HB549 , HB563 , HB596 , HB606 , HB620 , HB664 , HB697 , HB698 , HB701 , HB706 , HB714 , HB740 , HB773 , HB782 , HB784 , HB833 , HB850 , HB904 , HB918 , HB939 , HB988 , HB1020 , HB1036 , HB1037 , HB1039 , HB1050 , HB1059 , HB1079 , HB1145 , HB1155 , HB1161 , HB1164 , HB1167 , HB1260 , HB1294 , HB1295 , HB1297 , HB1308 , HB1320 , HB1325 , HB1345 , HB1391 , HB1427 , SB21 , SB26 , SB71 , SB109 , SB146 , SB177 , SB183 , SB228 , SB253 , SB298 , SB299 , SB325 , SB382 , SB401 , SB414 , SB440 , SB657 , SB717 , HB2001

Keywords: emergency medical treatment, abortion services, pregnancy care, reproductive health, hospitals, EMTALA, healthcare access, sister-state relationship, cultural exchange, international relations, Okayama, Hawaii, trade, tourism, Pacific governance, legislative cooperation, inter-parliamentary assembly, climate resilience, sustainable development, Hawaii-Japan relations